Schenectady Access Cable Council, Inc. (SACC-TV) was founded in 1974 as a not for profit corporation. We are an IRS recognized 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, chartered in the State of New York. We are also chartered by the New York State Education Department. We currently are franchised by the City of Schenectady to run public access for the City. In 1996 we purchased and moved into the unoccupied Goldstock Building at our new location at 115 North Broadway. The building had to be completely renovated for occupancy. After an ongoing process of renovation we now have three production studios for our community’s use. Our primary responsibility is to playback tapes that citizens in our franchise area bring to us on a first come, first serve basis. We also provide production studios for nominal fees. Our studios include: The Trustco Studio (the larger three camera studio donated by Trustco bank, Senator Farley, and Assembleyman Tonko); Studio C (the front window studio where the Schenectady Today Show is produced); and Studio 8 (a one camera studio).

Demographics

Our viewing area includes not only the City of Schenectady but also the Towns of Glenville, Niskayuna and Rotterdam and also the Village of Scotia. Information received from the State of New York indicates that we reach approximately 43,000 subscribers with approximately 18,000 in the City of Schenectady.

Funding

SACC TV is funded in a number of ways. Our basic funding of $80,000 is provided to us by the City of Schenectady cable subscribers who pay a pass-through fee to Time Warner on their monthly cable bills. Time Warner then passes those funds to the City, which then forwards the funds to SACC TV on an annual basis. The City of Schenectady cable subscribers are the only individuals that support public access at this time by way of a pass-through franchise fee for public access.

SACC TV also receives additional income from membership dues; studio rental; sale of tapes and applying for grants. Our building is also utilized by three non-profits (Habitat for Humanity, Schenectady Light Opera and Schenectady Theater for Children). SACC allows them to use space for storage and they make a donation to us for our support.

Programming

We provide programming to our viewers on a 24-hour 7-day basis. We act primarily as a playback station. SACC programming is diverse and is provided to us from local producers and local providers of programs that are produced in other areas. Programs are aired on a first come, first serve basis with regular time slots given to programs that are regularly provided to the studio. We encourage diverse programming that brings various positions on community issues to our viewers. Our programming reflects our efforts to support community media. Our program guide is available on the TV Guide Channel 19, at the main library and branches and at the studio. New guides are available on Wednesday.

Current Officers, Board Members

A fifteen (15) member Board of Directors governs this NYS not for profit corporation.

Directors are elected to a three-year staggered term by the general membership at the Annual May meeting.

Members of the Board may not serve more than six (6) consecutive years on the board. A listing of our current officers, board members and staff members can be found below.