Published by the Benton Foundation and the Center for Strategic Communications.

Cable television access represents an underutilized resource for video production and distribution in communities around the country, guaranteeing programming produced by, for, and about the community. This handbook has been designed to encourage nonprofit organizations to take advantage of the cable access facilities in their community. It presents a frame-work for understanding and using cable access, provides specific tips on getting involved in access, and offers 12 case studies of effective nonprofit uses of cable access for public education, community organizing, fundraising, and issue advocacy, including as case study of the Los Angeles Jazz Society in California. Includes a directory of the organizations mentioned in the study and other cable resource organizations.

CONTENTS
Introduction.

Part 1. Why use cable access - Recognizing access opportunities.
           What is cable access?
           TV viewing trends.
           Who watches cable access?

Part 2. How to use cable access - Strategies for matching your needs with access 
           opportunities.
           Getting involved in access.
           Producing your own program.
           Targeting and promoting.
           Planning ahead for multiple uses.
           Budgeting for access.

Part 3. Case studies:
                Wrightwood Improvement Association.
                Milwaukee Audubon Society.
                Chaffee Planetarium.
                Foxborough Council for Human Services.
                Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center.
                Los Angeles Jazz Society.
                United Way of San Luis Obispo County/Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Inc.
                American Association of Retired Persons, Area 7.
                Northern Virginia Youth Services Coalition.
                Animal Rights Kinship.
                Little City Foundation.
                League of Women Voters of Bucks County.

Appendix:
     Resource list.
     Notes [bibliography].

 

 

This handbook has been designed to encourage nonprofit organizations to take advantage of the cable access facilities in their community. It presents a frame-work for understanding and using cable access, provides specific tips on getting involved in access, and offers 12 case studies of effective nonprofit uses of cable access for public education, community organizing, fundraising, and issue advocacy, including as case study of the Los Angeles Jazz Society in California. Includes a directory of the organizations mentioned in the study and other cable resource organizations.