The late-breaking news on Channel 6 is the station itself.
Bainbridge Island Broadcasting, the island’s community access station, officially unveils a new facility June 14 in the former Northland Cable building just east of Strawberry Hill Park.
AT&T Comcast leased the building to BIB last November after that company’s buyout of Northland.
“It’s exciting,” BIB executive director Wendy Johnson said, “because it’s something we’ve been working very hard for.”
At 1,600 square feet, the new facility doubles the space BIB had in the old Commodore building.
New signage welcomes visitors to a front office that includes a public meeting area, work space for volunteers and the “playback” equipment that determines programming. A new community readerboard system features the time and the station’s logo.
Production manager Scott Schmidt – whose credits include work for PBS and ESPN – works next to new digital cameras and digital editing systems. BIB’s new videographer, Earl Williams, accesses a production studio with curtains to deaden sound.
Upgrades and new equipment purchases have been supported by a one-time grant of $95,000 the city gave the station from the tax Northland had collected from cable subscribers but withheld.
When AT&T paid the tax to the city as part of the buy-out agreement, BIB received $75,000 to purchase equipment and $20,000 for operating costs.
With new quarters, equipment, software and staffing, the station is producing new programming.
Island Insights, a magazine show focused on the involvement of local business in community affairs debuted last month with Town and Country Market’s Earth Day celebration and Live from City Hall – on-the-spot coverage of council meetings that premiers at 6 p.m. tonight.
More programming to foster dialogue between the community and city includes StreetWise, in which citizens will ask questions of public officials, and a series that shows the ins and outs of local government.
Besides programming generated for the community, BIB also seeks tapes to air, Johnson says.
Bob Brawner, a media professional, recently taped BHS students in lacrosse championship meets.
Later this month, islanders will have a rare chance to view works of Claudia Black, the country’s premier specialist in treating children of alcoholics.
Island kids are a still a big part of the BIB picture. The BIB Kids Video Club will premier a new kid- generated series next month called “Kid Create – Homegrown Media.”
The media camps offered to kids have been expanded.
The camps are part of the larger picture of training community members to use BIB facilities and equipment, a key component of community access since BIB was established.
Today, $60,000 of BIB’s operating expenses are covered by AT&T’s franchise fee paid the city. A business plan crafted in 2002 has the station seeking underwriters from the business community and private sources.
“We have to earn 50 percent of our operating income,” Johnson said. “There is no other access center that’s in that position.”
The station may play a crucial role in preserving free expression, Johnson notes, in the face of increasing media consolidation.
“It’s always important to have local control over media,” Johnson said, “but now more than ever with the media consolidation nationwide.
“This is where diversity and media democracy are preserved.”
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Islanders are invited to Bainbridge Island Broadcasting’s open house, 4-7 p.m. June 14 at the new studio next to Strawberry Hill Park on High School Road. Call 780-2980
