Staff report Mark B. Ward is pretty much a one man show at SCAN-TV, which is Stanly County's access 19 channel on Time Warner Cable. "It has been very hard doing everything myself from video production, editing and sales, while still keeping a quality message each week," Ward said. However, he has begun to hire people to sell ads so he can ensure the quality of the music and testimonies shown. SCAN-TV started more than 10 years ago when Ward was producing a local leased access show called "Carolina Light" in Stanly County. The show consisted of local singing groups sponsored by local businesses. "Carolina Light" was 30 minutes long and aired one night a week. Today, SCAN-TV is on 36 hours per week and reaches more than 200,000 people in Stanly, Cabarrus and Rowan counties. SCAN-TV started in September with a rotating 30 minute loop format. It is meant to give small business owners the opportunity to advertise on television. Leased access has grown all over the country in the past 10 years. Ward says it competes with regular TV commercial surfing time but reaches the local market. He said regular TV averages seven minutes of commercial time during each 30 minutes of programming. Typical leased access is 100 percent commercial, but SCAN-TV has created a different format of local Christian inspirational television for the whole family. Ward produces local commercials that cost $50 and are surrounded by segments of inspirational television in which local people share their personal testimonies of how God changed their life. SCAN-TV also includes a "Nothing but the Truth ... So Help Us God" segment. You can also see local singers performing. SCAN-TV has only been around for eight months but is becoming well known in the community. "It is important to me that the businesses who advertise on SCAN-TV receive the blessing first," Ward said. "Then when they are successful in their advertising, they will continue to support local TV. "We air meaningful, encouraging segments which actually impact the audience. After a long and sometimes discouraging day, to turn on prime time TV and see your local friends and businesses supporting a positive, Godly approach to TV can make a difference in our community. "The opportunity to have a local TV channel which can highlight local business and positively impact lives is truly unique, especially for the price it costs," Ward said. Ward has worked in other types of advertising, but he was most impressed with television. However, TV was the most expensive. So it's been his dream for the last 10 years to use his experience to produce local, affordable, quality television programming that can make a positive impact on people's lives and the communities they live in. Being a committed Christian, Ward wants TV to do more than just entertain. "It should also encourage the body of Christ," he said. Time Warner customers in Stanly, Cabarrus and Rowan counties can tune in to SCAN-TV on channel 19 Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 11 p.m.
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