CAN TV
CAN TV is a Chicago non-profit public access television organization operating five cable channels and a multi-platform streaming app, providing production training, facilities, and channel time to Chicago residents, nonprofits, and ALAANA youth ages 16-24.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What CAN TV does
CAN TV is a Chicago-based non-profit public access television organization established by the City of Chicago in 1983 to provide public, educational, and government access cable television to Chicago residents. The organization operates five local cable channels (CAN TV 19, 21, 27, 36, and 42) that deliver over 140 hours of original, hyper-local programming each week to more than one million viewers across Chicago. CAN TV serves four primary constituencies: Chicago residents who produce content through the CAN TV Producer Program, local nonprofit organizations receiving production services via Chi Connects 21 and CAN TV42, ALAANA youth ages 16-24 trained through the Youth-Voice Digital Literacy and Storytelling Institute (YVDLS), and corporate underwriters/sponsors supporting programming and events.
The organization's core technology infrastructure centers on a 580-square-foot professional TV studio equipped with broadcast-grade production gear including a NewTek/VizRT TriCaster TC2 Elite switcher, Sony SRG-A40 4K-capable PTZ cameras, LitePanel and Flolight LED lighting arrays, an Allen & Heath SQ5 48-channel digital mixer with Dante integration, Shure ULX-D wireless systems, and dedicated teleprompter and intercom infrastructure. Distribution extends beyond cable through the CAN TV+ app (iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV), the cantv.org website with on-demand streaming, and a Chi Connects 21 YouTube channel with 1,740+ subscribers. Original signature programming includes Chicago Newsroom 2.0, In The Money, Be Well With Dr. Norcott, Sisters Talking, Brothers Talking, Chicago Noir, and documentaries addressing Chicago community issues.
CAN TV operates as an independent not-for-profit foundation funded through four revenue streams: producer membership fees ($100 annually), tax-deductible individual and organizational donations, corporate underwriting/sponsorships (tiers from $7,500 Silver to $50,000 Presenting Sponsor), and program service fees from nonprofit clients using Chi Connects 21 production services. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (chaired by Nikki Lang) and led by Executive Director Darrious Hilmon, with a staff of 11-50 employees including a Chief Strategy Officer, Chief of Production, and Program Director. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
CAN TV firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CAN TV
- Legal name
- CAN TV
- Website
- https://cantv.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CAN TV is a Chicago non-profit public access television organization operating five cable channels and a multi-platform streaming app, providing production training, facilities, and channel time to Chicago residents, nonprofits, and ALAANA youth ages 16-24.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CAN TV industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Access Television
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National Public Television Networks & Member Stations (PBS-style) (MPABADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Educational/Public-Service Broadcast Networks (MPABAAAE)
Keywords
Where CAN TV is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CAN TV business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Producer member fee of $100.00 annually (as of January 1, 2023) gives access to equipment, studio time, and production facilities. Nonprofit membership also available.
- Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting CAN TV's mission to inform, educate and inspire Chicago's diverse communities
- Underwriting/Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors (underwriters) support programming in exchange for on-air recognition, website and social media promotion, and event sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship tiers range from $7,500 (Silver) to $50,000 (Presenting Sponsor)
- Chi Connects 21 Nonprofit Services: Nonprofit organizations can host their own shows (12 programs of 25-27 minutes each airing on Channel 21) with production support from CAN TV staff
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Producer Member Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Certification Exam |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Training Classes |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Youth-Voice Digital Literacy and Storytelling Institute (YVDLS) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
CAN TV product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAN TV is Chicago's nonprofit public access television network operating five cable channels (19, 21, 27, 36, 42) that deliver over 140 hours of original, hyper-local programming each week to more than one million Chicago viewers. The organization provides production training, professional studio and equipment access, channel time, and a multi-platform streaming app for community producers and nonprofit organizations to create and broadcast their own content.
Product overview
CAN TV is a public access television network and community media center offering a platform-plus-distribution architecture. The core offering consists of five local cable channels (CAN TV 19, 21, 27, 36, and 42) delivering over 140 hours of original programming weekly, augmented by the CAN TV+ App for mobile/streaming access. Community engagement is enabled through the CAN TV Producer Program, which provides training, equipment access, and studio facilities for Chicago residents to create their own content. Non-profit services are served through Chi Connects 21 (dedicated Channel 21 programming) and the CAN TV42 Community Bulletin Board. The Youth-Voice Digital Literacy and Storytelling Institute (YVDLS) provides youth-focused media training. Original signature programs span news (Chicago Newsroom 2.0), financial education (In The Money), wellness (Be Well With Dr. Norcott), cultural discussions (Sisters Talking, Brothers Talking), and public affairs. Content is distributed across cable, the CAN TV+ streaming app (iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV), YouTube, and an on-demand archive. Additional offerings include CAN TV Specials, CANspeaks! documentary series, and the annual Chicago Voices Gala fundraiser.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Chi Connects 21: Chicago's community service channel providing a platform for local non-profit organizations to share their programs, expertise, and resources.
- YVDLS Institute
Products and services
- CAN TV Cable Channels (19, 21, 27, 36, 42) CAN TV's flagship offering consists of five local cable channels (CAN TV 19, 21, 27, 36, and 42) that deliver over 140 hours of original, hyper-local programming each week to more than one million Chicago viewers. Channels include Chi Connects 21 nonprofit services, CAN TV42 community bulletin board, and signature programming across news, financial education, wellness, and cultural discussions.
- CAN TV+ Streaming App Free streaming application available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, and Roku that provides 24/7 live streaming and on-demand access to CAN TV programming for viewers anywhere.
- CAN TV Producer Program Annual membership program providing certified Chicago residents with access to professional production equipment, digital cameras, editing software, the TV studio, and channel time to produce and broadcast their own independent programs on CAN TV channels. Annual fee is $100 (effective January 1, 2023).
- Chi Connects 21 Nonprofit services program on CAN TV Channel 21 that gives nonprofit organizations their own 12-program series per quarter (25-27 minutes each) with full production support, professional studio facilities, and staff assistance. Every show also auto-uploads to the Chi Connects 21 YouTube channel for extended online distribution.
- CAN TV42 Community Bulletin Board 24/7 community message board on CAN TV Cable Channel 42 enabling nonprofit member organizations to display job postings, health screenings, educational programs, and volunteer opportunities for Chicago communities.
- CAN TV Training Free and low-cost television production training program for Chicago residents covering field production, studio production, digital video editing, podcasting, and equipment operation. Includes a free orientation session, paid classes ($75-$100), and $50 certification exams for studio production, field production, editing, or studio in a box.
- CAN TV Production Facilities Professional 580 sq ft TV studio rental and production services at CAN TV's Chicago headquarters, equipped with NewTek/VizRT TriCaster TC2 Elite switcher, Sony SRG-A40 PTZ cameras, advanced lighting systems, Allen & Heath SQ5 48-channel digital mixer, teleprompters, and broadcast communications equipment for community producers, nonprofit organizations, and original programming productions.
- Youth-Voice Digital Literacy and Storytelling Institute (YVDLS) 10-week intensive media training institute for African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA) youth ages 16-24 from underserved Chicago communities. Participants train in studio production, field production, editing, and full pre/post-production; receive a $1,000 stipend during the program and CAN TV equipment certification upon completion. The program serves 150 students annually through cohorts of 10 students each.
Quantifiable outcome
- Delivers over 140 hours of original, hyper-local programming each week
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CAN TV
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CAN TV technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature3 records
CAN TV partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan ChicagominorPartnership launched October 2023 to support community programming and workforce development through Goodwill's community outreach network.
- America ScoresminorCAN TV covers and broadcasts the annual Red Carpet Poetry Slam events featuring America Scores Poet-Athletes, showcasing youth development through soccer and poetry programs.
- Latino News NetworkcoreCAN TV partners with Latino News Network to co-produce '3 Questions With...' show, expanding coverage of Hispanic-Latino community news and perspectives. Partnership expanded in April 2024.
- Old National BankcorePartnership launched January 2023 to elevate Chicagoans' access to financial education and literacy programming, including content on 'In The Money' show featuring Old National Bank representatives.
- The FulcrumminorCAN TV broadcast '50 Voices of a Nation' special featuring The Fulcrum's four-year project traveling to every state to listen to voters and understand the 2024 election outcomes.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CAN TV competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CAN TV social profiles
Digital presenceCAN TV financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CAN TV leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
CAN TV funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CAN TV M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CAN TV
What does CAN TV do?
CAN TV is Chicago's nonprofit public access television network operating five cable channels (19, 21, 27, 36, 42) that deliver over 140 hours of original, hyper-local programming each week to more than one million Chicago viewers. The organization provides production training, professional studio and equipment access, channel time, and a multi-platform streaming app for community producers and nonprofit organizations to create and broadcast their own content.
Is CAN TV a public or private company?
CAN TV is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CAN TV founded?
CAN TV was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CAN TV based?
CAN TV is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does CAN TV make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, underwriting/Sponsorships and chi Connects 21 Nonprofit Services.
Does CAN TV have an API?
No public API is recorded for CAN TV.
What industry is CAN TV in?
CAN TV's product category is Public Access Television. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABADAA, National Public Television Networks & Member Stations (PBS-style), with a secondary code of MPABAAAE, Educational/Public-Service Broadcast Networks. Its NAICS code is 51612 and its SIC code is 4833.