Frequently Asked Questions About URTV & urRadio
What is “public access TV”?
Public access TV is television for the community, produced by the community. This means that its programming can address local news and issues in a way that no large media corporation can or will.
Public access TV in the US dates back to 1967. Today, there are well over 2,000 centers producing more than 20,000 hours of new local programming every week.
Public access provides people in the community with the means to express themselves, at little or no cost, by producing non-commercial TV shows that reach the public over a cable channel. The cable company provides the channel as part of the “rent” it pays for the use of public right-of-ways to run cable to our homes.
How can people watch URTV?
- Submitted programs are cablecast on television Charter Communications cable channel 20
- streaming webcast. Viewers without cable can now watch URTV, and not just in Buncombe County, but all around the world!
Who determines what programs get on the air?
URTV policies are guided by state and local laws and standards, and the First Amendment of the Constitution. Within those policies, any program produced by a paid URTV member may be shown, so long as it is not obscene or pornographic, and does not promote unlawful conduct, nor contain libel, slander, or an invasion of someone else’s privacy. See URTV Prohibits.
Are URTV programs pre-screened before they are shown on the air?
No. Public debate, free speech and differences of opinions and ideas are what America is all about. URTV encourages producers to exercise responsible expression of their First Amendment right of free speech. URTV does not, and cannot, censor program submissions. However, URTV has carefully developed policies, based on local community standards, which balance First Amendment rights with strict control of potentially objectionable programming.
Will my family or child be subjected to offensive programming on URTV?
A potentially offensive program will be shown only late at night, and will have a viewer warning visible at the beginning identifying it as “potentially offensive to some audiences.” URTV producers and staff maintain good working relationships, and producers are expected to act responsibly.
Do City Council members and County Commissioners control URTV programming?
No. URTV is community TV, not government TV. Elected officials make some appointments to the URTV Board, but the majority of Board members are qualified individuals from the community. Most public access stations across the country are set up with minimal government involvement.
Can you tell how many people watch URTV?
We do not have the capability to track viewers for television. However, there are 180,000 Charter subscribers in Buncombe County. This means you have a potential viewing audience of half a million people.
In addition, our new webcasting service streams URTV on the internet, which will provide viewers access from around the world.
Where does the money for public access TV come from?
URTV is funded by Charter Communications subscribers and by grant money raised by the URTV Staff and Board. Asheville and Buncombe County negotiated the funding for public access television as part of Charter’s franchise agreements. Only cable subscribers pay. No tax money is collected from residents for public access TV.
How do I get started? (See Get Started)
Attend an orientation. New Members Orientation is free and open to the public. Orientation is every Wednesday @ 6 pm. Orientation is your chance to ask questions and get answers from the knowledgeable and friendly Staff of URTV.
How can I turn an idea into a program? (See Start Producing)
First, attend a free Orientation course on Wednesday nights at 6 pm, and become a paid member of URTV ($50/year for individuals). Then, submit your programs or take URTV certification courses to enable you to reserve URTV resources and produce programs. Submit each new program with a Programming Contract, and request a premiere date and time for your program.
Do you accept credit cards or online payment?
No. Acceptable forms of payment are cash and checks.
When is URTV open?
Our hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 1pm – 10pm and Saturdays 1pm 8pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday.
