"PAC 14: We Need YOU!"

What is PAC 14?
PAC 14, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization provide 'PEG' or Public, Educational, and Government Access Television services. We serve the Wicomico County and Salisbury Maryland area. Our programs are strictly
non-commercial and non-profit. PAC 14 has served the community since Nov. 1998.  What is Public Access TV?

Where is PAC 14 located?
PAC 14 is located in the East Campus Complex Building, rooms 126-136. Map Directions
From the intersection of Rt. 13 & Bateman St., take Bateman St. first right on Wayne St.- to the East Campus Complex on the corner of Power & Wayne Streets. PAC 14 visitors can park in the front lot in spaces facing Wayne Street. PAC 14 offices - adjacent to Nabb Center - enter glass door on left with PAC 14 logo.

Who operates the Access channels?
To date there is only one combined Access Channel. The day-to-day operations are managed by a staff of three, including the Executive Director. See Board of Directors for additional information. PAC 14, Inc. has existed as a partnership between the City of Salisbury, Wicomico County & Salisbury University. The current hours of operation are from approximately 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday – Friday.

How is PAC 14 funded?
One of the most frequently asked questions is how is PEG Access and PAC 14 Funded?
PEG Access channels are funded by Franchise Fees, PEG Fees, and cable related funding - period!
Anyone offering that this is not true is simply incorrect. Find the facts via links in the information below or call
any telecommunication attorney or related PEG expert.

It's not a complicated matter, but it can be, simply because of the terms related to PEG Access funding aren't commonly used. The two most common terms are, 'Franchise Fee' and 'P.E.G. Fee'.

Before defining those two funding sources lets step back a few years. When Congress contemplated the impact and implementation of CATV (cable) they determined that several important principles must be considered. First, as cable would primarily deliver distant signals (channels) there must be channel capacity guaranteed to the local community so they were not 'locked out'. Thus, the local community component would be PEG channels.
Second, the PEG channels would be strictly non-commercial and non-profit to ensure the broadest possible use and remove the typical commercial barriers. PEG is often referred to as a public "Green Space". So, if these channels are guaranteed to the community, but are non-commercial, how are they funded?

There are two basic needs of any PEG TV service - operational funding and capital funding. Like any business PEG channels will have operational cost of staff, paper, pencils, lights, heat, etc. There is also a capital need from which you support the bricks and mortar needs, facility, studios, cameras, editors, etc.

Lets start with operational funding and Franchise Fee.
First, PAC 14 receives no 'tax' money. Congress determined that since cable operators would use the Public Rights of Way (PROW) to run their cable lines, the cable operators should pay 'rent' for this privilege. It was therefore established that in compensation for use of the PROW, municipalities (who hold contracts with cable providers) may receive up to 5% of the cable operators gross annual revenue. This includes only cable TV revenues and unfortunately excludes non-video service revenues such as internet and phone services due to a late 1990's revision of the existing cable legislation.

The legislation related to Franchise Fees clearly indicates the intended use of these fees; one of which is to support PEG Access operational needs. Currently, PAC 14 receives 1.5% of the Franchise Fee collected by the City and no fixed percentage of the Franchise Fee collected by the County; the County's appropriation from the General Funds. Therefore, PAC 14's operational funds come from, are intended to come from (since they are collected) this Franchise Fee - rent - for use of the public rights of way.

Sadly, updates to cable legislation permits the cable operators to pass this cost of rent on to the subscriber. While it is unfair that this cost falls on the subscriber, eliminating the fee would equate to no compensation at all from the cable operator. However, if used as intended by Congress, this 'Fee' supports PEG access needs, as opposed to needs already funded by actual tax dollars. Therefore you see itemized on your cable bill the individual services, taxes, and the rent 'Fee'. Nationwide the portion (percentage) of the franchise fee which is allocated to PEG varies greatly. However, it is often directly proportional to the subscriber size and PEG funding needs. Thus, a lesser percentage may be allocated in areas with many hundreds of thousand subscribers, while a higher percentage may be allocated in areas with fewer subscribers. Several Western Shore Maryland Counties receive 2% (of this 5%) or more. An argument can be made that all of this fee should be used exclusively to fund PEG Access, and in some cases, oversight of the cable providers. Typically an official who acts as the liaison between cable and customer to help satisfy service complaints and compliance issues.

Lets turn to capital funding and PEG Fees.
As mentioned earlier, PEG operations have bricks and mortar, studios & major equipment needs. The funds to support this need comes by way of the contracts (agreements) signed between municipalities and cable providers. In some cases there are examples of cable regulatory commissions established to oversee these obligations.It is often determined that cable companies over the life of a contract, often 10 to 15 years, will generate x-amount of revenue. One could roughly estimate by using the average cable bill, say $100, times the number of subscribers, say 28,000, times 12 months, times 15 years. Given the amount of revenue/profit that can be generated by a cable operator (or video provider), local municipalities request/require compensations in return. One of which would be capital funds needed to build/equip Community Media facilities. It can also include additional fiber optic and/or I-Net capacity, which provides enhanced remote-location accessibility, programming and instructional capabilities.

PEG Fee funds are often seen as return on investment to local communities and can and often provide a million dollars or more. Where this amount is provided, and at the moment must be used exclusively for capital needs, it 'may' be passed on to the subscriber as a per 'cent' cost divided over all subscribers over the term of the contract. While cable may pass this cost onto the subscriber, as they are permitted under the current cable legislation, there is no mandate that they do so. Thus, a PEG Fee is the intended source of capital funding for Community Access needs. Since no major capital contributions have been established for PAC 14, Community Access in our area, no PEG Fee currently exists. To date each subscriber pays a dollar and/or cents amount for nearly every channel you receive; except PAC 14. We receive no such funds. However supporters of PAC 14 have offered that they would be willing to support a dollar (or more) to support PAC 14...noting that cost less than a convenience store soda per month. 

As example, other Maryland communities have received multiple-million dollars to support P.E.G. and have in turn established Community Media facilities. Carroll County's Media Center provides approximately 9,000 square feet and supports several Access channels - while in comparison PAC 14 has no facility of its own but is provide approximately 900 square feet of office space through the generosity of Salisbury University. Carroll's facility, established in 2004, cost roughly 1.7 million. Carroll currently receives 2% of the 5% Franchise Fee.

Public Access operations can be viewed as the video equivalent of a public library, every resident of the community may utilize the Community Media facilities and equipment; once qualified. No other local media provides this type of open-door access to provide public participation in local media. This type of access understandably requires a significant amount of space, staff, and equipment in order to provide adequate service. While PAC 14 is arguably the most successful and prolific Access channel on the Shore, PAC 14 received less than $100,000 in a one-time Comcast capital contribution ('02) and to date has been unable to secure the additional funding necessary to properly staff or equip the operation, much less build a Community Media Center comparable to Carroll County.

PAC 14's FY 10 budget initially provided $220,800 in franchise/subscriber based funding. This was reduced by roughly $17,000 to approximately $200,000 in February 2010. This reduction drops PAC 14 below FY 07 totals. This amount of funding most cover all costs. However, for informational purposes, this level of funding does not permit funding of employee health or retirement benefits, company vehicles or mileage compensation, nor any of the typical expenses. There are many operational and funding comparisons available on the web to compare what our Access Channel receives related to others across the country. It is important to note that all PEG operations are reliant on the Fee based funding (which relate to Franchise Fees) established by Congress and the capital contributions (which relate to PEG Fees) of local cable operators. PEG is not PBS. PEG can not self-fund solely thru donations or memberships, which in most cases equates to ancillary funding at best. Congress understood this issue and therefore established the manners in which PEG Access would be funded.

PAC 14 suggests that a properly funded operation benefits not only the local government and the community, but the cable operator as well. Over 1,000 PAC 14 members and supporters support the call for appropriate funding and adequate facility. While PAC 14 has managed to survive, under admittedly difficult circumstances, our supporters are indicating the time has come to move beyond basic survival funding. Supporters argue that any scenario that does not provide adequate operational and capital funding, and establish PAC 14 as a publically held non-profit entity, would not serve the best interest of Community Access or the community itself. Routinely, mutual agreements between local municipalities and the Access entity guarantee mutual security in that PEG is guaranteed secure and adequate funding, and in turn Access guarantees its continued support of PEG services; including local governments. This provides both mutual security and oversight. Often these agreements are short term, perhaps three years, and are re-evaluated at the end of each term. It's important to note, the cable agreements are much longer than those of PEG operations. Access supporters would also like to see the cable operator provide significant capital support for our PEG channels, which is not passed-through to the subscriber; therefore all parties provide a fair share.

There is only one 'PAC 14', community channel, that provides open opportunity to inform, educate, discuss, debate, and yes even entertain in a manner that represents true American values...of the people, by the people, and for the people. There are other tools like the internet, but television is the American standard. PEG does not support a world wide audience, it supports 'home town'. PAC 14 is 'our' destination on the dial. If you'd like to sign our petition and read a few of our supporters comments, please do. To read petition comments just click on 'view signatures'. Other comments from PAC 14 friends and supporters are available here.

Why can't I receive PAC 14 ?
PAC 14, and PEG channels, are carried exclusively on cable TV. As mentioned earlier P.E.G. channels ensure the local community (citizens) are not be shut-out of the cabled service. Again, because of the nature of PEG channels they exist exclusively on cable. If you reside in Wicomico County and receive cable services, but not PAC 14, we urge you to contact the cable operator and request that PAC 14 be added to your service line-up. This matter is solely in the hands of the cable operator. It can be argued that if all of the more typical cable channels are carried in all locations, there should be no reason PAC 14 could not be provided to all cabled homes in Wicomico County; of which there should be a mandate. PAC 14 is not a broadcast station, satellite providers can not receive PAC 14. If you live in Wicomico County and reside just outside the cable operators service area, this matter is also in the hands of the cable operator.

While PEG operations have no control over what portions of a municipal service area may or may not receive their channels, all (including PAC 14) gladly welcome the widest viewership possible. So it's important to note that cable offers very low life-line type service rates, perhaps under $20-$30 dollars, that would allow you to receive basic cable services including Community Access Channels. Some Access centers, like PAC 14, are seeking ways to add additional layers of service / participation. Funding is a major component of course, more funding provides more opportunity and services. PAC 14 has added an inexpensive service (as-in a low-tech initial solution), all of the channels programming is available 24/7 in streaming video on this website. This provides connectivity for those who wish to view when out of town or are not yet cable subscribers.

How many people watch PAC 14 - what about your ratings?
PAC 14, and all PEG channels, are non-commercial. Ratings are specific to commercial television so they can measure viewership and then calculate the cost of advertising. As you know, Super Bowl viewership is very high... therefore the ratings are typically high... therefore commercial advertising is 'not cheap'.

PAC 14 often answers the question by suggesting our 'grocery store' ratings are very high. That is, when local people appear on PAC 14 they have a great many people say, 'saw you on TV'!  While 'grocery store ratings' may seem a humorous approach to the answer it speaks well to the question as those who use PAC 14 services do so because they know this to be fact. Don't take our word for it, read our long list of testimonials!
Our viewership is very extensive in this community. In fact, within our 2000 'Needs Assessment', the data indicated an over 80% awareness rate of the Access Channel. It's certainly grown since then. As far as the number of subscribers and households who can watch PAC 14, the rough estimate is approximately 28,000 subscribers. With the County's population at approximately 100,000, and a rough average of 2-3 people per household, a 'large' percentage of citizens/households in Wicomico County can view PAC 14.

What does PAC 14 televise?
We are – “Local Television”. We televise programming 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We televise video programming as well as our text based bulletin board, Community Calendar. Public access programs vary greatly in length, quality and availability, so our program schedule changes from day to day and week to week. PAC 14 encourages the public to participate and to produce programs of interest to them. Public Access programming is produced by PAC staff as well as 'local producers' - citizens of Wicomico County.

Community Access Television, also know as Public, Educational, and Government Access is for everyone. A portion of the programming you see on the access channel is actually produced by members of the community the channel serves - either private individuals, non-profit community-based organizations, or the even local government.

PAC 14 is an electronic forum for free expression used by the residents of the community. In PAC 14’s ten-year history it has very rarely received comments or letters of concern. Of any possible concerns, questions could arise from programming. In the case of a particular program a viewer might have concern with, they might comment, "There ought to be a law about what I saw on the station last night!" In fact there is a law: the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and its guarantee that "Congress shall pass no law abridging the freedom of speech..."

Basically, any resident of the community who completes the required workshop and is then qualified to use PAC 14 services may do so, provided that they can assure us that their program does nor contain any illegal content. We have agreed to maintain a public forum for the free expression of ideas - even ideas you or I might despise - as long as we prohibit any of the following types of content in programs:

Commercials or advertising
Libel or slander
Obscenity and pornography
Any violation of copyrights, publicity rights, or invasion of privacy
Any violation of FCC regulations
Any violation of any local, state, or federal law.

If you see something on the access channel which does not fall into one of the above categories, but which upsets you anyway, you have the right to become a member and learn how to produce your own program or message on the channel, to counteract the programming that upset you. As Supreme Court Justice Brandeis said: "...avert the evil by the process of education... the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence." If you'd like to know how the FCC defines obscenity, and the very different type of content called "indecency," you may access their Consumer Fact Sheet at www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html. 

The producer of record, person or group, is fully and legally responsible for the content of their program - including but limited to - any violation of local, state or federal law, libel, slander, or copyright infringement.

So what makes PAC 14 so special?
Local - Local - Local. A public "green space" where 'local' people can share thoughts, ideas, interests & information within our community - WITHOUT - the influence of commercials or ratings. Our mandate is to train residents of Salisbury & Wicomico County to produce "local" programs. We provide free training and access to the available PAC 14 video equipment on a first-come, first-served basis. While we strive for quality, we focus on content. PAC 14 staff produces some of the programs you see and local folks like “you” produce the rest.

So, it's a partnership?
Absolutely, 100 motivated individuals ready to use our "FREE" video equipment equal 100 "local" programs. With roughly 90,000 residents in Wicomico area and over 300 non-profit organizations, the potential is tremendous. 

So, what's the catch - nothing is FREE these days?
No catch, airtime and equipment use free. Public Access stations have existed for several decades serving small and large communities nationwide. The only catch is your personal time being creative with video and demonstrating your 'support' for PAC 14. Open-access to 'local television' is not something anyone should take for granted - no more than any basic freedom or right. The First Amendment - is the first amendment - for a reason. We have evolved from small meetings in the village square to connectivity between homes in our towns and cities.

There are those who would take this basic right away from you, all in the name of higher profits and healthy corporate bottom-lines. By actively using Public Access as a viewer, but more importantly as a local producer, you make Access stronger - as well as our community. We all seem to be disengaged these days with less time for everything. But community access TV helps us stay engaged and connected. Government meetings, lectures, speeches, hearings, any number of important and informational events are carried on PAC 14.
 
The point is, if you want more out of PAC 14 - "you" need to put more into it. There's nothing more that we like to do than produce video, however we can't be every where for everyone - we need you! The best way to ensure public access thrives is to support it - by using it! 

So there is no cost?
There is no cost to you other than videotapes, which are cheap and available locally.

What would I use to produce a program?
You can use your own equipment if you like, but we suggest using PAC's cameras and editors. We supply a high quality “user-friendly” kit that includes, digital camera, batteries, lavalier microphones, cables and tripod. The cameras are amazingly compact - all you really need to worry about is framing your shot and using the camera safely.

You expect me to shoot and edit?
Relax, PAC 14 offers a free workshop that provides a detailed overview of the equipment, as well as instruction on how to get started. Professional video production is an art and a science like anything else, but we're not talking "Discovery Channel" quality here. We're talking about interviews & basic information - delivered in the most visually interesting way you can manage. The cameras are light and easy to use - the editors no more difficult than using your personal computer. You "can" do it - we show you how! 

OK I'll do it - what do I do first?
1. Sign-on as a 'PAC 14 supporter'. There's a link on our homepage.
       There are no dues or 'newsletters' - we just need your signature of support.
2. Register for one of our monthly qualifying workshops.
       The workshops are scheduled throughout the year and each session last
       under 2 hours. Once you have attended the one-time workshop you are
       asked to complete a very simple qualifying exam. Return the exam, with
       a completed producer form and copy of your drivers’ license. Once the
       paper work is completed you are qualified!  

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

3. Once you qualified - start producing - as often as your wish.