ABSTRACT
Low power television (LPTV) began with dual programming purposes; the minds of some entrepreneurs were diametrically opposite to those of others. Some LPTV stations provide time for community access, similarly to the community channels on many of the cable systems throughout the country. The programming on the LPTV community access channels is mostly eclectic, representing about as many different interests as there are producers. Local programming on a continuing basis becomes expensive, too much so for many LPTV stations, which operate either as non-profits or with limited advertising income, given the limited audiences these stations reach. In the early days of LPTV, niche or specialty networks such as the Financial News Network and the Satellite Program Network recognized the potential of the newest video medium for expanding their audience base and thus made their programming services available to this unique type of station. Spanish-language LPTV stations may be described as making up a national broadcasting system of their own.
