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Public access television first began in the 1970s. Cable systems offered public access to certain channels so that they could create content and television programs for people in their community. In 1972, the Federal Communications Commission mandated that new cable systems were required to provide channels for public access.
The term "public access" was created for channels that made air time and equipment available for anyone in the community who wanted to produce a television program. Naturally, these programs would be subject to obscenity and libel laws.
Public access television was originally created because of the Federal Communications Act of 1934 which stated that the airwaves belonged to the people.
In 1984, US cable companies became required to fund local organizations so that they could provide training and access to the media and cable distribution. This was a result of the 1984 Cable Franchise Policy and Communications Act. -
Contact your local public access television station. If you're not sure which television station is public access in your area or how to contact the station, call your local cable company.
Once you have that information, contact the station. Each station has its own policies, but generally they are not difficult to follow. One thing you will need to do is have a game plan for your television show. Decide what your show will be about and what resources and people you will need to make it work.
If you want to have a cooking show on public access television, write a list of everything you will need, including ingredients, cooking equipment and people for the show--such as a camera man.
Not every public access television station will have the equipment you need to produce your show, so keep that in mind as you plan, and ask what equipment is available ahead of time.
Putting your show on public access television is a great way to start out in television. Many television hosts, personalities and TV shows got their start on public access television. For example, popular chef Bobby Flay of the Food Network got his start on public access television. Mystery Science Theater 3000 also started on public access television. -
Public Access Television Stations usually offer free services. If there is a charge, it is often extremely low. Cable franchises fees keep these stations up and running and the public is offered access to the station's equipment and air time on a first come-first serve basis.
While shows on cable television range from 30 to 60 minutes, shows on public access television can be any length, depending on the programming schedule.
