AWARD-WINNING CHANNEL GTV6 BURSTING AT THE SEAMS.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

GLENDALE - The city's government-access channel, GTV6, has grown by leaps and bounds since its 1995 launch - so much so that city officials are considering creating a new production studio.

The station studio is now housed in two small, dark rooms in the basement of City Hall, which can be accessed only through a staircase in the City Clerk's office. City officials plan to relocate the studio to the second floor of the General Services Building next door to give the production staff more room.

``We currently have two editing machines in one room. That's unheard of for broadcast purpose. You normally have one editing bay (in each room),'' said Ritch Wells, the city spokesman who is the guiding force behind GTV6.

Station editing staff sit back to back, trying to concentrate with noise pollution coming from each other's machines and from the control room next door.

``You can put on headsets, but you can't talk to the person next to you,'' said Brian Halloran, a production staffer.

A closet in the control room holding boxes and boxes of videotapes serves as the station's library.

With bulky equipment filling up most of the rooms, there is little room for staff to maneuver.

A sort of local C-SPAN, GTV6 started out broadcasting about a handful of meetings and programs. Today, it broadcasts 25 to 30 board and commission meetings each month, ranging from Planning Commission meetings to Design and Review Board meetings.

In addition, the station staff of five, plus one intern, produces about a dozen programs on a regular basis, such as ``Issues and People'' and ``The Dog House,'' in addition to the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and other special events.

Demand for GTV6 productions continues to rise, Wells said.

The production staff is rotated seven days a week and has had to turn away or delay some work.

``The city departments have come to the realization that Channel 6 is an excellent way to communicate with citizens,'' Wells said.

The former radio and television journalist turned public information officer has the awards to prove it.

In the last few years, the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisers has honored GTV6 with a host of awards for its quality programming.

The station has an annual budget of about $325,000. It's equipped with up-to-date technology.

The production staff, composed of computer-savvy and young people in their late 20s and early 30s, each shoot, edit and design graphics.

To take the station to the next level, Wells said the city is planning a survey to find how GTV6 can improve its programming.

The station is also considering broadening its internship program, hire an additional staff person and add more equipment.

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Sabrina Thomas and her fellow employees at channel GTV6 work out of tight quarters in the basement at City Hall.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News