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Local programs produced by QPI Video are out, but popular offerings such as Home & Garden Television may be in.
By ALEX LEARY
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 22, 2001
INVERNESS -- Changes under way at Adelphia could add channels such as Home & Garden Television and Fox News but could threaten the company that produced Your Citrus County Court, Citrus County's Most Wanted and Science with Biance.
QPI Video Productions of Inverness learned this week that Adelphia was dropping its programing, shown on Channel 7, to make room for heavily requested channels. Adelphia, which serves 9,500 homes in eastern Citrus County, also said it would take over commercial production and placement, removing a significant revenue source for QPI.
"There isn't going to be local programming anymore," QPI President Steve Parker said Wednesday, a day after he met with Adelphia to discuss a contract proposal in which most of the local shows would have been televised exclusively on Channel 7.
"I tried to negotiate with Adelphia but this is what their plan is," Parker said. "I had no idea they were going to cut us."
Nonetheless, Parker, who has headed QPI since 1995, said he is not bitter. "I'm deeply saddened by Adelphia's decision, but this is business. I've enjoyed a wonderful relationship with them. We touched a lot of lives."
Nature Coast Business Spotlight, a weekly interview show with business owners, was shown on WYKE Channel 49 but will also cease, Parker said. Maintaining one show would require higher advertising rates. He also said the station has indicated it is making some changes that may not include a local show.
Ron Torre, general manager of Adelphia's Citrus County office, said the company is revamping its lineup to meet customer demand. The company expects to have greater channel capacity in the future and could once again carry QPI productions.
Meanwhile, Adelphia will continue to televise County Commission meetings, a condition the county wrote into the franchise agreement. It also is considering producing its own local shows.
"I plan on having localized entertainment but not at the same level it is now," Torre said.
QPI, which has about five employees, is losing its office space at Adelphia's building on State Road 44 but Parker said the company will not fold.
It will work more closely with Crowley & Company Advertising Inc. of Hernando to produce commercials, corporate videos and possibly programming on other cable providers.
"I don't see this company going under," Parker said. "I see it changing its focus."