BCA's History

Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental rights under our system of government in the United States as stated in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.  One of these rights is free speech.

When Comcast (formerly Continental Cablevision) was granted the right to sell cable television service in Brockton, residents were given community access television channels with the creation of the non-profit access corporation, Brockton Community Cable Television (BCCT).

In the early 1980’s, Brockton city government decided it was important for all residents to have access to express their point of view through community television. 

The City of Brockton Mayor has the responsibility of delivering cable television to  Brockton under a contract with the cable franchise, Comcast. Former Mayor David Crosby initiated this process in the early 1980’s by appointing the Cable Television Advisory Committee.

In the March 1981 Issuing Authority Report, the committee stated:

“There will be a permanent, independent, non-profit corporation on cable television which will, among other responsibilities, coordinate and monitor public access to the cable television system.”

BCCT was then organized under Chapter 180 of Massachusetts General Laws on December 21, 1981.

“The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are: To support directly the production, promotion, or acquisition of educational, cultural and informational programming for the Brockton cable television system and for other purposes consistent with state and federal laws, rules, regulations and policies.”

Since then Brockton Community Access (BCA) has existed to sustain and fulfill its mission:

“To encourage diversity and freedom of expression by citizens in the public, education and government access community through the provision of training, facilities and cablecast time.”