CPA-TV

Broadcasting on Comcast Cable channel 13, CPA-TV serves the citizens of Charlottesville and surrounding counties by promoting the use of local multimedia channels and encouraging residents to produce original, thought-provoking, non-commercial programming.

   Live stream    Click here to see the CPATV weekly programming schedule. Opens in new window

Mission

To enhance the unity and strength of our community by providing:

  •  A medium for community dialogue and training opportunities
  • A source for information of local, national and international origin
  • A forum for the exchange of ideas relevant to the community

History

In 1970, Jefferson Cable Corporation began a community access television channel in Charlottesville, WJCC Cablevision Channel 11, for both government and public interest programming. Ultimately making the move to channel 10, thousands of hours of television would be produced over the next two decades.

In 1993, Adelphia Communications purchased the existing cable system. The City and Adelphia Cable signed a franchise agreement, providing for the addition of two stations on Channels 13 and 14. Production resumed in the original studios on West Main Street in Charlottesville, and the stations quickly grew with strong support from advocates Meredith Richards and Mitch Van Yahres.

In 1998, Adelphia, the City and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) reached an agreement to house the access facilities at CATEC, in exchange for educational use of all production equipment by the school and its multimedia production students. As a result, all three stations made the move to CATEC in the spring of 1999 and enjoyed a fifteen-year partnership.

In 2019, the CPA-TV production studio moved into the Charlottesville Community Media Center, inside York Place on the Downtown Mall. The center provides full-service production facilities, training classes, and field video equipment for community use.

Membership

The Charlottesville Community Media Center offers annual memberships to citizens and organizations, providing full access to these production facilities as well as airtime on CPA-TV. Multimedia training is offered by City staff and online training modules are provided by skilled professionals.

Office

CPA-TV maintains an office in the Charlottesville Community Media Center. If you have any questions or concerns regarding CPA-TV programming, please contact David Dillehunt, Deputy Director of Communications & Public Engagement at 434-977-0713.