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from: The City Paper

As AT&T legislation wraps up, city may be first to see U-verse
By John Rodgers, Friday, May 2, 2008 3:21 am

Nashvillians and residents of neighboring counties will likely have the first crack at AT&T’s television programming later this year now that legislation is close to becoming law, a lawmaker close to the telecom said.

from: Nashville Public radio

Statewide Cable Franchise Bill Passes General Assembly

Thursday, May 01st, 2008

A bill that would allow AT&T to expand into cable and broadband internet services statewide is on its way to the governor.

The Senate unanimously passed the measure today, after two years of behind-the-scenes bargaining between the giant phone utility and the cable television industry. Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says he’s satisfied with the end result.

from: The City Paper

Historic’ AT&T bill headed to governor
By John Rodgers, jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com
Updated: Thursday, May 1, 2008 10:33 am

Calling it a “historic day in Tennessee,” the Senate unanimously approved a bill this morning paving the way for AT&T to start offering television programming in Tennessee and compete with the cable industry.

from: Times Free Press

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Nashville: House approves AT&T cable deal

By: Andy Sher

NASHVILLE — The House voted 93-2 Monday for legislation that would let AT&T begin competing with cable companies to provide television services across Tennessee.

from: AP Wire

Cable bill passes House
Associated Press - April 28, 2008 6:35 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposal to provide statewide cable TV franchising has passed the House.

The legislation approved 93-2 on Monday would allow companies like AT&T Inc. to avoid having to seek hundreds of municipal permits to offer TV service.

from: Elliott Mitchell
Music City Arts TV9 / iQ TV10
http://www.meac.tv

Attached, please find the final language of the Franchise "Reform" Legislation in the General Assembly in Tennessee.

There has been some criticism of the draft version of this legislation, and insofar as I can tell the final version is identical to the draft.

I will be the first to tell you that the bill is imperfect, but I also know some of its genesis and was privileged to be among the PEG folks asked to help the Tennessee Municipal League understand and object to many of the demands of both Telco and Cable during closed-door "negotiation." I believe I can report that due to TML's help, PEG in Tennessee dodged several major bullets, where other states have been not so fortunate.

from: City Paper

Despite compromise bill, cable ads bashing AT&T still ran
By John Rodgers
Nashville City Paper
04/23/08

Despite compromise bill, cable ads bashing AT&T still ran | comcast, at&t, compromise bill, television franchising, state legislature

Tennessee Cable Telecommunications Association says continued ads targeting AT&T after compromise could be due to timing in getting them off the air. Matthew Williams/The City Paper

from: The Pacer

Competitive cable legislation moves in house
Heather Peterson

Comprise legislation that seeks to provide statewide cable TV franchising is moving in the house with little debate.

The measure unanimously passed the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday after Democratic chairman Charles Curtiss of Sparta had state Comptroller John Morgan address committee members to make sure they understood the bill.

from: MultiChannel News

Tennessee Franchising Bill Aims To Extend Broadband Services
Local Governments Could Also Subsidize Deployment If Private Sector Passes
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 4/11/2008 1:10:00 PM

Legislators in Tennessee have been presented a new version of a state franchising bill with a unique scheme to provide an incentive to new providers to extend broadband services.

from: Nashville City Paper

AT&T Won't Say Where It'd Offer TV if Bill Passes

April 9, 2008
By John Rodgers

Despite lobbying for a bill to start offering television services and compete with cable, AT&T will not say where it would offer those services if legislation were approved.

“For competitive reasons, the company does not outline those plans,” said Bob Corney, an AT&T spokesman. “But, our goal is to try to get our product to as many customers as possible as quickly as possible.”