Commission Approves Plan for Public Access TV Equipment Needs

Austin, TX -- The Austin Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission approved a resolution on April 11, 2007, recommending that $1.8 million in capital equipment funds – available under the City of Austin and Time Warner Cable franchise agreement – be used, in part, to meet some of the existing equipment needs at the City’s public access television studio in East Austin.

Last August, the City asked Time Warner to deliver these remaining capital funds.

In addition, the resolution recommended that once priority equipment purchases are made, remaining funds will be used to purchase a Mobile Production Vehicle that will be maintained, operated, and managed by Public Access Community Television (PACT).

“Besides creating advanced training opportunities for Austin residents, and the ability to use a Mobile Production Vehicle for capturing community events,” says Garry Wilkison, PACT General Manager, “another purpose for it will be to generate needed revenue.”

This will be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as developing sponsored projects with other non-profits and other access channels, as well as being a resource for other production companies. Developing specific guidelines for how the vehicle will be used to generate revenue is also one of the recommendations.

Seeking ways to generate new revenue streams is not only fiscally prudent, but mandated by PACT’s contract with the City. For now, added revenue supplements the $617,500 that PACT receives annually for operating expenses from a special cable access fund, derived from a 35 cent monthly rate charge on cable subscriber bills.

The special cable access fund, however, will dry up in 2011 when the City of Austin and Time Warner Cable franchise agreement expires. Under Texas’ statewide video franchise law – SB 5 that passed in 2005 – Time Warner will then no longer have a local agreement with Austin, but will opt for a statewide franchise certificate. A guaranteed source for operating funds, under the statewide franchise, will cease to exist.

Public Access Community Television, Inc. (PACT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation under contract with the City of Austin to manage Austin’s public access television facilities, resources, and channels.

PACT: Building Community Through Media

- For Immediate Release -

April 12, 2007

Public Access Community Television
1143 Northwestern Avenue
Austin, TX 78702
www.pactaustin.org
512-478-8600

Media Contact:
Stefan Wray, Communications Director, Ext. 13