You produce it. They get people to watch it.

Back in the ‘80s we didn’t have YouTube so we turned to the BoobTube for entertainment. In 1984 Senator Barry Goldwater sponsored a law causing Cable TV to pop up all over the US. In exchange a small portion of the revenues went back to the communities to establish their own television stations for Public, Education, and Government (PEG) Access.

While channel surfing you may have come across City Council meetings on Channel 18, SB’s Government Access station. Interesting, if you’re into politics. But I’m not.

I tend to watch more Public Access on Channel 17 and Education Access Channel 21. Well, they’re both on while I’m at work. I’m a part-timer at The Santa Barbara Channels, the nonprofit that runs 17 and 21.

Since I’ve worked there, I’ve seen Channel 21 grow into a great resource for local arts and culture. The staff shoots David Starkey’s Creative Community, a variety of performances at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, and a diverse array of community forums ranging from poetry readings to media seminars. At the moment they’re airing a concert called Rock the Reagan given exclusively for the crew of the USS Ronald

Reagan, and their friends and family, while the ship was in port in SB. Of course they still air some fascinating lectures recorded at UCSB by the university’s team, and programs from the County Schools Office. A precious few outside arts and education pieces by SB producers have been shown on Channel 21, such as Much Ado About W that aired after its premier at SBIFF in 2007.

But SB indie producers have a huge venue for showcasing their work on Channel 17. Yes, I know, if you’ve ever surfed onto it, you’ve probably seen some stinky stuff. I know I have, but I’m not naming names. Keep in mind it’s a place where people can learn, people like me who can hone their directing skills on shows like Secrets of Self Improvement. Some programs gear themselves to the IV crowd that makes up drinking games to play while they watch. On the flip side, they’ve got cute kids shows like the award-winning Talk to Mirely, and programs that spotlight local bands and musicians like Musical Café and Indie Music Show.

Despite the jokes you’ve heard about Public Access TV, or the portrayals you’ve seen on South Park or The Simpsons, good reasons for airing your material on it remain. Channel 17 goes to 67, 000 Cox customers between Carpinteria and Gaviota, and it does actually get watched. Actress Carol Metcalf, who stared in the popular Channel 17 special Disco Academy, says she’s always having people she doesn’t know come up and tell her how they love her character Donna Disco.

SB Indie Producers who’ve shown their work on Channel 17 include Penny Little, whose program People to People tackles peace and social change, and Larry Nimmer has aired many videos on the station. I haven’t seen Mark Dispenza’s production yet, but I have seen him at the station checking out a camera, microphones, and a light kit, so maybe soon. That’s another plus to Public Access, studio and field equipment available for community use.

Thankfully, our PEG TV stations have moved past the 1980’s. I’d hate to dress in legwarmers, spandex, and puffy hair to go to work. We’ll be making some progressive changes to our website soon. Can’t say any more because I’m sworn to secrecy, but we are joining the age of online video. Channel 21 even has its own YouTube page.