Save Access

from: tennessean.com

Friday, 02/09/07
Local control ensures competition is fair

By STACEY BRIGGS
Stacey Briggs is executive director of the Tennessee Cable Telecommunications Association.

Metro Council member Lynn Williams is rolling out the red carpet for AT&T/BellSouth, inviting the company to meet with Metro government and begin the process of gaining a franchise to provide video services to Davidson County residents.

from: Mid Hudson News

Municipal leaders fear loss of cable TV revenues

Poughkeepsie – Town supervisors and village mayors are concerned about possible legislation in Albany that could result in a loss of cable TV franchise fees to the municipalities.

LaGrange Supervisor Jon Wagner is the new president of the Dutchess County Supervisors and Mayors Association, and he said the local officials are concerned about the potential loss of funds.

from: Nashville City Paper

AT&T, cable industry ready to face off

By John Rodgers, jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com
February 08, 2007

AT&T and the state’s cable industry are set for a battle at the state Capitol concerning television franchising rights, and if AT&T is successful, Comcast could have a major competitor in Nashville.

from: Disappeared News

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

The battle to save public access TV in Hawaii moves to the legislature

... and it could use your help

Not only can you help, but your help is needed to save Hawaii's public access television channels.

As you know, there's a move afoot to replace the current public access television providers. The administration plans to do this by opening the contracts to competitive bidding, while disadvantaging the current providers from ever winning a contract.

from: Broadcast Newsroom

Colo. Statewide-Franchise Bill on Hold

By Linda Haugsted 2/8/2007 7:02:00 PM

A cable franchise reform bill backed by Qwest Communications International in Colorado was postponed indefinitely by an 8-4 vote Thursday of the state House transportation and energy committee.

from: Access North GA

Arts community lobbying for cut of cable television revenue

The Associated Press - ATLANTA
Georgia's arts community is picturing a way to get millions of dollars in funding through a proposal that would change the way cable television is delivered to homes.

Atlanta's art leaders are asking lawmakers to require that cable companies send one percent of their gross revenues to a state fund dedicated to art education. The change would be part of a new statewide cable franchise system that's being considered by lawmakers.

With over 100 million spent to influence national and state legislation to dismantle local video franchises (and PEG), it seems AT&T still doesn't have a sound delivery system. AT&T, now the biggest telephone company, is relying on Microsoft, the largest software manufacturer, for the software of their delivery system. "Your World...error... delivered".

from: Wall Street Journal

from: Denver Post

Qwest backs bill allowing state cable franchise

By Kimberly S. Johnson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 02/06/2007 11:11:25 PM MST

Qwest's Colorado president Chuck Ward faced tough questions Tuesday from members of a state House committee, as he testified in support of a bill to create a statewide cable-TV franchise agreement.

from: Syracuse.com

Verizon has no deal for CNY

Wednesday, February 07, 2007
By William LaRue
Staff writer

That $42.99-a-month offer for 200 channels, which Verizon Communications is dangling for its FiOS cable-TV service, remains out of reach in Central New York.

from: Colombia Tribune

Telecom bill tunes out customers’ needs

J. SCOTT CHRISTIANSON
Published Tuesday, February 6, 2007
The Missouri Senate is considering one of the best-written pieces of legislation to come before it in some time: Senate Bill 284, the Missouri Video Franchise Bill. It should be a good bill, considering how much money AT&T spent to write it.