Public Access Television, Inc. is eastern Iowa’s premiere community media center. Since 1990 we’ve served the public with technical expertise and artistic savvy. The professional staff at PATV offers training in video production to individuals of any skill level. PATV members have access to our HD cameras, editing bays, and green screen studio to use in the production of media for television and internet.
History
Public access has been a part of cable television in Iowa City since 1979, when local citizens realized the constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech means nothing if ordinary people are denied access to society’s most widespread medium – television. PATV was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation in 1990 and established under the laws of the State of Iowa for the purpose of managing and programming Iowa City’s public access channel.
Funding
We are funded primarily through a contract with Iowa City. The actual funds come from the local cable provider as part of the cable franchise agreement with the city. The current agreement, in effect until 2018, requires that the local cable provider designate channels for public, educational, and government use, and provide funds to the city for the operation and maintenance of a public access facility. Iowa City then contracts with PATV to provide the required services in three-year intervals.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors at PATV consists of nine community volunteers. Each Director serves a three-year term, and may sit two consecutive terms. The Board helps create policies for PATV, which are then implemented by the Executive Director. The Executive Director gathers feedback from the staff, interns, volunteers, and producers, and reports to the Board. Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6 PM, and are open to the public.
