By Todd Abele, PCN Producer
In 2021 PCN, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, celebrates 10- and 15-year anniversaries of its televised coverage of the oral arguments of two of Pennsylvania’s state appellate courts.
“It’s now been a decade since PCN cameras were permitted to televise Pennsylvania Supreme Court proceedings,” said President and CEO Debra Kohr Sheppard. “It was an important day when the Court opened its doors to PCN cameras. We’re proud to offer this exclusive coverage.”
A special program discussing Pennsylvania’s appellate courts will debuted on January 28, 2021. The program discusses the role of the Pennsylvania appellate court system, how judges are selected and what modernizations and improvements can be made to Pennsylvania’s courts going forward. Guests are former Superior Court Judge Phyllis Beck, who served from 1981-2006; Robert Heim, an appellate attorney who chairs the Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts Board of Directors; and Deborah Gross, president and CEO of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.
PCN has televised complete and unedited proceedings of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for 10 years, dating back to September 13, 2011. Commonwealth Court proceedings have been televised by PCN for 15 years, since November 1, 2006.
PCN first televised Pennsylvania Superior Court on April 30, 1999, and has covered their en banc proceedings for 22 years.
To follow opinions issued for cases that PCN airs, follow the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Twitter, @SupremeCtofPA. Lower court decisions are available @PACourts. The court’s website also has a link to cases of public interest.
PCN re-airs court en banc arguments on Sunday nights at 8 PM as part of its Pennsylvania Courts series.