PhillyCAM

What PhillyCAM does

PhillyCAM (Philadelphia Community Access Media) is a nonprofit community media center founded in 2008 and operating since October 23, 2009, after Philadelphia spent 27 years campaigning for public access television. The organization is designated by the City of Philadelphia to operate its public access television network, distributing locally-produced content through PhillyCAM TV (cable channels on Xfinity 66/966HD and Verizon Fios 29/30), WPPM 106.5 FM low-power radio, and online streaming via Roku, Apple TV, and TuneIn — collectively reaching more than 1 million Philadelphia residents.

PhillyCAM operates a member-driven platform with 700+ members producing 100+ active shows across news, arts, culture, youth, documentary, and music genres. The organization provides certified access to professional production facilities including a Main Studio (33' x 28'), Express Studio, Control Room, AV Booth, Media Lab with 9 iMacs, and a Tech Lounge for youth, supported by equipment such as Sony studio and field cameras (FX30, XDCAM), Canon EOS RP, Tricaster live production switchers, Broadcast Pix switcher, green screen, and professional lighting and audio rigs. Training is delivered through workshops (Adobe Premiere Pro, podcasting, field production, community news storytelling) and certification programs (TV Studio Crew, Basic Field Production). Specialized programs include the Community News Apprenticeship, PhillyCAM Voices (English-language news), Atréve (Spanish-language bilingual news for the Latinx community), Block by Block Community Radio News Fellowship, and the youth media program Hear Us Out for ages 13–21.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure. Earned revenue comes from individual memberships ($30/year; $20 for seniors and students), sliding-scale organizational memberships ($40–$275/year based on nonprofit budget), workshop fees ($25–$100 per session), and fee-based production services for external clients. The largest revenue stream is likely donations processed through NeonCRM, complemented by the Charity Navigator Platinum Transparency designation signaling nonprofit accountability. Pricing is intentionally low-cost to maximize accessibility, with free Youth Membership and work-exchange options for members who cannot afford workshop fees. The go-to-market motion is community-led, with member referrals, monthly orientation sessions, internships (with $250 stipends), fellowships, and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube, Vimeo) driving acquisition. Leadership is currently in transition following the 2026 passing of Founding Executive Director Gretjen Clausing, who led the organization for nearly two decades.

Name

PhillyCAM

Legal name

Philadelphia Community Access Media

Website

https://phillycam.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PhillyCAM is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit community media center designated by the city to operate public access television and FM radio. It serves 700+ members producing 100+ shows spanning news, arts, culture, and youth programming, distributed via cable TV, WPPM 106.5 FM, and online streaming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Media Services

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Talk/News/Sports Radio Networks & Syndication (MPAIAEAG)

Keywords

• Community media center
• Public access television
• Community radio station
• Media production training
• Nonprofit broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Memberships: Annual membership fees from individual members. Individual membership is $30/year (seniors 65+ and students: $20/year). Provides access to equipment, studios, workshops, broadcast distribution, and member networking events.
2. Organizational Memberships: Sliding scale annual fees for nonprofits and community groups: $40 (budget $0-$50k), $100 ($51k-$250k), $150 ($251k-$500k), $275 ($501k+). For-profit organizations do not qualify. Includes delegate associate members, reserved community room access, staff consultations, and reduced production service rates.
3. Workshop Fees: Fees charged for workshops and training sessions. Workshop fees include: Express Studio Training $25, Basic Field Production $100, Podcasting Today $75, Grab n Go Canon Camera $50, Storytelling for Community News $50. AV Booth Training and Livestreaming are free for members.
4. Production Services / Hire Us: PhillyCAM produces and distributes high-quality, non-commercial, community-oriented media projects for organizational members and external clients. Organizational members receive production services at reduced rates. External organizations can hire PhillyCAM for production support.
5. Donations: PhillyCAM accepts donations through its website (NeonCRM platform). The organization displays Charity Navigator and Platinum Transparency badges indicating nonprofit standing and accountability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PhillyCAM is a nonprofit community media center that teaches, creates, and distributes locally-produced media content via cable television (PhillyCAM TV on Xfinity 66/966HD and Verizon Fios 29/30), FM radio (WPPM 106.5 FM), and online streaming (Roku, Apple TV, web). It provides members with access to professional production studios, equipment, certification workshops, and broadcast distribution in exchange for annual membership fees.

Product overview

PhillyCAM is a nonprofit community media center offering a platform-based ecosystem of interconnected products and services for community media production and distribution. The core offerings are PhillyCAM TV (cable and streaming television) and WPPM 106.5 FM (low-power FM radio), which serve as the primary distribution platforms. These are supported by membership programs (Individual, Organizational, Youth, and Gift memberships) that provide access to equipment certification, studio reservations, and production resources. Training is delivered through workshops (Adobe Premiere Pro, field production, podcasting, storytelling) and certification programs (TV Studio Crew, Basic Field Production). Specialized programs include Community News Apprenticeship, PhillyCAM Voices (English news), Atrévete (Spanish-language news), and youth programming including Hear Us Out. Equipment and studio spaces (Main Studio, Express Studio, AV Booth, Media Lab) are reservable through Rentle. The organization also offers production services for hire and maintains a community bulletin board for organizational announcements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WPPM 106.5 FM: PhillyCAM's FM radio station broadcasting community radio programming
• PhillyCAM TV
• Hear Us Out
• PhillyCAM Voices
• Atrévete (I Dare You)
• Block by Block

Products and services

• PhillyCAM TV

Quantifiable outcome

• 1M+ potential viewers in Philadelphia through cable TV distribution
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Olney Culture LabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Olney Culture Lab collaborates with PhillyCAM on the Live from the Lab program, featuring live music performances recorded at community venues like Roots Garden in Fisher Park. The program showcases local musicians and cultural events, with Olney Culture Lab serving as a program host and cultural partner.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Austin Community Television (ACTV): Austin's public access cable television provider offering equipment, training, and channel distribution to community producers. Comparable in operating model, member-driven programming, and PEG-franchise funding structure.
• Los Angeles Channel 36 (LA36): LA's public access television channel operated by the City of Los Angeles, providing studio access, training, and channel distribution to community producers. Similar public-access mission and cable-channel distribution model.
• Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN): NYC's designated public access television network providing cable channels, FM radio, and community media training. MNN is the closest comparable: same city-designated PEG model, multi-format TV/radio operations, training programs, and production services for NYC residents.
• Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN): Boston's community media center operating public access cable channels, production facilities, and member training programs. Comparable structure as a public-access PEG operator with member-driven content production and a small nonprofit staff.
• Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV): Chicago's public access cable television network operating five channels and providing production training, equipment, and studio access to community producers. Comparable PEG-franchise model with similar membership and training programs.
• Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN): Saint Paul's community media center operating public access TV channels and providing training, equipment, and production services to community members. Equivalent structure as a PEG-designated nonprofit community media center with a similar membership-driven model.
• DC Community Access Network (DCCAN): Washington DC's public access television network offering cable channels, production training, and equipment access to community members. Directly comparable as a city-designated PEG operator with a membership-driven community media model.
• Berkeley Community Media: Berkeley's community media center operating public access channels and providing production training and equipment access. Comparable mission, programming model, and small nonprofit structure focused on community voices.

Emerging players

• Free Speech TV: National nonprofit media organization providing independent perspectives via cable and streaming distribution. Adjacent peer sharing the nonprofit media mission and progressive/community-voice positioning, though operating nationally rather than as a single city PEG operator.

Broad incumbents

• Metro Nashville Public Television: Nashville's PBS affiliate operating as a community-supported public television station. Broader public-service broadcasting peer with comparable funding model (membership, donations, underwriting) but offering professionally produced content rather than member-submitted programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/phillycam
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHrro57kEHOCo7XAxYKD6-A
• Facebookfacebook.com/phillycam
• Instagraminstagram.com/phillycam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/phillycam

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 PhillyCAM