Any individual or organization that always dreamed of operating their own cable television channel may now have that opportunity as Montgomery County is accepting applications to determine an operator of a future high definition (HD) channel to be part of the County’s PEG (Public, Educational or Government) system.

Executive Regulation 53-89 established the rules and procedures for requesting the use of PEG Access cable television channels. It states that the County Executive receives applications from all parties interested in allocating an unassigned PEG channel.

Four high-definition PEG channels were launched on the Comcast system in October of 2016. The channel operations were assigned to the County Government, Montgomery Community Television, a shared channel for municipalities, and a channel whose content was divided between Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College. In addition, it was determined that a fifth HD channel on the Comcast system would be available in the future.

The operator of the new channel will have a wide variety of content operations to propose in its application. The content must fit within the public/educational/government framework.

The operator of the new channel will be responsible for the production and/or acquisition of programming. The operator also will be responsible for all financial costs associated with operating the channel.

According to a County press release:

Applications must be sent electronically to Donna T. Keating, the Media Services Manager of the County’s Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions, at donna.keating@montgomerycountymd.gov.

In addition to new applicants, current operators of PEG channels may apply to operate the new channel.

More information about the channel availability and the application process can be obtained by contacting Ms. Keating at 240-777-2925 or at Donna.keating@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Learn more about Montgomery County’s Public, Educational, or Government system.