ACTV / ACAC

ACTV / ACAC – Austin Access

Austin Community Access Cable / Austin Community TeleVision

Austin Film Society Will Honor Austin Public Television’s 50 Anniversary by Hosting an Onsite Open House June 25

June 1, 2023, AUSTIN, TX—June is designated Austin Public Access Television Month in honor of 50 years of giving the community a platform to air original, free speech, non-commercial programs ranging from serious to silly. Austin Public Access Television Channel 10 is the longest continually operating public access channel in the United States. 

Community television was born in Austin when the first live cablecast was broadcast on Mt. Larson in early June 1973. It got its start when several University of Texas Radio-TV-Film students carrying their video production equipment on their shoulders joined up with community activists and Texas Commission on the Arts members. 

To watch a video that takes a quick look back at some of the shows and personalities airing on Austin Public over the years, click here.

 “The City and residents embraced Austin Public Access television from the very beginning,” said Rondella Hawkins, the City of Austin’s Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs Officer. “When community television, now Austin Public, launched, it was the only free-speech outlet available for residents that provided a voice for traditionally underrepresented groups and perspectives unavailable within mainstream media. The City of Austin has continued its commitment to preserve and support the access tv channels to distribute the content created by the local community at the studio facility using the state-of-the-art video production equipment.  Leveraging these resources, it’s through our partnership with Austin Public to provide the training and the pathways for promising careers in the creative industry.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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