Chicago Access Network Television

Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV) is a public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable television service in Chicago, Illinois. The organization is funded by cable companies as part of their cable franchise agreements with the City of Chicago.^[1] The companies are also required by law to carry the network's five channels.^[2]

History[]

In 1983, the Chicago Access Corporation (CAC) was established by the City of Chicago as an independent nonprofit tasked with managing the public access channels in Chicago.^[3]

Channels[]

CAN TV operates five cable television channels in Chicago. They are available on AT&T, Comcast, RCN, and WOW:

• CAN TV19: Public Affairs, entertainment, documentary and arts
• CAN TV21: Live, call-in Hotline shows, community events and arts coverage
• CAN TV27: 24/7 local news and information
• CAN TV36: Religious and inspirational programming
• CAN TV42: Interactive community bulletin board with blues and jazz from WDCB-FM^[4]

Programming[]

Any Chicago nonprofit or resident can submit noncommercial content to CAN TV for free, and over 10,000 new, local programs are shown on the network every year.^[5] Submitted videos include independent productions and programs made using equipment and facilities provided by CAN TV.

Groups who produce programs using CAN TV's publicly accessible studio and equipment represent a wide range of communities, including seniors,^[6] attorneys,^[7] and people with disabilities.^[8]

Chicago-based nonprofits also host live call-in shows from a dedicated studio at CAN TV. These programs are shown live on cable television in Chicago and online, with topics including youth media training,^[9] neighborhood development,^[10] and domestic violence.^[11]

CAN TV also provides unedited coverage of community events in Chicago, offering live coverage of some events on cable television and online. Past coverage includes public forums,^[12] political events like protests and hearings,^[13] and arts events.^[14]

Programs produced by CAN TV include:

• Chicago Newsroom, where journalists and newsmakers analyze the week's top local stories.
• Perspectivas Latinas, which highlights community organizations serving the Latino community in Chicago.
• Political Forum, which gives Chicagoans a direct line to their government.^[15]

Past community-produced programs on CAN TV include:

• Chic-a-go-go^[16]
• JBTV^[17]
• Labor Beat
• SAIC's ExTV

Independent programming carried on CAN TV includes:

• Free Speech TV
• Illinois Channel

Training and Equipment Access[]

Chicago residents can choose from a wide range of classes at CAN TV to gain the skills needed to make a video. After becoming members, residents then get access to the equipment they trained to use, including digital cameras, edit suites, and a TV studio.^[18]

References[]

External links[]

• cantv.org

See also[]

• List of public-access TV stations in the United States