It's Not Hollywood, But Clayton is On the Air

We've got our own television channel!

The Town of Clayton's new PEG (Public, Educational and Governmental) Cable Access Channel is up and running on Time Warner Cable, with some standardized programing. It's Channel 11 on the TV dial.

"We've been working on it for the last few weeks, and it's come together pretty good," said Information Services Director Angela Tousey. "Everyone here is very excited and looking forward to seeing how this develops over time."

She said the channel might not be available to everyone in the Clayton area just yet, but all the technology should be in place soon. The town may be ready by next year to begin developing some of its own content, she said, and maybe even televise meetings such as the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. Town Council meetings may eventually be on the broadcast list, too, she said.

The channel is being financed through a $20,000 yearly cable access grant, which means it will need the help of volunteers to make quick progress. Tousey said officials are counting on help from area high school and community college students, especially those who have an interest in television and video production.

The Town plans to put together a steering committee soon to guide the channel's development.

Tousey said the channel won't be able to run commercials, but local businesses could sponsor programs for on-air credit or make donations for programming. She envisions interview shows, history shows, cooking shows and lots more as time goes on.

"We would like to set up a studio at Town Hall," Tousey said, "but a lot will depend on the amount of funds we have and the amount of volunteer help."

The town looked into establishing its own channel several years ago, but the high cost kept the idea from going very far. Now that modern technology has brought costs down, the channel is much more affordable. Town Manager Steve Biggs said the town has gotten several requests over the years for a PEG channel, which leads officials to believe it will get viewers.

"I'm not saying we'll have the most entertaining programs on Time Warner Cable, but there are those who want to see this," Biggs told the Town Council recently.