Save Access

from: News Advance

Hope may be dimming for public access TV
by Alicia Petska
News Advance (VA)O
02/13/08

The possibility of lending city support to Lynchburg’s public access station is still on the table, although City Council unanimously approved a contract that could have the channel off the air as early as this week. On Wednesday, Ward II Councilman Ceasor Johnson said he was willing to champion community television’s cause during this year’s budget hearings if there was interest in keeping the programming.

from: Mlive.com

Let the cable wars begin: AT&T takes on Comcast
Posted by Tom Gantert | The Ann Arbor News February 18, 2008 10:39AM
By TOM GANTERT
The Ann Arbor News

For 17 years, Annisa Bowden of Ann Arbor watched cable television on Comcast.

She never thought it was that good of a deal, but shied away from satellite because of reception concerns during inclement weather.

from: Columbia City Paper

Is Public TV In Peril?
By Todd Morehead
February 14 12:35 PM

One year from now, television as we know it will change forever. For those who haven’t yet purchased a converter box, are not cable subscribers or don’t have a compatible TV, the screen will go dark on Feb. 17, 2009 as the industry switches from broadcasting a traditional analog signal to a digital one. The “DTV switch,” as it has come to be known, will not only facilitate the continued progression toward high definition systems but will also free up the 700 MHz spectrum for the creation of more standardized public safety communications. In the background, the FCC has plans to auction a chunk of that vacated analog spectrum to large wireless and telecom companies like Verizon and Google. Some analysts predict the sale could fetch up to $15 billion dollars. Meanwhile, many Democrats on Capitol Hill worry that an unprepared and under funded FCC has not adequately educated the general public about the DTV switch.

from: The Tennessen

AT&T video debate heats up
Company wants TV franchise that lets it bypass areas
By NAOMI SNYDER • Staff Writer • February 17, 2008

A key point in a contentious debate in the General Assembly revolves around who will get AT&T's new TV service.

It has been rolled out in parts of 12 states, but not yet in Tennessee as a legislative battle over licensing rules plays out in the General Assembly. The cable industry wants to force AT&T to build out to a significant part of the state's population, following longtime local rules where cable companies typically must serve nearly every home in a county.

from: MultiChannel News

N.C. Franchise Law Helping … Cable Incumbents
AT&T, Other Competitors Have Yet To Apply For Statewide Application
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 2/16/2008 9:29:00 AM

A bill designed to aid competitive video providers in North Carolina has actually deregulated many incumbent operators, while no new competitors have applied to serve the state, according to data compiled by a municipal consultant.

from: Community Media Clips

“PEG Access in the Digital Age”: The Entire Congressional Hearing, in Order, in YouTube Clips
Posted February 15, 2008 by Rob McCausland

Here are clips of the January 29 hearing held by the House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee, “PEG Services in the Digital Age.” The clips are in chronological order, beginning with opening statements (1-7), witnesses testimony (8-11), and representatives’ questions (12-20).

from: Journal Group

February 14, 2008
Bill provides for cable channel compromise
Scott Spielman
Editor

Legislation has been introduced that will keep Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channels available to all cable viewers—for now.

House Bills 5693 and 5667 would address a recent proposal from the Comcast Cable company to move those channels up into the 900 range—and out of easy access to hundreds of thousands of cable subscribers.

From: journal Group

February 14, 2008
Comcast Cable changes channels again

After apologizing for a widely criticized attempt to move PEG (Public Education and Government) channels out of range of most viewers, officials from Comcast Cable tried another approach on Friday.

from: Union Network

CWA Presses for Cable Choice Bill in Pennsylvania

02/08/2008

- Labour news from UNI global union - for trade unions in a global services economy. -

CWA this week urged Pennsylvania legislators to approve the Consumer Choice Cable Franchising and High-Speed Broadband Promotion Act, H.B 1490, to encourage the buildout of true high speed Internet networks and end the current cable monopoly in the state.

from: WHTM.com

Cable TV Oversight Could Shift To State
posted 6:38 pm Thu February 07, 2008 -

The State House Consumer Affairs Committee is considering a bill that would eliminate the local franchise agreements for cable TV companies. Instead the State Public Utility commission would deal with cable. Norman Stanton of Halifax wants to dump dial-up internet service because his wife is taking online college courses. "Every time she starts her homework," says Stanton, "You're knocked off the dial-up. So we have to have a high-speed internet." Stanton ordered Comcast high speed internet more than month ago. He got a bill but getting his high speed installed has been slow. "Every time you call you talk to somebody different," says Stanton. "And nobody knows what the other one said." Stanton also complained to his local borough about Comcast but a state lawmaker wants to change all that.