CAN TV

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.

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

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

• Public access television
• Community media network
• Cable television broadcasting
• Media production training
• Nonprofit broadcasting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting CAN TV's mission to inform, educate and inspire Chicago's diverse communities
3. 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)
4. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2023Partnership launched October 2023 to support community programming and workforce development through Goodwill's community outreach network.
• America ScoresminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2023CAN 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 NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2023CAN 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 BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2023Partnership 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 FulcrumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAN 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

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cantvchicago
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cantvchicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/cantvchicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/cantvchicago
• TikToktiktok.com/@cantvchicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CAN TV