A weekend of local voices, live conversations, performances, and community storytelling kicks off WilliNet’s year-long fundraising campaign.
WilliNet is bringing the community together for a special three-day telethon, Friday, November 13, through Sunday, November 15, 2026, celebrating the people, organizations, and stories that make Williamstown and the Northern Berkshires such a vibrant place to live.
The WilliNet Community Telethon will feature live interviews, local performances, conversations with nonprofit and civic leaders, highlights from WilliNet’s archives, and a preview of exciting new programming.
It’s an opportunity to celebrate our community, learn more about the issues affecting our region, and help shape the future of independent local media.
Telethon Broadcast Schedule
Friday, November 13 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Our opening evening kicks off the celebration with community voices, special guests, local stories, and a look at WilliNet’s past, present, and future.
Saturday, November 14 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 2:00–5:00 PM
A full day of programming featuring local artists and performers, nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, community partners, and conversations about the issues and opportunities shaping our region.
Sunday, November 15 | 2:00–5:00 PM
Our final afternoon brings more community conversations, local history, stories of connection, and a look ahead at what’s next for WilliNet.
Throughout the weekend, we’ll also share prerecorded interviews, archival highlights, and opportunities for viewers to support WilliNet’s work.
More Than a Fundraiser: A Celebration of Community
For decades, WilliNet has helped Williamstown tell its own stories—from town meetings and community events to original programs created by local residents.
This year’s telethon will highlight the many people and organizations working to strengthen our community, including those involved in local democracy, healthcare, education, environmental stewardship, arts and culture, historical preservation, and community advocacy.
We’ll also introduce some of the new programming and initiatives we’re developing, including:
- Untangled: A new public affairs series exploring the systems, policies, and decisions affecting our everyday lives, with a focus on community perspectives and practical solutions.
- Move to Center: A new series making room for the voices and creative work of BIPOC and women authors, artists, filmmakers, and other creators.
- Digital Learning Ladder: A six-part workshop series designed to help residents develop digital skills, tell their stories, preserve their memories, and create media of their own.
Investing in WilliNet’s Future
The telethon also marks the launch of a year-long capital fundraising campaign to strengthen WilliNet for the years ahead.
Like community media organizations across the country, WilliNet faces declining traditional cable funding at a time when access to reliable local information and independent media is more important than ever.
Community support will help us modernize our production equipment and technology, expand original programming, create more opportunities for residents and students to participate in media production, and preserve access to local government coverage and community storytelling.
WilliNet belongs to the community, and its future depends on the community.
Whether you make a donation, volunteer, become a community producer, share your story, or simply tune in, you’re helping ensure that Williamstown continues to have a place where local voices can be heard.
How to Participate
Tune in: Watch the telethon November 13–15 on WilliNet’s cable channels 1302 and 1303 or through our online and streaming platforms.
Make a donation: Support our fundraising campaign and help invest in the future of community media.
Spread the word: Invite friends, family, and neighbors to watch, and share the telethon on social media.
Get involved: Interested in producing a show, volunteering, learning new media skills, or partnering with WilliNet? We’d love to hear from you.
Visit www.willinet.org to learn more, watch our programming, and find ways to get involved.
Join us November 13–15 as we celebrate where we’ve been, share the stories of today, and build the WilliNet of tomorrow.
WilliNet — Sharing our stories. Connecting our community.