Frequently Asked Questions
What are my Local Access Channels?
Public Access: Salem Residents Comcast Channel 16
Education Access: Salem Residents Comcast Channel 6
Government Access: Salem Residents Comcast Channel 22
All access channels can be viewed online:
⚫ In a Web Browser. Choose "Watch Live" or "Video On Demand" from each channel listed in the website menu.
⚫ On Roku with the "Salem Community Television", or "Salem School District Media" Apps
⚫ On iPhone/iPad with the "Cablecast" App
⚫ On Amazon Firestick with the "ScreenWeave" App
Who can use Salem Community Television
Every person who either lives, works or is involved in organizations in the Salem community can produce or work on a public access cable television program. The fundamental feature of this community resource is access. Once a community person has been properly trained, he or she can work on a program for SCTV. Programming on SCTV blends community volunteer and staff-produced programs, as well as prerecorded programs, all designed to serve the unique needs of the Salem community.
Can my program play on the government channel?
The Government channel plays programming which has been produced by the Town staff. This includes but is not limited to local public meetings, staff-produced features on Town business, and information the Town releases to the public.
I produce my program at another access station, Can I play it on Salem Community Television?
If you are a resident of Salem, N.H. you can submit your program for cablecast.
If you are not a resident of Salem, N.H. you are required to find a local sponsor (resident) that is willing to take all legal responsibility for your program.
Do I have to pay to join the access center or air my programs?
You don't have to pay to join or air programs. There is no membership fee.
You may incur some minor expenses including but not limited to:
⚫ Rental of spaces or the requirement to hire building staff such as custodians is at the discretion of the Salem School District.
⚫ Set decorations for your shows. We suggest you get creative. Dollar stores and thrift stores can provide some great finds.
⚫ Food. A fed crew is a happy crew.
⚫ Anyone found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or found to be carrying a weapon of any kind, will be removed from the premises.
⚫ Fines. The producer is responsible for all Local, State, Federal fines imposed.
⚫ Duplication fees for programs. Typically, a USB Thumb Drive rather than DVD.
Can I hire Salem Community Television to make a commercial for my business?
Salem Community Television is not a for-profit production company and can't be hired to produce content.
Commercial content is not allowed on the channel.
If you are looking for production resources in NH we suggest visiting https://www.visitnh.gov/film
Public Access Programming is programming which has been produced by the public. When the program is produced using SCTV facilities and equipment, it means that the production arrangements are made by the volunteer public access producers and the crew is primarily volunteer. In this instance, SCTV staff is largely there in an advisory capacity, to provide training, program proposal review, assistance in lining up crews, basic studio setup, and occasional crew assistance. When an access user brings in a prerecorded tape or cablecast, it is also considered public access. In both these instances, SCTV, by federal law, may not edit or control content.
Do you have reporters on staff? I have an event I want you to cover.
Salem Community Television does not have reporters on staff.
Public Access Programming is programming which has been produced by the public. When the program is produced using SCTV facilities and equipment, it means that the production arrangements are made by the volunteer public access producers and the crew is primarily volunteer. In this instance, SCTV staff is largely there in an advisory capacity, to provide training, program proposal review, assistance in lining up crews, basic studio setup, and occasional crew assistance. When an access user brings in a prerecorded tape or cablecast, it is also considered public access. In both these instances, SCTV, by federal law, may not edit or control content.
I want to produce a program to air on Salem Community Television, Now What?
Please see the Producing a show page listed under the Public Access menu at the top of the page.
What are the Technical Specifications for submitting a program?
Please see the Producing a show page listed under the Public Access menu at the top of the page.
Community Bulletin Board messages that you design should be 1920x880 and in jpg format.
Is there anything that isn't allowed on Salem Community Television?
Full Station Policy may be reviewed under the Town of Salem Municipal Code Chapter 219
Obscene programming is prohibited from broadcast on public access programming, and the other types of programming described below should not be shown on public access programming:
⚫ Obscene programming.
⚫ Indecent programming.
⚫ Programming soliciting or promoting unlawful conduct.
⚫ Material which constitutes libel, slander, or invasion of privacy or which might violate any other local, state or federal law.
⚫ Programs containing material which violates copyright, trademarks or service marks.
⚫ Program material that creates the immediate danger of damage to property or injury to persons, or the substantial obstruction of law enforcement or other governmental functions or services, or the deprivation of a legal right of a person by threat, threat of force or physical action, or the creation of a public nuisance.
⚫ The direct or indirect presentation of lotteries or lottery information, except for announcements pertaining to state-sponsored lotteries.
Public access programming is, by tradition, nonprofit and noncommercial. The channel time and facilities are provided in order to benefit the community. An alternative avenue for expression of commercial, for-profit expression is provided for under the leased access provisions of federal cable law. Programming which is commercial should be aired on leased access channels. Therefore, access programs should not contain the following:
⚫ Advertising material designed to promote the sale of commercial products, businesses, services, or individuals.
⚫ Direct sales or provision of commercial products, businesses or services during a program.
⚫ Material which identifies any product, service, trademark or brand name in a manner that is not reasonably related to the noncommercial use of such in the program and which promotes the commercial gain of such products, services, trademarks or brand names.
⚫ The direct solicitation of funds without first receiving permission from SCTV.
Is Political Programming Allowed?
Full Station Policy may be reviewed under the Town of Salem Municipal Code Chapter 219
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations regarding political and issue-oriented programs.
⚫ FCC regulations applying to political candidates and issues do not apply to public access. The two best known rules are the equal opportunity or equal time rule, which applies to political candidates, and the fairness doctrine (no longer in force), which stated that a broadcast programmer must give time, not necessarily equal time, to diverse sides of an issue. The FCC personal attack rule also does not apply to public access.
Political candidates and access:
⚫ Since FCC regulations concerning equal time for political candidates do not apply to public access programming, SCTV places no restrictions on use of channels and facilities by political candidates, other than those applying to normal and equitable use of channel scheduling and facility time. SCTV specifically reserves the right to impose content neutral, reasonable time, place and manner regulation on political candidate access by appropriate scheduling.
⚫ No paid advertising will be accepted on behalf of candidates for public office or political parties on SCTV. This includes advertising, promoting and/or opposing ballot issues by supporting groups or lobbying organizations.
⚫ Coverage of public affairs issues and access. Public access users are under no legal obligation to show any viewpoint other than their own. Community residents with diverse viewpoints are encouraged to use public access to express those views.
General Information:
All other rules also apply to political programming. Staff of the station are Town Employees and do not produce Political Programming. For local elections, after the filing period staff of the station may offer all candidates an opportunity for candidates to tape a 3-5 minute spot to introduce themselves to the voters of Salem. Candidates are not interviewed or asked about political views.
Election Results:
The coverage of election results is not considered to be political programming. Election coverage documents the official election process of government.
How Many People does it take to produce a program?
There is no direct answer to that.
Single Camera Production:
You will have your talent or cover an event. At least one person will need to run the camera. You can edit your program or find a volunteer to edit.
Studio Show:
In addition to your on set talent you will need:
⚫ A Director
⚫ A Technical Director (This may be combined with the director) This person runs the switcher.
⚫ An Audio Technician to run the audio board.
⚫ Camera Operators. This could be one or multiple people to physically operate a camera or a robotic camera operator to run the joystick.
⚫ A person to run graphics if it is needed.
⚫ A person to run video roll-ins if needed.
*Some Positions May be Combined and require less help.
Programs such as the broadcast of the annual Holiday Parade or Salem High School Graduation often involve a crew of 15 or more.
Can my show air LIVE?
To air your show live there must be an open space in the programming schedule, open studio time (including staff availability for building access and supervision), you need committed volunteers for crew, and your crew must demonstrate they are proficent is operating the equipment.
We don't recommend regular live programs.
They may be done for special events.
We recommend your crew has done several "Live to Tape" productions before even considering to make the request for a live program.
Can I rent your equipment?
Salem Community Television is not a rental company.
Equipment is for non-profit production of Public, Education, and Government Access Programs .
If you are looking for equipment rental we suggest using your favorite internet search engine and searching "Video Equipment Rental".
Salem Community Television, the Town of Salem, its Employees and Agents do not endorse any website provided by an internet search engine. Use links at your own risk.
Can I rent the studio?
The studio is located inside Salem High School.
This space is not open to rentals as it is used for regular PEG Access productions as well as School District Activities.
If you are in need of a rental space please consider:
Performing Arts Center at Salem High School - https://sau57.org/pac
Three Seasons at Salem High School - https://salemculinary.blogspot.com/
Gym
Cafe.
Contact the Salem School District Directly for Facility Requests.
*Public Access video production use of the studio is reserved directly with station staff. Not the School District. Please don't complete a facility request form for the TV Studio.
Use of the Studio for PEG programming outside of regular hours are subject to staff availability for supervision of the facility and may require you to hire additional School District Staff for the building.
For example a custodian may be required for weekend events.
Fees are set by the Salem School Board for any facility use.
Any payments are remitted to the Salem School District.
What is Prohibited in the Studio or Building?
The studio is inside Salem High School. A building under the control of the Salem School District and Governed by the Salem School Board.
Per Station Policy:
⚫ Anyone found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or found to be carrying a weapon of any kind, will be removed from the premises.
Per School District Policy: Full List of Policies can be found on the School District Website.
⚫ ADC - Tobacco Products Ban
⚫ IMG - Animals in Schools
⚫ JICH, ABD, GBED - Drug and Alcohol use by students.
⚫ KI - Visitors to the Schools.
⚫ KHB, KHB-R - Advertising in the Schools.
⚫ KH - Public sales on school property.
⚫ EBAC - Toxic substances in the workplace.
⚫ JICH - Weapons on School Property
Please Note: Under Local, State, and Federal Law prohibited items may results in arrest, fines, and imprisonment! The show producer as well as individuals are responsible for following all laws, as well as policies imposed by the Station, Town of Salem, and Salem School District.
Does the Station have a Grievance Policy?
Yes! The Policy may be viewed in the Town of Salem Municipal Code. Chapter 219
Cable Television
Who is the Cable Television Provider for Salem, N.H.?
Comcast Xfinity is the current cable provider. https://www.xfinity.com
Are there any other Cable Companies in Salem?
Comcast Xfinity is the only Cable Television provider in Salem NH with a non-exclusive franchise agreement to
utilize the public right-of-way to distribute cable television service.
Other Cable Television providers are not prohibited from negotiating a franchise
agreement with the local franchising authority and offering service in town.
Who is the Local Cable Franchise Authority
The Salem Town Council is the Franchise Authority.
How Do I Contact Comcast Xfinity?
Please call Comcast at 1-800-391-3000 if you have any questions regarding the charges billed to your account.
You have 60 days from the date of the bill to dispute any charges included on the bill.
Contact Local Franchising Authority:
Salem Town Manager, Town Hall,
33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH 03079; 603-890-2000.
The FCC ID for the town is NH0037.
The Regulatory Cost Recovery fee is neither government
mandated nor a tax, but is assessed by Comcast to recover
certain federal, state, and local regulatory costs.
Accessibility:
If you are hearing impaired, call 711.
For issues affecting customers with disabilities, call 1-855-270-0379,
chat live at support.xfinity.com/accessibility,
email accessibility@comcast.com
