Since April I have been working to get a community television station streaming on the Internet. Tonight after a number of set backs and unforeseen issues we are finally streaming at https://new.livestream.com/... Right now we believe we are the only community television channel with regularly scheduled programing streaming 24/7. There are PEG channels that are a combination of government and public access but we are community focused only.
The Commons TV is a 24/7 education, entertainment and news channel. We are not Public Access, we take no government money and believe our only responsibility is to the community we serve. I live in a red state, Omaha Nebraska, a place were the minority communities are underserved by commercial channels, we intend to change that. We are a Nebraska Non-Profit, but have not had the money to file for our 501 (c)(3). We operate on a shoe string. 18 months ago I cashed in my meager 401k and bought professional video equipment to start producing programing for local Public Access. Unfortunately soon after we started the local cable company gave Public Access back to the city and closed the studio we had been using. We tried to find studio space without much luck and spent the next 6 month shooting in library meeting rooms. Last fall we all needed a break. During that time I met a Latino producer who was looking for help getting his show produced, one thing led to another and by April the mess Public Access had become convinced me I should start a community television channel on the Internet. We moved into an unused small recording studio and started the process of getting ready to stream not only the channel but also live local programing. Our only funding is $150 a month from two producers using our facility and what I can scrape from my SS. I invite you to check out the channel, it has a decided progressive voice. https://new.livestream.com/...
You can also check out our website to learn more about what we hope to do in the future with enough support. We are built on the PBS model so while we can't air commercials we can give underwriter credit. Our website is http://thecitycommonsstudio.org There is a channel line up available at the bottom of the front page, it is in PDF format and tells you a little about most of the shows.