KOCT Television began as an idea in the mind of Bob Bowditch when he saw a need for city council coverage for those who were not able to make it in person for the public meetings. Bob spoke on the idea of Oceanside’s very own Public Access Channel and on October 14, 1981, he was appointed to be a part of the Cable TV Ad HOC Committee which focused on reviewing services relating to local cable television.

With the growth of cable television came an opportunity for funding with the cable company TCI and the City of Oceanside. Oceanside gave the committee access to wire the city with cable and in turn gave us equipment and channel space for a community television channel. 

In 1982, one of the councilmen felt strongly that the council meetings should air to increase community participation and requested that Bob and the committee see what it would cost to put together the equipment necessary to install a rudimentary system.

Bob and the other volunteers set up and tested the equipment in his garage and arranged to move it to City Hall. City Council meeting coverage began, often consisting of cutting down long meetings and delivering the footage to the cable company to put on air.

In 1984, with the encouragement and support of the City of Oceanside, a separate non-profit corporation, Oceanside Community Service Television Corporation (KOCT) was formed. KOCT was made responsible for providing Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) access programming to the citizens of not just Oceanside, but North County San Diego as a whole.

WE ARE THE VOICE OF NORTH COUNTY

KOCT - Voice of North County is celebrating over 40 years of community television service in the City of Oceanside. Oceanside Community Television (KOCT) is a non-profit Corporation that provides public, educational and government access programming and services on Cox Communications Channels 18 and 19, as well as on AT&T U-Verse. KOCT also hosts a website, koct.org, where both channels are available via streaming video as well as many programs that are available as VOD (Video On Demand).

KOCT provides "live" coverage and replays of all city council meetings, produces and airs documentaries, News Briefs, election programs, talk shows and a variety of other community programs. KOCT also provides a Community Calendar bulletin board so that government and local non-profit agencies can publicize their events.

KOCT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing various segments of the community and operates with three full-time staff members, part-time staff, and the assistance of student interns and volunteers.

A contract agreement with the City of Oceanside stipulates that KOCT is responsible for Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) access. KOCT's channel 19 is the Government Channel with City-related information and programming. The County Television Network (CTN) is also shown on channel 19.

Channel 18 is the Community Channel and provides a range of programming including public and educational access, local origination and the California Channel. Both Channels 18 and 19 are in operation 24 hours a day.

KOCT supplies all of the technical assistance and equipment for the production of its programs. It augments its professional staff with volunteers and student interns from local colleges. The station provides invaluable experience for individuals interested in telecommunications careers. Student interns and interested volunteers can obtain valuable on-the-job experience.

KOCT's continued success and growth will ensure that the people of North County retain a mass media platform well into the 21st century. KOCT's award-winning programs and services have brought national recognition and acclaim to KOCT - Voice of North County.

KOCT prides itself on its responsiveness to community desires, needs and suggestions and we welcome your comments.

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