Save Access - MICHIGAN

MI: Lansing must fix threat to public access

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:24:07 -0500

Lansing must fix threat to public access
Flawed cable law paved way for transfer of community programs

No matter how Comcast tries to spin it, the cable provider's efforts to move some of its channels to a higher digital tier runs counter to the interests of many viewers. More important, state lawmakers bear responsibility for making it easier for Comcast to change its programming.

MI: Lawsuit holds back digital cable switch

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:29:57 -0500

from: Times Herald

Lawsuit holds back digital cable switch
Public access channel still widely available
By NICHOLAS DESHAIS
Times Herald

Comcast announced a slate of programming changes Friday, including the removal of some channels from standard cable in order to move them to a high-definition format.

MI: New Service Lacks the CTN Channels

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:20:26 -0500

from: Ann Arbor News

New Service Lacks the CTN Channels

February 20, 2008
By Tom Gantert

Ann Arbor residents who choose AT&T U-verse — an Internet-based alternative to Comcast’s cable TV — won’t find Ann Arbor’s community-access channels on the service.

MI: State cable TV law needs a tune-up

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:06:24 -0500

from: Detroit Free Press

State cable TV law needs a tune-up

The end of analog TV signals a year from now is shaking up viewers in more ways than one. The biggest impact will fall on those with old, non-digital sets who get their signals over the air. Their TVs will simply not show a picture next year unless they get a converter box.

MI: Competititon for Video Services Developing Very Slowly in Michigan

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:16:04 -0500

from: Michigan State University

Competititon for Video Services Developing Very Slowly in Michigan

02/15/08
State News, Communications

A report released Feb. 1 by state regulators indicates slightly growing competition among providers of video services, including cable TV companies and telecommunications firms.

MI: Let the cable wars begin: AT$T takes on Comcast

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:10:01 -0500

from: Mlive.com

Let the cable wars begin: AT&T takes on Comcast
Posted by Tom Gantert | The Ann Arbor News February 18, 2008 10:39AM
By TOM GANTERT
The Ann Arbor News

For 17 years, Annisa Bowden of Ann Arbor watched cable television on Comcast.

She never thought it was that good of a deal, but shied away from satellite because of reception concerns during inclement weather.

Video: PEG Access in the Digital Age

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:00:05 -0500

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).

MI: Bill provides for cable channel compromise

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:57:16 -0500

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.

MI: Comcast Cable changes channels again

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:50:44 -0500

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.

MI: City's cable board sends letter of dissatisfaction to Comcast

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:55:20 -0500

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.

MI: Public Access Advocates Hoping to Hold on to Cable Channel

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:36:48 -0500

from: Flint journal

Public Access Advocates Hoping to Hold on to Cable Channel

January 30, 2008
By Joe Lawlor

He’s a slouching, white-haired government critic who shouts out of your television set and shakes his hands to make a point.

But Bob Leonard, the former Genesee County prosecutor, no longer appears on Comcast Channel 17.

MI: AT$T Knocked for 'Inferior' PEG Channels

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:11:42 -0500

from: MultiChannel News

AT&T Knocked for 'Inferior' PEG Channels
Alliance for Community Media Complains About U-verse TV to House Subcommittee
by Todd Spangler
Multichannel News
1/31/2008 5:24:00 PM

The Internet-based technology AT&T touts as giving it an edge over the cable industry was criticized this week by the Alliance for Community Media as providing an “inferior” platform for public, educational and government channels.

MI: Are you laughing with your cable provider?

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:09:35 -0500

from: Media Mouse

Are you laughing with your cable provider?

About a year ago, Comcast ran an ad called the "Laugh Riot" which had the look of a Seattle style WTO protest, featuring cops in riot gear, people throwing things at the cops, and even street puppets. Unlike real confrontations between cops and street protesters where people get beat up and arrested, this commercial invited viewers to get Comcast cable and enjoy all the wonderful comedy programs they offered.

MI: Comcast apologizes in channel dispute

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:55:32 -0500

from: Detroit Free Press

Comcast apologizes in channel dispute
Agreement sought on public-access switch

January 30, 2008

By JUSTIN HYDE

FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- A top Comcast executive apologized Tuesday to officials in Dearborn and other communities for pushing plans to move public-access cable channels, which would make them less available to up to 450,000 customers.

MI: Statement by Dingell at PEG Hearing

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:42:34 -0500

from: House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Statement by Dingell at PEG Hearing

January 29, 2008

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this very important hearing. Let me begin by welcoming several friends here today, including my dear friend Mayor O’Reilly of Dearborn, Michigan. Thank you for your time and efforts to participate in today’s hearing.