Time Warner charging for local oriented meeting coverage

Time Warner Cable is starting to show its true colors.

They have agreed, despite some observers’ and selectmen’s wishes, to make the new 10-year contract all about them – the hell with the subscriber.

And this does not take into account the issue of non-duplication of Channel 5, WCVB, Boston by WTEN, Channel 10, Albany, N.Y. despite the fact that we (Southern Berkshires) are not part of the Albany market.

Keys:

-Towns should not allow for the deletion of one’s year pay in advance for the 13th month free. (The Five Town Cable Commission just gave in and did not fight for retention of this.)

The cable company offers deals to multi-family, condominiums complexes on one bill, i.e. a monthly/yearly deduction subject to TW decision. Thus, there should be a reward for pre-payment.

-There’s a reduction in free wire to a structure (limit off the main feed to 250 feet). This should remain free in each community – no limit; the cable company will make up cost over period of years. (A cable agreement is for the whole community, not subject to any conditions.)

-Several small items should require a public hearing in each town before approval. (Remember the Open Meeting Law applies to any and all committees/commissions.)

-The cable company seizes on pushing business class for its Internet service. (The cable commission did not address internet service.)

-That price goes from a minimum of $20 to $65 per month if the company can prove any commerce from the home.

NOTE: We are not here to make them profitable; we are here to get a clear signal, both audio and video.

Finally, now, one has to have a digital box (99 cents a month) to view local cable productions, including various meetings. Whatever happened to no charge for public access TV?

Posted by George C. Jordan III on July 5, 2013. Filed under Editorials,Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry