Executive Summary
Document Purpose
This document can serve as a guide for independent public access producers and BevCam. It will explain what BevCam provides, how BevCam handles content, and the responsibilities, standards and expectations required of independent producers.
What We Provide
- Facilities & Equipment: A full production studio, podcast space, editing suites, and portable equipment
- Training: Workshops, orientations, and one-on-one support for beginners through advanced producers.
- Channels: Four local cable channels on Comcast where members can share noncommercial programming with the community.
- Web: A website, YouTube, Facebook and other social media.
- Support: Staff guidance and technical advice to help members create high-quality, impactful content.
Basic User Responsibilities
Public access producers must be BevCam members. By joining, member/producers agree to:
- Use facilities and equipment responsibly and only for non-commercial purposes.
- Submit all productions for airing on BevCam channels, with proper BevCam credit.
- Treat staff, facilities, and other users with respect.
- Follow all scheduling, training, and certification requirements.
About This Document
The following pages detail BevCam’s full Policies and Procedures as they concern public access producers – from training and equipment use to program submission, content restrictions, and enforcement of rules.
- New to BevCam? Start with Section II (Membership & Eligibility).
- Ready to produce? Review Section IV (Using BevCam Facilities & Equipment) and Section V (Programming Content).
- Questions about rules? See Section VI (Sanctions & Enforcement).
Public Access Policies & Procedures
I. Introduction
A. About BevCam
- Nonprofit community media & technology center based in Beverly, MA.
- Facilities:
- High School (100 Sohier Rd): full production studio, 3 edit stations.
- BevCam Downtown (261 Cabot St): podcast studio, 2 private edit suites.
- Channels managed on Comcast:
- Public: Ch. 8 & 1071
- Education: Ch. 22 & 1075
- Government: Ch. 6 & 1070
- High Definition: Ch. 1073
- Web: (BevCam.org), YouTube (@BevCam) and other Social Media
- Free access to equipment, facilities, and airtime for members producing noncommercial programming.
B. User Code of Conduct
BevCam members agree to:
- Take full responsibility for their content, crew, and guests.
- Comply with all BevCam Policies and Procedures.
- Treat facilities, staff, and fellow members with respect.
- Use equipment only for productions appearing on BevCam platforms.
- Maintain accurate contact information and honor reservations.
Failure to comply may result in suspension, loss of membership, or legal action.
II. Membership & Eligibility
A. Membership Terms
- Annual membership (renews on application anniversary).
- Requires completion of membership form and payment of membership fee.
B. Membership Types and Fees
C. Training, Equipment & Facilities
- Access provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.
- Certification may be required for certain equipment
- Training includes orientations, workshops, tutorials and one-on-one support as available, scheduled during regular business hours, based on staff availability. Sign up with a staff member.
CI. Channel Time
- Free to all eligible members.
- Content must air at least once on BevCam channels.
- Producers may request, but are not guaranteed either a one-time scheduled air time or a recurring scheduled air time
- If requesting a scheduled air time, programs should adhere to multiples of 30 min running time (i.e. 30, 60, 90, 120). Programs can run short of these times, but not over (i.e. 28 min is okay, 33 min is not).
CII. Nondiscrimination
BevCam does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, political affiliation, housing status, national origin, citizenship status, income level, family structure, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic. This policy extends to Board membership, nomination, volunteer opportunities, voting, or any member or public service provided. BevCam strongly accepts anyone from the community to make media here.
For more information on this, please visit BevCam.org.
II. Content Creation & Distribution
A. Ownership & Copyright
- Producers retain ownership of their work
- BevCam holds a non-exclusive license to member content for cablecast, webcast and promotion.
- All productions must include a BevCam credit.
- Producers must indemnify BevCam against liability.
B. Creative Commons & Alternative Licenses
BevCam encourages open licenses (e.g., Creative Commons) to expand public access.
C. First-Use Requirement
- All productions made with BevCam resources must air on BevCam first.
- Redistribution (other PEG channels, web, festivals) is allowed after initial BevCam airing.
D. Payment & Third-Party Agreements
- Producers may be compensated for labor, but third-party agreements must confirm:
- Content will air on BevCam.
- Content will not be commercial or raise funds without prior approval from BevCam.
- Content will be shared with BevCam.
E. Content Creation
- Producers must do their own editing or must find/hire a volunteer or paid editor (at their own expense).
- BevCam may provide limited technical assistance to help with recording. However, the producer is responsible for all other areas of production, such as program planning, scheduling, editing, etc.
IV. Use of Equipment & Facilities
A. Orientation
- Required for all members seeking to produce content.
- Held monthly
B. Training & Certification
- Additional workshops available by request or as scheduled.
- Training required for different facilities/equipment. Contact staff for availability.
C. Reservations
- First-come, first-served basis.
- Reservations up to 3 months in advance.
- Reservations with no fewer than 5 business days notice.
- Must be confirmed by BevCam staff.
- More than 3 cancellations in 30 days may lead to sanctions.
- All reservations are based on availability of staff and resources.
D. Available Equipment/Facilities
- Remote Equipment: Max 72 hours; 3 reservations per 30 days.
- Studio/Podcast: 3 hours total per week, max 2 sessions per week
- Live Programs: Allowed after 3 successful “live-to-tape” shows.
- Editing Stations: Max 4 hours total per week, depending on availability
- Public Computing: Limited to BevCam related use; 2 hours per session.
E. Food & Drink
- Prohibited in editing and control rooms, unless with permission of staff.
- Allowed in the studio only if part of production (e.g., cooking show) and at the
discretion of BevCam staff.
F. Equipment Check-Out & Return
- Requires valid photo I.D. Producers must sign an equipment check-out form.
- Members responsible for damage, theft, or neglect.
- Malfunctions must be reported immediately upon return.
V. Programming Restrictions
A. Restrictions
- Commercial Content: Not permitted (exceptions for nonprofits).
- Solicitation of Funds: Only with written Board approval.
- Explicit Content: Cablecast only between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. with advisory notice.
B. Technical Requirements
- Content must be playable video file with no extraneous content (e.g., count-down, black video at the end).
- Submissions must include Program Information and Episode Submission Form.
C. BevCam Credit/Disclaimer
All member-produced programming must display in the end credits, and in a description posted on BevCam’s YouTube channel:
“This program was produced (in part) with resources provided by BevCam, Beverly, MA. The views presented are those of the participant and do not necessarily reflect the views of BevCam staff or board.”
BevCam reserves the right to include during the program a crawl reading, Produced independently at BevCam Studios, Beverly, MA. Or BevCam can replace that line with a similar statement.
D. Scheduling Priority
- Live programs
- Original local content
- Non-local content
- Repeats
E. Underwriting
- Allowed with 15-second credit at start and end.
- May include name, logo, website, but not sales promotion
F. Archiving & Media
- BevCam may store programs but reserves the right to delete unused files.
- Media may only be removed with staff approval.
VI. Rule Violations & Sanctions
A. Major Violations
Examples: abuse of equipment, illegal content, failing to air content, harassment of staff. Full list at end of
this document.
- Penalty: Immediate 1-year suspension or longer; may include repayment or legal action.
B. Minor Violations
Examples: late returns, missed reservations, failing to credit BevCam. Full list at end of this document.
- Penalty: Written warning → 90-day suspension → 1 year suspension
C. Appeals
- Appeals submitted in writing to the Executive Director.
- Final appeals may be made to the Board of Directors.
VI. Amendments
- Policies may be revised at any regular Board of Directors meeting with quorum.
- Interim policies may be set by management pending board approval.
BevCam Violations
Major Violations
- Failure to submit a program produced with BevCam equipment/facilities for initial cablecast on a BevCam channel.
- Abuse, vandalism or willful neglect of BevCam equipment and/or facilities.
- Return of equipment in damaged or unworkable condition, beyond normal wear and tear.
- Failure to return equipment through intent, negligence, loss or theft.
- Use of equipment/facilities for a purpose not related to the production of content intended for BevCam cablecast.
- Removal of equipment from BevCam facilities without proper checkout procedures and/ or without signing an Equipment Sign Out form.
- Reserving or checking out equipment/facilities for use by a non-certified member or a member on suspension.
- Repeated breach of any of the Statement of Compliance warranties.
- Failure to submit a signed Third Party Agreement before receiving payment for labor or production casts associated with a public access production in which BevCam equipment/facilities were used.
- Attempted equipment maintenance or disassembly.
- Rude, abusive or discourteous treatment of BevCam staff, members or guests.
- Production of or attempted production of illegal content or commercial content.
- Submitting a program with explicit content without a viewer advisory.
- Committing two or more minor violations.
Minor Violations
- Failure to cancel equipment/facilities prior to the reservation time.
- Late return of equipment without an extension authorized by a staff member.
- Failure to vacate studios or editing facilities when the next scheduled producer arrives.
- Return of dirty equipment.
- Leaving trash or debris in studios or editing stations.
- Operation of equipment or use of facilities in an incorrect, unsafe or inappropriate manner that might result in damage.
- Improper packaging of equipment for transport.
- Tardiness in excess of 30 minutes in claiming reserved equipment/facilities without an extension authorized by a staff member.
- Reserving, checking out or returning equipment for another member, unless specified and approved in advance.
- Canceling equipment/facilities reservations three or more times within a 30-day period.
- Submitting a program without BevCam’s required credit.
- Failure to promptly return or replace recording media provided by BevCam (SD card, external drive, etc.)
- Any behavior at the BevCam facilities that staff deems inappropriate or that unreasonably interferes with another BevCam member’s ability to use the facility.
- Breach of any of the Statement of Compliance warranties.
- Failure to properly complete any form or paperwork required by BevCam.
- Any other infraction of the BevCam Policies and Procedures.
This page outlines the rules for programming, facility use, and community announcements, with a strong focus on noncommercial use and producer responsibility. It also explains how BevCam memberships work, including access to training, equipment, and the ability to produce and air content. It also Clear guidelines for scheduling, equipment handling, and conduct ensure that members can participate while keeping operations organized and compliant.