Save Access

Note: another case of state franchising eliminating PEG from analog and basic cable channel offerings. Basic cable, still regulated until competition is proven, is the most accessible cable package for senior and low income residents who often benefit most from the locally orientated and service related PEG TV offerings.

from: WMNF Radio

Note: OK, we confess to creative license on the title alteration, but frankly we're very tired of seeing these self-laudatory corporate press releases being picked up by local press as fact and as evidence of corporate benevolence on the part of the telcos' recent legislative scams. AT&T, like Verizon, is making a fortune off such misinformation and deceit. With their merger with SBC, AT&T promised to cut 10,000 jobs right off the bat, then there's the multi-million dollar contracts with the NSA and FBI to violate your privacy, finally, as in Ohio, they've succeeded in deregulating the cable TV market and are now eliminating the residents' First Amendment Rights by de-funding public access and PEG TV. Also note, the Internet Innovation Alliance is funded by AT&T and likely is nothing more than a staff of three PR agents copying and pasting these press releases. But we digress - on to the self-celebratory corporate text . . . hooray for competition and DSL quality broadband!

from: Blogging Broadband

Adrian, Michigan Files Complaint Against Comcast

It’s been almost nine months since Michigan’s “Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act” became effective. The third complaint under that new law was filed by the City of Adrian, Michigan late last week.

Although anxiety has been building for some time over the positions being taken by Comcast, Adrian’s complaint was the first to be filed under the new law against the nation’s dominant cable company. According to the pleading, Comcast’s actions violated at least two sections of the new statute. First, Comcast allegedly represented to the Michigan Public Service Commission that the City had taken no action on the company’s Uniform Franchise application in the first 30 days, and, therefore, that the Uniform Franchise had been approved by operation of law. According to the City, however, a finding had been made that Comcast’s application was incomplete — Comcast simply ignored the conclusion and represented the matter differently to the MPSC.

from: IndyBay

When Will Public Access TV Come to Fresno?
by Mike Rhodes
Tuesday Sep 25th, 2007 5:24 PM

Now is the time to SUPPORT PEG access in Fresno.

When Will Public Access TV Come to Fresno?
By Mike Rhodes

Efforts to establish Public, Education, and Government (PEG) programing on the cable network in Fresno have been underway for over six years now. What happens in the next month or two will determine whether or not individuals and community groups will have an opportunity to produce and broadcast programs on Comcast cable.

from: Nashville Post

General Assembly committee chief won't sponsor AT&T reform bill

09-25-2007

House Commerce Committee Chairman Charles Curtiss told NashvillePost.com this morning he will neither sponsor nor cosponsor legislation for video-services franchise reform during the next session of the General Assembly.

from: Chicago Tribune

AT&T applies for video permit
Company seeks state approval of franchise

By Jon Van

Tribune staff reporter

September 25, 2007

Although still a few months away from offering competitive video service in Illinois, AT&T on Monday applied to the state for a video franchise under a law enacted in June.

from: Hernando Today

Are public access TV channels on the way out here?
By JOHN HERBERT
Published: Sep 24, 2007

Whenever we have an opportunity to grab something for "only" about one dollar a month, our anticipated reaction to most bargain-basement offers is usually to say, "yes, please."

from: News Herald

State takes control of cable TV franchises

David S. Glasier
DGlasier@News-Herald.com
09/24/2007

Department of Commerce now awards state television and wire-video franchises

The channel is changed in the Buckeye State.
Beginning today, the Ohio Department of Commerce assumes responsibility for awarding cable TV franchises and wire-video franchises such as AT&T U-verse.

from: KOMU TV

"CAT" May Say Goodbye

COLUMBIA - Imagine watching your favorite TV show and all of a sudden the screen goes black- off the air. That's just what may happen to Columbia's cable access channel.

The cameras and equipment are enough to give anyone a hunger for the limelight. At Stephens Hall, a room downstairs is starving for cash.

from: Post Tribune

Public access unplugged
September 22, 2007

By Andy Grimm Post-Tribune staff writer
Public access channels across Northwest Indiana may go dark later this month as local leaders look for a way to extend the 20-plus season run of local, low production-value programming.

For more than two decades, cable TV subscribers have had a slate of locally-produced shows that spanned the gamut from high-minded (town council meetings and local political commentary) to lowbrow (pop culture phenomena such as "Jackass").