DCTV tells stories that matter to help our community thrive.

As Washington, DC’s 24/7 public media platform, we amplify local voices that represent the vibrant communities of our nation’s capital. We create original content and train individuals and nonprofit organizations to engage people through the power of meaningful storytelling. DCTV reimagines the role of media and sparks relevant, inclusive conversations to build a stronger DC.

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Public access is important because it reflects the local community. When an individual comes into DCTV to produce a program, they feel like they're part of something important.
Bunnie Riedel
Past President, Alliance for Community Media

Our Programs

Empowering Creativity, Connecting Communities

DCTV is a vibrant community hub, offering invaluable resources, services, and educational opportunities. Whether you’re passionate about storytelling, media production, or community engagement, DCTV provides the tools and platform to amplify your voice. Join our network and reach nearly half a million viewers both on-air and online.

We are Washington, DC’s only public media platform devoted entirely to local programming created by and for DC residents and DMV communities. We empower people to exercise their freedom of speech by providing:

  • Opportunities to learn, create, and share media through training courses
  • Access to state-of-the-art media facilities and equipment
  • Distribution on cable channels that also stream online
JOIN & SHARE

DCTV Membership

Become a DCTV Member and unlock a world of creative possibilities. As an individual member, you can share your story with audiences across DC and beyond. Become a DCTV Programmer to air your original shows on our cable channels, or join as a Creative Member to access our full suite of audio and video production resources, including expert storytelling support.

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CREATE & GROW

Education and Training

Our media training and classes empower you with essential production skills so you can tell your story and bring your creative ideas to life. Through hands-on workshops and immersive bootcamps, we offer core classes in videography, editing, producing, and a wide range of other topics from scriptwriting to comedy to archival media. Whether you’re starting out or looking to expand your skills, our classes teach the tools and techniques you need to create professional-quality content.

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LEAD & INSPIRE

This year-long immersive program helps nonprofits of all sizes and budgets tell better stories to reach more supporters. We’ll help you build your communications capacity, improve your strategy, and increase your reach. Through group workshops, digital resources, and expert coaching, we’ll equip you with a new professional video piece to tell your story, new ways to engage your community, and energy to make more impact. You’ll collaborate with other nonprofits, share best practices, and collectively expand your reach.

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Other Programs

Internships at DCTV

Our internship program offers students the chance to develop valuable skills and build their careers in media and production. College students and motivated high schoolers gain hands-on experience in a professional setting, learning about the inner workings of a community media organization while honing their technical and creative skills. It’s an invaluable opportunity for aspiring media professionals to learn from experts and build a portfolio for future success.

Additional Community Services

We are proud to offer a wide range of services to the community, from media production resources to networking opportunities, ensuring everyone has the chance to engage and contribute to a meaningful conversation about what matters most in DC.

Our Philosophy

We believe…

  • Communities thrive when people are empowered to share their unique voices.
  • The power of storytelling belongs in the hands of everyday people.
  • Everyone should have the tools they need to create their own media and training to share their own stories.
  • All residents and organizations should have fair and equal access to create and broadcast content in the spirit of the First Amendment without censorship or editorial control.
  • Media must be democratized by actively amplifying diverse cultural voices and perspectives – especially people and communities who are historically underrepresented.
  • The entire community needs to engage and be engaged in open dialogue that reflects its full spectrum of cultures, identities, and points of view.
  • By providing access to education, resources, and public platforms, we can bridge divides, foster empathy, and inspire positive change – empowering every voice to share in a just and equitable future.

Our History

The year was 1988.

VCRs were the must-have electronic device. A hashtag was... just a pound sign. Your smartphone was a pager, and having one meant you were kind of a big deal. Cable television was just getting started, and a massive transformation in the field of telecommunications was taking shape.

In Washington, DC, Mayor Marion Barry and Cable Commissioner William Lightfoot wanted to make sure that the emergence of cable also brought some powerful public benefits. As a result, a new concept for a community television network was launched, and DCTV was born. This new public access platform gave District residents the power to share their stories on TV and the means to create programming for all.

We began broadcasting with just one cable channel, serving our very first members out of a tiny cubicle in the basement of an apartment building in Dupont Circle. Today, we transmit 7 channels on Comcast, RCN/Astound, and Verizon FiOS from the historic Brooks Mansion in Brookland. We also provide our members with accelerated media training courses, meeting rooms, and access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities including professional cameras, editing suites, and studios. DCTV channels also stream live, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at dctv.org/live.

Since our launch nearly 40 years ago, we have made a significant impact on media and community issues in Washington, DC by amplifying local voices and giving a platform to people who are traditionally unrepresented and all too often unheard.

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All Rights Reserved. All DCTV logos, with and without tagline, are trademarks of Public Access Corporation of the District of Columbia (DCTV). Other intellectual property appearing on this website is copyrighted. These materials may not be reproduced, distributed, modified, or reposted to other websites without the express written permission of DCTV.

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