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Municipalities Unite Against Channel Changing

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By Jessica  Bair | The Suncoast News

Published: December 7, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL - NEW PORT RICHEY, FL - Customers of Bright House Networks may have trouble locating government access channels starting next week.

On Dec. 11, the New York-based cable company is relocating channels 14, 19 and 20 in Pasco County from the lower basic tier to the higher digital tier, which city officials say may restrict residents' access to government meetings, community news and emergency information.

So, Tuesday night, city council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the company's relocation plan and are urging the cable provider to continue broadcasting in analog format until February 17, 2009 when the change to digital is mandated by Federal Law.

"I don't really think there is going to be any stopping it. It's a juggernaut at this point," Councilwoman Marilyn deChant said Tuesday of the switch. "My concern is making sure citizens can access these channels."

In a symbolic move, Municipal Association of Pasco officials pledged at a recent meeting to send letters of protest to Bright House expressing their concerns.

The association is made up of elected officials including New Port Richey, Port Richey, Dade City, San Antonio and St. Leo.

However, the municipalities have little power to create change after franchise contracts between Bright House and the cities were invalidated by the Consumer Choice Act of 2007, legislation that now gives cable providers the ability to become statewide franchises.

"It's really not going to make a difference one way or another," said Councilman Rob Marlowe of the city protests. "This is going to happen, if not now, then in February."

That hasn't stopped Hernando County commissioners though, who may seek legal action if parties do not reach a last-minute agreement.

Several cities in Pinellas County have also formally adopted resolutions opposing the plan.

In an effort to provide a seamless transition, Bright House has been running scrolls on the affected channels and sending out flyers with customer bills.

Bright House says its realigning the channel lineup to create uniformity across its seven-county service area in west central Florida and to provide additional programming, Ray Graber, director of government and public relations said in an August letter.

Subscribers to the Limited Basic and Standard Cable Services will have to pay $1 per month for a digital converter box if they want the public, education and government access programming.

Currently, New Port Richey and Port Richey broadcast city council meetings on Channel 14, known as Florida Government, while Pasco County government is on Channel 19 and the school district and fine arts programming is on Channel 20.

These channels will change to 614, 615 and 622 on Tuesday.

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