Boothbay Region Cable Television’s off-air status changes at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 with a live telecast of “Bob’s Bullpen.” The local cable access channel known as “channel 7” has been dormant for a couple months due to an equipment malfunction and a studio renovation. But all that changes during the grand open house when the station returns to cable television.

But the return will be on a new channel. On Nov. 28, channel 7 is no longer channel 7. Spectrum Cable Providers is moving the local access channel to 1301. Spectrum didn’t provide BRCTV officials with an explanation for the change.  Currently, on channel 7, a message reads: “This is a recent and abrupt decision change made by Spectrum Cable Providers, and it’s not at the consent of Boothbay TV Media Center.”

Station Manager Cody Mitchell would have preferred remaining on channel 7, but he believes in time viewers will find BRCTV at its new location on 1301.

“It’s a huge jump so we’re trying to get the word out. I’ve talked to other people who watch PBS which is in the 1200s so it shouldn’t take too long before viewers know where to go,” he said.

But cable television isn’t the only option for watching BRCTV. The station can be watched on the internet. BRCTV programming can be seen on a computer or on Roku, a digital media player for streaming video, music and entertainment. Roku is like a DVD player. It comes in many different forms from set-top boxes to TV sets with the service built in.

BRCTV is also developing an app for streaming high quality, high definition broadcast programs. “My goal is making everyone aware of Roku and all the streaming options. We have lived-streamed some basketball games in the past and are looking to live-stream more events in the future,” he said.

Mitchell is inviting interested community members to attend the open house and see all the changes to the studio. He is also looking for volunteers for basketball announcing and camera work as well as for other community programs.