- Are you Comcast?
- Are you Public Television or PBS?
- What is BITV?
- How is BITV funded?
- Why can’t I get BITV
with a satellite dish?
- How can I watch BITV if I don't have cable?
- Who makes the television programs?
- What kind of programming does BITV provide?
- What does it cost to air a
program?
- How do I get started making TV programs?
- What does PEG mean?
- Why are there members?
- What benefits do members get?
- Are there age restrictions to join BITV?
- Why should I get involved with BITV?
- Do you provide community service opportunities?
- I’m in a wheelchair. Is there access at your facility
and can I make TV programs too?
- Will BITV cover community events?
- What is a sponsor?
- What are the requirements to submit a program to BITV?
- What kind of facilities does BITV have?
- Does BITV have equipment for me to use?
- Can I get copies of the programs I see on BITV Channel 12?
- How can I help?
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1. Are you Comcast?
No. Bainbridge Island Television is not affiliated with Comcast. All Comcast inquires should be directed to Comcast
customer service department at 877-824-2288.
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2. Are you Public Television or PBS?
No. We are Community Access Television. We are not funded or supported through public television sources. Public Television has over the air broadcast rights. Access Television is distributed through the cable system. Another big difference is you can put your programs on BITV for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
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3. What is BITV?
BITV is a 501 c. 3. nonprofit organization that
broadcasts non - commercial television created or provided
by this community for this community. The Cable Communication Act gave communities the right to have local television programming and provided guidelines for funding local television. BITV is designated
by the City of Bainbridge Island to provide P.E.G. (Public, Education
and Government) television programming. As such we provide various programming related services. We also provide the only local newscast in Kitsap County.
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4. How is BITV funded?
BITV does NOT receive any tax dollars.
BITV generates revenue from diverse business strategies. We rely on community support for funding. Support can be in
the form of a direct contribution, a grant or through membership
fees, program underwriters and sponsors, and classes, equipment
rentals, and production services. BITV is also a One
Call for All Agency.
In addition, the City of Bainbridge Island has a franchise agreement with Comcast
Cable. Through this agreement, the City receives franchise fees from Comcast
based on the number of Bainbridge Island subscribers. The City passes
through a small percentage of the subscriber fees to BITV through an operating agreement
in exchange for programming related services. The City retains a portion of the fees for other non programming uses.
So if you are not a Comcast cable subscriber or directly contributing to BITV, you are not financially supporting BITV.
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5. Why can’t I get BITV channel 12 or 22 with a satellite
dish?
The cable provider has exclusive rights to local access channels. Satellite providers do not have rights to local access channels. As mandated
by the FCC, cable providers like Comcast have an exclusive contract
with the local municipality for the right of way to lay their cable.
In exchange for this, the cable provider provides an access
channel if the municipality asks for one.
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6. How can I watch BITV if I don't have cable?
Programs from the BITV television facility are aired on Comcast
cable channel 12 and 22. The channels reach more than 4,600 households on Bainbridge.
Bnews reaches more than 500,000 households in Seattle and Kitsap County. All BITV programs are also streamed “live”
from www.bitv.org. Click on programming. There are also opportunities to view BITV programs through Silver
Screen Video and the Bainbridge Public Library.
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7. Who makes the television programs?
Members primarily make or sponsor programs that are of interest to them. BITV provides equipment and classes from beginner to advanced to teach members how to create programs. BITV members can broadcast their programs for free. So members have the greatest say on the type of programming they want to watch or share.
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8. What kind of programming does BITV provide?
BITV augments member programs with acquired or BITV produced programs to serve the interest of the community. Content can be local or national programming and is dependent upon our financial support.
BITV produces
programs like the City Council meetings, Bnews and some local event coverage. Programs include sports, arts and culture, public affairs, government,
religion, and education.
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9. What does it cost to broadcast a program?
There is no fee to broadcast programs. It is a benefit of membership.
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10. How do I get started making TV programs?
Become a member, attend orientation, and take classes.
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11. What does PEG mean?
P=Public, E=Education, G=Government
BITV is Public, Educational, and Government access to television.
Community Access Television is all about providing the means for
our community to speak for itself. It allows us to express who we
are and it can help determine who we will become.
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12. Why are there members?
BITV relies on members for television programs and support.
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13. What benefits do members get?
- Show your program on television for FREE
- Learn how to produce your own program
- Use BITV’s very cool gear at discounted prices
- Get discounts on classes
- Work with staff and other volunteers to produce BITV shows
- Be an important supporter and contributor of your community's voice!
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14. Are there age restrictions to join BITV?
No, BITV welcomes youth, adult, and seniors.
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15. Why should I get involved with BITV?
BITV is a valuable resource for our community. Involvement means influencing and educating your community in a very direct way. It is a place
where your involvement does make a difference.
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16. Do you provide volunteer and community service opportunities?
We welcome and rely on volunteers. There are many opportunities to
assist BITV and have fun too. Give us a call.
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17. I’m in a wheelchair. Is there access at your
facility and can I make TV programs too?
Yes, the BITV facility has ramp access and room to maneuver.
We have editing stations that a wheelchair can roll up
to. Anyone can take our classes.
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18. Will BITV televise community events?
We don't have the funding to cover events. We rely on the community to cover about community
events that are of interest to them. If you want an event to be televised – we'll teach you how to do it. Just give us a call. Occasionally we do cover island events as time and budgets allows.
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19. What is a sponsor?
Sponsors allows BITV to provide services and programs. Sponsorship also keeps your program on the air. In return, we provide television exposure for
your business or organization to more than 500,000 households. As
a sponsor your name will be synonymous as a community leader. Call 780-2980 for more info.
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20. What are the requirements to submit a program to BITV?
1. Membership
2. Sign a program contract
3. Meet minimum technical requirements
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21. What kind of facilities does BITV have?
BITV is located at 7686 High School Rd, next to Strawberry Hill
Park. Through a charitable agreement with Comcast, BITV enjoys a
modern facility for operations. The facility consists of a small studio,
classroom, broadcast control center, and administration
offices. The facility is nice, but not ideally suited for our business.
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22. Does BITV have equipment for me to use?
BITV has consumer and professional cameras and Macintosh
computers for editing programs. The gear is used for both training
and productions and available to all equipment certified members.
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23. Can I get copies of the programs I see on BITV?
Selected copies of BITV produced programs are available.
Copies of COBI City Council Meetings, special workshops, and BITV
produced programs are available to view for free at Silver Screen
Video. Member produced programs are owned by the members. If you
are interested in one of these programs you will need to contact
the producer directly for copies. Call us for more information.
BITV offers DVD
duplication services for a fee.
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24. How can I help?
Become a member, create programs, sponsor or volunteer.
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