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Areas of Impact
Impact That Resonates Beyond the Screen
In 2024, CAN TV's influence extended far beyond traditional broadcasting, creating ripples of change across Chicago's media landscape. From record-breaking streaming numbers to expanded educational initiatives, from strengthened nonprofit partnerships to innovative school collaborations, our impact touched more lives and communities than ever before. This year's achievements reflect not just growth in numbers, but meaningful progress in our mission to amplify community voices and create lasting change.
Media Relations Milestones
Expansive Coverage
2024 was a banner year for CAN TV, with our media relations strategies yielding strong results. Our stories reached an impressive audience of over 4.4 million online readers and 57,222 in print circulation, highlighting the vital role of community media in today’s digital landscape.
Streaming Success
CAN TV Breaks New Ground with over 41 Million Live Streams
In a year of digital transformation, CAN TV shattered records with 41 million live streams, connecting with audiences both locally and globally. Our strategic focus on digital platforms – including our website, social media channels, and the innovative can tv+ app – has opened new frontiers for community storytelling.
Our YouTube community grew by 1,200 subscribers to surpass 13,000, while monthly streaming averages reached new heights, peaking at 5.7 million in August. These milestones demonstrate not just growing viewership, but deepening engagement with our content across all platforms.
Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
Download the cantv+ app
Watch on CANTV.Org
Nonprofit Services
Supporting Chicago's Change Makers
2024 was a landmark year for CAN TV’s Nonprofit Services, significantly amplifying our support for local nonprofits. We proudly broadcasted a record-breaking 529 shows, totaling 264.5 hours of dynamic programming. This expansive coverage enabled 36 organizations, including 8 new partners, to reach wider audiences, highlighting their impactful work across Chicago.
This surge in programming and partnership underscores the deepening trust and growing reliance of the nonprofit community on CAN TV as a vital platform for advocacy and engagement. We remain committed to providing a voice to those driving positive change in our city, ensuring their messages resonate throughout our communities.
Program Services
Embracing Change, Expanding Voices
In 2024, CAN TV celebrated a tremendous year of expansion in community programming. We proudly onboarded 140 new content submitters, including 22 vibrant newcomers, marking a robust continuation of growth from prior years. This demonstrates our ongoing momentum, building from 14 new submitters in both 2021 and 2022, to 28 in 2023, and now an impressive total for this year.
Highlighting our commitment to community spirit, we served as the Media Sponsor for the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, which captivated over 100,000 viewers. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to fostering city-wide traditions and delivering these cherished moments to viewers across our community.
Training Triumph
Fostering Tomorrow's Media Makers
Our educational impact grew dramatically in 2024, with in-person student participation increasing from 238 to 386. Through 78 classes, workshops, and orientations, we've expanded our role in building media literacy and digital storytelling skills. The Youth Voice Digital Literacy and Storytelling Institute stands as a particular success, creating direct pathways to program production and employment opportunities.
78
Classes
386
Students
The CPS-CAN TV Collaboration
Transforming Media Education
CAN TV's innovative partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set a new standard for media education and community collaboration. Involving 30 CPS schools, this initiative has impacted over 2,000 students and staff, offering them a unique platform to gain Community Producer status. Through this partnership, students and staff received hands-on training in program creation and submission, equipping them with real-world broadcasting skills and nurturing a new generation of media creators.