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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

City of McAllen partnership with HC2 Broadcasting/Azteca America station now airing

MCN Spectrum 1300 on antenna channel 57-1

(McAllen, Texas)-McAllen Cable Network, the City of McAllen’s Public. Education. Government. (P.E.G.) channel, which airs on Spectrum Cable channel 1300 is now available over the air on KAZH-LP Channel 57-1 McAllen to residents who use antennas and not cable or satellite to watch television. The partnership is between McAllen and HC2B Broadcasting and Azteca America, the owners of the channel. The agreement was created to help ensure that vital COVID-19 information and emergency alerts are received by residents who would otherwise not receive this information which airs on the McAllen channel.

“This is a great benefit to residents in McAllen and beyond who might be missing specific information provided for McAllen or the region that airs on MCN 1300,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “I hope that everyone who uses antennas to watch television tunes in to the great programming and information available on MCN.”

The station covers McAllen, Mission, Pharr, Edinburg, Weslaco and beyond. The antenna range is as far west as Sullivan City, as far north as San Manuel-Linn, as far east as La Feria and as far south as the entire city limits of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The metro area should be able to pick it up with indoor antennas and rural county residents with outdoor or rooftop antennas. Viewers who utilize antennas simply need to rescan their antenna to pick up the new channel, KAZH-LP McAllen, 57-1.

Currently, the agreement has no end date and MCN 1300 will be available on KAZH-LP at least throughout the COVID-19 crisis. City leaders will reevaluate the agreement to determine whether to extend the partnership that allows for the channel availability. This includes being able to watch live and taped meetings of the McAllen City Commission and the McAllen Public Utility. McAllen Cable Network has also increased its programming to offer a variety of new and updated shows to keep the community informed, promoting the channel’s new mission “Stories that count, from people who care.”

“Our MCN 1300 channel is a great resource for McAllen viewers to receive current and accurate information about everything the City of McAllen does for its residents and community,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. “We hope that with the new on-air channel, as well as all of the different ways available to access our updated and informative programming, anyone who wants to tune in, can and will watch the McAllen Cable Network.”

In addition to the monthly newscast, “McAllen News Update,” other regular features include “McAllen Now,” a brief update of the most current City of McAllen news and “McAllen Minutes,” a recap of the most important topics discussed at the McAllen City Commission meeting.

Favorites such as “Meeting with the Mayor,” feature McAllen Mayor Darling interviewing federal, state and other important community leaders and “Hello, McAllen,” an interview show highlighting upcoming City of McAllen events are still part of the programming.

New shows that are part of the programming available on a rotating basis are “10 Questions with Mary,” where reporter/producer Mary Avila interviews McAllen employees at their job site and “Outdoors with Roy,” a fun interview show with reporter/producer Roy Cantu, Jr. that features McAllen employees promoting outdoor activities or featuring McAllen facilities designed for outdoor use. “McAllen’s Own,” features unique talents and skills of McAllen employees. The show “On 1300,” is a nod to not only the station’s channel on Spectrum cable, but also the address of McAllen City Hall and features interviews with the McAllen City Manager or others that focus on specific government actions and administrative directives. “Commissioners’ Corner” allows each commissioner an opportunity to highlight passion projects and important programs in their respective districts.

Also, part of the programming includes special features, packages, and even public service announcements that are developed seasonally throughout the year to highlight special and important events and initiatives.

Finally, the City of McAllen recently entered into a partnership with Hidalgo County to also air the Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court meetings.

The McAllen Cable Network can be found on Spectrum Channel 1300. MCN is also streamed live on the City of McAllen website at www.mcallen.net, MCN 1300 Live under the Quick Access link. It is also streamed live to the newly updated McAllen 3-1-1 mobile app, available for both Android and Apple.