Community Content

GNAT-TV strengthens the community through local independent media

STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER • PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK BURCHARD

Based in the heart of Southern Vermont, GNAT-TV is more than just a local cable access television network. It’s a community institution and a multi-platform media hub that amplifies local voices, preserves regional history, and provides a vital platform for civic engagement. Since its founding in 1995, GNAT-TV has adapted to the ever-evolving media landscape, remaining steadfast in its mission to bring people together throughout the community and empower them. 

GNAT began as a grassroots effort, which was spearheaded by a group of dedicated citizens who understood the necessity of public access television. It has since grown into an innovative multimedia organization that offers a vast range of programming, training, and content creation opportunities – both on television and online – through its substantial streaming content offerings. In an era where digital platforms have changed the media landscape, GNAT-TV continues to evolve by staying true to its original vision: to be an accessible and inclusive media resource for the people of Southern Vermont. Anyone living or working in its service area can utilize the studio facilities and production equipment free of charge to produce noncommercial content. 

The origins of GNAT-TV are deeply rooted in the free speech movement that shaped public access television in the 1980s. When the 1984 Cable Act mandated that cable operators provide access to local communities, Vermont took a unique approach. Rather than allowing municipal governments to control funding for public access channels, the state’s regulatory framework allowed independent nonprofit organizations to oversee community media. “Vermont did it in a way that’s really for the people. We’re all independent, not-for-profit organizations that were born up in the communities,” explains GNAT Executive Director, Tammie Reilly.

In 1995, a group of local volunteers filed the paperwork to establish GNAT-TV as the designated Public, Educational, and Government access (PEG) station for the Northshire region in Southern Vermont. By 1997, GNAT-TV was fully operational, providing the community with unfiltered access to government meetings, cultural programming, and public discourse. “It was ordinary citizens who saw the value in having a community access TV station, and they put it together,” says Reilly.

Through the years, GNAT-TV has expanded its offerings significantly. With the rise of digital platforms, the organization has had to adapt in order to stay relevant in the age of social media and on-demand streaming. The answer has been a multi-pronged approach: Increasing high-quality local coverage, expanding educational programming, offering mentorship opportunities for young content creators, and building strong collaborations with other community-minded institutions. “We’ve had to change. We’ve started creating content and partnering with organizations to create higher-value content,” shares Reilly.

One of GNAT-TV’s flagship productions is The News Project, hosted by Andrew McKeever. Launched in 2016, it has since become a cornerstone of the community, providing access to trustworthy, nonpartisan local news features. “The work that Andrew has done for our community and for this TV station has been remarkable,” notes Reilly. Covering everything from town meetings to environmental issues, small business developments, and cultural events, The News Project offers Southern Vermont a vital source of information that mainstream media often overlooks.

A Civil Discussion, co-hosted by McKeever and Don Keelan, fosters respectful dialogue across ideological lines, emphasizing that disagreement —whether philosophical or political— does not preclude meaningful conversation. “That’s the idea behind A Civil Discussion,” Reilly explains, highlighting GNAT-TV’s role in bridging diverse perspectives within the community. Similarly, CITCOM (Citizen Commentary) offers a short-form video editorial platform where individuals can share their thoughts on any topic, from current events to personal experiences. By providing spaces for both structured discourse and open expression, these programs ensure that every voice has a place in the local conversation. 

One of the most exciting aspects of GNAT-TV is its commitment to empowering the next generation of media makers. Recognizing the need for media literacy and hands-on training in an increasingly digital world, GNAT-TV has developed a range of educational programs and mentorship opportunities designed to equip young people with the skills they need to thrive in content creation. “We’ve really dug into youth educational opportunities, and there’s a big need for it,” says Reilly.

Tammie Reilly, GNAT-TV’s Executive Director

Youth media camps provide immersive summer and school break programs where young Vermonters can experiment with filmmaking, animation, podcasting, and television production. The GNAT internship program offers high school and college-level interns firsthand experience in content creation, studio operations, and multimedia storytelling. Additionally, the Local Creator Fund, launched with support from the Vermont Arts Council, provides production grants to local filmmakers and content creators of all ages, ensuring that Southern Vermont’s stories are told by the people who live here. “The reality is, creative people need money just like everyone else, and we’re working on ways to support them,” explains Reilly. 

GNAT-TV’s programming goes far beyond local news, cultural events, and town governance. The network has long been home to beloved community-focused shows, reflecting the region’s cultural richness and creative spirit. Potluck Kitchen is a fan favorite, serving as a community-driven cooking show where local residents share cherished recipes while celebrating Vermont’s rich culinary traditions. “Our kitchen set has been widely used and very popular for years, among both kids and adults,” says Reilly.

Gnature, born out of the pandemic, highlights the natural beauty of the Northshire region, offering viewers moments of peace and reflection through stunning cinematography. “We’d love to see more community members sending in their nature footage,” says Reilly. GNAT-TV has also long been a champion of local musicians and artists. Plans are currently underway to revive the Black Fly Lounge, a show dedicated to showcasing Vermont’s vibrant music scene. “We hope to have significant community involvement in the program and are seeking volunteers to help produce the show” stated Reilly.

GNAT-TV’s impact extends beyond its own programming. The station plays a pivotal role in capturing and distributing high-caliber cultural and educational events through collaborations with key local institutions. “We work with town governments, schools, nonprofit community organizations, and the arts community. Our partnerships strengthen our community,” says Reilly. 

To that end, GNAT-TV has built a long-standing relationship with the Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning (GMALL) and the Manchester Community Library, ensuring that lectures and educational programs reach a wider audience beyond those able to attend in person. “Not everyone can make it to these events, so by capturing and sharing them, we’re expanding access to knowledge and learning,” explains Reilly. The station also partners with local schools to provide media literacy programs, helping students develop skills in video production, editing, and storytelling that can be applied in their academic and professional careers. 

Additionally, the station collaborates with the area historical societies to bring local history to life through documentaries, interviews, and archival storytelling, preserving and sharing the rich heritage of the community. GNAT’s collaborations with Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) and Northshire Bookstore bring literary discussions, author talks, and arts programming to a broader audience, fostering a deeper appreciation for Vermont’s creative community. “These events are rich with information and cultural insight, and we make sure they’re available to the whole community,” says Reilly. 

As media consumption trends shift toward digital platforms, GNAT-TV is navigating a seismic transformation in its funding model. “There’s no regulatory structure that requires funding for local content creation, and that’s a huge challenge,” notes Reilly. Without a regulatory framework in place to support local content creation, community media stations like GNAT-TV rely increasingly on philanthropy, grants, and local business partnerships. 

To continue providing independent local news, educational programming, and cultural content, GNAT-TV is looking towards the community for investment. Whether through donations, underwriting, or volunteerism, there are countless ways to support this essential institution. 

To further these efforts, GNAT-TV recently welcomed Marc Harrington as its first Director of Advancement. In this new role, Harrington will focus on strengthening donor engagement, expanding community partnerships, and securing vital funding to ensure the station’s long-term sustainability. This investment underscores GNAT-TV’s commitment to preserving and growing independent local media as a vital resource for the Northshire region and Southern Vermont.

As GNAT-TV continues to move forward, it will serve as a community lifeline, a catalyst for creative expression, a resource for transparency and essential local information, and a bridge between generations of Vermonters. Throughout GNAT’s evolution, one thing remains unchanged: the power of its local storytelling – and the importance of providing authentic content platforms for the people who call Southern Vermont home. 

To support GNAT-TV’s programming and initiatives, visit gnat-tv.org