A Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling in the early 1970's stated that if a cable company is the only provider in an area it must dedicate a channel to local access, and in 1983 that provider, Coastside Cable Television Inc., requested a community access station for the Mid-Coast from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. As part of the franchise agreement between Coastside Cable TV , the City of Half Moon Bay, and the County of San Mateo, 2% of CCTV annual revenue are set aside to pay for MCTV's operation. While this makes up a majority of MCTV's income, operating costs are also defrayed by membership donations, sponsorships on MCTV's Community Access Channel, equipment donations and fund-raisers organized by MCTV volunteers.

A group of interested Coastsiders formed in 1983 to set up MCTV. Some of that dedicated group remain with MCTV to this day, such as President Constance J. Malach, vice-president Michael B. Day, and present and former Board Members Jack Prejza, Dan & Toni Foster, Sande Anfang Huddle, Joe Botelho, and Mary Ann Sabie. A Board of Directors was formed to establish station policy and operating and programming guidelines. A eleven member Board meets regularly to oversee MCTV and establish policy as needed. Board members are representatives from the community and from other public institutions,such as the County Library and the Cabrillo Unified School District. The Board also includes non-voting representation from Coastside Cable Television (CCTV), the City of Half Moon Bay's Department of Parks and Recreation, and the County of San Mateo's Department of Public Works.

From 1983 to 1985, the Board and community volunteers worked to acquire equipment that would be used for video production, beginning with VHS cameras, a VHS editing system, and a switching system that would allow MCTV to show their videos on Channel 6. They undertook the considerable task of converting a garage in the CCTV building in El Granada into a small studio and office. To this day MCTV facilities consists of three rooms-- an outer office, a small studio, and a combination on-line and editing room. In order to acquire equipment and build the studio, MCTV obtained a $70,000 loan from CCTV. After two years of hard work, MCTV as an incorporated non-profit entity, showed its first programming went "on-line" on June 25, 1985. The first look Coastsiders had of MCTV programming was the 1983 Art and Pumpkin Festival, the Coastside's biggest yearly event. Other programs cablecast in MCTV's first week included a tour of historic Half Moon Bay, highlights of the Coastside Junior Rodeo, a cooking show centered around chocolate, and two programs on kayaking. MCTV was off to a diverse and fun-filled start.

The goal of a community access station is to reflect the singularity of its area, and to focus on local events and issues that would otherwise be ignored by the larger media. To achieve such a goal the founders acquired professional yet simple video equipment which volunteer producers could be easily trained to use. As video and computer technology has become increasingly sophisticated, our equipment has remained relatively low-tech, for the simple reason that first time producers must feel they can make a video without being intimidated by the technology involved. In 1992 MCTV had obtained enough through fundraising to acquire a Hi 8 mm to 3/4"SP editing system.

MCTV equipment may only be used to produce programming that may be shown on the Channel. MCTV seeks programs that focus on the Coastside and its unique flavor. It seeks original programs that would not otherwise find an audience except on community access television. Creativity is encouraged, and the content restraints placed on the producers are clearly explained in MCTV's guidelines.

In 1995 Mid-Coast held an Open House and all day video retrospective celebrating its tenth year on the air. Over the years Coastside producers have made hundreds programs focusing on everything from recycling at Pillar Point Harbor to 4-H Day, from local surfing and fishing shows, to local teenagers raising money to feed kids in Tibet. To honor its volunteer producers, MCTV holds a "Seals of Approval" awards ceremony, to give these hard working and creative people the recognition they deserve in the form of a small seal statuette.

Phone: (650) 726-1750