Watertown to be Featured on Hit Streaming Series 'My Town'
- Steve Jurrens
- Oct 17
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Watertown is set to be featured on the acclaimed streaming series “My Town,” a documentary show exploring the unique narratives of thriving small towns across the United States. The episode is designed to provide viewers with an authentic look at what it is like to live, work, and play in Watertown through the stories of its residents.
The series is directed and hosted by Cory Hepola, a three-time Emmy Award-winning documentarian and TV anchor who grew up in a small town in western Minnesota. Hepola created the series to challenge a prevailing, pessimistic view of rural America.
“Somehow, the mainstream narrative of rural America has become one of despair. Yet, that’s not the reality,” said Hepola. “Our mission with this series is to break down those popular misconceptions with the rural lifestyle, showing all of the opportunities in our small towns.”
Hepola noted that the central theme of the series is "choice," highlighting that young people are increasingly selecting to live in small towns at rates not seen since the 1970s. The show has already seen significant success, with its first season surpassing 2.1 million views online from people in 44 states and 40 countries within its first 10 months of streaming. This October, "My Town" was nominated for four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lifestyle Series and Outstanding Host.
Watertown’s appearance on the show was secured through the efforts of Travas Uthe, who worked with Dave Moffat, Eric Stevenson, and local sponsors. “Being featured on 'My Town' is an opportunity for our community to shine on a national stage,” Uthe noted. “The show captures the essence of who we are and the values we stand for, showcasing our heritage, local businesses, and the fantastic people who make our town what it is.”
Season 2 episodes, including the one featuring Watertown, will be released exclusively and for free on the "My Town Series" YouTube channel starting in November.
Advance Premiere Event Scheduled
The public will have an opportunity to see the Watertown episode early at a special sneak peek event hosted by the Watertown Shamrocks on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The episode will be shown at 5:45 p.m. on the big screens at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena as a pre-game event for a regularly scheduled game. Host and director Cory Hepola is expected to attend and introduce the episode.
The Watertown episode is officially scheduled for worldwide release on YouTube on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
The Season 2 schedule also includes a second South Dakota community, with an episode on Chamberlain-Oacoma set to premiere on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
