ABOUT PCN

PCN is a nonprofit nonpartisan cable television network responsive to the interests and needs of Pennsylvania and its people. PCN serves as the commonwealth's version of C-SPAN, with unedited live and same-day coverage of Pennsylvania Senate and House floor proceedings, committee hearings, press conferences, speeches, and other public forums where the business of the state is debated, discussed, and decided. State government coverage on PCN is shown without commentary or analysis, giving viewers the opportunity to judge for themselves the merit of pending bills, and the ideas and opinions of state leaders. PCN also televises extensive coverage of significant state events, such as the Pennsylvania State Farm Show and high school sports championships. Additional network offerings include visits to museums and manufacturing facilities in the commonwealth "PCN Tours", interviews with authors of books about Pennsylvania "PA Books", and hour-long profiles of prominent state residents "PCN Profiles". PCN is funded by Pennsylvania cable television companies which voluntarily carry the service on their channel lineup. The network receives no state or federal funds.

PCN HISTORY

Origins of PCN
The Pennsylvania Cable Network was organized in 1979 as a nonprofit corporation by eleven Pennsylvania cable companies. Its original purpose was to provide a cable television network for the distribution of educational programming from Pennsylvania institutions of higher learning under the leadership of The Pennsylvania State University.PCN marked the first use of cable technology for distance learning, and was founded as the first educational television network in the nation.Educational programming on PCN was composed of college courses for credit, literacy training programs, and general enrichment shows. These programs were organized by Penn State on behalf of participating state institutions of higher learning, a listing which include the University of Pittsburgh, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and several community colleges.

Development of a Network
Until 1994, the interconnection of cable systems for the educational network was through microwave pathways. Using frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission, programming on PCN was passed along from participating cable television system to participating cable system under a shared cost arrangement. The system consisted of an eastern loop and a western loop, which together made a "figure 8" comprising 796 path miles.Although the system worked satisfactorily, there were inherent limitations in networking by microwave, notably in the time and process required to clear paths, and in the high incremental costs for providing service to outlying areas. As a result, PCN technicians were continually investigating alternate and supplemental interconnecting methods for the network.With initiatives undertaken in early 1993, PCN began distributing its signal using compressed digital satellite technology in December of that year. The new PCN delivery system--one of the first utilizations of compression technology for a cable network, and the first-ever by a cable consortium--made the programming signal available throughout Pennsylvania, and reduced both the cost and lead-time needed for cable companies to receive the signal.

Public Affairs Programming
Concomitant with its technical initiatives in the early nineties, PCN--in consultation with participating cable companies--expanded its programming format to include nonpartisan public affairs coverage. This transition from "formal" to "citizen" educational offerings began with coverage of "Capitol For a Day" town meetings in 1992, and continued with the establishment of a Tuesday and Thursday night public affairs programming block in August 1993. Less than two years later, PCN was televising daily coverage of the state General Assembly as the "C-SPAN of Pennsylvania."While live and unedited coverage of legislative activities and events is the focus of PCN public affairs programming, the network also televises events which showcase Pennsylvania business, history, culture, and people. PCN has carried the Pennsylvania State Farm Show and Battle of Gettysburg anniversary events since 1995, and has aired walking tours of hundreds of manufacturing facilities in the commonwealth.With its daily public affairs programming coverage and distribution of educational opportunities for state residents, PCN defines its mission as: A Cable Network Responsive to the Interests and Needs of Pennsylvania and its People.

PCN's Status Today
In August 1996, PCN ended its seventeen-year relationship with Penn State and assumed full responsibility for all programming and operations of the 24-hour-a-day network. The network continues its tradition of distributing literacy programs and exploring distance learning efforts, along with televising more than 100 hours weekly of public affairs coverage.By 1999, PCN's subscriber count had surpassed two million households in Pennsylvania, with network availability on 100 cable systems--more than three times the number of systems that carried the nonprofit service prior to its satellite delivery and public affairs programming initiatives. PCN remains funded through a monthly fee paid by participating cable companies to cover network capital and operating costs, and receives no tax dollars.PCN is now recognized as the preeminent state public affairs network in the nation, and is one of the largest regional cable television news organizations in America. Among its many programming milestones, PCN is credited with the first live coverage of a Pennsylvania House hearing, the first telecast of Pennsylvania appellate court hearing, the most extensive coverage of a state election in television history, and the first statewide telecast of a regular-season Pennsylvania high school sporting event. The network's support from the Pennsylvania cable television industry is strong and growing, as is true of the benefits inuring to Pennsylvania and its people.


PCN PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Public Affairs Programming Coverage

Pennsylvania General Assembly
Floor proceedings of the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives are generally carried on a live or same-day basis on PCN, and are always shown gavel-to-gavel. In addition, Senate and House committee hearings, news conferences, and speeches are covered in their entirety, providing viewers with a comprehensive look at the legislative process.


The Executive Branch
PCN covers public activities of the governor, such as speeches, press conferences, and bill signing ceremonies--all unedited and uninterrupted. Meetings and other forums held by the state agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Labor and Industry, and Transportation are also televised, giving Pennsylvanians a better understanding of the inner workings of their state government.

The Judicial Branch
Although the Pennsylvania Supreme Court does not permit television coverage, PCN does air en banc session of the state Superior Court. The Superior Court was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1895 to ease the burden of the Supreme Court, thus giving the commonwealth two appellate courts with separate jurisdictions. In 2006, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania allowed PCN's cameras into the courtroom to hear cases.

Elected Officials' Forums
PCN makes air-time available to the state House and Senate Democratic and Republican caucuses, the governor, and Pennsylvania's United States Senators to deliver their message(s) directly to state citizens without the filter of traditional news reporting. All such programming is clearly labeled as having been produced by the officials involved.

Business and Industry
Coverage of business in the commonwealth includes industry and trade association conferences and conventions, labor union conferences, business roundtables and luncheon speeches, award ceremonies, and news conferences. PCN has also established a link with the Hershey Lodge for live coverage of convention speeches at the Hershey, Pennsylvania meeting place. This coverage is in addition to "PCN Tours," the network's video visits to museums and manufacturing facilities in the commonwealth.

The Media
The media itself plays an ever increasing role in the democratic process. To help viewers gain insight into this aspect of the political debate, PCN devotes time to coverage of activities of Pennsylvania's news and information providers, including television, radio, cable television, newspapers, and computer services. The network also televises editorial board meetings and talk radio programs, along with producing a monthly program in which state capital correspondents converse on issues of the day.

Educational Institutions
PCN often televises events sponsored by educational institutions throughout the state, such as conferences and speaker series'. When selecting among these coverage opportunities, the network gives preference to events which relate to state government, business, culture, history, and citizens.

Culture and History
PCN covers events which reflect the community, historical, and cultural aspects of the state. These may consist of tours of historic sites, lectures on aspects of the state's history; high school and college music, academic, or sports competitions; and coverage of community and ethnic festivals.

PCN SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Daily/Weekly PCN Series

"PCN Tours"
As part of its coverage of state business and industry, PCN tours museums and manufacturing facilities in the commonwealth. Originally a weekly series, "PCN Tours" now airs daily at 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., in addition to a Sunday night premiere showing at 8:00 p.m. All video visits are led by a representative of the toured facility, and are televised with a minimum of edits. Suggestions for museum or plant tours are always welcome; PCN does not charge (nor does it receive payment) for producing a walking tour. Weekday tours air in alphabetical order, a listing of upcoming tours is found on PCN's Web site.

"PA Books"
PCN President Brian Lockman interviews authors of books about Pennsylvania on "PA Books." New programs air Sundays at 9:00 p.m., with a replay the following day at 11:00 a.m., with PCN's library of "PA Books" offerings presented on weekdays at 8:00 a.m. The one-hour program features writers and editors of new or recent books touching upon state history, events, industry, people, and culture. "PA Books" schedule of books and authors is posted on the network's Web site, book suggestions should be sent to Brian Lockman at pcntv@pcntv.com.

"PCN Profiles"
Hour-long conversations with prominent state residents are shown weekly on the Pennsylvania Cable Network as "PCN Profiles." The series airs Sundays at 10:00 p.m., with a second showing the next day at 10:00 a.m. The program is less issue-oriented than other public affairs offerings on PCN, tending toward life and career decisions made by the featured individual which shaped their personal development.

"PCN Call-in Program"
Televised live on Mondays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the hour-long interactive call-in program allows PCN viewers to speak directly with government officials, newsmakers, and other knowledgeable parties on current commonwealth issues. A listing of upcoming call-in guests is posted on PCN's home page.

"Journalists Roundtable"
Every week, PCN produces a program with members of the media who cover state legislative activities. The resulting one-hour program, "Journalists Roundtable," is a candid review of pending state bills and issues, and a forecast of trends and developing concerns. Airs every Thursday at 8:00 p.m and re-airs every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

"PCN Game of the Week"
Recognizing the strong tradition of scholastic athletics in Pennsylvania, PCN carries regular-season high school football games, basketball contests, and wrestling matches. These popular weekly offerings generally air live on Friday evenings (with a replay on Saturday night); wrestling airs once on Saturday evening. Check PCN's Web site under "PCN Game of the Week" for schedule information.

Monthly PCN Series

"PA Press Club"
Modeled after the National Press Club, the Pennsylvania Press Club meets one Monday each month at the Tuesday Club in downtown Harrisburg. Invited speakers make opening remarks, after which questions are posed by members of the media and other Press Club attendees. The luncheons are open to the public; there is a charge for the meal. PCN traditionally airs "PA Press Club" coverage that night at 7:00 p.m.