When was the last time you watched a show on commercial TV focused on local voices, diverse ideas, alternative information and entertainment? Viewers of SCAN can always say I watched such a show today. I was entertained, heard alternative viewpoints and was exposed to diverse ideas. SCAN is non commercial media, truly operated locally on behalf of the people and devoted to free speech.

Anyone who meets SCAN's requirements can produce and submit programming which is cablecast on Comcast Channel 77. We are available to more than 500,000 cable subscribers in King County. The signal is also cablecast on Broadstripe Channel 23. Our signal is streamed to the Internet at www.scantv.org. SCAN's programming is expansive and includes almost any topic imaginable, that does not break the law.

At SCAN there are two categories of people who provide programming, Content Providers and Content Producers. Both Content Providers and Content Producers are required to initially attend a free orientation at SCAN. After Orientation, Providers and Producers must provide proof of residency, pay an Annual Fee based upon where they live in King County, and enroll in SCAN's Media Literacy Class. Because of the strong financial support of the City, City of Seattle residents pay a lower Annual Fee than those who live in non-supporting areas of King County. At completion of the Media Literacy Class, SCAN certifies attendees as Content Providers. A certified Content Provider is eligible to have series and non-series programs distributed through SCAN's distribution system, but is not eligible to produce content using SCAN's production facilities.

To move beyond being a Content Provider, Content Producers must take a series of production classes to learn camera, lighting, sound, editing and studio production. The media Literacy Class is the prerequisite to this track of classes. Following successful completion of SCAN's Production Tracks of classes, Content Producers are able to create taped or live programming using SCAN's location equipment, edit rooms, studios and state-of-the-art production facilities.

Neither Content Providers nor Content Producers are paid for their time or efforts. The reward for your volunteer effort is in seeing your show on the channel and in knowing that you made it happen. Because of you, free speech is given a voice.