2000 Annual Report

Plymouth Community Channel 3
2000 Annual Report

Plymouth Community Channel 3 (PCC3) is the public, educational, and governmental (PEG) access channel for Adelphia Cable Communications' subscribers in Plymouth and several adjoining towns. PCC3's Cablecasting Center is located at Pease Public Library. In 2000, the channel had no operating budget from the Town, nor regrettably received any funding from cable TV subscribers. However, thanks to the Plymouth Board of Selectmen the cost of some equipment repairs and an annual membership were covered. PCC3 depends totally on community volunteers to create and run its programming. By stipulation of the franchise agreement with Adelphia, PCC3 is non-commercial.

Bulletin Board
In the year ending on November 30, 2000, 292 new messages were run on PCC3's bulletin board. Hundreds more announcements were received from the community, but no volunteer hours were available to enter them into PCC3's computer. See how 2000 compares with the past 3 years.

Video Programming
Over the same period, prerecorded video submissions totaled 178 shows. The number of program contributions from each of the 3 categories of access users were: Public - 54, Educational - 120, and Governmental - 4. See how that compares to shows cablecast in previous years:

The Plymouth Chamber of Commerce produced two consecutive evenings of live programming. These shows were the Chamber's TV/Radio auction, their major annual fundraiser.

Future Development
2000 marked the 8th year of the channel's operations. 2000 was the last year covered by the cable franchise that brought PCC3 into existence. A committee from Ashland and Plymouth appointed by the two boards of selectmen has been busy this year drafting a new franchise to be adopted by respective towns and Adelphia. The committee's vision for cable access calls for: 1.) A revamped video production facility, 2. ) Many origination sites for live programming that are located out in the community, and 3.) Ample financial support provided by all cable subscribers. These improvements in conjunction with establishment of a regional nonprofit corporation should lead to greatly increased community participation and quality of access programming. Look for news of this access initiative during year 2001. Your ideas and support for this are welcome and important.

PCC3 volunteers who deserve many thanks are Matthew Perloff, Glory Kidger, George Morrill, Martha Morrill, John B. Bowen, Jr., and students in Dr. Jim Koermer's meteorology class. A number of other people volunteered to help, but a time deficit prevented me from training them on our antiquated computer systems. I apologize to these generous people whose offers to help fell on deaf ears. The trustees, staff, and volunteers of Pease Public Library deserve special praise for all time and resources they contributed to Channel 3. The folks at Plymouth Selectmen's Office and Adelphia Cable were always most helpful. 

Submitted by,
Wallace Stuart
Access Manager