Brooklyn Community Access Television

Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT) is a public access cable television network in Brooklyn, New York City, operated owned by BRIC|Arts|Media. BCAT has four channels on the Time Warner and Cablevision cable networks, which broadcast community developed television programing. BCAT also has a Media Center that provides Brooklyn residents with a broad range of media services and support resources.

History and overview

BCAT launched on July 1, 1991, as a 24 hour community calendar of non-commercial events and services for Brooklyn residents.cite web|url=http://www.brooklynx.org/bcat/aboutbcat.asp|title=About BCAT/Brooklyn Community Television|accessdate=2007-04-14|publisher=BRIC/Brooklyn Information & Culture] Programming of this nature is still allocated in the BCAT lineup on Time Warner Channel 57, and Cablevision Channel 70. By September 1993, the BCAT Playback service was premiered, allowing any Brooklyn individual, organization, institution, corporation, or entity access to channel time on the BCAT system. BCAT provides playback time-slots for both weekly and monthly series and non-series programs. Shows are aired in one of two categories:

Brooklyn Free Speech TV

The Brooklyn Free Speech TV category cablecasts non-commercial, pre-packaged or live community-produced programing which airs on Time Warner Cable channels 34 and 35, and Cablevision channels 67 and 68.

Brooklyn Independent Television

The Brooklyn Independent Television category cablecasts shows produced or co-produced internally by BCAT on Time Warner Cable channel 56 and Cablevision channel 69.

* "Brooklyn Review" (Newsmagazine)Premiered in August 2000, it is a news magazine focused on Brooklyn.

* "Brooklyn Onsite" (Events)Formerly titled "BCAT Presents", it includes "on site" coverage of events in Brooklyn.

* "In The Zone" (Sports)Previously named "BCAT Sportstalk" the program covers sports in Brooklyn.

* "Reporter Roundtable" (Current Affairs)A discussion show which features mainly journalists, scholars and other prominent figures.

* "Brooklyn Elected Officials" (Politics)Locally elected officials interviews other officials and active members of the public.

* "Neighborhood Beat" (Brooklyn Communities)Covers people and events in various Brooklyn communities.

* "Healthbeat Brooklyn" (Health)Covers health issues affecting Brooklynites.

* "Sector B: The Business of Brooklyn" (Small Business)Showcases small businesses and economic activity in Brooklyn.

* "A Date at the Library" (Authors/Events) Interviews from the the Brooklyn Public Library's Central Branch.

* "Caught in the Act: Art in Brooklyn" (Arts)The program profiles professionals in theater, music, and fine arts.

* "BK 4 Reel" (Teenagers in Media)Features videos created by Brooklyn teenagers.

* "Making Art Work" (Arts)Information about the Arts. A collaboration between BCAT and the Brooklyn Arts Council.

Center for Media Education

BCAT's Center for Media Education provides media services, educational classes and mentoring programs that enable Brooklyn residents to produce their own television programs. Upon successful completion of basic courses, students become BCAT Certified Producers and have access to equipment they've trained on to produce programs for cablecast on Brooklyn Free Speech TV

Programs

*AmosTV, website http://www.youtube.com/amostv
*FDTV
*The Spew
*Flex-n-Brooklyn
*Paper Tiger Television, website http://www.papertiger.org/
* Hardfire, produced by Gary Popkin, website http://www.hardfire.net/

References

ee also

*Public access television
*Culture of New York City

External links

* [http://www.briconline.org/bcat/default.asp Official website]
* [http://www.briconline.org/bcat/aboutbcat.asp About BCAT/Brooklyn Community Access Television] a program of BRIC Arts | Media | Brooklyn