Pasadena Media Wins Top Honors at 2026 Hometown Media Awards

In‑studio shoot at Pasadena Media (Photo – Pasadena Media)

Pasadena Media has received the prestigious Overall Excellence in Public, Education or Government (PEG) Programming award for the 2026 Hometown Media Awards, marking the third time the organization has earned the top distinction. Pasadena Media previously won the same category in 2019 and 2021.

By News Desk

In addition to the top honor, Pasadena Media secured two more awards. We Are All Roses, a program featuring stories of documented and undocumented immigrants, was selected for Best of Mixed and Transmedia. Meanwhile, What’s Up Pasadena!: “Pasadena Humane Response to Eaton Fire” won Best of Web Based Programs.

The awards ceremony will take place on June 24, 2026, during the Alliance for Community Media Annual Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. The event will also commemorate 50 years of community media.

“Being recognized for a third time as a first-rate community media organization is an honor,” said George Falardeau, Executive Director and CEO of Pasadena Media. He credited the recognition to the dedication and talent of staff, as well as ongoing partnerships with the City of Pasadena and local organizations.

KPAS, operated in partnership with the City of Pasadena and Pasadena Media, continues to produce government programming such as Pasadena In Focus and The Rose City Report, while also providing coverage of City Council meetings, community events, and press conferences.

The ARROYO Channel serves as a platform for community-created content and Pasadena Media original programming, including Pasadena Monthly, Access For All, Pan and Zoom with Satie Gossett, and the On The Move podcast.

Educational and civic programming also plays a key role across Pasadena’s PEG network. KLRN showcases content from the Pasadena Unified School District, including meetings of the Board of Education. Meanwhile, Pasadena City College programming focuses on campus activities and educational content.

The Hometown Media Awards, organized by the Alliance for Community Media, recognize excellence in community-produced programming distributed through PEG access television channels. The organization advocates for public access media, training, and civic engagement, supporting diverse community voices across the United States.