As of March 1 local community access channel MCTV15 is available 24/7 on the internet.
Previously limited to subscribers of Northland Cable Television, MCTV15’s many locally produced programs, including broadcasts of Weed, Mount Shasta and Dunsmuir city council and planning commission meetings, are now available to just about anyone anywhere.
To view the live stream on a computer visit www.mctv15.org. The internet broadcast uses Ustream.tv technology, which requires a connection of 500 kbps or better.
“We have wanted to provide this service for a long time,” said MCTV15 executive director Audra Gibson. “It puts us in touch with the community in a new a larger way. Locally produced shows will have access to larger audiences. Being on the internet opens a huge door for us. For television, you have to have cable. With the internet, you can connect anywhere in the world.”
MCTV15 is now part of the larger umbrella organization known as Siskiyou Media Council, which also provides Professional Production Services or PROPS.
Gibson said the PROPS service is fee based and is open to non-profits and service organizations only. She said Mercy Medical Center, for example, has commissioned a series of informational programs on smoking cessation and diabetes. Productions are in the pipeline for the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, Siskiyou Arts Council and the College of the Siskiyous Foundation.
MCTV15 features locally produced original content, local government meetings, NASA, Free Speech television, University of California television and other programs made at the production studio on the Weed campus of COS.
The full schedule and community bulletin board is on the website at www.mctv15.com every day from noon to 1 p.m.
Ustream.tv and real-time chat
Ustream.tv was developed in 2006 by two US Army officers looking for a way for families to easily connect in real time.
“They could only talk with one person at a time. John and Brad wanted to find a way to allow soldiers to connect with all of their loves ones, all at the same time,” Ustream.tv says. “Hence, our goal of creating a way for them to stream with family members in cities all over the U.S. and the world.”
Gibson said another feature of the new technology is real time text messaging on the internet page as programs are broadcast.
“You can anonymously comment interactively on the program and get feedback,” Gibson said.
PROPS
MCTV15’s expansion into fee-based live programming features customized production services.
Gibson said fees are based on the set, equipment and personnel needed.
She said the setup fee is $500 for an elaborate live production and $500 to $1,000 ongoing depending on staff and equipment. For a taping session, there is a $300 setup fee and $20 an hour per staff person needed.
Gibson said PROPS is seeking people with media skills and experience to work on projects in paid positions. For more information, call Audra Gibson at 859-1607 or email at audra@mctv15.org.
Siskiyou Media Council
We’re not just MCTV15 anymore,” Gibson said. “As part of the Siskiyou Media Council, we’re here to offer a wide variety of ever expanding technology.”
Gibson said the nature of free public access television is sometimes misunderstood.
“We are not a local news station. We are public access for citizens to create their own shows,” she said. “We’re here to give you the opportunity to fulfill your dream. Volunteers and producers are welcome. We can provide access to studio and field equipment. We can provide training and assistance, but not production staff.”
Gibson said a new training course will begin soon that over a seven week period will teach citizens the nuts and bolts of using the studio and equipment.
“Public access television is an important resource for our community,” Gibson said. “It allows ordinary citizens the ability to be creative and communicate ideas and information.” 
Every third Tuesday of the month MCTV15 offers an open house environment at the College of the Siskiyous studio from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to come by for more information on the studio or volunteering.
Gibson the station’s collaboration with College of the Siskiyous continues to thrive.
“We have a new and exciting relationship with College of the Siskiyous,” Gibson said. “The new president, Randall Lawrence, sees the potential to use new and exciting technologies.”
Gibson gives special thanks to technical director John Cumming and station manager Kathy Blevins.
“They have been invaluable,” Gibson said.
Gibson said a recent brainstorming retreat was very successful.
“We had a very productive retreat last month looking at our structure, services and models for professional services,” Gibson said.
She said the retreat was attended by five board members, three station staff and seven volunteers.
“I was really encouraged by the volunteer participation,” Gibson said.