Public forum set for this month on cable TV service

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September 10, 2010

By Jesse Roman Staff writer The Salem News Fri Sep 10, 2010, 05:45 AM EDT

BEVERLY — City officials want to know what you think about cable television service in Beverly. The city will soon begin negotiations with cable giant Comcast, which is seeking to renew its 10-year contract to provide cable TV service. The current contract expires in May 2011.

"This is a big deal; we're talking about the next 10 years," said Dan Murphy, chairman of the volunteer Cable Television Advisory Commission. "We want to hear from both subscribers and nonsubscribers. Are you happy? Are you unhappy? What do you see for the future? What are the needs in Beverly for the next 10 years?"

The public forum is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center, 90 Colon St. Comcast representatives will be at the meeting, Murphy said, but they are not required to participate.

Murphy admits the city has little leverage in dealing with Comcast; it is not legally able to negotiate rates or programming.

Through the negotiations, the city hopes to strengthen funding for Beverly's community access channels, perhaps by adding a third channel devoted to city government. The commission also wants more money for its I-net network, a high-speed, fiber-optic network that is currently installed in a half-dozen schools and government buildings.

Comcast is the only cable provider in Beverly, serving a whopping 13,500 out of a possible 15,500 households, Murphy said. Once a provider has a firm grip over a market, it is costly for another company to lay its own cable lines in hopes of picking off some customers.

However, if Beverly were to get additional bidders to provide cable service, "we would welcome them with open arms," Murphy said. So far that hasn't happened.

When contacted, Verizon said "it has no plans to wire Beverly in the foreseeable future," Murphy said.

After two years of preparation, the commission hopes to begin direct talks with Comcast by the end of the month. If a new deal cannot be reached by the May 1 deadline, the old contract would remain in effect until a new deal is reached.

If you go

What: Public forum on cable TV service

When: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.

Where: Beverly Senior Center, 90 Colon St.

Who: Anyone with comments, concerns or suggestions about cable TV service in Beverly