Save Access - TENNESSEE

TN: Cable man's alleged abductor ordered to get mental exam

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:45:31 -0400

Cable man's alleged abductor ordered to get mental exam

June 10, 2008
By CHRIS ECHEGARAY
Staff Writer

The cable TV war in Tennessee has reached new heights.

But it's not the competitors waging this battle — it's a customer. His name is John Weatherly, and he has been accused of kidnapping a Comcast technician during a service call in March 2007.

TN: Governor Signs Statewide Video Franchise Bill Into Law

Thu, 22 May 2008 06:46:59 -0400

from: WZTV

Tennessee Governor Signs Statewide Video Franchise Bill Into Law

Associated Press, May 19, 2008

Gov. Phil Bredesen has signed into law a bill to create statewide TV cable franchising in Tennessee.

The measure pushed by AT&T Inc. was the result of two years of negotiations with the cable industry and local governments that also saw millions spent on lobbying and advertising campaigns.

TN: As AT$T legislation wraps up, city may be first to see U-verse

Fri, 02 May 2008 07:15:59 -0400

from: The City Paper

As AT&T legislation wraps up, city may be first to see U-verse
By John Rodgers, Friday, May 2, 2008 3:21 am

Nashvillians and residents of neighboring counties will likely have the first crack at AT&T’s television programming later this year now that legislation is close to becoming law, a lawmaker close to the telecom said.

TN: Statewide Cable Franchise Bill Passes General Assembly

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:11:57 -0400

from: Nashville Public radio

Statewide Cable Franchise Bill Passes General Assembly

Thursday, May 01st, 2008

A bill that would allow AT&T to expand into cable and broadband internet services statewide is on its way to the governor.

The Senate unanimously passed the measure today, after two years of behind-the-scenes bargaining between the giant phone utility and the cable television industry. Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says he’s satisfied with the end result.

TN: Historic’ AT$T bill headed to governor

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:07:09 -0400

from: The City Paper

Historic’ AT&T bill headed to governor
By John Rodgers, jrodgers@nashvillecitypaper.com
Updated: Thursday, May 1, 2008 10:33 am

Calling it a “historic day in Tennessee,” the Senate unanimously approved a bill this morning paving the way for AT&T to start offering television programming in Tennessee and compete with the cable industry.

TN: Nashville: House approves AT$T cable deal

Thu, 01 May 2008 07:18:20 -0400

from: Times Free Press

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Nashville: House approves AT&T cable deal

By: Andy Sher

NASHVILLE — The House voted 93-2 Monday for legislation that would let AT&T begin competing with cable companies to provide television services across Tennessee.

TN: Cable bill passes House

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:14:23 -0400

from: AP Wire

Cable bill passes House
Associated Press - April 28, 2008 6:35 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposal to provide statewide cable TV franchising has passed the House.

The legislation approved 93-2 on Monday would allow companies like AT&T Inc. to avoid having to seek hundreds of municipal permits to offer TV service.

TN: Final Language of the Tennessee Franchise Reform Bill and Amendments

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:49:35 -0400

from: Elliott Mitchell
Music City Arts TV9 / iQ TV10
http://www.meac.tv

Attached, please find the final language of the Franchise "Reform" Legislation in the General Assembly in Tennessee.

There has been some criticism of the draft version of this legislation, and insofar as I can tell the final version is identical to the draft.

I will be the first to tell you that the bill is imperfect, but I also know some of its genesis and was privileged to be among the PEG folks asked to help the Tennessee Municipal League understand and object to many of the demands of both Telco and Cable during closed-door "negotiation." I believe I can report that due to TML's help, PEG in Tennessee dodged several major bullets, where other states have been not so fortunate.

TN: Despite compromise bill, cable ads bashing AT$T still ran

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:43:44 -0400

from: City Paper

Despite compromise bill, cable ads bashing AT&T still ran
By John Rodgers
Nashville City Paper
04/23/08

Despite compromise bill, cable ads bashing AT&T still ran | comcast, at&t, compromise bill, television franchising, state legislature

Tennessee Cable Telecommunications Association says continued ads targeting AT&T after compromise could be due to timing in getting them off the air. Matthew Williams/The City Paper

TN: Competitive cable legislation moves in house

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:40:40 -0400

from: The Pacer

Competitive cable legislation moves in house
Heather Peterson

Comprise legislation that seeks to provide statewide cable TV franchising is moving in the house with little debate.

The measure unanimously passed the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday after Democratic chairman Charles Curtiss of Sparta had state Comptroller John Morgan address committee members to make sure they understood the bill.

TN: Tennessee Franchising Bill Aims To Extend Broadband Services

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:18:10 -0400

from: MultiChannel News

Tennessee Franchising Bill Aims To Extend Broadband Services
Local Governments Could Also Subsidize Deployment If Private Sector Passes
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 4/11/2008 1:10:00 PM

Legislators in Tennessee have been presented a new version of a state franchising bill with a unique scheme to provide an incentive to new providers to extend broadband services.

TN: AT$T Won't Say Where It'd Offer TV if Bill Passes

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:09:18 -0400

from: Nashville City Paper

AT&T Won't Say Where It'd Offer TV if Bill Passes

April 9, 2008
By John Rodgers

Despite lobbying for a bill to start offering television services and compete with cable, AT&T will not say where it would offer those services if legislation were approved.

“For competitive reasons, the company does not outline those plans,” said Bob Corney, an AT&T spokesman. “But, our goal is to try to get our product to as many customers as possible as quickly as possible.”

TN: Nice Lobby

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:04:40 -0400

from: Light Reading

Nice Lobby
APRIL 10, 2008
Discuss >

1:00 PM -- There's one industry in the U.S. economy that is certainly not in a recession: lobbying. In New York state alone, lobbyists had a golden year in 2007, taking in a record $172.1 million. There are a lot of people and companies to thank for that, but none more so than Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ - message board).

TN: Devilish Details In TN Cable Franchise Legislation

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:02:35 -0400

from: Cup of Joe

Thursday, April 10, 2008
Devilish Details In TN Cable Franchise Legislation

A definition of the word Legislation: a solution to a problem which may, or may not actually exist, which may or may not actually create any observable results, and typically is a hand-stitched agreement crafted after some great length of time in order that the public be aroused or dulled and during which time money may be applied to preserve, alter or eliminate debate.

TN: Tennessee Waltz

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:00:55 -0400

from: Riedel Communications

Thursday, April 10, 2008
Tennessee Waltz

It’s every woman’s nightmare. You take your sweetheart to a dance and your best friend dances off with him. Sure it feels like betrayal, but they couldn’t help themselves, they fell in love with each other while they were dancing. Nothing personal, mind you, nothing personal.