Evolving Media Landscape-Access Tucson and the Nation in Transition
Posted August 24th, 2007 by daniela in NewsControversy and acute interest surrounds the upcoming marriage between traditional television services and Internet distribution. Or as “they” say, tv-centric and network-centric.
Extremists on the network-centric end of the spectrum believe that streaming video is public access television’s salvation. Channels are out; the web is in.Yet, recent research, conducted by ESPN, shows people are watching more television, not less. In fact, technology is allowing us to sit in front of the TV with laptops and do both—flip the channels and surf the web.
Access Tucson’s Board of Directors is developing a new Strategic Plan that will encompass the digital future. A committee comprisedof board members, staff and producers is discussing new approaches and technologies.
At the recent Alliance for Community Media International Conference &Trade Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota the buzz was all about making channel content available in digital form. http://www.ourchannels.org/ Along side the technology debate, the majority agree the best weapon in the survival arsenal for PEG centers is programming content—localism.
Access Tucson has long cablecast more local programming than all other television stations in the area combined. With digital distribution capabilities, more people will be able to learn about our community and what local voices are saying.
For an in-depth look at Access Tucson’s plans for digital media in the coming months, read these reports from Executive Director Sam Behrend’s and Board Chair Lisa Jones
Other new ideas from the ACM Conference are discussed by Training Manger
Lisa Horner and Production Manager Jim Thomas.
At times challenging, confusing and uncertain, this age of community media is definitely exciting.
