Save Access

from: Houston Art Blog

buh-bye

Apparently the city has no need for Houston Media Source anymore, last week the city decided to not renew their franchise contract. Under Texas' two and a half year-old statewide video franchise law, Comcast will be allowed to apply for a statewide franchise certificate, but they are not obligated to give any funds to public access. Bill White's Chief of Staff, Mr. Terrance Fountain, says the City will cut off all funding for Houston Media Source effective April 2008.

from: Tech and Communications Today

State Wide Video/Cable TV Franchise Laws= No Reduced Bills or Competion

Posted by technology2day

This month Governor Strickland signed into law State-wide video franchise bill. This bill of course was sponsored and paid for by AT&T, and Verizon along with their lobbing groups they created to ensure the public this was the greatest thing for Ohio. Do you know what a State Wide Video Franchise Law is? If you answered No, then you’re like most people.

from: Capital Times

New Coalition Attempts to Squash Controversial Cable Bill in Wisconsin

From Capital Times, July 11, 2007
By Judith Davidoff

Saying consumers have been excluded from the debate, a new coalition announced efforts today to fight efforts by AT&T and state legislators to deregulate the cable television industry.

from: Newsday

Suffolk legislator pushing Verizon for equal rollouts
Can you hear him now?

BY JULIET CHENG
juliet.chung@newsday.com

July 12, 2007, 4:01 PM EDT

Claiming Verizon would discriminate against minority and low-income communities if the town of Islip grants it a cable franchise agreement -- an action the town is considering -- Suffolk County Legis. Ricardo Montano is pushing for the telecom giant to commit to thorough service rollout terms and penalized if it fails to meet those terms.

from: MultiChannel News

Florida Approves Verizon Statewide Franchise

(Multichannel News) _ The Florida Department of State approved Verizon Communications' application for a state-issued cable franchise, opening the way for the telco to offer FiOS TV service in the Tampa, Fla., area.

from: Independent Weekly

Touch that dial
What happens when telecom companies write state legislation? Check your wallet.

BY FIONA MORGAN
JULY 11, 2007

Beware of legislation promising "competition." A bill passed by the General Assembly last year that was intended to jump-start competition in the cable TV industry has had the unforeseen consequence of costing the state and local governments across North Carolina millions of dollars in lost revenue. And six months after the law went into effect, that promised competition is nowhere in sight.

from: Teletruth Wisconsin

Teletruth Wisconsin News Alert, July 11th, 2007.

Press Conference, Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 10 am,
Senate Parlor, State Capitol, Madison, Wisconsin.

Subject: To announce the creation of TeleTruth Wisconsin, a broad new alliance of citizen groups and individuals concerned about the pending cable TV legislation - SB 107 / AB 207 - being promoted by AT&T and their affiliate, TV4US.

from: Columbian Missourian

Columbia Access Television needs funds to stay on air

By ADAM DANIELS

July 11, 2007 | 12:00 a.m. CST

Columbia Access Television was launched in October 2004. But without a change in city policy, it will be off the air by the end of the year.

from: NJ.com

Vineland denies Comcast
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
By JASON LADAY
jladay@sjnewsco.com

VINELAND -- City council voted to deny Comcast's application to renew their 15-year contract with the city during its regular meeting Tuesday night.

Comcast of South Jersey LLC, Vineland's only cable provider, has had a 15-year contract with Vineland giving the company franchise in the city.

from: Sun-Sentinel

Cable franchise deals may shut out AT&T for years in South Florida cities

By IAN KATZ
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted July 11 2007

AT&T's upcoming cable TV service in South Florida could mean more competition in the industry and lower rates for many consumers. But some might not get a chance to see it any time soon.