NewTV >
FAQs

a. What is NewTV?
NewTV is the "nickname" for the Newton Communications Access Center (NCAC) - the public, educational and governmental access TV studio and computer resource center in Newton, Massachusetts. NewTV is dedicated to providing a means to strengthen the community by enabling people to use electronic media.

b. Who can use NewTV?
Residents of the City of Newton, members of Newton-based non-profit organizations, employees of Newton businesses, and City of Newton employees are eligible to use NewTV. This includes free use of TV production equipment and facilities, cable TV channel time, and training in TV production, media literacy, and Internet access. Anyone wishing to use NewTV facilities must become a member of NewTV, for a small annual fee.

c. “How can they show THAT on NewTV?!”

NewTV is a public access TV station, meaning it is programmed by the residents of Newton who choose to place programming on one of our three channels. Most of the programming you see on NewTV is actually produced by members of the Newton community - either private individuals, community-based organizations, or the city government.

This public access station is an electronic forum for free expression by the residents of Newton. Sometimes, viewers tell me "There ought to be a law about what I saw on NewTV last night!" There IS a law: the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and its guarantee that "Congress shall pass no law abridging the freedom of speech..." Basically, any resident of Newton is free to say or do anything he or she wants on their own NewTV program, provided that they can assure us that their program does nor contain any illegal content. This illegal content is defined, in part, by our cable television access agreement with the City of Newton.

We have agreed to maintain a public forum for the free expression of ideas -- even ideas you or I might despise! - as long as we prohibit all of the following types of content in programs:

  • Commercials or advertising
  • Libel or slander
  • Obscenity and pornography
  • Any violation of copyrights, publicity rights, or invasion of privacy
  • Any violation of FCC regulations
  • Any violation of any local, state, or federal law.

If you see something on this channel which does not fall into one of the above categories, but which upsets you anyway, you have the right to join us at NewTV, and learn how to produce your own program or message on the channel, to counteract the programming that upset you. As Supreme Court Justice Brandeis said: "...avert the evil by the process of education... the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence."

If you'd like to know how the FCC defines obscenity, and the very different type of content called "indecency," you may read their Consumer Fact Sheet at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/obscene.html

While NewTV is not directly regulated by this FCC policy, which is applied to broadcasters like the local network stations, we do follow this policy, especially as concerns the scheduling of so-called adult programming after 10 PM. (Note: There is currently no such programming on NewTV.)

 

d. How do I Get My Program onto NewTV?
• Register a Program Proposal w/Station Manager.
• Reserve your equipment/studio time/ edit time w/Staff On Duty (up to 3 months ahead).
• Tape and edit your program.
• Label your tape & tape case w/Program Title, (Episode # if series), Show Taping Date, Producer Name, Total Run Time (TRT).
• Submit finished tape to Program Coordinator and arrange your playback airtime.
• Celebrate your Success!

e. When is my show on?
Click on the Programs tab, or click here for the program schedule.

f. Who can become a NewTV Member?
All persons, firms, corporations, businesses, organizations, institutions, and other entities in the City of Newton who subscribe to the purpose of the Newton Communications Access Center, Inc. (NCAC), and who support the Corporation by participation, or with a contribution of money, service or equipment, shall be eligible for membership in the Corporation.

In order to become a member of NCAC, a person or organization must meet all of the following conditions:

g. Where is NewTV?
We're at 23 Needham Street in Newton. The new headquarters of Newton Communications Access Center, Inc. and the expanded TV production studio facilities of NewTV are located in an office building at 19-23 Needham Street in Newton Highlands. The facility is at the top of the hill of a private road called Easy Street, which runs off Needham Street between National Lumber and National Tire & Battery (NTB). From 128 North or South, take the Needham Street Exit 19A and follow Needham Street North past the Avalon Apartments. Make a left onto Easy Street, just opposite Tweeter Etc. From Newton Centre and points North, take Centre Street beyond (under) Route 9/Boylston Street, onto Winchester Street, then go right at the traffic signal, onto Needham Street. Easy Street is the first right past National Lumber on your right.
Click here to launch Google maps.

h. What is NewTV's FAX number?
617-965-5677

i. What does it mean to become a Member of NewTV?
MEMBERSHIP
All persons, firms, corporations, businesses, organizations, institutions, and other entities in the City of Newton who subscribe to the purpose of the Newton Communications Access Center, Inc. (NCAC), and who support the Corporation by participation, or with a contribution of money, service or equipment, shall be eligible for membership in the Corporation. In addition, bona fide candidates for public office for whom Newton residents may vote are entitled to free access as detailed in here.

Types of Membership
Individual Members shall have the following privileges:

  • receipt of Newsletter and programming information;
  • ability to cablecast programs at no charge;
  • access to workshops and use of equipment;
  • be eligible to receive technical advice from the NCAC staff for program production; and,
  • be eligible to vote at NCAC General Membership meetings (one vote per individual member).

Family Memberships shall be issued to up to four persons within the same household (at the same address) who apply together for membership. Persons joining NCAC under a Family Membership shall have all the privileges of Individual Membership, except that only one vote can be exercised for each family membership.

Non-Profit Organization Membership shall be available for any firms, corporations, organizations, or other entities recognized as non- profit, tax-exempt by the IRS. Groups joining NCAC under non-profit membership shall have all the privileges of Individual Membership, except that only one vote may be exercised per Non-Profit Membership. Non-Profit organizations are eligible to receive training for up to seven (7) people per membership year with training for additional people available at $10 per person. In addition, Non-Profit Organization Members may receive specialized group training by contacting the NCAC Executive Director.

Institutional Memberships shall be available for any City of Newton Department, any Newton Public School, and such institutions as the Newton Free Library and other publicly funded departments or bodies. Institutional Members are eligible to receive training for up to ten (10) people per membership year with training for additional people available by arrangement. In addition, Institutional Members may receive specialized group training by contacting the NCAC Executive Director. Finally, Memberships within a Member Institution (such as a school or class) may be passed on from one class member to a succeeding class member, so long as the institution's Membership is current, and the individual completes all necessary training and other requirements of use.

Business Membership shall be available for any Newton-based, for-profit firms, corporations, organizations, institutions or other entities. Businesses joining NCAC under Business Membership shall have all the privileges of Individual Membership, except that only one vote may be exercised per Business Membership. Business Members are eligible to receive training for up to four (4) people per membership year with training for additional people available at $25 per person.

Membership Fees
The Board of Directors of NCAC may establish membership fees, which shall be published annually.

Requirements of Membership
In order to become a member of NCAC, a person or organization must meet all of the following conditions:

  • provide proof of Newton residence or corporate address in Newton (Post Office Boxes are not acceptable);
  • complete a Membership Application Form;
  • sign the Agreement with these Rules and Procedures;
  • pay the required membership fee.

Membership Orientation
Orientation Sessions are held regularly on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the NewTV Studio. Attendance at an Orientation Session is a prerequisite for voting rights at the NCAC Annual Meeting as well as any NCAC training or facilities privileges.

Membership Identification Number and Term of Membership
All members will be issued a Membership Identification Number in the Facility Reservation Data Base (FACIL). All memberships are recognized as active for a one-year period from the date of application. Membership must be renewed on each members' anniversary.

Representation
Members do not represent NCAC and should refrain from implying such representation. False representation of NCAC may result in suspension of membership privileges. Such false representation might include (but not be limited to) statements such as "I am producing for NewTV..." or "I work at NewTV...". A Community Producer may inform interested persons that he or she is "a volunteer community producer, working on my own TV program which I produce at Newton's PEG access facility, NewTV. I am responsible for the entire production...", or words to that effect.

j. When is the NewTV New Member Orientation?
Orientation Sessions are held regularly on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the NewTV Studio. Attendance at an Orientation Session is a prerequisite for voting rights at the NCAC Annual Meeting as well as any NCAC training or facilities privileges.

k. What can't go on the NewTV channels?

  • Any commercial programming or advertising;
  • Any material which constitutes libel or slander;
  • Any obscene material or pornography;
  • Any unauthorized use of copyrighted material or publicity rights, and invasion of privacy;
  • Any material in violation of FCC regulations; and,
  • Any material which violates local, state or federal laws.

l. How can I promote my business on NewTV?
NewTV offers a number of opportunities for Newton businesses to appear on NewTV. We have a series of channel underwriting opportunities which can expose your business name, logo and picture as many as 24 times a day! We also offer training in how to produce a business profile program highlighting your business, or training videos for your employees. We also have a cooperative relationship with the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce for other program appearance opportunities for you and your business. Call Paul Berg at 617-965-7200 Ext. 117 for more information.

m. How does NewTV fund its operations?
Most of NewTV’s funding is provided by a cable access fee collected by each cable operator in the City of Newton from their subscribers. Federal law allows cities and towns to collect a fee from cable operators for their use of the public rights of way – the city’s streets, poles and underground conduits. Cable operators have made the business decision to pass this cost on to customers. These fees provide the free, state-of-the-art media creation tools, channel time and training classes offered by NewTV.

Some of our funding is derived from charitable donations. NewTV is an independent, non-profit corporation, and we accept donations from supporters.

n. How is NewTV organized – who runs NewTV?
NewTV is an independent, non-profit corporation created in 1991 to receive funding from the City designated for a public-education-government (PEG) cable TV access corporation to operate PEG services in Newton. NewTV is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who meet the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room at NewTV, 23 Needham Street. Members of NewTV elect up to three directors to serve on this board, and there is a public comment section at the beginning of each Board meeting agenda, and all are welcome. The NCAC Board has hired an Executive Director (see NewTV Staff) for day-to-day operations, and that Executive Director is given an operating budget by the Board to hire staff and pay for day-to-day expenses. For more information, call Paul Berg at 617-965-7200, Ext. 117.