Community Access Television of Moorhead (S4955)

1975-

HISTORICAL SKETCH

Cable television history began in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1969, when the city council awarded a franchise to Central Minnesota Television (subsequently acquired by Horizon Communication, which in turn was acquired by Tele-Communication, Inc -TCI). Local cable access did not begin until after the city of Moorhead renewed the franchise in 1984, with the provision that a station and equipment for local programming be made available. Moorhead Community Access Television (MCAT) began broadcasting in the fall of 1985.

MCAT is available for the use of residents and organizations of Moorhead and Fargo, North Dakota. Past programming has included broadcasts by local universities and churches, fine art programs by local performing groups, and a regular bulletin board of announcements. At present (1993), MCAT offices are at the Moorhead Public Library.

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

The MCAT records include minutes of the Cable Advisory Committee, correspondence, government communications, regulations, studies of regional cable operations, documents concerning some local programming, and copies of the Catalyst, MCAT’s regular newsletter. All materials are in excellent condition.

Inventory

Box 1

Access Summary in Five Communities

Act & Bill to Amend the Communications Act of 1934

By-Laws - Anoka County, Madison Community, & Moorhead

- Mankato, North Mankato Cable Communications

Advisory Board

Cable - Advisory

- Committee Minutes. 1982-85

- Groups

- Communications Newsletter

- Programming & Scheduling Committee. 1982

Catalyst (Newsletter)

Community - Access Television Information & Organization. 1985-86

- Communications for Suggested Approaches for Needs Assessment

- Public Access Television Information & Organization Meeting. 1985

Correspondence. 1981-85

Financial Statements.  1987, 1993

Formation of a Non-Profit Corporation to Facilitate Public Access to Cable Television. 1983

Fridley Cable Television Commission Request for Proposal & Franchise Renewal Report. 1982

Government Ownership Cable Arguments

Horizon Tele-Communication - Franchise Agreement Resolutions

- Goals & Plans. 1983

- Miscellaneous

- Request for Proposals. 1983

- Response to Proposal. Volume 1. 1984

- Response to Request for Proposal. Volume 2

Local Access Discussion Group Minutes. 1984

Mankato City Council Report Regarding Access Budget. 1984

Mankato/North Mankato, Community Connection Public Access Operating Rules and Procedures. 1984

Metropolitan Area Communications Commission Franchise. 1981

Minnesota - Cable Communications Board Guidelines for the Development of Operating Rules & for Use of Channel 4

- Commission on Cable Communications Memoranda. 1975

Miscellaneous. 1975, 1982-85, undated

- Franchise Agreement. 1983-85

- Franchise Ordinances & Renewal Report. 1984, undated

- Cable Television Position Statement. 1984

- City Council Meeting Agendas. 1983-84

- Educational Cable Television Council Guidelines

- Feasibility Report on Municipal Cable Television.  Volume 3. 1983.

- Herbst & Thue Ltd. Agreements. 1982

Municipal Ownership: An Industry View

National Federation of Local Cable Programmers Delegates Resolution, State & Local Chapters

Northern Lights Library Network Government Documents Biographies. 1983

Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission Franchise Ordinance. 1981, undated

Ordinance #439

Preliminary Report on Cable Television. Volume 4.  1983

Public Access - Channels Operation Rules

- Proposal. 1985

Ramsey/Washington Counties Suburban Cable Commission Request for Proposals. 1982

Satellite Program Services & Services in Other MN Cities

Southwest Suburban Schools Cable Commissions School Position Paper on Cable Television. 1980

Surveys, Questionnaires & Conclusions. 1981-83, undated

Television Community Education Classes

WYOV Community Television Rules & Guidelines. 1984, undated