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.

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 two local television channels in Charlottesville, Cablevision 10 and WJCC Cablevision 11, for programming of local origination. Both served as the first local television channels in Charlottesville. While Channel 11 aired old movies, Channel 10 was the community channel, and thousands of hours of television would be produced over the next two decades.

In 1993, Adelphia Communications expanded the existing cable system. The City and Adelphia Cable signed a new franchise agreement, providing for the addition of two channels on 13 and 14. Production resumed in the original studio facility at 324 West Main Street in Charlottesville, and the channels 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 video production equipment by the school and its multimedia production students. As a result, all three channels 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. David Dillehunt serves the duties of PEG-TV Station Manager and oversees the daily operations.

CPA-TV celebrated 30 years of continuous service to Charlottesville in 2023, and our commitment to the community remains.

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 at 434-970-3114.