City: Atlanta, GA

Category: Media

Telephone: (404) 873-6712

Description: Radicals railing against the government; drag queens twirling batons or lipsynching to Connie Francis; teens discussing the challenges facing youth today: You may find all this and more on People TV (Public Access Cable 24). The 1980 franchise agreement between the City of Atlanta and its cable supplier provided for the creation of a public-access cable TV channel, on which ordinary citizens can have their own programs shown free of charge. Atlanta’s channel is a leader in the field of urban public-access channels. Originally part of the cable company, public access is now a separate, private, nonprofit organization called People TV, founded in 1986. Through the facilities of People TV, Atlanta residents can take low-cost classes in video production, television directing, and editing. Once certified, they can use the channel’s professional equipment, or use home equipment, to produce their own shows. There are few rules as to the content of the shows; freedom of speech applies. Pop star RuPaul began his showbiz career on People TV on The American Music Show, one of the longest-running public-access shows in the United States.