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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.

Holland Sentinel

Wednesday, February 6, 2008
City's cable board sends letter of dissatisfaction to Comcast
BY ANDREA GOODELL
andrea.goodell@hollandsentinel.com (616) 546-4275

The proposed move of public access channels and complaints about customer service have city officials unhappy with their cable franchise.

Medina Gazette

Wadsworth irked over funding halt by Time Warner
February 6th, 2008
By MARIA KACIK
Staff Writer

The city of Wadsworth may take official action against Time Warner Cable after the company halted its funding of a portion of the city’s public education and government (PEG) programming on WCTV.

Forbes

Lawmakers meet with reps on cable bill
02.05.08, 1:24 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh on Monday denied there's been a lack of transparency in the handling of a contentious proposal to change cable permitting rules in Tennessee to encourage broadband access around the state.

WMNF News

Public Access Channel goes on without county funds
02/05/08 Mitch E. Perry

After attempting to cut funding for years, the Hillsborough County Commission last fall pulled the plug on financing the county’s Public Access Channel.

Forced to reduce the budget dues to mandates from the state Legislature last year, the board also cut in half funding of the county’s Education Channel, and warned station operators that there may not be any funding at all next year. The third channel, the county’s Government channel, also saw its budget cut by more than $200,000 – but it’s entire budget is just a little less than $2-million.