Public access television is a form of cable television service that allows members of the public an opportunity to create and cablecast their own programs. The rules concerning content, costs and available time-slots will vary from community to community, as each cable franchise is negotiated individually. Some are managed by the local cable company, while others are managed by a separate non-profit organization.

Public access can be an important outlet for the interests of under served groups within a community. It is one of the main types of local origination services from cable TV providers. It's sister types are governmental and educational access, as well as leased-access television (which does allow for programming of a more commercial nature).

One of the most well known examples of a public access program is a fictitious one: Wayne's World on Saturday Night Live. However, public access can be an electronic soapbox for political and religious viewpoints, as well as a stage for artistic expression. Some programs actually make it to national recognition--one of the most well known would be Mystery Science Theatre 3000.

Different municipalities have varying contracts with local cable companies. The size of the community being served and the contractual agreement between a municipality and the cable provider influence the size of the access center and the funding available for access channels.

http://www.onlinegreensboro.com/~gctv/whatispublicaccess.html