10 things for media makers to know about Public Access TV

most access centers are very welcoming of quality non-commercial content, BUT...
   public access TV is still broadcast TV - deal with it!
 
get educated about formats used in broadcast tv
most still use SD - Standard Definition, 4x3 Aspect Ratio
understand NTSC allowable bit rates and audio/video codecs

know your tools and their outputs
don't give an access station a 20GB 20 minute video file output from Final Cut.

don't mix 4x3 and 16x9 aspect ratios in a single show

respect the time blocks - make it easier on the programmers 
stick to (just) less than half hour and one hour lengths
especially important if you've been granted a series

short format may be ok, multiple shorts that add up to 27-28 minutes better.
if something is a little less than 30 minute or 60 mintue time block, 
they can always fill with bulletin board or other continuity programming

edit ruthlessly!
the last thing you want to overhear about your 64 minute project is "that was a good 45 minute video"

if you want to distribute your show to air on other public access TV, provide a link to a broadcast-ready format
   not your youtube channel. options include pegmedia.org, telvue media X-change, internet archive 
   (need 50 items for before they'll assign you your own collection), linkedin "Public Access TV" group   
   
recruit local "sponsors" or "presenters" in communities that require it for submission to local access TV stations

distribute through multiple channels

educate yourself about the creative commons licensing options, label your media appropriately 
  (on all platforms. if you upload to youtube but have used a CC license elsewhere, make sure your 
  show isn't labeled with the youtube standard license
  
provide as much metadata about the show as possible.
how is someone ever going to find it in an online video archive of 13 million items?