Comcast, don’t touch that dial
Comcast wants to move GrassRoots from Channel 12
Andrew Travers
Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Aspen, CO Colorado
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Pitkin County commissioners don’t want the Comcast cable company to change the channel on local public broadcasting.
The move stems from Denver public broadcasting channel KBDI filing for “must carry” status with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and requesting to take over channel 12 in Pitkin County. It’s carried on that channel through most of the state. The Comcast letter said it and the county must comply with the FCC order.
On Nov. 3, Comcast sent a letter to the county announcing it will be moving GrassRoots TV programming — which includes county commissioner meetings — from channel 12 to channel 10 shortly after the new year.
GrassRoots has been on channel 12 locally for its entire 38-year history.
The move stems from Denver public broadcasting channel KBDI filing for “must carry” status with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and requesting to take over channel 12 in Pitkin County. It’s carried on that channel through most of the state.
The Comcast letter said it and the county must comply with the FCC order.
The commissioners on Tuesday disagreed in a blustery discussion, which ended with them deciding to take the issue to their attorney, in the hopes they can take action against Comcast.
“I am willing to challenge this if [county attorney] John Ely thinks we can do it,” said Commissioner Jack Hatfield.
Commissioner Rachel Richards said she thinks the FCC rules are meant to give for-profit TV stations the ability to keep the same channel number in different areas — not for public broadcasting stations to bump one another.
GrassRoots board member Alan Feldman, who also is a local attorney, asked for the board’s support in fighting the decision.
“We need to slow the process down a little bit,” he said. “Being changed to channel 10 is a big deal.”
According to Feldman’s interpretation of the law, the county has the power to stop the move.
“It’s up to you to move or not,” he said.
The station’s concerns include its established branding as “channel 12” and the threat that a new public station there would siphon away the local donations GrassRoots depends upon.
The elected board of commissioners also vented some evident personal frustrations with the cable company.
“I’m absolutely disgusted with Comcast because it never ends,” said Commissioner Jack Hatfield, later adding, “I am tired of Comcast yanking everyone’s chain.”
Added Commissioner Patti Kay-Clapper, “We’re going to hear from people on this ... I’ve had a lot of issues with Comcast lately — and this is one of them.”
Commissioner Michael Owsley said Comcast is “a bully, and it’s using people who are addicted to TV.”
He also pledged to fight for GrassRoots to keep their home.
“We will use the full force of the county to keep you on Channel 12,” Owsley said.
Owsley and board chairman George Newman quoted and alluded to the classic television satire “Network” to reinforce their point.
Owsley: “We’re mad as hell and we’re not gonna take it anymore.”
Newman: “Everybody open up your windows and throw out your TVs!”
Stay tuned. The switch is set to take place Jan. 3.
andrew@aspendailynews.com
To read this article from the source, click here.
The move stems from Denver public broadcasting channel KBDI filing for “must carry” status with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and requesting to take over channel 12 in Pitkin County. It’s carried on that channel through most of the state. The Comcast letter said it and the county must comply with the FCC order.
On Nov. 3, Comcast sent a letter to the county announcing it will be moving GrassRoots TV programming — which includes county commissioner meetings — from channel 12 to channel 10 shortly after the new year.
GrassRoots has been on channel 12 locally for its entire 38-year history.
The move stems from Denver public broadcasting channel KBDI filing for “must carry” status with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) and requesting to take over channel 12 in Pitkin County. It’s carried on that channel through most of the state.
The Comcast letter said it and the county must comply with the FCC order.
The commissioners on Tuesday disagreed in a blustery discussion, which ended with them deciding to take the issue to their attorney, in the hopes they can take action against Comcast.
“I am willing to challenge this if [county attorney] John Ely thinks we can do it,” said Commissioner Jack Hatfield.
Commissioner Rachel Richards said she thinks the FCC rules are meant to give for-profit TV stations the ability to keep the same channel number in different areas — not for public broadcasting stations to bump one another.
GrassRoots board member Alan Feldman, who also is a local attorney, asked for the board’s support in fighting the decision.
“We need to slow the process down a little bit,” he said. “Being changed to channel 10 is a big deal.”
According to Feldman’s interpretation of the law, the county has the power to stop the move.
“It’s up to you to move or not,” he said.
The station’s concerns include its established branding as “channel 12” and the threat that a new public station there would siphon away the local donations GrassRoots depends upon.
The elected board of commissioners also vented some evident personal frustrations with the cable company.
“I’m absolutely disgusted with Comcast because it never ends,” said Commissioner Jack Hatfield, later adding, “I am tired of Comcast yanking everyone’s chain.”
Added Commissioner Patti Kay-Clapper, “We’re going to hear from people on this ... I’ve had a lot of issues with Comcast lately — and this is one of them.”
Commissioner Michael Owsley said Comcast is “a bully, and it’s using people who are addicted to TV.”
He also pledged to fight for GrassRoots to keep their home.
“We will use the full force of the county to keep you on Channel 12,” Owsley said.
Owsley and board chairman George Newman quoted and alluded to the classic television satire “Network” to reinforce their point.
Owsley: “We’re mad as hell and we’re not gonna take it anymore.”
Newman: “Everybody open up your windows and throw out your TVs!”
Stay tuned. The switch is set to take place Jan. 3.
andrew@aspendailynews.com
To read this article from the source, click here.
