January 2008

Apples for Apples – I’m sure you’ve heard this term used many times. It’s the old-school measurement of how similar things compare to one another. Hold items up side-by-side and see how they compare. The ultimate purpose of the exercise is to evaluate a particular item, situation or need. Then you can use that evaluation - apply that knowledge - to accomplish your related goal. Apple for apple comparisons occur all the time, formally and informally. Formal comparisons often fall into the category of studies or assessments.

In 2006, the average home built in America was 2,459 square feet - up from less than 2,000 square feet in the 1980s. That’s one type of apple. Traditional Convenience Stores operate in about 2,500 square feet, Mini Convenience Stores offer about 800 to 1,200 square feet, and Kiosk’s offer less than 800 square feet. These are other kinds of apples. Of course the apples we like to compare are Public Access facilities.

In the early days PAC 14 occupied about 500 square feet of office space, from which we provided access services to an entire population of county residents; some 75,000 or so. Nine years later we operate within about 1,000 square feet and the population is headed toward 100,000 before long. While any increase is good, our current footprint falls short of significantly addressing the need. Like any for-profit business or non-profit organization the concept is to improve your service, entice new consumers (users) and grow.

In comparing apples for apples in Access terms, we look at other regional access media centers, a good example of which is Montgomery County and Carroll County Maryland. Pound for pound Carroll's apple weighs nine times ours, coming in at roughly 9,000 square feet. Given the data provided above our community media service operates in the same footprint as a kiosk. In funding comparisons, well, let’s say the two aren’t in the same orchard.

Location is anther key component, in the real estate biz they refer to location-location-location. While PAC 14 was recognized in 2006 as the top access station in the country for its size – which assumes our visible product (on air) exceeds expectations – our physical location within the community isn’t visible. While I could argue PAC 14 provides as much value to the TV viewer as other local stations, I’d bet most local folks could point out their headquarters on a map and not ours. Sadly ironic, because PAC 14 is a publically accessible service which actively invites public participation and video production.

Another apple for apple comparison would be – per channel funding – the price that all cable subscribers pay for the channels they receive. The FCC has considered ala carte options, that is paying for only the channels you want; however the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. According to some accounts operators would price channels at $4 to $5 each, an as a result most consumers would receive fewer channels and/or a higher monthly cable bill. Ala carte aside, each subscriber currently pays for the channels they receive. Most of the networks charge cable for their service and the subscriber in turn pays for that service (channel) within their monthly bill.

In the case of a national public service like C-SPAN, they receive .5 cents per subscriber – per month. At roughly 70 or 80 million subscribers it’s easy to see how they fund the facilities and services needed to provide programming on a national scale. Needless to say the major news and entertainment networks come at a much higher cost per subscriber. Here in our community, PAC 14 receives no subscriber based per subscriber - per month funds - which would provide the capital support to build and equip our community media facility; our greatest need to date.

Nationally, Access operations receive approximately 75 cents to $1 per subscriber per month to support their service. While that appears much higher than the 5 cents C-SPAN receives, you have to factor in smaller communities and ‘significantly’ fewer subscribers. Unlike many channels on the line-up, stations like PAC 14 are uniquely local and provide a tremendous amount of value to the subscriber and the community. We serve both the volunteer producer and the viewer - you must have both; regardless of either's status as a cable subscriber. Citizen volunteers help provide programming, citizens in turn may watch the programming. The – per month – per subscriber fee is a commonly used method to fund PEG Access operations capital need.

So, apples for apples, there would seem to be a significant difference between our community media service and others; in facility size and funding. This information is offered for informational purposes only. The most common questioned asked of us is, how are you funded? The information provided should help you understand a bit better and appreciate both sides of the story. When you watch at home it’s difficult to appreciate the challenges behind the scenes, you just appreciate the local programming. PAC 14’s history is filled with a great success and achievements, yet a few simple but vital elements hinder our ability to grow. Without the same apples for apples support and funding that others receive, meeting current and future need would be extremely difficult; if not impossible.  

A great deal of the information I mentioned is available on the web, just type in the key words and you’ll find the information. The web is a wonderful thing – then again – so is PAC 14.

Happy New Year! Thanks to all for your support of PAC 14.

Mike Goodson,
Manager PAC 14

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