New Doc Celebrates NYC's Weird and Wild Public Access TV Experiment episode artwork

EPISODE · May 4, 2026 · 25 MIN

New Doc Celebrates NYC's Weird and Wild Public Access TV Experiment

from All Of It with Alison Stewart · host WNYC

In the 1970s and '80s, NYC's gave independent creators a platform on broadcast television, in the form of Manhattan Cable TV, a network that aired un-censored programs without editorial discretion, including independent variety shows, LGBTQ+ culture shows, and even pornography. Director David Shadrack Smith talks about his new documentary, 'Public Access,' which explores this free speech experiment. There's a screening of the film this evening at the LES Film Festival. Image courtesy of the film Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NOW PLAYING

New Doc Celebrates NYC's Weird and Wild Public Access TV Experiment

0:00 25:38

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of All Of It with Alison Stewart?

This episode is 25 minutes long.

When was this All Of It with Alison Stewart episode published?

This episode was published on May 4, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In the 1970s and '80s, NYC's gave independent creators a platform on broadcast television, in the form of Manhattan Cable TV, a network that aired un-censored programs without editorial discretion, including independent variety shows, LGBTQ+ culture...

Can I download this All Of It with Alison Stewart episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!