Throughout the country, over a million people -- just like you -- are using electronic media to build a sense of community in their neighborhoods. They've learned how to run TV cameras, set lights, edit videotape, and produce top-notch television programming for their community!
Public access television as defined by the Federal Communications Commission are channels made available for use by the general public. BCAT is the public access station for the borough of Brooklyn. Public access is founded on the idea that every person who has a message has the right to speak and access to the airwaves. The purpose of public access is to protect and enhance the public’s first amendment rights by providing, through the powerful medium of television and other communications platforms, avenues for freedom of expression and diversity of ideas with out fear of censorship or overarching commercial controls
BCAT’s funding comes from the local cable television operators. This funding is regulated by our municipality in the form of franchise fees. Cable operators franchise fees are compensation for the use of public property. As you know, the streets of your town are public property, managed by your local government. The poles on the side of the road and the conduits below the ground are also managed by your local government. These "rights-of-way" and "pole attachments" are leased to cable television and other telecommunications companies.
Only 10% to 15% of the communities in the country have media access. Brooklyn is fortunate that its residents have elected to have Public Access. BCAT has the the eighth largest public access viewer population in the U.S. and the largest in the city of New York. Brooklyn is keeping community access television alive, strong and vital. BCAT is Your Borough, Your TV.
