But programming on local public-access channels is much more representative of entire communities and often focuses on special events such as parades or proms. Cable companies are required by the Federal Communications Commission to provide a public-access channel to the communities they serve, although few communities take full advantage of the channels.
Churches do a lot of programming.
You see a lot of video tapes of two or three people sitting around discussing a subject ranging from a garden group to a church group discussing their sermon. Pa. Public-access programming must be locally originated, says Faeth, explaining that while cable television companies are required to provide these channels, they are in no way required to shoot, edit or produce the shows. Time Warner, notes Faeth, does sometimes co produce local programming. Community members must create programs on their own, complying with each cable company's technical requirements such as the size of videotape and length, as well as copyright regulations for use of audio or video produced by other entities. While the rules for public access are dictated by the FCC and individual cable companies, the community in which the channel's signal is received also has a say.