CMTV Programming 2010 Summary & Ways To Become A First Rate TV Station

CMTV Programming 2010 Summary &
Ways To Become A First Rate Public & Government Access TV Station


CMTV Mission
1. “To build and strengthen community through digital media”
2. CMTV is to furnish non-profit and non-commercial broadcast services, 
and to provide programming to 
diverse communities and unserved or underserved groups.
3. CMTV's programming emphasizes non-corporate and neglected perspectives and 
discussions on important local, national and global issues, 
reflecting values of peace, social, economic and environmental justice, human rights, 
democracy, multiculturalism, freedom of expression and social change.
4. CMTV's arts, cultural, and music programming 
covers a wide spectrum of expression, from traditional to experimental and 
reflects the diverse cultures it serves.

Programming Type Categories Based On CMTV Mission
For 2010 programs the 1. building and strengthening community category had 24% of the hours and 35% of the times aired. 2. Diverse Community and 3. Issue Programming each had less the 10% of the hours and times aired. These percentages can be improved considerably over this year. 4. Arts continues to be way out of proportion to all other categories - 55% hours, 42% times aired. In fact one program series. Artist Showcase (over 8hours each day) accounted for most of this disproportion. It would be useful to air Diverse Community and Issue programing considerably more hours each day and air Artist Showcase considerably less. There is plenty of diverse and issue programming readily available. CMTV would benefit considerably from more diverse programming.





Series Program Types
The four areas of CMTV’s mission are separated into further Series Program Types - that should have at least 5% of the hours or times aired to be considered for a type. Those with less than 5% can be placed in a more general category with others. Each of the 4 areas should have at least 3 types even if the % is less than 5 percent - to show where positive increases can be made. Each program aired on CMTV is assigned a Series Program Type. These reports are made from this information. There are a few series that need to have their type updated so they don’t fall in the Unassigned Type.

The need for additional hours of programming in Diversity and Issues is even more apparent when the types are viewed. The single series, Artist Showcase, disproportion to all other categories is even more striking.

CMTV has yet, since September, to put up the free programming that comes with the Democracy Now - Free Speech feed. These programs would be very helpful in both the Diverse Communities and Issue areas.

1 Building & Strengthening Community Religion, Faith, Spirituality 3%, 4% Positive Change               6%, 13% Resolving Issues            13%, 16% Nature                             0%,   2% History - Heritage             0%,  1%	2 Diverse Communities Diversity News      3%, 3% Diversity Activities 0%, 0% Multicultural          2%, 1%
3 Issues Issues - Spokane               3%, 4% Issues - State, Regional, National   4%, 4% Issues - Global                 0%, 0%	4 Arts, Culture, Music, Literature, Stories Artist Showcase      48%, 33% Art General              6%,   7% Children                  1%,   1% Literature, Poetry, Stories 1%,1%
5 Government Government - Local  1%, 0%	6 Unassigned UN ASSIGNED  7%, 9%

Additional Ways For CMTV To Become A First Rate Public & Government Access TV Station

• Increase the amount of fresh programming aired each week. It has been less than 7% of the past years. There may be requirements that fresh programming be much higher than this. More importantly, considerably more fresh programming - in line with CMTV’s mission - can provide much better viewing opportunities for CMTV’s viewers.
  
  
• Put up the additional programming from the Free Speech feed, that has been available since September - and other free programs in the Diverse Community and Issues areas.
  
  
• Put up the early morning Democracy Now feed, that has been available since September.
  
  
• Create a part time staff position for the daily station programming operations routine tasks - 1.) schedule and enter programs for the next week using the ProTrack application, 2.) Flip programs that are ready to flip (all editing, sound adjustment is complete) and place the programs on the hard drive to go to KSPS - not DVD ingesting for this person - DVDs are not routine and require another skill set, plus they take considerable time that this person can better spend focused on the daily routine tasks 3.) Fill out the ingest for for CMTV and take care of all the other programming book keeping 4.) download programs for broadcast, Only these routine tasks, no phone answering, go for this and that - just simply keep the station broadcasting the programs each and every week. This is a position for someone who enjoys doing the same routine each day - students, work study etc and others who are not able to show up each day simply do not work out. Entry level computer skills are needed for this position - not full Final Cut Pro skills and other film production skills - this is clerical type work. Rob has plenty of better things to do than these routine tasks. It is simply a waste of his time and talents to do this. And if Rob is out or working on other projects the daily station operations are simply neglected - programs submitted are not aired within a week of submission, and it can be weeks before they are aired, poor scheduling choices are made for the weekly programs. When this position is in place considerably better weekly scheduling can be made - providing a much better service to the viewers. Plus Rob will be better able to focus on making good use of his time and talents. Imagine what he can do when freed up from hours each week doing these routine daily operations tasks. When this person is in place and has mastered this routine over a few months - the delivery of program for broadcast can considerably increase the stature of CMTV with the viewing audience.
  
  
• Create another part time position, to 1.) ingest DVDs, and 2.) make these and other programs ready to flip using Final Cut Pro. This is for people that want to learn Final Cut Pro, and create programs. Work study, students, people with changing weekly schedules can do this when ever they have time. These functions are separate from the daily operations person and require different skills and interests. Again Rob spends considerable time doing this and it is an utter waste of his time and talents. When this function is being done on a regular basis the amount of fresh programming aired each week can increase considerably.
  
  
• Make an in house temporary studio that community members can reserve to produce community shows. Until CMTV has access to a full studio, the current cameras and space can be used by community members to make a program to air as produced live - without significant edits or adjustments. Make this service available a couple times a week to get started. This would be a great way to get more community programming with the current staff and equipment. Advertise this community service and see what comes up. Better yet, seek out diverse and underserved communities to make use of this service.
  
  
• Make a basic monthly email newsletter, not a pdf that can cause spam and other hassles. There are people that are interested in what CMTV can do. Use the newsletter to let them know what is going on and what to expect for the coming month. Encourage people to subscribe to the newsletter and provide specific ways people can help with CMTV programming among other things.
  
  
• Increase the diversity of Arts programing, especially music.
  
  
• It would be good to have a General Managers 2010 Annual CMTV Station Report. This report could speak to viewers about the programming accomplishments in 2010 and more importantly programming expectations for 2011.
  
  
• Keep the CMTV mission statement where everyone sees it and understands what CMTV is about. The more people understand what CMTV is about the more viewers and more programmers.

CMTV Mission
1. “To build and strengthen community through digital media”

2. CMTV is to furnish non-profit and non-commercial broadcast services, and to provide programming to diverse communities and unserved or underserved groups.

3. CMTV's programming emphasizes non-corporate and neglected perspectives and 
discussions on important local, national and global issues, 
reflecting values of peace, social, economic and environmental justice, human rights, 
democracy, multiculturalism, freedom of expression and social change.

4. CMTV's arts, cultural, and music programming covers a wide spectrum of expression, from traditional to experimental and reflects the diverse cultures it serves.

Former FCC Commissioner - Preserving the People's PEG Channels

PEG access channels allow citizens to see their local governments and leaders at work. They are also places where young and older people can learn to use and produce media. At a time when we see the major media companies are becoming increasingly consolidated — with the cable behemoth Comcast about to absorb NBC/Universal — it is refreshing to see the people's channels in action.

PEG channels, however, are at risk nationwide.
deliver PEG channels in a format inferior to that by which it delivers other channels

require congressional action, and the require FCC action.

pass H.R. 3745, the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act.

requesting that the FCC rule that PEG channels be treated and delivered in the same manner as local commercial broadcast channels.
The FCC's failure to act, now going on almost two years, is an abdication of its obligation to ensure that the public and the public interest are served first.
+++

Preserving the People's Channels

By Gloria Tristani, former Federal Communications Commission commissioner. Originally published in the Midland (Michigan) Daily News.
http://www.pegmedia.org/index.php?q=node/1816

Public, Educational, and Governamental (PEG) channels throughout Michigan have long delivered diverse community and local programming over cable and other video networks. These channels owe their existence to the franchise agreements that municipalities negotiate with video providers in exchange for allowing the providers to use the public rights-of-way. PEG access channels empower individuals and groups to use the media to educate and enrich their communities. It is television by the people and for the people. In Midland last summer the access channel, MCTV Network, together with the fire department produced a popular video on fireworks safety which is now used by many government agencies including FEMA. MCTV has also partnered with community agencies such as United Way by producing Cancer Services, which programming has touched many lives.

MCTV and other PEG access channels allow citizens to see their local governments and leaders at work. They are also places where young and older people can learn to use and produce media. At a time when we see the major media companies are becoming increasingly consolidated — with the cable behemoth Comcast about to absorb NBC/Universal — it is refreshing to see the people's channels in action.

PEG channels, however, are at risk nationwide. In 2006 Michigan passed the Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act which established a statewide uniform franchising agreement eliminating local control and eroding PEG funding sources. A number of other states followed suit and in Washington, D.C., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) further chipped away at local control. While state and federal actions may have been aimed to spur competition among video providers they failed to produce the intended results and instead were detrimental to PEG channels and to consumers. The combined state and federal actions undercut PEG funding and limited local governments' ability to require video providers to create new PEG channels.

State and federal action and inaction have also allowed new video providers, such as AT&T with its U-verse product, to deliver PEG channels in a format inferior to that by which it delivers other channels. AT&T makes finding and accessing PEG channels difficult. The channels have been moved to the upper tier — 99 — and the viewer must negotiate through a series of time consuming menus to reach the PEG channels. AT&T further delivers the PEG channels in a resolution that is of a lower quality to that in which it delivers the local commercial channels.

Citizens and viewers who value community media should be concerned but they should know that they can change the PEG picture. From my vantage as a former FCC commissioner I would suggest two federal avenues to pursue to ensure the vibrancy of PEG. One avenue requires congressional action, and the other requires FCC action. Congress should pass H.R. 3745, the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., and cosponsored by 30 other members, would among other things permit PEG funding fees to be used for any purpose including for operating expenses; ensure that video operators deliver PEG channels to subscribers without additional charges and at the same level of quality as they deliver local commercial television channels; require that the FCC investigate and report to Congress on the impact of state franchising laws; and, in certain circumstances, restore PEG funding to historical support levels.

While there may not be time left to pass the CAP Act this year passing it should be a priority for the next Congress and particularly if as expected, the Congress tackles rewriting the communications act. Passing federal legislation to preserve and strengthen the people's channels is a bipartisan issue which should be embraced by representatives of all political parties; and Michiganders should demand that their representatives in Congress get fully on board.
Citizens and viewers should also demand that the FCC take action to preserve and strengthen PEG. As it stands the FCC has been sitting on a Petition filed in January 2009 requesting that the FCC rule that PEG channels be treated and delivered in the same manner as local commercial broadcast channels. The Petition is aimed at redressing AT&T's discriminatory treatment of PEG channels, but an FCC ruling would send a clear message to all video providers that PEG channels must be treated fairly. The FCC's failure to act, now going on almost two years, is an abdication of its obligation to ensure that the public and the public interest are served first.

Despite the obstacles, PEG channels continue to serve their local communities and provide unique opportunities to average Americans to produce programming of shows that look like Americans. It is a powerful idea that part of the media should exist directly in the hands of the public. Congress and the FCC need to do their part in preserving this bastion of American democracy.

Updating CMTV Program Types For Better 2010 Annual Summary

An update of the program codes can significantly improve the 2010 Annual Report.
There are currently 14 program types and only two had more than 10% of
the airing - hours for 2010 programs.
4 were not used at all. Another 7 had less than 3%.
Over 47% percent of the programs did not have a program type, the were unassigned.

Once the new program codes are entered and the series program type codes
are updated the 2010 Annual Report can be redone using the new program codes which
will be much more useful for everyone.

The current program type codes are:
Unassigned, All Bets Off, Arts, Best of Worlds, Com. Services, Economy, Environment, Generations, Health, Home Room, Performing Arts, Practicalities, Recreation, Religion/Faith, Traditions.
Of these only the following codes were used for the programs aired in 2010, the code is followed by the % of airings for the code:
All Bets Off 1%, Arts 33%, Best of Worlds .3%, Com Services 5%, Economy 1%, Environment 6%, Health 3%, Performing Arts 2%, Presentations 1%, Religion/Faith 2%.

What is the type 'Com. Services' for?

It does not appear that the current active type codes are representative of the programming.
Nor do they reflect the CMTV mission and purpose.

The initial possible program types below has 14 categories that cover all programming and all the main intents of the CMTV mission statement.

These are possible initial categories to consider that may be significantly more useful than the current set.
This initial set can be used to see how it works for 2010 and adjustments can be made as needed.
Below are some of the considerations that can be taken into account when choosing programming types.

Rob can use this initial set and come up with a list to use to test on 2010's programs and adjustments can be made once the new types are used on 2010.

This list is made based on the discussion below, using the mission statement as the over arching criteria.
Doing this can significantly help CMTV better nurture its solid foundational ideas.

Once Rob comes is satisfied with an initial set,
I'd be happy to make the ProTrack adjustments for the program series.
It should take less than a few hours. Or this set can be used and we can see what it shows and move on from there.
It certainly will show much more than the current programs types and it will be much simple to update once the
initial program types are in place.

Once this update is done a much better picture of what CMTV is actually broadcasting will be readily available.

Initial Program Types

GovV - Government Access TV - Spokane Valley City Government Broadcasts
EDU - Educational Access TV prefix - this can be kept in place for the programming from Educational Insitutions, especially if CMTV anticipates providing this service in the future. Currently there is considerable 'free' programming available from Educational channels for PEG station broadcast that I encourage CMTV to add to their regular programming. Also local people can submit these programs as community endorsed programs which is currently being done. This will make CMTV a full PEG TV station instead of just a P with some G programming. The EDU prefix can be added to the public access categories below so the program categories are the same for both Public Access and EDU Access.

Public Access Categories - the Public of PEG stations.
Keep in mind these broad categories can then be used to sort out finer details within each program type.

The green text is directly from CMTV's mission and purpose and is used for the 4 major categories of program types.
The actual program types are in bold black.

non-corporate and neglected perspectives - this part of the mission statement covers all CMTV programming and thus does not need a unique type.

1. build and strengthen community in the Spokane region
This is a positive category. For the more divisive issues - they fall into major category #3 Local, national and global issues.
1a. Religion/Faith/Spirituality - this category is for the various services and practices related to religion/faith/spirituality - Catholic mass is a mainstay since the beginning of CMTV.

Activities by religious/faith/spiritual groups and people nurturing people and or nature can be placed in an appropriate category outside of this category. Most if not all Brethren Voices falls well into many other diverse categories.

At this point it would be good to add some more diverse programming here.

1b. Activist - Individuals and groups working for positive social and environmental change

values of peace, social, economic and environmental justice, human rights,
democracy,  freedom of expression and social change
1c. Resolving issues in positive, nurturing ways (this includes - peace, social, economic, environmental justice, human rights, democracy, freedom of expression and social change. Perhaps other words can be found for this category. It is doubtful that there is enough programming to make any one of these category to be significant compared to other major categories. This category can also include children, local food, health, nature, gardening, Bioneers, lifestyle, some Link TV shows, interviews.
1d. ? Perhaps there is another grouping that can be made from the categories about that would have significant airings - hours.
This can also be sorted out after the initial update is made.

2. diverse communities and unserved or underserved groups, multiculturalism,
2a. Diverse Community News
The Real Powwow Trail (1 hr)
Northwest Indian News (.5 hr/mo)
2b. Diverse Community Programming - All other non-news 'Diverse' programming.
It would be very useful to add addition programming to this category.
2c. Multiculturalism

3. local, national and global issues
3a. Local Spokane Issues
- There should be several programs that fit this category...
3b. State, Regional and National Issues
- It would be great to find programming that covers this category well. There probably is 'free' programming that cover
3c. Global Issues, Global Perspectives, People, Places, Nature throughout the world ...
- It is appropriate for Democracy Now to be in this category - even though it also covers national issues. It's perspective is global in nature.
World exploration, adventure, travel, places and people, programs go here. Link TV has 'free' programs that well fit this category.

4. arts, cultural, and music programming
a wide spectrum of expression
reflects the diverse cultures
It is clear that this category in particular is not to be dominated by one type of art, cultural or music programming.
Appropriate categories need to be selected here and programming made available for them.

There is plenty of 'free' programming available that reflects a wide spectrum of expression and diverse cultures.

4a - Artist Showcase - this has been the main music for many months and is probably the highest percentage of airs and hours of all other program types.
4b - Classical Arts - at this point there has been little if any classical arts programming - this is free, readily available and requires no programming - like Democracy now. It is available in 8hr segments 24/7. I recommend this be considered, certainly until other programming becomes available.
4c - Diverse Arts - this is a category that can be nurtured over 2011. This can include story telling and all other arts that are not showcase or classical.



What the types can be used to do is to identify the actual top 15 or so types of programming that represent a majority of the programming hours with a fairly even distribution among the types for this new year 2011. In other words for 15 categories it would be good if each category had about 7% of the airings - play hours. If one or two categories have most of the airing and play hours the other categories will not be as visible.

Since the showcase programs are a higher percentage than any other category they should be in their own separate category so the other categories are more useful.
Categories that would be nice to have but have less than 1% of the airings - hours can be aggregated in other categories until they have significant airing - hours.

It would also be useful if at least some of the types were for the current and expected future weekly programming times reserved for specific programming types.
Rob what are the current schedule reserved slots expected for 2011.

Certainly each of the PEG (Public, Education, Government TV access) categories can be recognized. Government certainly should have at least one category for each Government entity that CMTV broadcasts for. The GOV prefix can be used for these program types.
GovV - Government Spokane Valley City is one. If there are others add them in.

EDU - The E in PEG is mostly done by the other channels - Gonzaga, EWU, CC, WSU, UW. There are several program playing now from University and there are other programs freely available that can fit this category. If CMTV is interested in being available for EDU programming it would be good to make use of this category at some time if not now.
Rob what do you recommend. The EDU prefix can be used for these programming types.

Public Access - The P in PEG is a large majority of the programming hours. These are the programs that need to be more evening distributed among the programming types. Again - Showcase can have it's own category and the rest can be balanced.

Certainly ALL the categories of the CMTV Mission - Purpose can be in the programming types.
The CMTV Mission - Purpose is here:
Mission Link

Broadcast spot:

CMTV Mission
“To build and strengthen community through digital media”

CMTV is to furnish non-profit and non-commercial broadcast services,
and to provide programming to
diverse communities and unserved or underserved groups.

CMTV's programming emphasizes non-corporate and neglected perspectives and
discussions on important local, national and global issues,
reflecting values of peace, social, economic and environmental justice, human rights,
democracy, multiculturalism, freedom of expression and social change.

CMTV's arts, cultural, and music programming
covers a wide spectrum of expression, from traditional to experimental and
reflects the diverse cultures it serves.



Here are some of the possible program types that have been discussed before:
See this Program Type link for the details.
Some of the programs CMTV airs are listed in the various categories.
Additional programs could be added to these categories to better sort out which categories are appropriate for the active program types.

Categories From CMTV Mission - Purpose
Strengthening Community
Diverse Communities
>Local Programming? or DVD?
The Real Powwow Trail (1 hr)
Northwest Indian News (.5 hr/mo)
Unserved - Underserved Groups
Non-corporate
Neglected perspectives
>Satellite Feed Live
Democracy Now! (5hrs/wk)
>Local Programming
- Better Spokane Interviews (10hrs/yr)
>Internet Download, DVDs
- Meet America (DVD's 10? hrs/yr)
Local Issues
National Issues
Global Issues
>Internet Download, DVDs
- Link TV (downloads - at least 5 hours per wk can be downloaded)
Peace
Social Justice
Economic Justice
Environmental Justice
>Internet Download, DVDs
- Bioneers (DVDs - 20? hours per year)
Human Rights
Democracy
Multiculturalism
Freedom of Expression
Social Change
Arts
>Local Programming
- CMTV Artist Showcase (12/hours a day - 80hrs/week - how much of this is repeats???)
Culture
Music
>Satellite Feed Live
Classic Arts Show Case (8hrs/wk)
Wide Spectrum of Expression
Traditional
Experimental
Diverse Cultures

Additional Categories - Suggested And With Current Programming
Programs from local schools and colleges
Local news
Music from around the world
>Internet Download, DVDs
- Link TV (downloads - at least 5 hours per wk can be downloaded)
Dramas
Classical
Weird Variety Stuff
Teenagers making cool stuff
Gardening
>Local Programming
Nature
>Local Programming
Wellness - Body Mind Spirit
>Local Programming
- Jazzercise (?hr/wk)
Religious
>Local Programming (Sunday 4hrs + others throughout the week)
Food
>Local Programming
- P.E.A.C.H. Classes
Travel - Adventure
>Local Programming
- Right to Risk Grand Canyon Movie (1 hr)

From these here are some aggregate categories to start with - and test with 2010 programming to see how well they work and what adjustments will work better.

CMTV Mission Statement - Periodic Broadcast & Bylaw Statement

Here is the text for a 60 second spot for periodic broadcast that lets the viewing audience know what CMTV is about.
The video is of a recent sunrise with a meadowlark's call in the background. The text scrolls from bottom to top across the screen.

Hopefully other spots are made with the mission and purpose presented to CMTV's audience.


The text for the spot is listed below followed by the original text of the current bylaws.

Hopefully over time there are plenty more spots presenting CMTV to the viewing audience so audience understands what CMTV is all about. Right now I doubt the audience has a clear understanding of what CMTV is about.

It would also be useful to put this text prominently on the website and refer to it periodically.
===


Broadcast spot:

CMTV Mission
“To build and strengthen community through digital media”

CMTV is to furnish non-profit and non-commercial broadcast services, and to provide programming to diverse communities and unserved or underserved groups.

CMTV's programming emphasizes non-corporate and neglected perspectives and discussions on important local, national and global issues, reflecting values of peace, social, economic and environmental justice, human rights, democracy, multiculturalism, freedom of expression and social change.

CMTV's arts, cultural, and music programming covers a wide spectrum of expression, from traditional to experimental and reflects the diverse cultures it serves.




Original Text:
Community-Minded TV (here-in referred to as “CMTV”) is a community access TV station, whose mission is:  “To build and strengthen community through digital media”

CMTV is organized as a private, non-governmental corporation under the laws of the State of Washington to furnish non-profit and non-commercial broadcast services, and to provide programming to diverse communities and unserved or underserved groups. The Organization's programming emphasizes non-corporate and neglected perspectives and discussions on important local, national and global issues, reflecting values of peace, social, economic and environmental justice, human rights, democracy, multiculturalism, freedom of expression and social change. The Organization's arts, cultural, and music programming covers a wide spectrum of expression, from traditional to experimental and reflects the diverse cultures it serves.

Media reform definitions

http://www.metroeast.org/news/

You've probably heard the buzz lately about things like media reform, Net neutrality and telecommunications legislation. These are issues that could affect anyone who uses a television, phone or the internet in important ways. Sometimes it's hard to make sense of it all, so we've provided this quick list of definitions, some based on information from FreePress.net. Free Press is a national non-partisan organization working to reform media. Click here to learn more.

The Issues: The bills now moving through state legislatures will influence how you will be able to use the communications networks of tomorrow. They’ll decide who will have access to new technologies and services and how much they’ll cost. The rules written now will determine if the broadest sources of culture and information will be available to everyone.

Media Reform: A movement of organizations and individuals working for more democratic media, including higher journalistic standards, quality entertainment, diversity, localism and political awareness.

Telcos: Large telecommunications companies like AT&T, Verizon and Qwest. They now offer internet and TV in addition to phone services, but they're trying to find ways provide these services without honoring consumers' rights to things like reasonable prices, community TV funding and unlimited internet access.

Federal Communications Commission: The FCC is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.

Net Neutrality: Net Neutrality means no discrimination on the Internet. States are considering measures to show their support for this fundamental principle that prevents big phone and cable companies from interfering or favoring certain Web sites and services based on their source, ownership or destination.

Video Franchising: States are deciding how to handle the entrance of new competitors — primarily phone companies — into the television market. Traditionally, cable companies have agreed to “local franchise agreements” with cities and towns. But now the companies are pushing to negotiate these deals statewide.

Build-Out Requirements: A key part of franchise agreements, build-out requirements prevent powerful cable and phone companies from “cherry-picking” certain wealthier neighborhoods while avoiding others. They make sure the entire community gets access to advanced networks on a reasonable timetable.

PEG/Public Access TV: In exchange for lucrative local franchises, video providers have provided public, educational and governmental (PEG) access channels — which broadcast local voices, cover local issues, and show exactly how local government works. Some of these outlets are now endangered.

Community Internet: High-speed broadband access is becoming a public necessity. In many places where many people cannot access or afford Internet service, local governments are working with innovative businesses to build “Community Internet” systems. Industry lobbyists have tried to outlaw these local competitors.

KSPS Satellite Feeds & KSPS Program File Server

(Please send adjustments to this so it can be updated for better accuracy.)

CMTV has two options for providing programs to be sent from KSPS to Comcast for broadcast.
Live satellite feeds direct to Comcast and KSPS file server scheduled programs sent to Comcast.

All the steps in these various processes are straight forward once they have been set up. KSPS provides the needed information to do the initial set up.

Live satellite feeds sent directly to Comcast
Live satellite feeds can sent directly from KSPS to Comcast for broadcast. This is the simplest way for KSPS to send programs to Comcast for CMTV. There is no muss and fuss with bringing the satellite signal in, putting it on the KSPS program files server, scheduling each program with ProTrack and then sending the program to Comcast from the files server when ProTrack requests the program be played.

Live satellite feeds, when possible are preferred by KSPS. This is essentially a one step process. KSPS file server programming has more steps with lots of pesky details that need to be taken care of. Once programs are set up on the KSPS file server and ProTrack scheduling is in place the process is usually more or less automatic - once it is set up and tested.

Democracy Now is to be broadcast this way - from the live satellite feed sent directly to Comcast.

Democracy Now can also be recorded to from the satellite receiver at KSPS to the KSPS program file server and then broadcast at a later time on CMTV as scheduled by ProTrack. See below for how all this is done.


KSPS program file server scheduled programs sent to Comcast
The KSPS program file server can be viewed as a very large, many terrabytes, hard drive computer system that can broadcast programs to one or more broadcast channels. KSPS has well over ten? channels that it broadcasts to each day 24/7. If the KSPS program file server goes down - all the channels will no long be airing the scheduled programs.

The KSPS program file server process for broadcasting programs has multiple steps.
There are steps to get the program of the Satellite and saved on a program file on the KSPS program file server.
CMTV is delivering programs to KSPS on hard drive each week which requires some steps.
Then there are then steps to schedule a program on the file server to be broadcast on CMTV's Comcast channel 14.

Getting programs from the satellite receiver to KSPS program file server.
The satellite receiver is programmed by the ProTrack scheduling system at CMTV's office to record the program as it is received from the satellite. Once the program is on the KSPS file server it is can then be later broadcast as various times. The ProTrack programming scheduling software is used to set each program's broadcast times.

There are various details needed to schedule receiving a satellite feed. KSPS provides all these details - satellite id, characteristics ... Plus KSPS will provide the times satellite feeds are available for CMTV. Apparently there are only so many feeds that KSPS can accommodate at any one time.

Once each satellite feed has been set up on ProTrack for recording a program and this is tested to make sure it is working then it is straight forward to do this for other programs and regularly scheduled programs should work like clock work and be put on the file server for CMTV to schedule for broadcast whenever CMTV wants.

Getting programs from the hard drive to KSPS program file server.
Each week usually Thursday, CMTV drives up to KSPS to deliver a hard drive with the programs to be broadcast the next week. On Friday, after KSPS has transferred the files to the KSPS program file server the hard drive is picked up by CMTV and driven back to CMTV. When a high speed internet connection is established between KSPS and CMTV the programs can be FTPed via the internet from CMTV to KSPS with out the 2 drives each week...

KSPS's program file server uses a proprietary file type so regular video program files can not be used. A special file conversion needs to be done. With the conversion software set up, each file is converted into the required 'SeaChange?' format. It takes a few minutes at most to convert each program file. The application to do this is not in expensive.

When KSPS creates programs for broadcast they have the same issue - the need to convert from regular video program file type to the 'SeaChange' format. They have an application that does the conversion of each file for them. There are multiple applications that make this conversion. These applications vary considerably in cost and probably in quality of broadcast file produced and other considerations. Once regular files are set up for conversion it is a straight forward process that takes a few minutes to do for each program. The programs files can be processed in batches so it is very straight forward to do - once it is set up and tested.

Perhaps KSPS does this conversion for other stations? KWSU?  It might be worth seeing if KSPS will convert the CMTV regular program files if there continues to be issues of broadcast quality - if these issues are due to conversion issues. Certainly it would be useful to make a test file for KSPS to convert and air to see if there are any significant quality differences.

KSPS has fine tuned their program file conversion process for their particular broadcast equipment. Using KSPS's conversion may help CMTV's broadcast quality considerably.

On the other hand if CMTV's conversion is producing at least as good broadcast quality files as KSPS, CMTV could provide this conversion service for other channels if KSPS is not making their conversion process available.

Getting programs from the KSPS program file server to Comcast for broadcast
Once programs are on the KSPS program file server they are scheduled using the ProTrack internet application.

Aside from direct satellite feed from KSPS to Comcast, Protrack accessing the KSPS program server is the only way to get programs aired on Comcast via KSPS.

ProTrack is straight forward to program - program ID, play date, play time ... ProTrack is obnoxiously awkward to use - certainly uses ancient data entry design. When it is updated to current state of the art data entry - allowing spreadsheet entry etc it will be much more agil.

None the less most anyone with basic data entry computer skills with some idea of what scheduling is about can do adequate data entry within a week or so. Someone that is more fully trained on ProTrack and knows scheduling probably could do much more with this tool.

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All these processes are straight forward to do. A hitch in anyone can make it so those steps follow the hitch do not work. The resolution of the hitch only involves the one point all the rest of the process, once working and tested remains just fine waiting patiently for the hitch to be worked out.

It is essentially a mechanical process - not much of an art at all - especially once it is working and tested.

Spokane's Public, Education & Government Cable Channels On Comcast

Channel	Name	Type	Description
5	City	PEG	City Of Spokane - Government programming
7	KSPS	PBS	Spokane Public Schools - PBS
14	CMTV	PEG	Community Minded TV
15	Gonzaga	?	Gonzaga
16	UWTV	?	University Of Washington TV
17	Public Schools	?	District 81 and EWU (Seldom if ever used by the schools)
18	KWSU	PBS, Edu	Washington State University TV - PBS including WSU programs
19	CCS	?	Community Colleges Of Spokane - SCC has the studio?

Interesting stuff - from what I've found so far.
Please send updates and corrections.

Channel 5 - City of Spokane. A PEG channel - government only or does it include education too?
http://www.spokanecity.org/services/citycable5/
Spokane uses Channel 5 as a government access channel to provide information to the public. An independent public access channel is not reserved, but the City’s cable franchisee, Comcast, operates a community access Channel (Channel 14) for members of the public.
The five educational access channels, Comcast 15-19, are managed by the Spokane Cable Advisory Board for Learning - a consortium of local educational institutions serving the community’s educational access user needs, with resources supplied by the member schools, Comcast and other contributors.
I assume this channel broadcasts live directly to Comcast?
They have online videos available.
DVD's of original programming are available for $11/DVD
Programming starts at 6AM. In addition to live broadcasts, additional programming is created and broadcast along with national programming? including ARMY Newswatch and NASA: Destination Tomorrow. How do they get this additional programming?


Channel 7 - KSPS PBS The SPS stands for Spokane Public Schools who runs this PBS station
http://www.ksps.org/
Full broadcast TV station. Three channels which are KSPS World and KSPS Create and ???
Provides master control operations for two other stations: KWSU??? and  ???
Watch programs on line.
KSPS produces some shows
KSPS sells some DVDs for $20 along with PBS videos.
Provides broadcast  services for channels 14 through 18 - NOT channel 19 which is the Community Colleges of Spokane.
- Live satellite feeds: Gonzaga, KSPS, CM-TV, KWSU possibly.
- Satellite feeds stored on KSPS file server for broadcast times specified by ProTrack program scheduling: KSPS, CM-TV, KWSU
- File transfers (In SeaChange proprietary format) on hard drive to KSPS file server: KSPS, CM-TV, KWSU
- Send broadcast signal to transmitters via microwave: KWSU, eastern Washington, northern Idaho, western Montana, southeastern British Columbia, and most of Alberta including Calgary and Edmonton.
- Satellite broadcast on Star Choice satellite system across Canada

Channel 14 - CMTV, PEG, - Spokane's community access channel for members of the public. At present CMTV's one channel broadcasts Public programs, Educational programs(is this correct?) and Government programs all on channel 14. The city of Spokane Valley is the government programs. All of the PEG programming applies to CMTV???

All CMTV programming goes to KSPS who then sends the programms via their file server to Comcast. KSPS can also send programs directly from satellite feeds directly to Comcast for CMTV - Democracy Now will use this service, and KSPS can put programs from satellites on the KSPS file server for CMTV to use. CMTV brings all their programming that does not originate from KSPS to KSPS on a hard drive. Usually once a week on Thursdays, and picks up the hard drive on Friday after the files on transfered to the KSPS program file server. A high speed ftp connection may be able to replace the weekly drives to and fro KSPS.

Channel 15 - Gonzaga, PEG? or just Education access? Managed by the Spokane Cable Advisory Board for Learning???
Gonzaga has a live studio for students to produce live shows. The shows are sent directly to Comcast via a fast fiber connection. Girls basket ball is also sent live to Comcast. Gonzaga only does live programming. When Gonzaga is not broadcasting live, KSPS provides a live satellite feed from the Classic Arts Showcase. It doesn't seem Gonzaga has a way to produce programs and then broadcast them.

If there are students at Gonzaga that want to produce programs, CMTV would be a great place to take the programs for broadcast.

Channel 16 - UWTV, Univerity of Washington's Satellite TV station. Education access? Managed by the Spokane Cable Advisory Board for Learning???
KSPS takes the UWTV satellite feed and sends it directly to Comcast.

Channel 17 - Spokane District 81 public schools, EWU, Education access? Managed by the Spokane Cable Advisory Board for Learning???
KSPS used to schedule some programming from their file server for District 81. This is seldom if ever done now????
KSPS used to schedule some programming from their file server for EWU. This is seldom if ever done now???
KSPS now connects a direct satellite feed to channel 17. If District 81 or EWU had some programming to broadcast it would be from KSPS's file server and then once the show was over the direct satellite feed would be back on. When I took a look at the channel it was:
http://www.dw-world.de/
German World TV in English. Lots of news and longer pieces about the world, with a European flavor. First rate. Comparable to BBC, and Al Jezeera.

Apparently this is the choice of the Spokane Cable Advisory Board For Learning???

Channel 18 - KWSU TV, Washington State University TV, Pullman and KTNW-TV, Richland
Education access? Managed by the Spokane Cable Advisory Board for Learning???
http://kwsu.org/
http://www.nwpr.org/07/about/About.aspx
KWSU is a public TV station with a selective mix of PBS programming and other education programs. KWSU & KTNW are managed by the Education & Public Media - which seems to have changed its name to KWSU Media Productions.
http://www.kwsumedia.org/
They sell their programs DVDs for $14 or more for sets.

Public Television Station KTNW, Channel 31, Richland, Washington is licensed to Washington State University. The studio is located on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland, Washington. KTNW provides a full-service Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) program schedule to residents of the Columbia Basin region. KWSU/KTNW also provides the Create Channel.

The program schedule shows five channels. 2 go to Pullman, 2 to the Tri-Cities and 1 shared by Richland and Pullman.

KSPS provides the programming from their file server for KWSU from satellite feeds and files delivered by hard drive to KSPS from Pullman. The broadcast is sent for broadcast in Pullman via microwave to a transponder that broadcasts the signal from KSPS?
Who provides the broadcasts for the other channels? KSPS via microwave? KWSU Media Productions?
Scheduling of the broadcasts is this done in Pullman by KWSU Media Productions? via ProTrack?

Channel 19 - CCS TV, Community Colleges of Spokane
Education access? Managed by the Spokane Cable Advisory Board for Learning???
SCC has the studio????
KSPS does NOT provide any services to CCS TV
When I looked at the channel it seemed to be German TV in German - perhaps DW TV like Channel 17 does.
Who is providing this satellite feed?
Is this station used any more than channel 17????



Spokane Cable Advisory Board for Learning - according the the city of Spokane's channel 5 website. The Spokane Cable Advisory Board for Learning manages the five educational access channels, Comcast 15-19. "This is a consortium of local educational institutions serving the community’s educational access user needs, with resources supplied by the member schools, Comcast and other contributors."

At one time, beginning in the 70's, School District 81, was broadcasting programs that were used in the schools. EWU in the past has broadcast some programs. KSPS sent the programs to Comcast for District 81 and EWU.  I don't know when CCS has done any broadcasting or what facilities they have to broadcast from. Does anyone? KSPS does not provide programming for CCS channel 19. In recent years there has been few? if any programs, broadcast by School District 81, EWU or CCS as far as I can tell.

This leaves two channels, 17 and 19, open for all sorts of programs from Spokane instead of the live satellite feeds they are presently broadcasting.

If there are funds for additional equipment for educational access channels these certainly could find all sorts of programming uses for the two under used channels.

Portland seems to have found plenty of creative ways to provide considerably more channels with programming from several local broadcast providers.

Spokane viewers certainly could benefit with these at least these two channels being programmed locally.
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Please send updates to this. As I receive more information I'll add them to this page link.