The Editor,
Unfortunately for many of the community television access groups located in Vancouver and Burnaby, the closure of Shaw’s Community Channel this month will mean the end of their producing programming about what’s happening in their respective communities.
The issue for them is not the loss of the community channel but the loss of access to a studio and thousands of dollars worth of production gear required to produce their programs.
Fortunately, for the viewers and members of our local community TV access group, Tri-Cities Community TV, this is not the case.
TCCTV has been working with city councils and community groups of the region to raise the funds necessary to purchase their own production gear, including professional HD and 4K cameras, along with a production switcher and green screen.
TCCTV essentially has it’s own portable studio, which can be set up on location and has been used by its volunteers to cover such events as the May Day Parade, Golden Spike Days and Festival du Bois.
Members of Tri-Cities Community Television will continue to use their gear to produce programming that will be posted on YouTube and Facebook, where they have a growing audience. You can support them, at no cost, by becoming a subscriber on YouTube (tricitiestv) or a member on Facebook (Tri-Cities Community TV).
Of course, if you have a little expendable income or are interested in learning a little about any aspect of television production, you can become either a supportive or active member for only $20 a year.
TCCTV is currently looking for aspiring reporters, camera operators, editors, floor directors, story producers, graphic artists. TCCTV provides its members with basic training, access to production gear and coordinates productions in support of our community partners.
If you are looking for an opportunity to learn some new media skills and contribute to the Tri-Cities Community at the same time, now is a good time to join TCCTV as they will be holding their annual general meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31, at the central branch of the Coquitlam Public Library. The public is welcome to attend.
Geoff Scott
Executive Director, TCCTV
Port Coquitlam
