Every community has a local access channel provided as a community service. The potential benefit depends on how well the channel is utilized and if it can be as visually exciting as the commercial cable channels that dominate the lineup.
Many schools either contribute to the local access channel, or have their own. This is a great opportunity to get students involved in TV production and community involvement.
Ad agencies are using cable TV to offer focused advertising to their clients. They need a system that is 24/7 reliable, flexible to meet client demands, and easy to maintain in order to offer a better value. Software can replace the tedious task of manually designing a schedule and logging airtimes.
No matter what presentation system is used, it's worthless if nobody watches. Content is the key to a successful audience. High production quality is always the goal, but it comes at a cost in training and equipment.
Choosing a new system can be difficult task. It not only means new expenditures, but training and potential down time as well. The decisions can be daunting. The changing world of cable is forcing these decisions to be made. Cable operators need to find a solution that meets both their own and their customers' needs.
