A BRIEF HISTORY OF SAPA

Springfield Area Public Access Television was formed in 1998, after a group of community members, churches, and teachers who'd already learned some basic video production came together. With the added interest in filming town and school board meetings, the initiative to create a public access station for Springfield was put in motion.

After about two years of research, this group formed a non-profit organization with a volunteer board of directors. Springfield, Weathersfield, and Chester Select Boards all voted to allow SAPA-TV to become their designated television PEG station.

The station is funded by the "PEG Access Fee," a small percentage of each Springfield, Chester, and Weathersfield cable subscriber's monthly bill. These funds are designated by law for public access.

Law prohibits SAPA-TV from selling commercial ads on the access channel or otherwise using the station in a commercial manner.

In 2002, based on the number of programs being produced and aired, SAPA-TV qualified for a second channel and began broadcasting on Channel 10 as well as Channel 8.

In 2007, SAPA-TV produced 443 local programs and aired over 750 non-local programs submitted by other access stations and non-resident producers.

SAPA-TV's member towns are Chester, Springfield, and Weathersfield. We also provide public access to Reading, VT and Charlestown, NH.