Also, the City Council will have another hearing of the Cable Franchise Agreement, on Thursday November 18, 2004, 12:30 p.m. There is reason to believe there will be a vote from them at that time.
Already the Board of Estimates has made a vote for the agreement with changes http://www.bpatv.org/City%20Board%20of%20Estimates%20OKs%20Comcast%20deal.doc
Letters have been sent to City Council representative and to media contacts stating the reasons for opposition to present terms of the Franchise Agreement.
The contract fails to include meaningful dedicated funding for public access TV, gives up four channels worth about $77 million, and will create a biased body to oversee the public access channel's management and content.
The contract fails to include meaningful dedicated funding for public access TV, gives up four channels worth about $77 million, and will create a biased body to oversee the public access channel's management and content.
Attempts to pass Council Bill 04-1504 Comcast Franchise Agreement prior to decision of Council Bill 04-1411, Ensuring Public Access Television for the Citizens of Baltimore City, introduced June 3, 2004. http://bpatv.org/Council%20Bill%2004-1411.htm
In addition: It is not in agreement with the City's Needs Assessment by a consulting contractor, Cable Television Needs Assessment Study For The City of Baltimore. http://www.bpatv.org/Cable%20Television%20Needs%20Assessment%20Study%20City%20of%20Baltimore%20PEG.pdf. Pages 1-10, sections 1.1 and 1.2, Key Findings and Identified Needs Summary
advises, annual revenue flow from Comcast, length of contract no longer than 10 years, increase in number of PEG channels, increase of bandwith,
It does not address many areas addressed in document WHAT BALTIMORE SHOULD HAVE: INFORMATION CHART
What Baltimore should have:
A specific percentage of the franchise fee should go to public access. (BGM advises 2% of gross revenues for public access; 1% for educational access; 1% for governmental access. 5% franchise fee paid to the City by Comcast goes into a general fund; $0 is earmarked specifically for a public access fund.)
An initial grant, to be used to completely rebuild public access television in Baltimore; a certain fee to be charged per subscriber per month in the years thereafter. (Comcast has given no money for public access equipment and facilities during the current contract.)
At least 3 facilities with video, audio, and editing equipment, as well as training facilities, within easy access of public transportation.. (Channel 5 is run out of the MOCC office downtown – there are only playback facilities and there is no equipment or training available.)
A percentage of digital bandwidth (channel space) allocated for public access. (BGM advises 10% of digital bandwidth (channel space) to be designated for PEG access, with 3.3% specifically for public access. Only one channel, Channel 5, exists. BGM advises 3 Public Channels, #1-Public Announcements and General Programming, #2 Religious Programming, #3 Multi-Lingual Video Programming.)
An organization which is Public access operator which is completely separate from the City and Comcast, has a democratically elected, demographically representative Board, and has an open membership (anyone who lives, works, or is a member of an organization within the City of Baltimore. (Public access is controlled by the MOCC, in facilities which are designated for the use of the City for governmental programming. There is no independent organization running public access.)
Media sources:
http://bpatv.org/bcpa_tv.html
http://baltimoregrassrootsmedia.org/
http://baltimorepublicaccessnewswire.blogspot.com/
City Board of Estimates OKs Comcast deal
Baltimore Mayor's Cultural Town Meeting November 8, 2004. Announcements of New Programs
City Cable Deal short-circuits much needed Public Access, groups say. By Ezra K. Feiser, Daily Record Business Writer
Baltimore Grassroots Media Press Release 10-19-04 Board of Estimates, Mayor to Consider Fate of Baltimore Public Access TV: Mayor O’Malley’s Own Cable Experts Say Better PATV Provisions are Needed, but Comcast is a Major Contributor to His Campaign.
Protesters say deal will hurt public TV
Baltimore Sun: by Doug Donovan Planned TV deal raises concern
City’s Proposed Cable Contract Lacks Public Access TV Provisions
Cable Television Needs Assessment Study For The City of Baltimore
Exhibit VI PEG Access Photos
Council Bill 04-1411, Ensuring Public Access Television for the Citizens of Baltimore City.
WHAT BALTIMORE SHOULD HAVE: INFORMATION CHART
8/23/04: Public Access TV Advocates Call on City Council Members Dixon, Curran, Harris, and Mitchell to Recuse Themselves from Cable Franchise Vote
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