Public Access TV Shops For Ardmore Storefront

Even though Lower Merion and Narberth’s public access television channel launched in 2006, its president, Irene McNeil, said she believes there are still a significant number of residents who have no idea it exists. That’s why she is looking to take the operation from her basement to a location in the community.

“It would really signal the next step for us,” the 65-year-old Narberth resident said. “It would give us the feel of a real studio.”

The public access channel, channel 99 with Comcast and 34 with Verizon, works with and highlights a number of community organizations, promotes events, circulates information and covers happenings in the area.

McNeil and her board of directors are looking for a spot near the Ardmore Train Station and, ideally, a location with a storefront to increase exposure and encourage more residents to get involved.

“Our mission is to empower the residents,” she said. “Getting into the community would de-mystify the process of creating television and being on televisions, people would see that it really is something they can do.”

Storefront Would Increase Visibility

If the channel secured a storefront, McNeil said she would install a monitor in the window to air all the channel’s programs.

“People would really be able to see who we are and what we do,” she said, adding that the biggest problem with the storefront is money.

“We’re a nonprofit, we can’t afford too much,” she said, adding that the team is made up of volunteers and a few paid interns.

To facilitate the move, McNeil is increasing fundraising efforts and is looking into funding from a federal grant that supports public, education and government channels.

McNeil Has Plan B

But, if that’s not enough, the president said she’s also looking into a plan B–renting some space from a local school, business or nonprofit. And, she said, she’s not picky.

“We don’t need a lot of space,” she said. “We have no problem squeezing.”

Although McNeil is exploring a number of options, she said nothing is definite.

“We’re having discussions,” she said. “We’re looking at all of our options.”