BCTV to celebrate 50th anniversary in 2026.
Berks Community Television (BCTV), one of the nation’s pioneering public access media organizations, proudly announces its 50th anniversary to be celebrated throughout 2026. Since its founding, BCTV has stood at the forefront of community media, empowering Berks County residents to share their stories, discuss the issues that matter most to them, and connect with one another through an open and uniquely local platform.
What began as one of the earliest experiments in community-accessible television in the 1970s has grown into a trusted and enduring institution that represents the full tapestry of Berks County’s communities. For five decades, BCTV has been a flagship example of how public access can strengthen democracy: by giving everyday people the airtime to inform, debate, create, and collaborate. Generations of local producers and content creators, nonprofit partners, civic leaders, and students have used BCTV to spotlight community issues, amplify diverse voices, and build civic engagement across Reading and Berks County.
“BCTV’s history is a testament to what happens when a community is given the power to speak for itself,” said Heather Adams, Executive Director of BCTV. “For 50 years, we’ve been committed to transparent, accessible, hyperlocal media — long before digital platforms made it mainstream. And before social media existed, public access television empowered the first ‘influencers’ by giving everyday people a platform to reach real audiences, shape public conversation, and build followings rooted in authenticity, creativity, and civic impact rather than algorithms or advertising. This gold anniversary is both a celebration of our past and a recommitment to our future.”
Throughout 2026, BCTV will host a series of events and retrospectives to honor the people and stories that shaped its legacy. These celebrations will highlight historic programming, honor longtime producers and partners, and showcase the evolution of community media from its early cable-access roots to today’s multi-platform digital environment.
As BCTV marks this milestone, the organization remains dedicated to its mission: to empower people and engage community through media.
More details about 50th anniversary events and initiatives will be shared in the coming months at bctv.org, and community members are encouraged to share their BCTV memories, stories, and favorite moments to be included on-air and online. Community feedback can be emailed to bctv@bctv.org with the subject line: BCTV Memories.
Berks Community Television (BCTV) is a nonprofit, community-driven media organization based in Reading, PA. Established in 1976 as a public access trailblazer, BCTV provides local programming, digital resources, and community engagement opportunities designed to inform, connect, and empower the residents of Berks County.
$50K for 50 Years: BCTV has set a celebratory fundraising goal of an additional $50,000 in 2026 to help support and sustain the organization’s work for the future. Donate today.
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