New Video on TCTV.net

We have 3 new videos up on our website:

2007 Holiday Lighted Boat Parade
Olympia High School Mock DUI Crash
Two Tracks PSA

Enjoy!

FCC gives us National Franchising

On Wednesday, Dec 20th the 3 republican members of the FCC ignored the passionate pleas from the two democrats and gave the telephone companies exactly what they want. Cities across the country will have only 90 days to offer a franchise to competitors of cable. All in kind services, PEG money, INETS, channel space, and cable drops will have to come out of the 5% franchise fees at whatever the new provider wishes to charge. If a city and a new competitor cannot agree on a franchise within the 90 day period the provider may start business without a franchise.

What this means for us is significant reduction of funding and no guarantee that existing PEG channels will be carried on new cable or telephone video services. It lets new providers begin to operate a network simply by refusing to do anything for 90 days until the mandatory time table is up. Then existing cable companies will claim it is an un-level playing field until they get out of franchise obligations as well. If this happens it is the end of Public Access as we know it.

Our hope survives in reports that the FCC doesn't have the legal authority to do this. This rogue commission is out of control. We need to jump on the backs of our congressional representatives and make them overturn the FCC’s new illegal ruling.

More info at www.saveaccess.org

Good Deal on Mini-DV tapes

We received a call from a TCTV member about some cheap Mini-DV tapes. Right now as of Dec. 21st Costco is selling an 8 pack of TDK's for $22.

Yo Yo Yo and a ho ho ho!

Santa Claus is coming to town fool. Tune in to TCTV ch. 22 this Saturday, December 16th from 5pm - 7pm. Kids can call him live and tell him what they want for Christmas by dialing (360) 357-TCTV.

Nothing Tops A Tree

TCTV Needs Your Input

Thurston Community Television is our only local television resource. For the past 20 years, TCTV has aired programming created or presented by local individuals, groups, schools, and government agencies on cable channels dedicated for our community's benefit. In today’s world of media consolidation and commercialization, TCTV offers a bastion of independent television and local programming, where anyone and everyone can share information, present their opinion, express themselves creatively, and connect with the community at large. TCTV is as local as local television can be.

As TCTV enters its third decade, a comprehensive strategic planning process is being conducted. The outcome of this process will determine how TCTV will adapt to changes in technology and communication methods and what services and programming will able offered in the future. As a community, we have a vested interest in the media system that serves us. Your input into this process is vital.

For the next three weeks, a web survey is being conducted to help TCTV gather data and determine how it can remain a valuable community resource in the future. Take a few moments to complete the TCTV web survey at www.tctvsurvey.com. You can help shape the way your community television evolves for the future. After all, it’s your community and your community television station.