Fairfax Public Access
Encyclopedia
Fairfax Public Access (FPA) was established in October 1981 as a non-profit Public, educational, and government access
(PEG) cable tv station based in Fairfax, Virginia
, and now operates three channels.
In 1984, FPA operations came under the Cable Communications Act of 1984, which required US cable companies to fund local organizations which would provide training and access to media technology to the general public. Cable companies were also required to carry the programming created by those local organizations.
Fairfax Cable Access Corporation was formed in 1997 to maintain ownership for the public.
FPA operates Channel 10 for general purpose television
shows in English
, Channel 30 for general purpose television shows in languages other than English, and Channel 37 for cable-cast radio
. In addition, FPA provides Internet
-streaming
for its radio broadcasting.
Certification: FPA-provided training or a competency test must be passed before anyone may use FPA equipment.
Public, educational, and government access
Public, educational, and government access television, refers to three different cable television specialty channels...
(PEG) cable tv station based in Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
, and now operates three channels.
In 1984, FPA operations came under the Cable Communications Act of 1984, which required US cable companies to fund local organizations which would provide training and access to media technology to the general public. Cable companies were also required to carry the programming created by those local organizations.
Fairfax Cable Access Corporation was formed in 1997 to maintain ownership for the public.
FPA operates Channel 10 for general purpose television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
shows in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Channel 30 for general purpose television shows in languages other than English, and Channel 37 for cable-cast radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
. In addition, FPA provides Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
-streaming
Streaming media
Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider.The term "presented" is used in this article in a general sense that includes audio or video playback. The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather...
for its radio broadcasting.
| Name | Fairfax Public Access |
| Acronym | FPA |
| Carriers | Cox Cable Verizon Fios Comcast Cable (Reston) |
| Channels | Channel 10 Channel 30 Channel 37 Radio Fairfax WRLD International Radio |
| Charter Type | Public |
| Founded | October, 1981 |
| High-Definition | No |
| Location | 2929 Eskridge Road Ste S Fairfax, Virginia Fairfax, Virginia The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat.... 22031 |
| Owner | Fairfax Cable Access Corporation |
| Website | www.fcac.org |
Equipment and facilities
- Three television studios, each with three studio cameras and a control room.
- Studio C is a "Virtual studio" setup, all green-screen, robotic cameras, and state-of-the-art equipment finalized in September 2008
- Two radio production suites.
Awards
- 2006 Telly Award for John Buckreis' program "Gardening News and Views"
- 2006 Telly Award for the program "1600", produced by Jerry Ferguson and Steve Ruddell, and co-hosted by Bob Giarrusso.
Training
Following its chartered mandate, FPA offers inexpensive, intensive, hands-on training on both studio and field cameras, tape-to-tape editing, non-linear editing, writing for television, makeup for television, newscasting, acting, audio engineering, and all control-room equipment.Policies
Producer-Ownership: One of FPA's most popular policies establishes producer-ownership of television shows produced there, even when their productions use FPA equipment and facilities. For shows supported by free FPA equipment and facility, FPA requires exclusive distribution rights for the first year. Nevertheless, FPA has frequently issued waivers to allow producers to distribute shows to other non-profit public-access stations during the first year. After the first year, the producer may sell or distribute their production in any way they wish.Certification: FPA-provided training or a competency test must be passed before anyone may use FPA equipment.
Radio Shows
| Name of Show | Date First Cablecast | Number of Episodes Produced |
Web Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| On The Air with DJ Ice | September 2008 | Wednesdays at 9PM LIVE | www.ontheairwithdjice.com |
| Mix of 80's 90's and today, with a new guest each time! | |||
| 2 Guys & A Mic | www.2guysradio.com | ||
| Two regular guys look at everyday life, news, Hollywood and sports. | |||
| 4 Real Radio | |||
| Music: Yesterday and today's leading Rhythm and Blues (R&B) artists | |||
| The Afternoon Groove | www.afternoongrooveradio.com | ||
| Modern soul music from known and unknown artists from around the world. | |||
| The Mimi Geerges Show | www.mgshow.com | ||
| A talk show (not a shout-show) for inquisitive minded listeners. Syndicated on XM Satellite Radio and public radio stations. | |||
Television Shows
| Name of Show | Producer(s) | Series/Special | Date First Cablecast | Number of Episodes Produced |
Web Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 | Series | ||||
| Award-winning talk-music tv show. | |||||
| Accent | Zohreh Rastegar | Series | www.zoetalk.com | ||
| A talk show featuring second-generation Iranians adapting to American culture. | |||||
| Around Space | David Cawood Donnie Lowther |
Series | www.AroundSpace.com | ||
| A talk show focused on space issues, under the auspices of a local chapter of the National Space Society. | |||||
| Backstage Pass | Hugh Staples | Series | |||
| A performing-arts TV show, featuring music, dance, theatre, poetry, comedy, and the visual arts from around the DC/Baltimore area. | |||||
| Bannister Banter | Craig Bannister | Series | 100+ | ||
| A pun-filled comedy spoof of television talk shows, interviewing very off-beat celebrities. | |||||
| Capital Pets | Deanna Lewis | Series | www.capitalpets.com | ||
| Educating pet owners and the public about animal health, pet education, pet services, animal law, and animal rescue organizations in the Washington, D.C. area. | |||||
| Catholic Life | John Buckreis | Series | |||
| How Catholicism is practiced by local groups & individuals. | |||||
| Capital Cooking | Lauren DeSantis | Series | www.capitalcookingshow.com | ||
| Attorney and chef Lauren DeSantis presents an evolving cooking style by incorporating dishes from the many cultures represented in Washington, D.C. | |||||
| Fairfax Sports Report | Brian Nern | Series | www.fairfaxsportsnetwork.com | ||
| Providing in-depth news coverage of many high school sports in Northern Virignia for over 15 years. | |||||
| Telepathic TV | R. Neville Johnston and Mary Phelan | Series | 500+ | www.telepathictv.com | |
| A live call-in show empowering the viewer with techniques from the metaphysical world. | |||||
See also
- The Chronicle Article: Public Access Television Hidden Treasure in Fairfax County
- FPA News 16 Member Chinese delegation tours FPA.