The History of Media Bridges

I. Founding.

A. In the winter of 1988/1989, the City of Cincinnati made the decision to begin operation of its Public and Educational Access Channels on Time-Warner Cable through a third party contractor.

B. February 1989 - Cincinnati Community Video is founded as a 501(c) 3 organization and submits a bid for the contract to operate Cincinnati's Public & Educational Access Channels.

C. The city of Cincinnati awards the contract to Cincinnati Community Video and operations begin July 17, 1989.

II. Continued Operations.

A. In July of 1996 Cincinnati Community Video is granted a new 15-year contract.

B. As the technology behind media creation evolves, becomes less expensive and more user friendly, the organization evolves with it, emphasizing complete media literacy over basic equipment operation.

III. New vision drives a new name.

A. In 1999 the Board of Trustees makes the decision to change the name of the organization to better reflect the services offered by the organization.

B. Community members provide over 325 names which are placed before focus groups to determine community response and value.

C. Media Bridges is selected as the name that best reflects the mission and services of the organization.

IV. A new facility where it is needed most.

A. As a part of its strategic planning process, the Media Bridges Board of Trustees makes the decision move the facility to Over-the-Rhine, once Cincinnati's center for the arts and now the city's poorest community.  There the organization could help drive the area's renaissance as an art and entertainment district and better serve a neighborhood often neglected in city development plans.

B. Media Bridges moves to temporary space in Over-the-Rhine in July 2001.

C. Media Bridges moves to its new facility in Over-the-Rhine in March 2002, doubling the space and equipment of previous facilities.

V. Laying the foundation for the future.

A. In 2006 Media Bridges launches Cincinnati Stories, a mobile video booth where members of the community record their impressions of the arts, culture, happenings and history in Cincinnati.

B. In 2008 Media Bridges shifts its media to an internal digital server, allowing for seamless workflow of digital media.

C. In 2008 Media Bridges is granted a construction permit for a Low Power FM radio station and begins building a new outlet for community media in Cincinnati.