CMA Members Testify at Cable Compliance Hearing

CMA Members Grady Davis and Carole Herhold testified on November 13 at the Cable Compliance Review held by Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosemary Krimbel and Deputy Commissioner Jim McVane.  Representatives of Comcast, RCN, and CAN TV were also present.

Chicago City Hall

Grady testified that his involvement with CAN TV began in 2007, when Tuskegee Airmen’s Chicago Chapter produced a mini-series.  He continued his involvement after that because he found he really liked working in the medium.

He said, “I’m not speaking for Tuskegee Airmen.  I’m not speaking for CAN TV.  I’m speaking for Grady Davis.  I’m an independent producer committed to doing my best to promote things in my community through my program, ‘Grady’s Notebook.’”  Grady’s show features positive stories from his community, such as an interview he did with Quentin Edwards, a Rhodes Scholar headed for four years of study in Europe. Grady also does a 34th Ward report to record town hall meetings held by Alderman Carrie Austin.  He said, “I’m not on the Alderman’s staff.  I do this because of my concern for the 34th ward.  I live there.”

Grady said that he is concerned about parity and funding for the public’s channels.  He wants to see the training at CAN TV expand and noted the creativity of the local residents that produce programs through CAN TV.  He closed by saying, “I thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.  I wanted to come and do that in my own words as a proud member of the Committee for Media Access and an independent producer.”

Carole Herhold also testified and noted that Grady had been an inspiration to her as is his program.  As an avid viewer of community programming, Carole noted that she is in the 30% of the populace that are not online at home.  And she is very aware of the importance of reaching people where they are.  Regarding the Comcast renewal she said, “Funding is needed for people and training.  Parity is important.”

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Aldermen State Expectations for Comcast Renewal

CMA members want to commend those Aldermen who voiced their support of CAN TV during the budget hearing for the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) on November 7. 

A number of Aldermen spoke up about the Comcast franchise renewal, and said they expect Comcast to match the public benefits agreement provided in the RCN franchise.  BACP Commissioner, Rosemary Krimbel, agreed that is her goal. 

We are also pleased that the Commissioner acknowledged having met with CMA members and said, “All together, we are trying to strengthen and promote community access to local cable television.”

CAN TV has posted this update with more detail about the hearing. 

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CMA Members Gordon Quinn and Jake Austen meet with Commissioner Krimbel

On Thursday CMA members Gordon Quinn and Jake Austen met privately with BACP Commissioner Rosemary Krimbel to discuss their August 28 meeting with Comcast and concerns about the future of CAN TV. 

The meeting was very positive and Commissioner Krimbel stated her support for the three critical concerns that CMA members shared with Comcast. She stated that she had no intention of getting in the way of CAN TV continuing to receive direct funding from Comcast.

CMA is very glad that the Commissioner supports this critical concern which must be a fundamental requirement of the franchise renewal with Comcast. Direct and unrestricted funding has been essential to the growth of CAN TV as a successful public operation. Furthermore, direct funding supports CAN TV's independence, which is crucial for its long-term security as well as its effectiveness as a community media outlet for all Chicagoans. We look forward to working more with Commissioner Krimbel to ensure that Chicago gets the best community benefits agreement possible in Comcast's franchise renewal.

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CMA Members Seek Comcast's Commitment to Strong Community Benefits in its Franchise Renewal

On August 28, 2013, nine CMA members led by Robbie Smith, met with Comcast executives Matt Summy, Lisa Ouzounian, and Comcast's Counsel, John McGuire, to discuss the City of Chicago's upcoming cable franchise agreement with Comcast. Comcast's current franchise expires in March of 2014. 

CMA Members made explicit the expectations they have that Comcast make a commitment to a strong community benefits agreement to support public access television. 

CMA Member Jake Austen described the group's concerns at the erosion of public access across the country, the harmful language of the recent cable industry proposal at the state level, and PEG cuts and closures that have resulted from the diversion of funding away from public access.

Phyllis Logan said that CMA is seeking Comcast's commitment to a renewal agreement that meets the following three critical concerns:

a) Direct funding of CAN TV to preserve the independent management structure that has worked for 30 years

b) Funding that meets or exceeds the RCN agreement

c) Technical parity that at a minimum meets the RCN standard

For a full text of the letter sent to Matt Summy summarizing the meeting, click here. 

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CMA Members Attend Cable Compliance Hearing

CMA Members Carole Herhold, William Brown, and Gwendolyn Chubb attended the August 14 Cable Compliance Hearing at City Hall and testified to the importance of CAN TV as a local resource. They noted the importance of Comcast committing to a strong community benefits agreement in the upcoming franchise renewal. CMA's past activities have helped secure a substantial community benefits agreement from RCN in 2012.

Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Rosemary Krimbel and Deputy Commissioner Jim McVane were present, as well as Comcast representatives.

Ms. Herhold made a compelling case for the value of the public’s channels, and reiterated CAN TV's founding principles:

a) That cable operators give a public benefit through providing CAN TV channels and support for public use, and
b) That these channels be directly funded and independently managed, without any interference in content.

She also noted that CMA wants the public’s channel to grow as cable grows to increase support for public access television, and that CMA is seeking cable company’s commitment that the public’s channels be capable of changing as technology changes so the public is not left behind. Finally, Ms. Herhold expressed disappointment at the recent proposal of the Illinois Cable and Communications Association, of which Comcast is a member, which would have harmed PEG channels, and she applauded the state’s rejection of that proposal. She stated that Comcast, as the nation’s largest cable company, is in a strong position to meet or exceed the benefits provided by RCN.

Mr. Brown testified to the importance of CAN TV channels and services, particularly training, to seniors that participate in Senior Network. He noted the importance of funding support to the community.

Ms. Chubb reiterated Ms. Herhold’s thanks for Commissioner Krimbel’s leadership and RCN for the strong public commitment they made in recent franchise negotiations. She made clear that CMA fully expects “that Comcast meet or exceed the standard set by RCN.”

CMA Members will soon meet with Comcast to discuss the future of CAN TV.



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