Cleveland City Council to Recognize TV20's 40th Anniversary
Cleveland City Council has passed an emergency resolution, File No. 955-2026, to honor TV20 and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the station first going on the air. The resolution recognizes the station's long history of providing local news and community programming to Cleveland residents.
What's in the file
The resolution, introduced by Council Member Slife, honors the milestones and evolution of the channel through the following history:
- July 17, 1986: The City of Cleveland launched the service as TV35, a government access channel designed to connect residents with city news, services, and events.
- Early 2000s: The station became TV23 to reflect a new cable channel placement.
- 2000s: The station moved from the basement of Cleveland City Hall to Public Auditorium to expand its capacity.
- Late 2010s: The station rebranded as TV20.
- October 2024: The station implemented new leadership and a modern identity to serve as a civic voice for the city.
The record also recognizes several recent professional achievements by the station:
- 2025: Won an Emmy Award and a Cleveland Press Award for the documentary Sheltering Hope.
- 2026: Won an Emmy Award for the documentary Conversations with Cal, and two Cleveland Press Awards for Saddles and Service and Fire Station 26.
As part of the resolution, the Clerk of Council is directed to send copies of the measure to Janelle Bass Hawthorne, the Director of News and Multi-Media Communications at TV20.
Who may be affected
- TV20: Recognized for its 40-year history and recent award wins.
- Cleveland residents: The station's stated mission is to provide local news, cultural programming, and community-focused segments.
Status and timeline
- August 14, 2026: The resolution was introduced to City Council.
- August 19, 2026: The emergency resolution was read a third time and passed.
Residents can verify the details of this resolution by reviewing the official record for File No. 955-2026 at the Cleveland City Clerk's website.
| Emmy Awards | 2 awards |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Press Awards | 3 awards |
Source record
- File
- 955-2026
- Type
- Emergency Resolution
- Status
- Passed
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- August 13, 2026
Official documents
- 955-2026-FOR ADOPTION-Slife - Resolution celebrating TV20s 40th Anniversary
- FINAL VERSION City Record August 28, 2026 Page 16