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Boston Neighborhood Network Television has two channels: the News & Information Channel, seen on Comcast channel 9 and RCN channel 15; and the Community Access Channel, seen on Comcast channel 23 and RCN channel 83.

Our programming is as diverse as the City of Boston itself, and is made by and for all neighborhoods, cultures and socio-economic groups-and in a variety of languages, including Cambodian, Greek, Italian, Kreyol, Mandarin, Polish, Somali, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Programs cover a range of topics from religion, health and local politics to sports, fashion and drama.



BNN's News & Information Channel cablecasts BNNLive programs, Neighborhood Network News, community service productions and other special programming. Click here to check out the News & Information Channel programming schedule.

BNNLive

BNNLive is a series of innovative, live studio programs with call-in capability. Programs are produced by nonprofit organizations and public agencies to inform Boston residents of their services and programs. All technical production is done by BNNLive staff. Detailed information about how your nonprofit organization can benefit from programming on BNNLive can be found on our Services & Resources page, under "Have BNN Create a TV Program for You."

Cablecasting close to 50 live programs each week, BNNLive offers a culturally diverse lineup of programs for the viewing audience. A few examples are:

• "The Russian Community Program," Mondays at 7:30 pm, brings information about Russian culture into the homes of thousands of Boston residents. Hosted in Russian.
• "Consejos de Salud," Tuesdays at 5:00 pm. This Spanish-language program is sponsored by the Latin Health Institute and addresses the health needs of Boston's Latino community.
• "Islamic Perspectives," Thursdays at 6:30 pm. What is the Islamic culture like for women? That question and others about the Islamic faith are discussed on this program.

BNNLive also cablecasts comprehensive coverage of local elections, information on Boston's art scene, and programs about neighborhood events.

Neighborhood Network News (NNN)

NNN combines the local talents of neighborhood correspondents, long-standing reporters, freelance contributors, student interns and a core staff to create an in-depth news program that is devoted exclusively to Boston issues. Produced at Boston University's College of Communications, the half-hour program is cablecast Monday through Friday at 5:30, 9:30 and 11:00 pm. The program reaches beyond breaking news to bring you stories that are rarely available on other local television venues. Reports cover economic development, politics and the environment ... housing, healthcare and education ... youth programs, sports and the arts ... and much, much more. (Scheduling note: Because of NNN's reliance on student help, programming is suspended before the beginning of the fall and spring semesters).

The NNN companion website, www.nnnonline.org, is a continuation of the news and provides links to other sites of interest. It also allows viewers to post their concerns and suggestions on the Neighborhood Forum page.

Special Programming

BNN is frequently hired to cover community and business events. These are special programs produced and crewed by BNN staff, and cablecast on the News & Information Channel. Programs include anything from Boston's many colorful parades to political forums and documentaries. See our Services & Resources page under "Community Service Productions" for more information.

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BNN's Community Access Channel cablecasts the programs that YOU create. After completing either the field or studio production workshop, you determine your own subject matter, production style and point of view, and then you produce your own TV program using all the professional production equipment we provide. Programs can either be taped, or produced live from the BNN Access Studio. This is a great way to learn how to create a TV program — from beginning to end. Get more information on our Services & Resources page, under "Create Your Own TV Program."

The Community Access Channel cablecasts more than 115 hours of first-run programs each week. Some examples are:

• "About the Arts," produced by James Brown, is a 60-minute program featuring emerging artists in the Boston area.
• "Cooking With Georgia," produced by Peter Saranides. This is a 30-minute Greek cooking show.
• "HAT-TV," produced by Jerome Auguste, is 60-minute educational and cultural program for Haitian youth.
• "Dealing With Divorce," produced by Pat Arroya. This 60-minute program provides support and information on various aspects of divorce.

For a full list of current programs, check out the Community Access Channel programming schedule.

People's Platform

Where do you stand? Let your voice be heard on People's Platform, BNN's free speech forum by and for the people of Boston. The 2005 winner of a national community media award for "Empowerment" programming, People's Platform is a unique addition to our program lineup and is cablecast on the Community Access Channel, Wednesdays at 7 pm. Produced at the BNN Access Studio, People's Platform allows you to share your perspective with a potential audience of over 489,000 viewers. No studio production training is necessary — you just need to have something to say. Take a stand!

"The experience with BNN was great! They provided Freedom House with the opportunity to inform the community of the services we provide on a very large scale. We will definitely work with them again!" — James M. Hairston, Freedom House National Teaching Fellow

For more information about People's Platform please contact Barbara Barrow-Murray at bmurray@bnntv.org.

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It is series renewal time once again! All series currently showing on BNN's Community Access Channel will expire as of March 31. If you would like to renew your series, please fill out a Cablecast Request Form for the 2007 spring quarter and return it to us no later than March 20. Please also fill out a Series Schedule Planner, giving us ten choices for your preferred time slot.

Although we do our best to accommodate scheduling requests, we are not always able to place all programs in their preferred time slots at renewal time. As scheduling priority is given to programs that are produced here at BNN and within Boston, series originating outside of Boston should not expect to get a time slot in prime-time hours. We suggest that all programs list time-slot preferences that include blocks outside of evening and weekend viewing hours to give us more options when scheduling your program.

We will finalize and mail out the spring schedule on March 22. If we do not have your new paperwork in hand by March 20, we will not schedule your series for the spring. We urge you to contact the Cablecast office after turning in your paperwork to confirm that we have received it, especially for those of you who fax or mail in your renewal forms. We take no responsibility for forms that we do not receive, and don't want anyone to be left off of the next schedule.

Some of you have already filled out the Web Networking Request Form, which gives us information about your program to post on our website schedule. If you need to change or update this information, click here to fill it out online.

For additional information please contact Cablecast Manager Tom O'Gara at togara@bnntv.org or 617.720.2113 x 18.

PLEASE NOTE: No series will be scheduled without a current BNN membership. Please speak with Eric Venezia at 617.720.2113 x24 to inquire about your membership status and keeping it up-to-date throughout the spring quarter.

View the current Community Access Channel schedule

Checklist of Series Renewal Forms

Cablecast Request Form
Producer Agreement and Indemnification Form
Series Schedule Planner
How to Fill Out the Series Schedule Planner


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