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from: Herando Today

Cable bill's effects are still fuzzy
By TONY MARRERO
lmarrero@hernandotoday.com
May 30, 2007

BROOKSVILLE — The county’s cable franchise agreement with Bright House Networks remains safe for now despite a new law that changes the rules for such agreements, according to a spokesman with the firm.

“At this point it’s way too fresh to make any decisions but preliminary thoughts are nothing’s going to change with regard to any franchise agreement,” said Joe Durkin, spokesman for Bright House.

The future picture, however, is somewhat fuzzier. Changes to or a termination of the agreement could force a consolidation of the county’s three government access channels, said county Community Relations Coordinator Brenda Frazier.

“Right now we’re just maintaining the status quo and working hard to maintain programming,” Frazier said.

But, she said, “Obviously with this law passing it changes the whole scenario.”

Gov. Charlie Crist on May 18 signed into law the so-called “Consumer Choice Act of 2007.” The law takes the authority from local governments to approve cable franchises and gives it to the state. Phone companies pushed for the bill to help them enter the market.

The law went into effect immediately, but the Florida Department of State cannot begin issuing franchises until July 1. Existing cable companies then also can seek a state franchise and cancel their local contracts.

Lawmakers claimed the bill would increase competition among the cable industry and cause a reduction in rates for consumers.

Local governments and consumer groups throughout Florida, however, lobbied hard against the bill, arguing that it would do little to increase competition and actually hurt the public by reducing the number of public, educational and government (PEG) channels.

Now that they no longer approve the franchise agreements, local governments don’t have the power to negotiate with cable companies to provide the PEG channels and other perks.

County officials in Hernando have the same concerns. The agreement with Bright House allows for three government channels, $50,000 in funding and a valuable deal on Internet connectivity for government facilities, Frazier said.

The county entered into a 10-year contract with Bright House in 1997. In 2004, the company opted to extend the contract through 2012.

As part of the deal, the county gets three channels: Channel 14 is dedicated to the school board; Channel 19 features county commission meetings, planning and zoning meetings, county events and talk shows such as “Issues and Answers” and “Focus on Hernando”; and Channel 20 features programming from the Florida Channel, which includes coverage of the state Legislature and other public affairs shows.

Bright House also provides Internet connectivity to 40 government buildings for about $40,000.

“In the real world it would be many more thousands,” Frazier said.

The cable company’s $50,000 contribution is a significant portion of the department’s budget, which came in this year at just more than $440,000.

Durkin said it will take some time for the effects of the bill to pan out, but that Bright House does not have any plans to abandon its agreement with the county.

“It should be business as usual for quite some time,” he said.

Frazier said the county is prepared to consolidate programming onto two channels, or perhaps even just one.

The department would rely heavily on input from the public, she said.

Hernando County Government Broadcasting has a viewer survey on its Web page, www.co.hernando.fl. us/cr/hcgb.

“We would try to keep what’s most beneficial to the county,” Frazier said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be contacted at 352-544-5286.