Comcast Public Access .:|:. Frequently Asked Questions

This document is not an official representation of the rules and regulations of public access, nor is it inclusive of FCC regulations. It is meant to be an informational tool.

General

1. What is public access?
2. Who is it for?
3. Why should I get involved in public access television?
4. How can I get involved with public access?
5. How do I sign up for a public access class?
6. If I live in Chicago, where can I go to produce a public access show?
7. What does it cost to produce a public access show?
8. Can I make money off of my show?
9. Can I use public access equipment or facilities for my own personal interests?
10. Can I use my own equipment to produce my show?
11. Can I have my friends help me with my show?
12. How can I find crew to help me produce my show?
13. How many people do I need to crew my show?
14. Can I use music or video from other sources in my show?
15. Can I swear or have naked people in my show?
16. How long does my public access certification last?

Traffic / Playback

17. Do I have to be a Comcast certified producer in order to get my show on the public access channel?
18. If I don't have time to do a regular series, what are my options?
19. Can I do a show in my native language?
20. On what channel, and in what areas will my show play?
21. What tape formats do you accept for playback?
22. How long does my show need to be?
23. How can I get my show on the public access channel? How do I get a timeslot?
24. Once I have timeslot, how do I submit my show?
25. What happens if I don't get my show turned in on time?
26. Are there any technical requirements I need to be aware of?
27. How long after I turn in a program can I expect it to start being played back?
28. Can I pick the timeslot when my show will play?

General

1. What is public access?

Public access exists due to an agreement between the cable company and the communities it serves. Public access programming is community programming on cable TV. It gives you the opportunity to write, produce, direct, and perform in your own programs. People who normally are not allowed easy access to the mass media find a powerful resource for local expression through public access. A majority of public access programs are produced locally by non-professionals.

Many of these programs were produced at various Comcast production facilities. Over 1 million households in the greater Chicago marketplace receive public access as a part of their basic cable service. Your efforts are supported by Comcast's public access staff. We provide you with the necessary training, equipment, and use of facilities free of charge.

2. Who is it for?

Anyone with a non-commercial message or idea can present it on the public access channel.

3. Why should I get involved in public access television?

Public access is a great opportunity to take a stand on a current issue, or let the community know what your group is doing. It's a cost free way to promote your special interest or event and have fun doing it.

What programs are seen on public access? Any programming protected by the first amendment which is NOT commercial, libelous, slanderous or obscene in nature may be shown on public access. These include interviews, panel discussions, sports, documentaries, performances, political, religious, educational, entertainment and many other types of programs.

4. How can I get involved with public access?

Getting involved with public access begins with taking our public access classes. Through these classes, you can become a certified access producer. Then you can use Comcast's video equipment to make your own programs. The classes cover the basic elements of TV production: camera, lighting, audio, directing, script writing, editing, and so on. The class includes a group project, which is an in-studio, 30 minute talk show format program which actually gets played on the air! Finally, there is a written examination. Students who attend the classes, participate in the group project, and pass the written exam are then rewarded with certification.

The classes, channel time, and use of equipment are free. The amount of time and energy you devote to the program is up to you. It can be hard work, but well worth the effort.

5. How do I sign up for a public access class?

Signing up for a public access class couldn't be easier! The preferred method is to sign up online via this website. After signing up for the class, a public access technician will contact you when classes are available. As these class lists are based on a first come, first served basis, you will be contacted when your time to attend a class draws near.

There is a minimum number of people needed before a class can be taught, and class sizes are kept small to benefit all class members. Please be patient as you may not be called back right away.

6. If I live in Chicago, where can I go to produce a public access show?

Residents of the City of Chicago have their own, independent, public access station, Chicago Area Network Television, or CAN-TV. Chicago residents need to go to CAN-TV to produce their show. For more information on CAN-TV, you may contact them at (312) 738-1400, visit their website at www.cantv.org, or write them at: CAN-TV, Suite 100, 322 S. Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607-3544.

7. What does it cost to produce a public access show?

The costs to produce a public access show are minimal. The classes are free (there is a small fee to cover the cost of class materials), the use of facilities and equipment is free. Therefore, generally, your only costs are the costs for your tapes. The average cost for a public access producer to produce a single in-studio, 30 minute program per month is less than $15. Any additional costs are up to you - if you wish to invest your money into the production value of your show, you are free to do so.

8. Can I make money off of my show?

No, you cannot make a profit from your public access show. You are also prohibited from using public access equipment and facilities on other projects which can generate revenue.

9. Can I use public access equipment or facilities for my own personal interests?

No, you may not use public access equipment or facilities for your own interests, even if they generate no revenue. The equipment and facilities are provided to you SOLELY for use in producing public access programming. They are not intended for use in producing school projects, family videos, or other hobbies -- unless you intend to SHOW said projects on the public access channel.

10. Can I use my own equipment to produce my show?

Yes, you may use your own equipment to produce your show. The final tape must be in a format which is acceptable for playback on the access channel.

11. Can I have my friends help me with my show?

Only people who are certified access producers may touch, hold, handle, or use the equipment or facilities. You may have your friends help set up furniture, or act/perform in front of the camera. You may have your friends help you paint a backdrop for your set pieces. You may have your friends do hair and make-up, or wardrobe for your on-camera talent. In short, your friends can help you with anything OTHER THAN the crew positions involving the use of our equipment or facilities. If they are interested in these technical positions, you should encourage them to come and take our public access classes, so that they can become a certified access producer like you!

12. How can I find crew to help me produce my show?

The best way to find crew for your show is by "networking." We encourage the "buddy" system, where producers help each other on their shows. By doing so, your chances of finding crew is increased.

Another great resource to use is this very website! Using the message boards is a great way to network and find crew. You can post when your shooting your show, ask for assistance, offer assistance, and much more! If you haven't already done so, we encourage you to create an account and check them out!

13. How many people do I need to crew my show?

The more people you have to crew your show, the easier it will be to producer a show and the better it will look! Ideally, you will need 9 people for your show. You can make by with a smaller crew, if needed, but ideally, you'll want a person for each position.

To make your studio reservation more productive, we require a minimum of 4 people to crew your show (you, plus 3 other people). Comcast staff should not be considered to fill crew positions.

14. Can I use music or video from other sources in my show?

As a certified access producer, you assume the responsibility for the content of your show. Therefore, you are responsible for acquiring permission to use anything from other sources in your show - whether it is music, video, photographs, etc.

15. Can I swear or have naked people in my show?

As mentioned previously, public access is part of an agreement between the cable company and the communities it serves. Within these agreements there are general clauses which prohibit profanity, obscenity, and so on. Therefore, the answer to this question, in general, is no.

16. How long does my public access certification last?

Your Comcast public access certification does not expire as long as you remain active. To remain active, you need to log at least 6 hours of usage within each 12 month period. If you fail to log 6 hours of usage within that time, your certification expires and you will be required to become re-certified before you can begin to use Comcast's public access equipment again.

Traffic / Playback

17. Do I have to be a Comcast certified producer in order to get my show on the public access channel?

No. Anyone with a non-commercial message or idea can have a show on the public access channel. Certification grants you access to Comcast's public access studios and equipment.

18. If I don't have time to do a regular series, what are my options?

If the possibility of a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly series is too demanding on you or your available time, then we have several options. If your show idea could be produced in a single program, you can submit it as such. It will be scheduled as a special program, receiving no more than 4 total airings - and perhaps only one airing, depending on schedule availability. Another option within the realms of special programming is a mini-series. You can produce a series of at least 2 and no more than 12 installments, and submit it as such. In similar fashion, it will be scheduled to run, and you will be notified of the dates and times which it will be aired.

19. Can I do a show in my native language?

Yes, but each show must be submitted along with a typed English transcript.

20. On what channel, and in what areas will my show play?

The traffic coordinators determine what channel your show will be played. Your address is used to make this determination, along with other factors. Therefore, the town you live in generally determines what channel and where your show will be played.

This web site provides a breakdown of playback systems along with a listing of their communities. If you cannot find your community listed here, please contact the public access office which serves the communities nearest to you, and we will assist you.

21. What tape formats do you accept for playback?

Before you submit your show, you will need to discuss with our traffic department what tape format is acceptable for the particular playback system your show will play from. In most cases, our playback centers can play 3/4" U-matic and SVHS tapes. Some playback centers can accept other formats. We can only play back a format that is acceptable for the playback system you are submitting your show for.

22. How long does my show need to be?

For a 30 minute timeslot, your show needs to be between 28 and 30 minutes. For a 60 minute timeslot, it needs to be within 58 and 60 minutes. This time measurement includes the Comcast public access disclaimer, and your show contents, along with appropriate end credits.

There is no time requirement for special programming.

23. How can I get my show on the public access channel? How do I get a timeslot?

If you are a Comcast certified producer applying for a timeslot on your local public access channel, you need to request a timeslot using a program proposal form. In all other cases, you will need to request a timeslot by filling out a playback waiting list form. These forms need to be submitted to our traffic coordinators.

Priority will be given to new, locally produced programming. We prefer you have a months worth of shows completed before we give you a timeslot.

When a timeslot becomes available, a traffic coordinator will contact you regarding the timeslot and make arrangements for tape drop-off. DO NOT send or drop off any tapes until after a traffic coordinator contacts you regarding a timeslot and instructs you to do so.

Once your show has been given a timeslot, you will keep that timeslot, unless the traffic coordinator has a scheduling conflict, or if you fail to turn in your shows in a timely fashion. Timeslots can also be revoked if you lose your access privileges for other reasons.

24. Once I have timeslot, how do I submit my show?

Once you have a timeslot, you will hand in the master tape for playback to the public access technician at your office. In addition, you will need to fill out a playback form. This form indicates to the access technician and the traffic coordinator who you are and what your show is about. It also serves as your permission for us to play your tape over the air.

Once your tape has been received, it is viewed to make sure it meets the technical standards and playback requirements needed for the playback system it is to play out of. Once approved for airing, the traffic coordinator will begin to air your show based on the information given on the playback form.

25. What happens if I don't get my show turned in on time?

As mentioned in the above, an access producer can lose their time slot if they fail to get their show turned in on time. Within the public access rules and regulations are the specific requirements for this procedure.

26. Are there any technical requirements I need to be aware of?

Yes. You need to make sure there are no breaks in the control track, or glitches, found on your tape. If our playback system encounters one while playing your tape, there's a good chance it will automatically will stop airing your tape and immediately cut to the community calendar.

You also need to pay attention to your audio and video. These need to be at an acceptable level. Audio that is too loud will sound distorted, and audio too soft will not be heard. Also, your video can't be too bright.

Feel free to ask an access technician or traffic coordinator any further questions.

27. How long after I turn in a program can I expect it to start being played back?

New program submissions will be scheduled to start at the beginning of the following month. New program submissions must be turned in at least 2 weeks prior to their start date. For example, if your program is submitted between the 1st and 15th of this month, it will be scheduled to start the first week of next month.

28. Can I pick the timeslot when my show will play?

While our traffic department will try to accommodate any requests, there are many factors that will determine when your show will play. Timeslot availability, deck availability, and show content are a few factors, just to name a few. For example, some programming will require a later timeslot based on content. Our traffic department will make the final determination on your timeslot.