(Update April 12) Access Humboldt Wins 6 WAVE Awards at ACM West Conference

Update April 12: Access Humboldt would like to share one of their award-winning videos. They write: “This is one of the episodes that won in the category of community events – profiling one Team’s prep for last year’s kinetic Sculpture Race about 6-8 weeks prior to the race (which is where the teams preparing for this year would be now.)” Watch the video below:

Christina Jeffers with 6 WAVE awards.

Press release from Access Humboldt:

Access Humboldt earned six top honors at the 2026 WAVE Awards, held during the ACM West Conference & Trade Show, February 11–13 at the Embassy Suites Riverfront Promenade. The annual awards recognize excellence in community-produced television across Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Competing against significantly larger markets, Access Humboldt was named a finalist 10 times and took home six awards for programs produced entirely in Humboldt County. Ranked #196 out of 210 television markets nationwide, according to Nielsen data, Access Humboldt operates with one of the smallest budgets in the country.

“This is truly a David and Goliath story,” said Christina Marie Jeffers, Executive Director of Access Humboldt. “There are 195 TV markets with far greater funding for their PEG stations. For our small, rural station to win six WAVE awards is an incredible honor for our community producers.”

Access Humboldt provides Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) programming for Humboldt County, covering seven cities and three joint powers authorities gavel-to-gavel, along with local forums and community events. The station offers free speech platforms, hands-on media training, and distribution across television and radio—empowering local residents to create and share their own content.

Since stepping into leadership in Fall 2024, Jeffers has worked to rebuild the station amid budget reductions, brand confusion, post-pandemic constraints, the loss of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding opportunities, and the termination of its facility lease with College of the Redwoods.

“We are not PBS—we are PEG,” Jeffers emphasized. “We provide free speech, open government, and education for all. If you’ve watched a local government meeting, local short film, or local forum on television, chances are you’ve seen our work.”

Other award recipients included Access Sacramento (#20) and CMAC of Fresno (#55). Jeffers noted that even high-performing stations face financial uncertainty.

“Community support is crucial for these institutions to survive. These awards demonstrate that Access Humboldt and our local producers are worthy of continued investment.”

Founded in 1976, the Alliance for Community Media represents more than 3,000 PEG access organizations and community media centers nationwide. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, ACM supports local voices and promotes media democratization across television, radio, streaming, and digital platforms.

Access Humboldt invites community members to become members, volunteer, use the studio & tools, or train as Community Producers to help strengthen local media—created locally, for locals.

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The Awardees

Educational Access
Quack and Wabbit

Community Issues
Turn Awareness to Action – Myth Busting Mental Health

Underserved Voices
Bright As A Feather

Community Event
Humboldt Outdoors, One Team’s Quest For Kinetic Glory

News/Documentary/Magazine
The Mysterious Cabin in the Arcata Community Forrest

Government Access
Community Voices: Chris Rogers and Academy of the Redwoods Students

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Media Contacts

Christina Marie Jeffers
Executive Director, Access Humboldt
[email protected]
916-919-5965

Randy Van Dalsen
Treasurer – ACM Board
[email protected]

Sue Buske
Vice President – ACM Board
[email protected]

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If you’d like, I can also: