Three Myths About Public Access Television
Posted on October 18, 2010 - Filed Under Understanding PEG
Myth One: “No one ever watches PEG Access.”Reality: Access is the primary conduit for niche programming, which the cable television companies once touted as the primary benefit of broadband cable systems. Access is not supposed to be a mass-audience medium. Consequently, the success of PEG access should not be measured by the criteria of commercial television. Access programs can provide “home entertainment,” but by and large, that is not usually the purpose of the medium or the choice of the individuals and organizations, such as schools and churches, that produce PEG programming. In the same way that a seminar at a university is not expected to attract the entire university enrollment, PEG access is not expected to aim for wide viewership, but for interested viewership.Myth Two: “Access programming is amateurish.”Reality: Access programs are produced quite inexpensively, when compared to commercial television programs, but still can be designed imaginatively, recorded capably, and edited cleanly. When an access program has been skillfully produced, and the equipment is working correctly, the message not the production holds the viewer’s attention. In several communities where adequate financial support has been provided to produce high-quality programming, audience studies have shown high levels of viewership.Myth Three: “You don’t want your kids Public Access.”Reality: Pornographic, obscene, or libelous programming is illegal on Public Access TV, and the community- and government-directed Public Access Corporation is there to ensure programming standards. Out of a million hours of Public Access programming made, only 9 hours have been deemed legally objectionable. Some of the most enthusiastic proponents of Public Access TV are churches!