About Swindon Viewpoint

Swindon Viewpoint is special in many ways: It is Britain’s (and probably Europe’s) earliest public-access television service – which began in 1973, and is also notable for being owned by and accountable to its public.

You, yourself, are welcome and encouraged to make the programmes – and to retain editorial control as you do.

Films from earlier times have also been gathered, restored, and digitised; and together with recent output, form a catalogue of several thousand and growing. It now comprises the largest collection of films on local life of any town in the country, and represents a major component of our heritage.

Viewpoint is a focal point for our visual life and times. It concentrates on what is happening now, – but it has done so for long enough that you can also see what we once looked like and how we have developed, what people have thought and cared about in the past; and the diversity of lifestyles and entertainments we have known.

You can use it to teach children our history, improve your own understanding, help older folk reminisce, or get up to date with events of the moment and current debates, – as well as join in with them.

The oldest film here was made in 1913 – the most recent probably this week. We regularly add more and more films newly made or from the vaults and the catalogue of media we offer via our partner, Western Film Archive now stretches back across more than a century.

As you might expect, the range of programme types we have carried is enormous; extending from the parochial to international significance – and from social action to arts and entertainment.

Besides making programmes, you can also use our other sections to raise issues and discuss and debate subjects that arise from these programmes – or that simply matter to the town.

In the 21st century Viewpoint moved to being an online operation and now reaches even further, with, (due to its groundbreaking history) regular viewers from around the world. Many college media departments and professional media circles check in and supplement our local catchment. Statistics from the old website (before this rebuild) indicate regular repeat viewers in excess of 60,000.

So if you want to make films or videos, Viewpoint gives you a considerable audience. But you can also find people who might be willing to help, and also possibly locate resources. You can seek professional advice on how to approach projects, or on training. If you would like to see a programme of yours aired by the service, or need help in making such a programme please contact us.

An additional benefit we aim for is the provision of media training and practice to our young (and not so young) people. A great many of them have seen their communication skills, self-confidence, organisational ability and understanding of local issues greatly enhanced as a result.

Viewpoint aims to be open and welcoming. It offers a number of ways you can participate in a unique ‘living diary’ of local life – something that is both enjoyable and rewarding.