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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Survey shows no rate relief for consumers
Assessing the Damage:
Survey shows that state video franchise laws bring no rate relief while harming public benefits
About the Survey
In May 2008, the Alliance for Community Media (ACM) initiated an online survey regarding the impact of state video franchise laws. Members of ACM and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) from around the country participated in this survey.
There were 204 respondents from 33 states, representing public, educational and governmental (PEG) access television centers. Of those respondents, 140 (from 18 states) now have a state video franchise law in effect. This summary focuses on the responses from those with state video franchise laws.
Preliminary Conclusions
Even in the early stages of adoption and implementation, the negative fallout from the state video franchise laws has been substantial and will continue to mount. As incumbents and new entrants apply to operate under these new franchises, more communities will experience the cutbacks and degradation of PEG services reported in this survey, leaving many communities in the nation without the diverse, local programming provided through PEG channels. This outcome directly contradicts the purpose stated in the Cable Act of 1984, that franchises be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community.
It’s important to note that where PEG Access has greater protection in the state video franchise laws, AT&T is ignoring requirements to provide PEG at “similar” (CA law) or “equivalent” (IL law) signal quality and functionality as commercial channels. This disadvantages, rather than serves local communities.
It is our hope that the information drawn from this initial survey of communities affected by state video franchise laws will inform proactive legislative and regulatory action to preserve the localism and diversity of programming that emerges from PEG channels nationwide.
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The Alliance for Community Media is a national membership organization representing more than 3,000 PEG access centers across the nation. Local PEG programmers produce 20,000 hours of new programs per week, and serve more than 250,000 organizations annually through the efforts of an estimated 1.2 million volunteers.
For survey information, contact ACM Public Policy Committee member, Barbara Popovic
(312) 738-1400, bpopovic@cantv.org
Survey shows that state video franchise laws bring no rate relief while harming public benefits
About the Survey
In May 2008, the Alliance for Community Media (ACM) initiated an online survey regarding the impact of state video franchise laws. Members of ACM and the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) from around the country participated in this survey.
There were 204 respondents from 33 states, representing public, educational and governmental (PEG) access television centers. Of those respondents, 140 (from 18 states) now have a state video franchise law in effect. This summary focuses on the responses from those with state video franchise laws.
Preliminary Conclusions
Even in the early stages of adoption and implementation, the negative fallout from the state video franchise laws has been substantial and will continue to mount. As incumbents and new entrants apply to operate under these new franchises, more communities will experience the cutbacks and degradation of PEG services reported in this survey, leaving many communities in the nation without the diverse, local programming provided through PEG channels. This outcome directly contradicts the purpose stated in the Cable Act of 1984, that franchises be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community.
It’s important to note that where PEG Access has greater protection in the state video franchise laws, AT&T is ignoring requirements to provide PEG at “similar” (CA law) or “equivalent” (IL law) signal quality and functionality as commercial channels. This disadvantages, rather than serves local communities.
It is our hope that the information drawn from this initial survey of communities affected by state video franchise laws will inform proactive legislative and regulatory action to preserve the localism and diversity of programming that emerges from PEG channels nationwide.
------------------
The Alliance for Community Media is a national membership organization representing more than 3,000 PEG access centers across the nation. Local PEG programmers produce 20,000 hours of new programs per week, and serve more than 250,000 organizations annually through the efforts of an estimated 1.2 million volunteers.
For survey information, contact ACM Public Policy Committee member, Barbara Popovic
(312) 738-1400, bpopovic@cantv.org
Thursday, July 3, 2008
West Hartford Residents Read The Declaration of Independence
West Hartford Community Television and The League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford collaborated to present a local reading of the Declaration of Independence. Tune to Channel 5 at 7:00 p.m., July 4th - 6th to see this special presentation.
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