Cable access channel goes live
PANDA gets state money to broadcast

TIVOLI - On Thursday evening, for the first time since 2003, the public access television station PANDA held a live broadcast at its studios.

The cable broadcast, which also marked the station's first live Web simulcast, announced $12,000 in state funding that will allow the station to do even more live programming.

"The equipment wasn't available before," said Kathleen Hammer, the Public Access Northern Dutchess Area board chairwoman. "The reason we're doing it now is because the line-item allocations are going for equipment, so it's a great way to announce it."

State Assemblymen Marc Molinaro, R-Tivoli, and Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, and state Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, provided the member funding. Molinaro moderated Thursday's broadcast. Cahill and Saland secured $5,000 a piece while Molinaro secured $2,000.

PANDA is a nonprofit organization formed in 1995 to serve residents of municipalities in Rhinebeck and Red Hook. It airs on cable channel 23 and is funded by a portion of cable franchise fees each town and village receives from Time Warner Cable.

PANDA has been a source of controversy since it was established. This includes an incident that took place last year when the PANDA board treasurer stole more than $20,000, wiping out the organization's coffers.

The station, which has a budget of $64,000, had 1,300 hours of original programming during the first quarter of this calendar year. The production studio is manned by a station manager and assistant, which are both paid positions, along with volunteers.

Hammer said the line item allocation will go toward the purchase of two cameras and two editing stations. The money will also be used to convert the station's production rack to DVDs. Currently, the rack consist of half VHS tapes and half DVDs.

"I hope this provides a meaningful vehicle for people to express their views," Cahill said during the broadcasted press conference.

Saland said the event marked a renaissance in the history of PANDA.

"It's an essential element of community, and I take my hat off to those who were able to make it happen," Saland said.

Reach Rasheed Oluwa at roluwa@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4823.