From a Milk Truck on a Mountain to a New Era: Northfield’s Trans-Video to be Acquired by Comcast
According to company history, it was the very first cable system in Vermont and reportedly the 14th in the entire nation.
NORTHFIELD, Vt. – After nearly 75 years of family ownership, Northfield’s iconic Trans-Video is signing off on one chapter and beginning another. Siblings George and Jill Goodrich, who have stewarded the company for the last 40 years, have announced their retirement and the sale of the business to Comcast.
In a heartfelt letter to customers, the Goodriches called the decision “bittersweet” but necessary to secure the community’s technological future. “Serving you has been our greatest privilege, and we are incredibly proud of the community we’ve built together,” they wrote.
The sale marks the end of a remarkable Vermont legacy. Trans-Video was founded in 1951 by the siblings’ father, George Goodrich Sr. According to company history, it was the very first cable system in Vermont and reportedly the 14th in the entire nation.
Its origin story is a classic of Vermont ingenuity: George Sr. and his friends wanted to watch Saturday night wrestling, but the nearest broadcast signal from New York was blocked by the mountains. Undeterred, he loaded equipment into one of his milk delivery trucks, drove to a nearby mountain peak to capture the signal, and began wiring homes.
For the past four decades, George and his sister Jill have continued that legacy from their office on Depot Square. Supported by family, including George’s wife Julie, they became familiar faces while guiding Trans-Video from its analog roots into the broadband age.
In their letter, the Goodriches were candid about the modern challenges facing small, independent providers. “The pace of change and the rising costs make it increasingly challenging for smaller providers to compete,” they explained.
They chose Comcast, they said, because it “began as a small, family-owned business” and has the resources to provide “long-term stability.”
For customers, the transition will mean access to Comcast’s Xfinity services, including faster internet speeds, expanded video options, mobile phone plans, and home security systems. Businesses will also have access to a new suite of Comcast Business solutions.
While the change is significant, the Goodriches reassured their loyal customers that they are “not going anywhere” just yet. They will be staying on to help ensure a “smooth handoff” and noted that Comcast “have a team of local technicians, ensuring your personal connection with your provider isn’t lost.”
“We’re confident that the final chapter of Trans-Video... is the best decision in bringing the future of technology and connectivity to the greater Northfield Area,” the letter concluded.