TV channel shakeup causes stir

Local government officials worry the cable changes may reduce open access.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT, Times Staff Writer
Published September 7, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo] State Rep. Rob Schenck questions the timing of the Bright House changes.

BROOKSVILLE - In April, the City Council agreed to join other government entities in Hernando and start televising their meetings to citizens through the local Bright House Networks cable service.

This week, council members wondered if they made a good choice.

Bright House recently notified local government entities that, on Dec. 11, it will realign its channel lineup. Channels that now carry local government meetings and educational programs, in Hernando County channels 14, 19 and 20, will be moved to digital service.

That means cable customers using standard analog cable will no longer be able to view government meetings without a special converter box. Moving to the lowest tier of basic digital service on Bright House would boost a customer's bill from $48.49 for standard service to $59.45.

For those who don't want to change, the cost of a simple converter box would be far less than that at perhaps just $1, according to Joe Durkin, Bright House spokesman.

Local government officials are concerned that any change will cut some citizens off from open access to see government at work.

During Wednesday evening's budget hearing, City Council member Richard Lewis said he was worried that citizens could be shut out of the chance to view the meetings.

Since the city pays $5,500 in tax revenues each year to carry those meetings, closing any taxpayers out of the audience didn't sit well with the council. Mayor David Pugh suggested that the council send a letter of protest to Bright House.

Lewis said he would hate to see the city stop broadcasting after such a short time. He said he had heard some positive comments from city residents who were viewing the taped council meetings.

County officials say they, too, have heard positive reactions from the community.

"Everywhere I go I run into people who recognize me from the televised meetings," said County Commission Chairman Jeff Stabins, noting that sometimes they comment on the issues or sometimes on what he wears.

Commissioner Diane Rowden also said that she often hears comments from people who have watched the commission meetings on television.

"I wish I could say I was totally shocked" with the Bright House decision, she said.

The county has invited a Bright House Networks official to speak to the commission during its regular meeting on Sept. 18.

With changes approved by the Legislature that took effect July 1, local governments no longer negotiate franchise agreements with cable companies. Rowden said county commissioners saw months ago what would happen if that change took place.

"We pleaded with Tallahassee not to do this, but they did it anyway," Rowden said.

Those who pushed the legislation include the bill's co-sponsor, state Rep. Rob Schenck of Spring Hill. He argued that it would allow much-needed cable competition. But Rowden said she doesn't see it that way.

"All this is doing is making more money for Bright House, more money for Bright House and other cable companies. It's not for the people," she said.

Schenck said he believes competition will come. He also questions why Bright House is making these channel changes at this time.

"I believe this is a political move to make the state Legislature look bad for trying to bring in competition," he said. "It's unfortunate that Bright House is taking advantage of the consumers."

But Bright House's Durkin said the firm was planning to make the move to make all channels in its seven-county service area uniform long before the franchise legislation was passed.

He also said he was confused by Schenck's comments because Bright House supported the compromise bill that was passed.

He added that, despite anecdotal evidence from government officials, the government access channels have some of the lowest viewership of any cable channels.

Hernando County school officials, who produce educational programs and broadcast School Board meetings on Channel 14, say they think they do have an audience and they are also concerned about the Bright House change.

"Part of our concern is that we're planning significant increases in the coverage in the classrooms and we have a station identity," said Roy Gordon, manager of communications and public relations for the school district.

New superintendent Wayne Alexander has told Gordon that the district needs to have a greater presence in the homes of local citizens showcasing the good work going on in the district's classrooms. The move by Bright House could curtail that, Gordon said.

"You hear more and more conversation about how television is not going in the direction some people want to see it go. It's not family friendly," he said. "We're trying to keep people educated and informed about the direction of the school district ... showing good, wholesome programing to boot."

Gordon said viewers also appreciate the opportunity of viewing the School Board and other government entities in the county conducting their official business.

"The folks who are following their elected officials in the sunshine will have a genuine concern," he said. "I'm not sure this is in the best interests of the county."

Gordon said he understood that the converter box might not be all that costly for cable customers who don't want to switch to digital cable. But he added, "that could be lunch money for the kids. With the increased cost of gas and everything else it adds up. Those pennies add up."

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at 352 848-1434 or behrendt@sptimes.com

[Last modified September 6, 2007, 20:37:59]