Texas Filmakers v UNT School of Journalism

Quote from MyDentonMusic's Tony Spiro:

There is a battle going on between The University of North Texas and Texas Filmmakers. Both want control over the Denton Public Access Television station (Charter Cable channel 25 and Verizon FiOS channel 39). The UNT School of Journalism wants the station for student produced programming. Texas Filmmakers, a non-profit organization want it for the Denton community.

Back in August, the head of Texas Filmmakers Joshua Butler and four access producers addressed the City Council in the General Session stressing their points including the fact that the University already has its own TV station, NTTV, as well as producing TV shows and airing them on the City access channel (DTV).

The City Council will have to make their decision by the end of the year when the Charter Communications contract for the channel is up.

Check out DentonOpenMedia.com for more information. There is a lot of it. They explain their position pretty well and I have to say that I don't see how the University can reasonably challenge them on their points.

The problem, I suppose, is that UNT is a powerful organization and being right doesn't mean you'll get what you deserve.

Now, this is not to say that I will be watching, producing or even seeking out the channel anytime soon. I mean, take a look at the shows. Lots of boring religious programing on there.

In my short time on earth, I've learned that if you want quality entertainment you do not go to the Public Access channel. With that said, technology has allowed the Producing Public to do more than Wayne's World in their mom's basement. Just as blogs and social media have opened opportunities for some quality writing and worthwhile reading, perhaps we will get some decent productions.

Or we might have stuff like this on our hands. Which, I suppose, is pretty entertaining as it is.