Chinese Cable Television (1976-1983) from New York’s Chinatown

Klavier Wang introduces the Asia Cinevision CCTV Collection and her compilation of clips from newly-digitized videotapes. 

Located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Chinatown remains one of the biggest and most vibrant Chinese communities in the United States. Using fuzzy video images found on Chinese Cable Television (CCTV) broadcast tapes, we can now take a look at images, both nostalgic and familiar, recorded there between 1976 and 1983. The historical Asian CineVision Records are now under the custodianship of the Tamiment Library & Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, part of New York University Special Collections in Bobst Library. A recent archival internship allowed me to participate in the processing of  a collection of some of the 380 videotapes (3/4-inch U-matic and EIAJ 1/2-inch open reel ).  

CCTV is regarded as the nation’s first Chinese community television producers and programmers. During her short but robust 7-year life the organization actively served the expanding Asian American community with international and national news, social services, and cultural programs, and more importantly, mobilized citizens’ political participation.

As part of Orphans Online 2020, I invite you to first watch this video I produced to introduce viewers to the little-known history of CCTV and its umbrella organization, Asian CineVision (which continues to produce the annual Asian American International Film Festival).  

Or go to vimeo.com/419792154.

Then watch this 20-minute compilation of excerpts from these television programs, many of which have not been seen since they first appeared on Manhattan Cable Television’s public access channels four decades ago.  With the Orphan Film Symposium’s theme of migration, these records of and expressive work by this significant immigrant community find an appropriate home for their new audience. Join us on Thursday, May 28, for further discussion of these and other neglected works that speak to the complex dynamics of immigration and migration. 

 Now let the show begin!

Or go to vimeo.com/415919384.

Klavier J. Wang , currently a master’s student in NYU’s Moving Image Archiving and Preservation Program, is also author of the book Hong Kong Popular Culture: Worlding Film, Television, and Pop Music (Palgrave/MacMillian, 2020). She holds a PhD in Communication and Media Studies from Hong Kong Baptist University.