Save Access

from: Ann Arbor News

Comcast got what it bargained for
Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Comcast, having benefited richly over decades from its cable television monopoly in Michigan communities, should feel compelled to give something of value back.

Not much has been asked, although one small concession historically from Comcast to this community and others has been a public access channel for locally produced programming, which are generally broadcast on channels on the low end of the spectrum.

from: The Madison Times

Reverse for AT&T's U-verse video?

Jeff Richgels — 1/24/2008 3:45 pm

Could AT&T be out of the video business before it even brings its U-verse service to Madison?

That's possible, according to TVPredictions.com president Phillip "Swanni" Swann, who predicts AT&T will be out of the video business within 12 to 18 months, CedMagazine.com reported.

from: Free Press

Live Blogging during PEG Congressional Hearing

Submitted by IraFP on January 25, 2008 - 9:07am.

On Tuesday, Jan. 29, the Free Press Action Network will hold a live-blogging session during the congressional hearing on Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) services in the digital TV age. Activists and community leaders will be discussing the hearing as it unfolds.

from: Cleveland Daily Banner

Watson seeks citizens’ input on video measure

By David Davis Managing Editor

Published January 24, 2008 10:45 AM EDT

A local state representative is asking for citizen input on a bill authorizing statewide franchises to companies providing video services.

from: Ojai Valley News

Thursday, January 24, 2008
Ojai's Public Access May Be Closed

If Time Warner inks deal with state, it will likely be curtains for local television shows

By Nao Braverman
Public access television stations, known to feature quirky television shows with all the amateur charm of low-budget production and editing, may be heading for demise in California, and even sooner in Ojai.

from: The Third Eye

Thursday, January 24, 2008
Comcast got caught (temporarily), trying to be slick

To be able to win a cable franchise, the company must provide public, educational and governmental (PEG) access. Such access bring us programs, ranging from exotic cooking, to school board meetings, to one-man and one-woman shows.

from: Murfreesboro Post

Oh, yeah, let’s make AT&T only answer to the state. That’ll work
By MIKE PIRTLE, Publisher/President

Those of you old enough to remember the popular TV show, “Laugh-in,” probably also remember an ongoing skit by Lilly Tomlinson in which she portrayed a telephone operator.

Note: The 'attacks' in question were hardly misinformed - only AT&T's response can be considered misinformation. AT&T places regional PEG channels on a Channel 99 submenu on their U-verse system - a submenu list that could grow to over a hundred becoming increasingly unwieldy and useless. This is a side-effect of telco/cable providers moving to a regional head-end, eliminating local head-in systems for cost efficiencies (think Clear Channel and the loss of localism).