December 1983 - the Minneapolis Television Network is chartered as a non-profit corporation September 1984 - First MTN show is cablecast. MTN channels are 8, 12, 27 and 54. 12 and 54 are for public access, but only one channel actually shows programs at this time. June 1985 - MTN begins live call-in show, "Talk to Your City" 1985 - MTN operates with a small staff including Carol Banister, Will Leow-Bloesser and Jim Derks at the Lehman Center February 1986 - MTN public access equipment is made available to community members to produce programming July 1986 - Low cable subscriber rates are cited by Roger Cablesystems as the reason that they cannot keep their funding promises to MTN. The city council approves an amended contract with Rogers Cablesystems that means a "substantial cut" in support for MTN public access. As part of contract, MTN gets the Plymouth Avenue studio. September 1986 - MTN public access now appears on channels 32, 33 and 55 April 1987 - MTN holds the George Beller Awards to celebrate and recognize community TV producers. 1989 - MTN begins the "Voices" program with South High and the Humphrey Forum 1990 - Anthony Riddle becomes director of MTN Summer 1990 - MTN is forced to move out of the Lehman Center due to lead paint problems 1990 - MTN moves into Saint Anthony Main 1993 - MTN celebrates its 10th anniversary with a party at Jax restaurant 1994 - MTN becomes the Minneapolis Telecommunications Network and begins "The River Project" to host web sites for non-profit groups 1995 - Pam Colby becomes director of MTN 1995 - MTN holds an on-air fund drive December 1996 - the MTN Bash Music Event and Fundraiser is held at the Roadhouse bar March 1997 - MTN and Intermedia Arts partner on the "Open Studio" Project April 1997 - "Somali Night Program" begins running. The program soon changes its name to "Somali TV" and is the first of several shows produced by and for members of the Somali community. September 1998 - MTN's reconfigured playback begins operation October 1998 - MTN Appreciation Night Awards Show is held April 1999 - MTN purchases its first nonlinear edit systems 2000, 2001 - MTN is named "Best TV Station" for two years in the City Pages 2001 - MTN public access channels move to 16, 17 and 67. December 2001 - MTN receptionist Syretha Mitchell dies April 2003 - MTN holds a party to celebrate its 20th anniversary year. There are certainly many more events that could be added to this timeline. If you have any suggestions, please e-mail them to video@mtn.org. There is a growing version of this timeline on the MTN website: www.mtn.org.