Chicago Access Network Television

{{Short description|Public access TV service in Chicago, Illinois, US}} {{Distinguish|text =CANTV, a Venezuelan telecommunications company}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox television channel | name = Chicago Access Network Television | logo = | slogan = | terr_serv_1 = Cable | terr_chan_1 = Channels 19, 21, 27, 36, 42 | founded = 1983 | owner = Chicago Access Corporation | website = http://www.cantv.org }} '''Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV)''' is a public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable television service in Chicago, Illinois. The organization is funded by cable companies as part of their cable franchise agreements with the City of Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 2011 |title=LGBTS pushing for RCN to fund CAN TV - Windy City Times News |url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=34646 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114134733/http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=34646 |archive-date=2011-11-14}}</ref> The companies are also required by law to carry the network's five channels.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-03-01 |title=Media: March 2011 : Illinois Entertainer |url=http://illinoisentertainer.com/2011/03/media-march-2011/}}</ref>

==History== In 1983, the Chicago Access Corporation (CAC) was established by the City of Chicago as an independent nonprofit tasked with managing the public access channels in Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PUBLIC-ACCESS TV IN CHICAGO: A MEDIUM WITH A MESSAGE |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/291031354 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105015415/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/doc/291031354.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun%2019,%201987&author=Jim%20Sulski&pub=Chicago%20Tribune%20%28pre-1997%20Fulltext%29&edition=&startpage=&desc=PUBLIC-ACCESS%20TV%20IN%20CHICAGO:%20A%20MEDIUM%20WITH%20A%20MESSAGE |archive-date=2017-01-05 |access-date=2017-07-05}}</ref>

==Channels== CAN TV operates five cable television channels in Chicago. They are available on AT&T, Comcast, RCN, and WOW: * CAN TV19: Public Affairs, entertainment, documentary and arts * CAN TV21: Live, call-in Hotline shows, community events and arts coverage * CAN TV27: 24/7 local news and information * CAN TV36: Religious and inspirational programming * CAN TV42: Interactive community bulletin board with blues and jazz from WDCB-FM<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/6609-wdcb-fm-partners-with-chicago-s-can-tv|title=Chicagoradioandmedia.com|website=chicagoradioandmedia.com}}</ref>

==Programming== Any Chicago nonprofit or resident can submit noncommercial content to CAN TV for free, and over 10,000 new, local programs are shown on the network every year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cantv.org/watch-now/|title=Videos - CAN TV}}</ref> Submitted videos include independent productions and programs made using equipment and facilities provided by CAN TV.

Groups who produce programs using CAN TV's publicly accessible studio and equipment represent a wide range of communities, including seniors,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lifemattersmedia.org/2014/10/chicago-theatre-seniors-new-production-explores-end-life-decisions/ | title=IFindLifeInsurance Shop & Compare Life Insurance | date=8 July 2019 }}</ref> attorneys,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/la-grange-western-springs/community/chi-ugc-article-lagrange-park-resident-is-guest-on-illinois-s-2013-06-28-story.html|title = Chicago Tribune: Chicago news, sports, weather, entertainment|website = Chicago Tribune| date=26 October 2023 }}</ref> and people with disabilities.<ref>{{cite web |date=2009-06-25 |title=CAN TV gives voice to every Chicagoan {{!}} ABC7 Chicago {{!}} abc7chicago.com - ABC7 Chicago |url=http://abc7chicago.com/archive/6883795}}</ref>

Chicago-based nonprofits also host live call-in shows from a dedicated studio at CAN TV. These programs are shown live on cable television in Chicago and online, with topics including youth media training,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://focus-on-tomorrow.org/985/ |title=New Program Allows Teens to Produce a LIVE Television Show |access-date=2014-12-02 |archive-date=2014-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018142448/http://focus-on-tomorrow.org/985/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> neighborhood development,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ragenglewood.org/2014/09/|title = September 2014}}</ref> and domestic violence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAFS to be Featured on Can Tv &#124; Arab American Family Services |url=http://arabamericanfamilyservices.org/aafs-featured-on-can-tv/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305042317/http://arabamericanfamilyservices.org/aafs-featured-on-can-tv/ |archive-date=2016-03-05}}</ref>

CAN TV also provides unedited coverage of community events in Chicago, offering live coverage of some events on cable television and online. Past coverage includes public forums,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/HIV-AIDS-advocates-mark-natl-testing-day/43491.html|title = HIV/AIDS advocates mark nat'l testing day - Windy City Times News|date = 27 June 2013}}</ref> political events like protests and hearings,<ref>{{Cite news |title=WATCH: Chicago May Day Rally (VIDEO) &#124; Progress Illinois |url=http://www.progressillinois.com/news/content/2013/05/01/watch-chicago-may-day-rally-video |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061141/http://www.progressillinois.com/news/content/2013/05/01/watch-chicago-may-day-rally-video |archive-date=2016-03-04 |newspaper=Basketball Insiders &#124; Nba Rumors and Basketball News}}</ref> and arts events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141020/old-town/documentary-examining-cps-closings-premiering-at-history-museum |title=Documentary Examining CPS Closings Premiering at History Museum - Old Town - DNAinfo.com Chicago |accessdate=2014-12-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208092718/http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141020/old-town/documentary-examining-cps-closings-premiering-at-history-museum |archivedate=2014-12-08 }}</ref>

Programs produced by CAN TV include: * Chicago Newsroom,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAN TV Video Categories - Chicago Newsroom |url=http://cantv.org/watch-now/category/chicago-newsroom/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202074408/http://cantv.org/watch-now/category/chicago-newsroom/ |archive-date=2015-02-02}}</ref> where journalists and newsmakers analyze the week's top local stories. * Perspectivas Latinas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAN TV - Perspectivas Latinas |url=http://cantv.org/watch-now/category/perspectivas-latinas/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801174813/http://cantv.org/watch-now/category/perspectivas-latinas/ |archive-date=2016-08-01}}</ref> which highlights community organizations serving the Latino community in Chicago. * Political Forum,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAN TV - Political Forum |url=http://cantv.org/watch-now/category/political-forum/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710190447/http://cantv.org/watch-now/category/political-forum/ |archive-date=2017-07-10}}</ref> which gives Chicagoans a direct line to their government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levois |title=CAN-TV Political Forum with Ald. Roderick Sawyer on April 23, 2014 |url=http://www.sixthward.us/2014/04/can-tv-political-forum-with-ald.html |access-date=2026-03-19 |language=en}}</ref>

Past community-produced programs on CAN TV include: * Chic-a-go-go<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media: February 2013 : Illinois Entertainer |url=https://illinoisentertainer.com/2013/02/media-february-2013/ |access-date=2026-03-19 |website=illinoisentertainer.com}}</ref> * JBTV<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-01-25/entertainment/ct-ent-0126-jbtv-20120125_1_jbtv-bands-nbcuniversal |title=JBTV local music show lands national TV deal - Chicago Tribune |website=Chicago Tribune |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127220626/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-01-25/entertainment/ct-ent-0126-jbtv-20120125_1_jbtv-bands-nbcuniversal |archive-date=2012-01-27}}</ref> * Labor Beat<ref>{{Cite web |title=Labour Beat |url=http://www.laborbeat.org/Broadcast.html |access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref> * SAIC's ExTV Independent programming carried on CAN TV includes: * Free Speech TV * Illinois Channel{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}

==Training and Equipment Access== Chicago residents can choose from a wide range of classes at CAN TV to gain the skills needed to make a video. After becoming members, residents then get access to the equipment they trained to use, including digital cameras, edit suites, and a TV studio.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 April 2014 |title=CAN TV Classes - CAN TV |url=http://cantv.org/be-on-can-tv/make-it-yourself/can-tv-classes/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307072937/http://cantv.org/be-on-can-tv/make-it-yourself/can-tv-classes/ |archive-date=2016-03-07}}</ref>

== Controversy == In September 2023, the South Side Weekly published an article reporting issues that had arisen under the leadership of the new executive director, Darrious Hilmon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flynn |first=Jason |date=2023-09-01 |title=Who Is CAN TV For? |url=https://southsideweekly.com/who-is-can-tv-for/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=South Side Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> The concerns current and former staff raised in the article included the station's poor use of funds, an anti-union workplace culture, and the prioritization of signature program production at the expense of employee's main job responsibilities. Community producers interviewed for the piece reported that the station shrank the resources it offered by cutting the amount of studio slots available for reservation, barring the public from using the props/prop room, and eradicating controversial community produced shows from its social media. CAN TV declined to provide a response for the article.

Allegations of anti-union practices continued in an article posted by the Chicago Reader. An incident where Raza Siddiqui, the then-president of the union which represents CAN TV workers, NABET-CWA Local 41, came to the television station to film a show instead of work was detailed in the article.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flynn |first=Jason |date=2024-01-16 |title=Media workers battle for the future of NABET-CWA Local 41 |url=http://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/labor/nabet-can-tv-union/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US}}</ref> Furthermore, an employee of the station described being unable to contact the union office about employee concerns. Siddiqui responded in a follow-up piece, writing, "Working with management is never a conflict of interest when it serves our members and when our goals are aligned such as with worker safety."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Letters |first=Reader |date=2024-01-12 |title=Reader Letters: Tackling the dynamics of union politics |url=http://chicagoreader.com/columns-opinion/letters/tackling-the-dynamics-of-union-politics/ |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US}}</ref>

While CAN TV's debut in Crain's was positive, with a journalist praising the station's programming and executive director,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jay |first=Corli |date=March 31, 2023 |title=How CAN-TV is reaching new heights |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marketing-media/can-tv-reaching-new-heights-four-decades-later |website=Crain's Chicago Business}}</ref> subsequent articles were critical of the organization's direction. An article covering a Better Business Bureau complaint filed against the station by a long-term producer and board member was released almost a year after the first article.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jay |first=Corli |date=January 26, 2024 |title=Newest complaint against CAN TV leadership taken to Better Business Bureau |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marketing-media/can-tv-hit-complaint-filed-better-business-bureau |website=Crain's Chicago Business}}</ref> The article also covered updates on an ongoing lawsuit against the station from a former employee and community producers' ongoing concerns. CAN TV responded to Crain's with a letter, stating they, "[serve] in good faith and with due care to ensure that the organization operates in compliance with applicable law and best practices and is accountable to the communities it serves."

Another article from Crain's covered a board meeting at the station in which community producers, former employees, and former board members voiced concerns about the executive director's behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jay |first=Corli |date=March 13, 2024 |title=Community members, ex-staff blast CAN TV leadership at meeting |url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/marketing-media/can-tv-board-meeting-community-and-staff-voice-frustrations |website=Crain's Chicago Business}}</ref> Ex-staff alleged they were fired because of conflict with the executive director and not for budgetary reasons, as the executive director had claimed. Hilmon, in response, said the comments were, "emblematic of an ongoing, coordinated effort to undermine [his] leadership and cause reputational harm to an important community asset." But allegations of unprofessional behavior were echoed in statements from members of the community and previous CAN TV board members, citing incidents where Hilmon fired entire departments at the station and pushed for board members to leave in response to criticism.

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == * [http://www.cantv.org cantv.org]

== See also== {{Portal|Television}} * List of public-access TV stations in the United States

{{Chicago TV}}

Category:Educational and instructional television channels Category:American public access television Category:Chicago Public Schools Category:1983 establishments in Illinois Category:Television channels and stations established in 1983 Category:Television stations in Chicago