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City of Seattle
NOTE: This news release has been retained for historical use ONLY! While the text was accurate at the date of the release, the contact information may be out of date.
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle transfers management of public access cable channel and facilities to private nonprofit
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12/11/2000 |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rona Zevin (206) 684-8264
Katherine Schubert-Knapp (206) 684-0909
Kathy Sugiyama (206) 684-0909
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City Council Approves Private Nonprofit Management of Seattle’s Public Access Cable Channel, Facilities
SEATTLE — The Seattle City Council voted today to transfer management of public access cable from AT&T to the Seattle Community Access Network (SCAN). SCAN, a private nonprofit, was incorporated in August 1999 to manage and operate the city’s public access channel and facilities. Following Council and mayoral approval, the city expects to execute a contract with SCAN before the end of the year, with the transfer becoming effective in January 2001. More than 500,000 households in King County receive the public access channel as a part of their basic cable service.
"SCAN will manage our citizens’ communication center, supporting diverse free expression and community development through access to non-commercial television," Mayor Paul Schell said. "Using their own voices and the equipment, facilities and training provided by SCAN, citizens can communicate directly with a broad audience. People who normally are not allowed easy access to the mass media find a powerful resource for local expression through our public access channel and facilities."
"This is truly cause for celebration," Council Public Safety and Technology Committee Chair Jim Compton said. "Public involvement in public access cable is the foundation upon which community access is built. I expect SCAN’s management will provide greater programming opportunities, as well as the freedom to take advantage of fundraising opportunities."
The city’s cable franchise agreement with AT&T requires the cable operator to financially support and operate Seattle’s public access facilities. To satisfy this obligation, AT&T has agreed to provide $2.8 million to cover SCAN’s operating expenses over the next five years. In addition, AT&T has agreed to provide SCAN with $130,000 for working capital. The city’s franchise agreements require the city to designate the access manager for public access.
Seattle has worked for several years to establish a nonprofit entity to manage public access. The city recruited board members and over the past year, city staff have worked with representatives of AT&T and SCAN to complete the steps necessary for transferring management and operations of access services from the cable operator to SCAN.
Public access programming is community programming on cable TV. It gives Seattle and King County residents the opportunity to write, produce, direct, and perform in their own programs. A majority of public access channel programs are produced locally by nonprofessionals. SCAN provides residents with television equipment, training, and assistance free of charge. More information can be found on the SCAN web site:
http://www.cityofseattle.net/ch29/index.html
Executive Director Karen Toering manages SCAN’s NW Access and Production Center studios, located at 1125 N. 98th Street in Seattle. The phone number is (206)522-4758. The public access cable channel can be seen on either channel 29 or 77, depending upon your cable provider.
SCAN’s initial Board of Directors was appointed in February 2000. Current board officers include: Ann Suter, chair; Wendy Ceccherelli, vice-chair; Lois Watkins, vice-chair; Kurt Bulmer, treasurer; and Liz White, secretary. Board members include: Marvin Albert, Chris Coy, Di’Ana LeGrande Fiorino, Kimberly Munro Robin Oppenheimer and Dorothy Skans.
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SCAN Access Center
SCAN
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