Opposition Arises Over Charter's Plan To Move Public Access Channels
Robson Opposes Move
Updated: 8:44 am CDT July 29, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- Charter Communications, the country's third largest cable provider, was making plans to move public access channels to its digital tier, but officials could now delay the move.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportState Sen. Judith Robson and the Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels are both protesting the Charter move because it would put local community channels out of reach for some customers."The bottom line is we think that all cable subscribers should be able to see these peg channels," said Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels Executive Director Mary Cardona. "We think that charter should not be giving their customers such a huge rate hike, and we think that every subscriber watches these PEG channels at one time or another.""We certainly will do what's right for customers," said Charter's Tim Vowell. "We have some analysis from other markets where this kind of change in regards to the access channels, if that's what you're referring to, has happened and the response from customers has been pretty minimal."Charter compares the potential switch to being no different than having different equipment to see digital multicast channels over the air.Charter said it always makes adjustments based on customer feedback, and if this switch goes forward and people don't like it, it could potentially be changed back.Those who disagree with Charter's plan to move public access channels to the digital tier can contact the state's Consumer Protection at 1-800-422-7128 or online.Charter Cable serves 5.7 million customers and operates in 29 states.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportState Sen. Judith Robson and the Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels are both protesting the Charter move because it would put local community channels out of reach for some customers."The bottom line is we think that all cable subscribers should be able to see these peg channels," said Wisconsin Association of PEG Channels Executive Director Mary Cardona. "We think that charter should not be giving their customers such a huge rate hike, and we think that every subscriber watches these PEG channels at one time or another.""We certainly will do what's right for customers," said Charter's Tim Vowell. "We have some analysis from other markets where this kind of change in regards to the access channels, if that's what you're referring to, has happened and the response from customers has been pretty minimal."Charter compares the potential switch to being no different than having different equipment to see digital multicast channels over the air.Charter said it always makes adjustments based on customer feedback, and if this switch goes forward and people don't like it, it could potentially be changed back.Those who disagree with Charter's plan to move public access channels to the digital tier can contact the state's Consumer Protection at 1-800-422-7128 or online.Charter Cable serves 5.7 million customers and operates in 29 states. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
