Government of the District of Columbia
Executive Office of the Mayor



Office of Cable Television
3007 Tilden Street, N.W., Pod-P
Washington, D.C. 20008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2010

CONTACT: Kenneth Borden 202.671.0057, Kenneth.Borden@dc.gov

Office of Cable Television Collects Five NATOA Awards

Washington, DC - The District of Columbia Office of Cable Television (OCT) has received five (5) 2010 NATOA Government Programming Awards (GPAs) in a national awards competition that honors excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. OCT collected two (2) First Place Awards and three (3) Second Place Awards from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) at its 25th Annual Government Programming Awards gala event held at The Washington Court Hotel in Washington, DC. The awards were given to acknowledge OCT's superior television programming.

A First Place Award in the category of Ethnic Experience was awarded to OCT's Enslavement to Emancipation, and a First Place Award in the category of Magazine Format was awarded to OCT's Washington Full Circle: Cinema City. A Second Place Award in the category of Interview/Talk Show was awarded to OCT's Cable Talk, and a Second Place Award in the category of Visual Arts was awarded to OCT's School Sketch. Finally, OCT captured the Second Place Award in the category of Overall Excellence in Government Programming.

OCT Director Eric E. Richardson voiced appreciation and gratitude for the acknowledgement and noted "We're pleased that NATOA has recognized the OCT team for programming and production excellence. These five awards exemplify the outstanding work that the entire staff does on a daily basis."

The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) promotes community interests in communications. A national trade association based in Alexandria, VA, NATOA represents local government jurisdictions and consortiums, including elected and appointed officials and staff, who oversee communications and cable television franchising. The Government Programming Awards categories cover a variety of programming including, among others, community events, documentary, public affairs and public service, interview/talk show, performing arts, sports, election coverage and children's issues. Celebrating over 25 years of programming excellence, the 2010 GPA's celebrates the achievements of government programmers across the nation.

OCT's award winning programs can be viewed online via OCT's agency website at www.oct.dc.gov and at the following URL addresses (to view now, cut and paste URL link into your browser):

Enslavement to Emancipation: http://www.octt.dc.gov/services/on_demand_video/channel16/Enslavement_to_Emancipation.asx
Washington Full Circle: Cinema City: http://www.octt.dc.gov/services/on_demand_video/channel16/3119.asx
Cable Talk: http://www.octt.dc.gov/services/on_demand_video/channel16/CableTalk.asx
School Sketch: http://www.octt.dc.gov/services/on_demand_video/DKN/SK_SCHOOL_WITHOUT_WALLS_HS.asx

For more information regarding OCT, please visit the agency’s website:
http://www.oct.dc.gov