Community Access Media (formerly Community Access Television) is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization authorized by the City of Erie to administer the public access channel on Spectrum Cable, Channel 1021 and VNET Fiber, HD Channel 2.

The first two words in our name say it all. We are here to provide access to the airwaves and online platforms for the community, including individuals as well as non-profit organizations. There is no other source of low-cost community programming with the potential to reach as many people in Erie. We give people and organizations the tools to get their unique messages across to their intended audiences.

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Our mission is to To facilitate and promote community involvement in the production and cable-casting of television programs and media that benefits our community. Our mission includes: providing a public access cable TV facility committed to excellence, diversity, service and equality, encouraging citizens of Erie to exercise their First Amendment rights of free speech and expression through the medium of cable television and online content delivery resources.

We teach people how to produce local media content during various workshops, we lend our equipment, facility, and our expertise. We put their video content on Channel 1021 on Spectrum, Channel 2 on VNET, online at CAMErie.org, on YouTube and Social Media Channels.

As a resource for the community at large, we have always received substantial funding from the City of Erie. Since our founding in 1997, we have also received grants from a variety of other sources. We are thankful for these grants which have been provided by ECGRA, the Erie Community Foundation, Northwest Savings Bank, and private donors. Other streams of revenue include: membership dues, video production services, and underwriting/sponsorships.

Anyone can become a CAM member. There are both individual and organizational memberships to meet your needs. In order to become a member, you must attend one of our CAM Jam sessions, held on the first Thursday of every month at 5:00 p.m., pay your membership dues, and sign up for classes. After you are trained, you are able to reserve equipment and facilities to begin producing your own media content. Anything that you produce can then be scheduled for playback on CAM Channels, Apple TV, Roku, Video-On-Demand or uploaded to YouTube.

Check out our membership page for more information.

You can produce almost anything you want. The four exceptions are: that your program must be non-commercial, you must not slander or libel anyone, your program must not violate community standards for obscenity, and it cannot contain any gambling content.

Individual Erie County residents may become members for only $60 per year. The non-profit organization rate is $90 per year and $40 for each member of the organization. The for-profit organizational rate is $140 per year and $40 for each member of the organization. Our workshops are all included in your membership dues, except for the HD Field Camera training which is $15. There is no cost for use of equipment or facilities to CAM members. Members are to supply their own SD cards, External Hard Drives, DVD’s, Props, and other Production Supplies.

Of course! CAM employs professional media production professionals to offer technical assistance with editing, production, equipment, facility usage, and much more! Check out our staff here.

CAM offers paid production services, equipment, and technical assistance to non-profit and for-profit organizations. To learn more check out our services page and contact us to talk with a production specialist. 

CAM Members and content creators can submit content via Drop Box using this link. Once your content is uploaded CAM staff will review the program and schedule it for release on our channels, Apple TV, Roku, and Video-On-Demand.