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What is a “public access” station? Public access stations exist because cable operators provide channel capacity, services, facilities and/or equipment as partial compensation to communities for their use of public rights-of-way. This compensation provides access to media for the local populations. A wide range of community groups can be served by public access. We like to think of MCTV as “providing community members access to television broadcasting while providing local programming to community members”.

What types of programming do you broadcast on Channel 15? Our primary focus is on locally-produced programs. MCTV broadcasts Council Meetings, Community News Magazine, and "Shore Talk", a local talk show. Many local lecture series are taped by volunteers, as are many other types of programming. Church programs are shown on Sundays only, as space is available, and are provided by the local churches. As a public access station, we also have access to several national lending libraries of programs from which we can choose programs which we feel would be informative to area residents.

When will the tape of (insert event) be aired? You can find out when a program will be on by watching the Community Calendar on Channel 15, by checking the Sunday Life section of the Star-Democrat, or on the web page schedule. These listings are all updated weekly.

Can I become an MCTV Volunteer? Yes! Check out the volunteer page for details.

Will MCTV come to our event and tape it for broacasting? MCTV is a public access station, which means the station, and much of its equipment is available to members of the public, however, the only programming which the station produces is in conjunction with station sponsors (Town of Easton, Talbot County, Avalon Foundation etc.) If your organization would like an event taped, send a volunteer to our training courses and they can become eligible to use our equipment to tape any programs.

Can I obtain a copy of a program I saw on MCTV? Most of our productions can be copied for your personal use. There are a few exceptions to this rule: Avalon Theatre Concert Series and some lecture series are not available. We will make you a copy of available programs for a nominal fee: ($15/tape, shipping & handling if mailed). The MCTV library consists of programs dating back at least 2 years. Council meeting tapes are kept for about 2 months. No meeting tape will be edited: we cannot copy only one speaker’s part.

Can I bring in a tape that I have made with my own equipment to show on Channel 15? We do have quality standards and program policies which we enforce, but if your tape meets them and is relevant to the local audience, we would be happy to play it. Contact us and we will review your tape for you.

Would MCTV put together a short program for our non-profit? MCTV is not a production studio. In keeping with the FCC guidelines for public access stations, the staff and equipment cannot be used for production purposes other than programs to air on Channel 15 Easton, or Channel 3 on Charter Cable. There are several production companies in Easton and we can guide you to them.

Do you ever pay your production staff? In keeping with its public access description, MCTV does not pay people to produce programs. Our Community News Program staff is paid small stipends, due to its continuous nature. Outside funding may be available to you, but the station is not involved in soliciting such funds.

How can I get an event listed on the Community Calendar? Send us an email, to fax your event listing to 410-822-4572 (attn: MCTV), or mail it to MCTV Community Calendar, 40 E. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. We request that you send a listing at least 2 weeks in advance. One one slide per organization is accepted each month. Events for Easton are given top priority, with county and regional events to follow. We do not accept marketing submissions from businesses.

How do I get on the Weather Channel scroll? You will need to contact Easton Cable: the Weather Channel is their station and the scroll is their service.

What is the Avalon’s role in MCTV? The Avalon Foundation, Inc provides overall financial management to MCTV, which is funded by several generous sponsors. The Avalon’s Board of Trustees acts as the supervisory committee for the station, and the Theatre provides studio space. The Avalon Foundation works closely with Easton Utilities, the cable provider, to enable MCTV to be as productive and community-oriented as possible, while growing larger and better each year.

What is a “public access” station? Public access stations exist because cable operators provide channel capacity, services, facilities and/or equipment as partial compensation to communities for their use of public rights-of-way. This compensation provides access to media for the local populations. A wide range of community groups can be served by public access. We like to think of MCTV as “providing community members access to television broadcasting while providing local programming to community members”.
	What types of programming do you broadcast on Channel 15? Our primary focus is on locally-produced programs. MCTV broadcasts Council Meetings, Community News Magazine, and "Shore Talk", a local talk show. Many local lecture series are taped by volunteers, as are many other types of programming. Church programs are shown on Sundays only, as space is available, and are provided by the local churches. As a public access station, we also have access to several national lending libraries of programs from which we can choose programs which we feel would be informative to area residents.
When will the tape of (insert event) be aired? You can find out when a program will be on by watching the Community Calendar on Channel 15, by checking the Sunday Life section of the Star-Democrat, or on the web page schedule. These listings are all updated weekly.
Can I become an MCTV Volunteer? Yes! Check out the volunteer page for details.
	Will MCTV come to our event and tape it for broacasting? MCTV is a public access station, which means the station, and much of its equipment is available to members of the public, however, the only programming which the station produces is in conjunction with station sponsors (Town of Easton, Talbot County, Avalon Foundation etc.) If your organization would like an event taped, send a volunteer to our training courses and they can become eligible to use our equipment to tape any programs.
Can I obtain a copy of a program I saw on MCTV? Most of our productions can be copied for your personal use. There are a few exceptions to this rule: Avalon Theatre Concert Series and some lecture series are not available. We will make you a copy of available programs for a nominal fee: ($15/tape, shipping & handling if mailed). The MCTV library consists of programs dating back at least 2 years. Council meeting tapes are kept for about 2 months. No meeting tape will be edited: we cannot copy only one speaker’s part.
	Can I bring in a tape that I have made with my own equipment to show on Channel 15? We do have quality standards and program policies which we enforce, but if your tape meets them and is relevant to the local audience, we would be happy to play it. Contact us and we will review your tape for you.
Would MCTV put together a short program for our non-profit? MCTV is not a production studio. In keeping with the FCC guidelines for public access stations, the staff and equipment cannot be used for production purposes other than programs to air on Channel 15 Easton, or Channel 3 on Charter Cable. There are several production companies in Easton and we can guide you to them.
	Do you ever pay your production staff? In keeping with its public access description, MCTV does not pay people to produce programs. Our Community News Program staff is paid small stipends, due to its continuous nature. Outside funding may be available to you, but the station is not involved in soliciting such funds.
How can I get an event listed on the Community Calendar? Send us an email, to fax your event listing to 410-822-4572 (attn: MCTV), or mail it to MCTV Community Calendar, 40 E. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601. We request that you send a listing at least 2 weeks in advance. One one slide per organization is accepted each month. Events for Easton are given top priority, with county and regional events to follow. We do not accept marketing submissions from businesses.
How do I get on the Weather Channel scroll? You will need to contact Easton Cable: the Weather Channel is their station and the scroll is their service.
	What is the Avalon’s role in MCTV? The Avalon Foundation, Inc provides overall financial management to MCTV, which is funded by several generous sponsors. The Avalon’s Board of Trustees acts as the supervisory committee for the station, and the Theatre provides studio space. The Avalon Foundation works closely with Easton Utilities, the cable provider, to enable MCTV to be as productive and community-oriented as possible, while growing larger and better each year.