public access tv

ON THE VERGE OF EXPANSION, THE PEOPLE’S CHANNEL CELEBRATES TEN YEARS OF COMMUNITY MEDIA 

The People’s Channel marks 10 years of community media in Chapel Hill, on the heels of starting a new operation for the Durham community.

In 1997 a small group of concerned community members formed a non-profit organization to facilitate Public Access TV for Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. That organization was The Peoples Channel (TPC).  The station opened its doors in the summer of 1998, and on May 30, 2009, will celebrate the completion of its 10^th year with local bands, activities for kids and adults, free local North Carolina Barbeque, and a dessert potluck.  The celebration will take place at TPC, 300-AC South Elliot Rd, Chapel Hill, from 4-8pm and will also be broadcast live on Channel 8 in Chapel Hill and Orange County. This event is free and open to the public.

For ten years, TPC has been promoting the advancement of democratic ideals by ensuring that community members have access to electronic media and by promoting effective communication through community uses of media.  Through TPC, area citizens have access to a free speech forum through media production, education and distribution of cable television programming.

Over the years, countless people have come to TPC to create and distribute their own media.  In a few weeks, TPC is set to expand their services into neighboring Durham, North Carolina, which up until recently had public access services operated by Time Warner Cable. TPC’s founders, Board of Directors, local media producers, and volunteers are proud of The Peoples Channel’s past achievements and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.

“I feel very blessed to have been a part of this organization over the last five years” states Chad Johnston, Executive Director.  “We have faced many challenges in that time, but because of the community’s support, we always seem to prevail.” 

Despite legislative changes regulating cable TV and times of economic hardships, TPC has continued to grow.  The 10 year celebration is a time for the community to reflect on the importance of having a space in the media for the community to speak to itself.  In times of greater media consolidation over the last decade, TPC has represented an electronic green space safe from commercial interests.  The event is also a time to celebrate the community which has made this space so vibrant and an integral part of the culture of Chapel Hill, and soon, Durham.