Pasadena Media
Pasadena Media (PCAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that operates four cable and OTT PEG channels — KPAS, Arroyo, KLRN, and PCCtv — serving the City of Pasadena, PUSD, Pasadena City College, and local community producers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersPasadena, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Pasadena Media does
Pasadena Media, legally Pasadena Community Access Corporation (PCAC), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation founded in 1983 and headquartered at 150 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, California. It serves as the designated municipal operating company for the City of Pasadena, operating four public, educational, and government (PEG) access channels: KPAS (City of Pasadena government), Arroyo (community public access), KLRN (Pasadena Unified School District), and PCCtv (Pasadena City College). The organization distributes content via Charter Spectrum and AT&T U-verse cable carriage, plus OTT apps on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and its own streaming site, with YouTube and Vimeo supporting on-demand viewing.
The organization runs a community media training center and television studio at its Pasadena headquarters, offering tiered membership (Volunteer, Intern, Trainee, Producer, Limited) with six-month subscriptions ranging from free to $180. Community members are trained in production, editing, audio, lighting, and technical direction through the ISAAC member portal, and may submit programming for broadcast on the Arroyo channel. In-house originals include Pasadena Media News, Arroyo NOW, Pasadena Monthly, Pan and Zoom, Access For All, What's Up Pasadena!, and Non-Profit Spotlight. Programming is managed via JotForm-based submission workflows and Mailchimp newsletter integration.
Revenue is generated primarily through cable franchise fees from the City of Pasadena and cable operators, supplemented by membership subscriptions, small-dollar recurring donations with merchandise bundles, training services, and occasional grants (e.g., Jericho Road Pasadena). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and a Citizens Advisory Committee, with approximately 14 staff led by Executive Director and CEO George Falardeau. Growth signals are incremental — OTT distribution expansion, ISAAC portal deployment, and ongoing original programming — rather than scaling-oriented, consistent with a stable municipal operating company serving a single mid-sized California city.
Pasadena Media firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pasadena Media
- Legal name
- Pasadena Community Access Corporation
- Website
- https://pasadenamedia.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pasadena Media (PCAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that operates four cable and OTT PEG channels — KPAS, Arroyo, KLRN, and PCCtv — serving the City of Pasadena, PUSD, Pasadena City College, and local community producers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pasadena Media industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Access / Community Television Services
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- State/Regional Public Broadcasting Networks & Consortia (MPABADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Broadcasting Production Units & Studios (In-house/Member) (MPABADAF), Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH)
Keywords
Where Pasadena Media is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pasadena
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pasadena Media business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Cable Franchise Fees: Primary funding from the City of Pasadena and cable providers through franchise agreements. Pasadena Media operates as a municipal operating company (PCAC) for the City of Pasadena.
- Membership Fees: Tiered membership program with fees ranging from free (volunteer) to $180 for non-resident producers. Generates supplemental revenue while keeping services affordable.
- Donations and Program Underwriting: Tax-deductible donations from supporters and program underwriting opportunities for businesses. Donors include individuals and organizations at various contribution levels.
- Training Services: Media production training classes and workshops for community members at various certification levels
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | Volunteer - Free for all |
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | Intern - Free with school program |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Trainee - Residents $30 / Non-Residents $60 for 6 months |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Producer - Residents $90 / Non-Residents $180 for 6 months |
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | Limited - Residents Free / Non-Residents $50 for 6 months |
| Other | Monthly | Donation Tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels5 records
Pasadena Media product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pasadena Media operates four PEG (public, educational, and government) television channels — KPAS (City of Pasadena government), Arroyo (community public access), KLRN (Pasadena Unified School District), and PCCtv (Pasadena City College) — distributed via cable (Charter Spectrum, AT&T U-verse) and OTT streaming platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku). The organization also runs a community media training center and television studio offering tiered memberships, hands-on production classes, and access to professional equipment for community producers.
Product overview
Pasadena Media operates a multi-channel community media platform centered on four local television channels: KPAS (City of Pasadena Government Access), Arroyo (Community Public Access), KLRN (Pasadena Unified School District Educational Access), and PCCtv (Pasadena City College Educational Access). The company distributes content via cable (Charter Spectrum, AT&T U-verse) and OTT streaming platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, and online). The Arroyo channel features original programming including Pasadena Media News, Arroyo NOW, Pasadena Monthly, Pan and Zoom, Access For All, What's Up Pasadena!, and Non-Profit Spotlight. The organization also operates a community media training center and television studio, providing media production training programs to members at various levels (Volunteer, Intern, Trainee, Producer, Limited), facilitated through the ISAAC member portal. Programming is submitted via JotForm, and content is distributed across YouTube, Vimeo, and the organization's own streaming infrastructure.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KPAS (City of Pasadena Government Access Channel) Government access television channel operated by Pasadena Media for the City of Pasadena, delivering emergency notices, event coverage, and City Council meetings to Pasadena residents. Available on Charter Spectrum Channel 3, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, and the Pasadena Media streaming app.
- Arroyo (Community Public Access Channel) Pasadena's non-commercial community access channel offering programs reflecting the diverse interests and cultures of the community. Programming is produced by community members who become trained producers through the Pasadena Media membership program. Available on Charter Spectrum Channel 32, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, and via live stream on the Pasadena Media website and apps.
- KLRN (Pasadena Unified School District Educational Access Channel) Pasadena Unified School District educational access channel providing instructional programming, Board of Education meetings, and news about PUSD schools. Available via YouTube and the Pasadena Media streaming platforms.
- PCCtv (Pasadena City College Educational Access Channel) Pasadena City College educational access channel offering extensive information about the college and the greater community, including instructional courses, lectures, and special events. Available on Charter Spectrum Channel 96, AT&T U-verse Channel 99, and the Pasadena Media streaming app.
- Media Training Program Media production training program offering classes and hands-on instruction in television production equipment, including editing, audio, lighting, studio camera, technical direction, and producer training. Available to members at various certification levels and tied to the tiered membership program.
- Television Studio & Production Facilities Pasadena's community media training center and television studio made available to members for producing programming for the Arroyo channel. Includes access to studio, equipment, and reservations through the ISAAC member portal.
- Member Portal (ISAAC) Online member portal used by Pasadena Media members to manage reservations, access production tools, and engage with the Pasadena Media community. Supports the tiered membership program (Volunteer, Intern, Trainee, Producer, Limited) and content scheduling for the Arroyo channel.
- Pasadena Media News Local short-form news updates optimized for mobile platforms, produced by Pasadena Media staff and volunteers and broadcast on the Arroyo community channel.
- Arroyo NOW Hyper-local weekly talk show focused on issues within Pasadena, featuring organizational and business leaders in in-depth discussions. Initially spotlighted effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Pasadena Monthly Monthly magazine show hosted by Justin Chapman covering the month's top stories in Pasadena and featuring interviews with local leaders.
- Pan and Zoom Entertainment industry-focused interview show hosted by Satie Gossett, interviewing entertainment industry professionals about their career journeys.
- Access For All: Integrating Accessibility Program exploring disability from both an identity and cultural point of view, featuring local experts discussing related issues and providing helpful compliance information.
- What's Up Pasadena! Monthly magazine show featuring interesting local people and discovering all the fantastic things that happen in Pasadena, produced by Pasadena Media staff.
- Non-Profit Spotlight Program highlighting the incredible work of local non-profit organizations that are making a significant impact in their communities and beyond.
Quantifiable outcome
- Four television channels serving different community needs (government, education, community access)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Pasadena Media
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pasadena Media technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature3 records
Pasadena Media partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- City of PasadenacorePasadena Media operates as the municipal operating company (PCAC) for the City of Pasadena, managing public and community access channels under franchise agreements. Primary funding comes from the City and cable providers.
- Pasadena Unified School DistrictcorePartnership to operate the KLRN educational access channel providing instructional programming and school board meeting coverage.
- Pasadena City CollegecorePartnership to operate PCCtv educational access channel offering extensive information about the college and community including instructional courses and lectures.
- Charter SpectrumcoreCable provider distributing Pasadena Media channels (Channel 3 for KPAS, Channel 32 for Arroyo, Channel 96 for PCCtv) to subscribers.
- AT&T U-versecoreCable provider distributing all Pasadena Media channels on Channel 99.
- Jericho Road PasadenaminorProvided a generous grant for website creation and updates.
- AmazoncoreAmazon Fire TV app distribution for Pasadena Media streaming content.
- ApplecoreApple TV app distribution for Pasadena Media streaming content.
- RokucoreRoku Channel Store listing for Pasadena Media streaming content.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pasadena Media competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- San Francisco Community Television (SF Commons): San Francisco's community access television operator producing PEG programming with member-driven content and training programs. Mirrors Pasadena Media's narrow geographic focus, multi-channel model, and community-led production approach.
- Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN): New York City's largest community media center operating PEG channels and a member training/production facility. Directly comparable to Pasadena Media as a designated municipal/community access TV operator serving a single city with multi-channel distribution and member-led programming.
- Seattle Channel: City of Seattle's government and community cable channel providing civic programming, education content, and community stories. Comparable to KPAS and Arroyo particularly in government transparency and civic engagement programming.
- Portland Community Media (PCM): Portland, Oregon's community media center operating PEG channels and offering member training and equipment access. Comparable as a single-city, multi-channel PEG operator with cable franchise funding and OTT distribution.
- LA CityView Channel 35: Los Angeles' government and public access channel operated by the City of LA. Closest geographic peer to Pasadena Media, providing government, education, and community programming through cable and streaming with similar institutional customer base (city, schools, community).
- Atlanta Community Media Partnership (ACMP): Atlanta's community media organization operating PEG channels and member production services. Closely comparable to Pasadena Media in operating model: PEG channel management, training center, member tiers, and cable/OTT distribution for a single metropolitan area.
- CAN TV (Chicago Access Network): Chicago's community media organization operating five PEG channels and a member production training center. Comparable business model combining cable franchise funding, membership tiers, equipment access, and volunteer-produced programming for a single municipality.
- Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN): Boston's community media center providing PEG channels, member training, and production facilities. Operates a similar multi-channel (government, education, community) model with tiered membership and cable distribution, comparable in scale and mission to Pasadena Media.
Regional players
- Silicon Valley Community Television (SVCTV): Community media operator serving several Silicon Valley municipalities with PEG channels and member training. Comparable model but serves multiple cities regionally rather than a single municipality, providing a contrast to Pasadena Media's concentrated single-city footprint.
Others
- Alliance for Community Media (ACM): National trade association representing PEG access organizations and the body that awards Pasadena Media's WAVE and Hometown Awards. Not a direct competitor but the industry ecosystem and recognition framework within which Pasadena Media operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Pasadena Media social profiles
Digital presencePasadena Media compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Pasadena Media financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pasadena Media leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Pasadena Media funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pasadena Media 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 Pasadena Media
What does Pasadena Media do?
Pasadena Media operates four PEG (public, educational, and government) television channels — KPAS (City of Pasadena government), Arroyo (community public access), KLRN (Pasadena Unified School District), and PCCtv (Pasadena City College) — distributed via cable (Charter Spectrum, AT&T U-verse) and OTT streaming platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku). The organization also runs a community media training center and television studio offering tiered memberships, hands-on production classes, and access to professional equipment for community producers.
Is Pasadena Media a public or private company?
Pasadena Media is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Pasadena Media founded?
Pasadena Media was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pasadena Media based?
Pasadena Media is headquartered in Pasadena, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pasadena Media make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Cable Franchise Fees are the primary driver. The others are membership Fees, donations and Program Underwriting and training Services.
Who are Pasadena Media's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are San Francisco Community Television (SF Commons), Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), Seattle Channel, Portland Community Media (PCM), LA CityView Channel 35, Atlanta Community Media Partnership (ACMP), CAN TV (Chicago Access Network) and Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN). Silicon Valley Community Television (SVCTV) is listed as a regional player. Alliance for Community Media (ACM) is listed as an others.
Does Pasadena Media have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pasadena Media.
What industry is Pasadena Media in?
Pasadena Media's product category is Public Access / Community Television Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABADAC, State/Regional Public Broadcasting Networks & Consortia, with a secondary code of MPABADAF, Public Broadcasting Production Units & Studios (In-house/Member). Its NAICS code is 516120 and its SIC code is 4833.