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About Public Access

PATV: The Story

The story of Lower Merion & Narberth Public Access Television (PATV) started in early 2005 with the efforts of a Township resident who developed community-wide support to activate a Public Access channel. While the subject had been raised over the preceding decades, this recent effort came at an auspicious time, accompanying the phenomena of inter-active media, 'user-content' web sites, and cell phone videos. With the advent of new technology, it was now within the grasp of regular folks to use television as a tool to communicate quickly and effectively with a television platform not unlike the old town square. Also at this time, with impending changes in media rules at federal and state levels, there was an underlying impetus to grandfather the rights of local residents and non-profits for a Public Access Channel.

Throughout the US, cable operators have had to obtain the right of way from each municipality by signing local cable franchise agreements. The agreements contain provisions for the cable operator to activate three non-commercial television channels, known as PEG channels: P for the use of the Public, E for use of the Education authority, and G for the use of the local Government. In Lower Merion Township, only two of the three channels, the E and the G, had been activated by 2005.

With the request to activate the Public Access channel, the community itself could participate actively - not as a guest of the government or school district channels - in showcasing the enormous pool of talent in Lower Merion Township. The Public Access channel would 'zoom in' and 'shine the light' on the enormous work accomplished by volunteers in maintaining the quality of life enjoyed by all residents. In particular, this channel could become the low-cost and effective way for non-profit organizations to inform beyond their usual audience and showcase upcoming and past activities as well as history, arts and culture, and civic activities of interest to all of the residents. Here are some of the highlights of the journey - still underway - of developing your Public Access channel.

In January 2005, Irene McNeil, a resident of Lower Merion, inquired about using the Township television channel to produce a program about local history; however, she learned that the Township channel was reserved for the exclusive use of the Township government. Irene then researched how residents could have access to television, with the help of information from other Public Access channels in Pennsylvania and other states, from the Alliance for Community Media in Washington, and from the Buske Group in California.

On March 17 2005, Irene attended the first of many Township Cable Television Committee (CTAC) meetings and launched an information campaign with community leaders, civic associations, local non-profits and the local print media. An initial text-only web site was activated, under the name lowermerionpatv.org.

On April 21 2005, at the following CTAC meeting, other people joined the ranks in support of a Public Access channel, including: Alison Graham of League of Women Voters, Jerry Francis of the Lower Merion Historical Society, and Carl Watson of the Federation of local Civic Associations.

Summer of 2005: Soon, other people joined the effort. In the footsteps of the majority of other Public Access channels, a non-profit corporation was created with the legal help of a Good Samaritan. It was agreed that the name of the corporation, as well as services, would be extended to include the Borough of Narberth, because of the cable layout and the seamless interaction of volunteers and community institutions between the two municipal entities. As part of the incorporation process, Irene asked Perry Hamilton, then President of the Wynnewood Civic Association, to chair the board of directors and to convene the original members, as well as to help develop a community advisory board, which would comprise local community leaders, including experts in non-profit management and in television production.

On October 18 2005, the first meeting of the Board of Directors of Lower Merion & Narberth Public Access Television was held at the Atrium Room at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd.

Throughout autumn of 2005, many hours of volunteer work were invested in preparing the official plan for the Township CTAC. Meanwhile, the web site was updated with graphics thanks to the help of a tech-savvy student, who graciously hosted the site.

On January 5 2006, PATV proudly presented its official business plan, as well as bylaws and policies and procedures, to the Township CTAC. Over the course of several months, the documents were reviewed and received praise for their sound management structure. During the same period, contributions - both in-kind and financial - were debated with the cable operator under the terms of the local cable franchise agreement.

On March 13 2006, the Township CTAC recommended the activation of the Public Access Channel to the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners. This was one year after the initial meeting with the Township CTAC, on March 17, 2005.

On June 7 2006, Township Commissioners approved the activation and partial funding of the Public Access channel. They also appointed PATV as the management authority.

On June 22 2006, Township Commissioners authorized the Township Manager to request activation of the Public Access channel in a letter to the Comcast Corporation, under the terms of the local cable franchise agreement. Meanwhile, volunteers continued to work non-stop to prepare content and initial activation of the channel and the replay system.

On September 22 2006 at midnight, under the terms of the cable franchise agreement and responsibilities of the cable operator, Comcast activated 'Public Access' on cable channel 99 to be viewed by all cable subscribers in the Township and Borough, numbering over 90% of the 60,000 residents.

On October 5 2006, PATV received 501(c)3 status from the IRS, retroactive to its 2005 incorporation, allowing tax-deductible donations. Initial contributors, including the Township, the Borough, non-profit organizations, and individuals, were key in acquiring basic video production equipment and in starting operations.

Throughout the autumn/winter of 2006/07, PATV built a hands-on volunteer operation with recruitment of community-based programming that catapulted the original 20 minute program loop to a fulltime schedule.

In May 2007, the Township signed a local cable franchise agreement with Verizon, which agreement mandated activation of the PEG channels within one year. It is understood that Verizon should include PEG channels by May 2008.

Throughout the autumn/winter of 2007/08, the PATV web site continued to be developed with the help of an outsourced web designer. In February 08, the site was transferred to commercial hosting and is currently being completed to become the hub of PATV's information. Highlights of PATV's operations in 2007 are posted under the title 'Annual Review', under 'About Your Public Access'.

PATV hopes that you were inspired by the story of your Lower Merion & Narberth Public Access Television and that it will prompt you to call, email, or visit PATV's home office and learn how you can be a part of this important community project. Get on board and join others who are already using their Public Access channel to showcase the many volunteers and institutions that are the backbone of the Township and Borough community.