What We're Doing

The Committee works to advocate for public access media resources such as CAN TV. Since 2011, we have been organizing for strong public access benefits through the City of Chicago’s cable franchise agreements with RCN, Comcast, AT&T and WOW. Our primary goal is that these companies guarantee CAN TV funding and the same technical advancements that are available to broadcast stations. In December of 2015, RCN’s area two franchise expires, and we will seek renewal terms that meet or exceed its area one commitments.

Recently, the Committee has:

• December 2014: Met with IL Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office to discuss the state cable franchise law. 
• August 2014: Attended Cable Compliance Hearing to voice our support for CAN TV.
• August 2014: Submitted formal FCC filing on the Comcast-Time Warner merger.
• June 2014: Gordon Quinn interviewed on WBEZ about Comcast and public access.
• June 2014: Wrote to national advocacy groups regarding Comcast merger.
• May 2014: Attended the Cable Compliance Hearing to voice our support for CAN TV. 
• March 2014: Attended Committee on Finance meeting to hear testimony on Comcast's franchise extension. 
• February 2014: Met with new BACP Commissioner Guerra Lapacek to discuss CAN TV and the Comcast franchise renewal.
• February 2014: Attended the Cable Compliance Hearing to voice our support for CAN TV.
• February 2014: Gordon Quinn's Letter to the Editor on the EveryBlock relaunch appears in the Chicago Tribune. 
• December 2013 - March 2014: CMA Members contact their Aldermen regarding CAN TV and the Comcast franchise renewal.
• November 2013: Attended the Cable Compliance Hearing to voice our support for CAN TV.  
• September 2013: Met with BACP Commissioner Krimbel to reiterate our support for CAN TV regarding the franchise renewal process.
• August 2013: Met with Comcast executives to press them to provide CAN TV with the best community benefits agreement in the upcoming franchise negotiation.
• August 2013: Attended the Cable Compliance Hearing to voice our support for CAN TV. 

The Committee also wants the City to correct a 2009 amendment to the cable ordinance that diverts future state cable franchisee support from CAN TV to the City. Similar threats devastated public access in Tucson, Seattle, and Dallas.  

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