About GCM

As commercial cable was growing in the United States, a discussion arose about the benefits of right-of-way: what do people in communities that give over access to telephone poles and other by-ways to cable companies get in return? In part, the answer to this question was given through laws that fund community media organizations, independent of both the cable company and of local government, to foster the community’s ability to “talk” to itself.

Founded as the Northern Berkshire Community Television Corporation in 1996 by the leaders of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams, Gateway Collaborative Media serves as the community media organization for these four communities. Originally NBCTC operated a single cable channel out of its first home at Building 6 in Heritage State Park in North Adams, but has since grown in facilities and in scope.

Now the rebranded Gateway Collaborative Media operates three cable channels, a low-power radio station, a podcasting platform, this comprehensive website, and is developing applications for smart devices like television. We are still committed to the original intention of helping the community speak with itself, while increasing transparency in government and building a community of engaged volunteers and members!