Seattle Channel Moving Images

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 3902-01

Scope and Contents Note

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Seattle Channel is an award-winning municipal television station that reflects, informs and inspires the community it serves with a local mix of news, analysis, stories and perspectives.

In January 1997, the City created a new unit within the Executive Services Division: Channel 28/Video Services, charged with the responsibility to both provide video services to City departments and to improve the quality and content of the programming on the City's municipal channel. In 1999, Channel 28/Video Services rebranded themselves as TVSea to "help inform citizens of Seattle about municipal government and local issues, and...involve citizens in decisions that impact their lives." In 2002, TVSea accepted a new mission statement recommended by the Seattle Commission on Electronic Communications: "To inform and engage citizens in the governmental, civic and cultural affairs of Seattle through compelling use of television, Internet and other media." The goal of the channel was to become a national leader in using technology to dramatically expand civic engagement and public discourse. As "Seattle's Democracy Portal," the channel started broadcasting Seattle City Council meetings live in September 2002. Its name changed from TVSea to Seattle Channel in 2002, and in 2003, the station moved into a new facility in the new City Hall.

Seattle Channel programming includes series and special features highlighting the diverse civic and cultural landscape of Seattle. The station's compelling, high-quality content includes a weekly public-affairs show; live government meetings and press conferences; in-depth weekly arts coverage; a weekly news/lifestyle magazine show; community features; and panel discussions and interviews with local leaders and national figures, including best-selling authors.

The collection is comprised of events filmed and productions created by the Seattle Channel, including raw footage and programming. Video coverage of Seattle City Council meetings, forums, and public hearings from 1993 to 2008 for which no separate audio recording exists can be found in this collection. Seattle Channel programming includes: City Inside/Out, Ask the Mayor, Seattle Citizen, Council Conversations, Seattle Voices, Seattle Segments, Seattle Spotlight, Seattle Focus, Seattle Works, City at Work, Neighborhood News, 911 Media Arts, and more. A collaboration with Seattle Public Library resulted in programming such as Book Talk, Book Lust, Cover to Cover, and author book talks.

Also included in this series is footage of Mayor Nickels' and Mayor Schell's press conferences from 1998 to 2008. The items are cataloged individually in the Moving Images database and linked to a digital format where one exists our digital collections.

SMA is grateful for the support of NHPRC through a grant received by Moving Image Preservation of Puget Sound (MIPoPS) for preservation of and access to these moving images.