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:
Wednesday, August 17, 2011

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

OFFICE OF CABLE TELEVISION IN COMPETITION FOR TOP NATOA PRIZE
Two OCT Programs Also in Running for Honors in Their Categories

WASHINGTON, DC - Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced today that the District of Columbia Office of Cable Television (OCT) is a finalist for the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) 2012 "Excellence in Government Programming" award. This is the most prestigious award NATOA confers each year.

"Receiving this award would be an honor for the Office of Cable Television and a feather in the District's cap," said Mayor Gray. "Congratulations to Eric Richardson and the OCT staff on being recognized for their hard work in informing District residents with excellence and creativity."

Additionally, OCT's multi-award winning Washington Full Circle is racing toward the victory line as a finalist for the NATOA 2012 "Promotion of a City/County" government programming award and OCT's newest standout program, Q&A Café with Carol Joynt, is a finalist in the NATOA 2012 "Interview/Talk Show" category.

NATOA's Government Programming Awards (GPAs) recognize excellence in broadcast, cable, multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies. Categories cover a variety of programming including community events, documentaries, public affairs, interview/talk show, performing arts, sports, election coverage and children's issues. Celebrating over 25 years of programming excellence, the GPA's celebrate the achievements of government programmers across the nation.

"Although we are up against stiff competition, I am very hopeful the diligence and hard work of the OCT staff will be recognized by NATOA," said OCT Director Eric E. Richardson. "I am proud of the outstanding commitment and enthusiasm the staff brings to the office each day and the excellent programming they produce."

Washington Full Circle is an award-winning original OCT production broadcast on both TV-16 and NBC4 Washington. This high-energy, fast-paced, entertaining and informative program gives its viewers an all-access backstage pass to all things Washington. From music to theatre, fashion, travel, nightlife and everything in between, Washington Full Circle highlights the latest trends in the District's people, places, things and so much more.

Q&A Café with Carol Joynt offers candid conversation with today's newsmakers in the dining room of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the District's West End. Q&A Café with Carol Joynt delivers to viewers the kind of informal-yet-insightful conversation that can only happen in the dining room. You'll find no speeches - just free-flowing questions and answers.

OCT offers both Washington Full Circle and Q&A Café with Carol Joynt as podcasts and may be downloaded to your smartphone and/or computer, free of charge, from iTunes and other podcasting services and is transferable to your portable MP3 player.

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.

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