Have you ever thought you might want to be a TV producer – or – get behind a TV camera or any other type of studio equipment, and be part of a TV production?

In all probability you CAN.  Public Access Television is available to almost everyone who is serviced by a cable TV company.  Under the conditions of Section 611 of the Communications Act, local authorities my require cable operators to set aside channels for public, education, or governmental (PEG) use by the private citizens of this country (www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/pegfacts.html) .  In fact, many do.  As an example, if you are a resident of San Diego City, Cox and Time Warner must make these channel programs available to you.  Also, these channels are basic service channels which are available to all subscribers.  This service is also available to other communities depending upon the contract negotiated between the cities and their cable provider; your city will provide a copy of the contract if you ask for it (there may be a reproduction fee).

I am James Beck, past president of PACE-TV and presently an independant TV producer specializing in showcasing nonprofit organizations within San Diego county (but I'm open to all ideas and themes). 

I had NO BACKGROUND in TV prior to my retirement but still had a desire to work at something challenging which would be a benefit to my community.  While a member of PACE-TV,  I received training in all aspects of studio and location shooting.   PACE-TV is not the only organization that can train you but in fact, the cable provider may be required to train you, according to their contracts.  Both Cox and Time Warner Cable (but not Time Warner Carlsbad) provide the training or can refer you to an organization within their area that can train you.

Public Access Television is not Public Broadcasting System (PBS).  It is a specific channel set aside for the general public, usually administered either by the cable operators or by a third party designated by the franchising authority.  If you are a San Diego County resident and subscribe to one of these cable companies you can view the weekly PACE-TV shows as follows: 

Time Warner Cable: Channel 19, Sundays at 5:30 PM

      Cox Cable TV San Diego: Channel 23, Tuesdays at 5:30 PM

      Cox Cable TV North County: Channel 18, Tuesdays at 5:30 PM

Time Warner Cable Del Mar: Channel 24, Tuesdays at 6:00 PM and Wednesdays at 11:00 AM

Time Warner Carlsbad: Channel 19, Mondays at 6:30 PM

PEG channels ARE NOT MANDATED by federal law, rather they are a RIGHT given to the franchising authority (usually a city) which it may choose to exercise.

This authority may also require cable companies to provide services, facilities or equipment for the use of the PEG channels.  Generally, if a requirement is desired it is spelled out in the contract between the cable company and the authority e.g. San Diego and Time Warner and Cox.

Franchising authorities may adopt on their own, non-content-based rules governing the use of PEG channels.  Such rules may be adopted for allocating time among competing applicants on a reasonable basis other than the content of their programming.

Minimum production standards may be required and users may be required to undergo training as mentioned above.

FEDERAL LAW prohibits the use of a PEG channel for programming which contains obscene material, sexually explicit conduct, indecency, nudity, or material soliciting.

The name and phone number of your franchising authority generally appears on your cable bill.  This is who you should contact if you have a question about this program in your area.

As a public service Cox, and Time Warner offer use of Public Access Channels to resident communities specifically requesting the service as part of their agreement with the cable companies.   Once you are a producer, if you wish to create a TV show and air it, you can but, in most cases you have to learn the use of the cable company’s equipment and their rules.  Within the San Diego County, individuals must be 18 years of age or older.  They must assume all legal responsibilities for the program and actions of the minor(s) and said adult shall be responsible for obtaining all authorizations required.  (Talent releases, Copyright releases, permits for shooting within certain areas, etc.)  Eligible residents, etc. may access equipment and channel space.  Other residents of the county, may ONLY access channel space.  What this means is that if you reside in a city that has not asked for PEG rights you may still be able to air a show you create if you abide by all of the FCC and cable station rules.

Examples of programming guidelines:

Advertising material to promote the sale of products or services, including any aural or visual display or representation of a commercial business, store, product, service, trademark, service mark, trade name, logo or jingle is prohibited.

Appeals for funds, by or on behalf of qualified candidates for public office and/or ballot initiatives and measures are prohibited.

Solicitation or appeal for revenue or funds in any way is prohibited.

Presentation of material that is intended to defraud the viewer or designed to obtain money by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promise is prohibited (also a criminal offense).

Presentation of obscene matter i.e. profanity, frontal nudity, explicit sexual activity, anal cleavage, etc.

Programs shall not contain material which is subject to copyright except where the applicant has proven compliance with applicable laws or has received permission from the holder or any individual who has power-of-attorney from the holder of said copyright.

Producers must guarantee that all people appearing on camera have signed a “Talent Release” form.  People appearing at large public forums may be exempt.

The final point here is that you should check all of these requirements out with your local cable company if you decide you want to create a show and or air a show through their company.

What I’ve provided within this blog is a summary of a course I give periodically through OASIS in San Diego County.  I hope it provided clarity and insight into a very rewarding activity.