Video Voice #18

Ron Cox - On Thursday, February 28 beginning at 6pm there will be a public hearing regarding the current negotiations with Verizon Communications to become a second provider of cable television for Malden residents. This is good news for consumers because it means our City will have someone other than Comcast and satellite dishes to choose from and that brings more competition to viewers.

Today, there is a thriving cable TV business and each provider is seeking new customers to add to their list of viewers. With the advances in technology and the ability to have one company provide you with phone, computer and TV, the convenience of having it all on one bill is undeniable. Competition is rampant and each municipality is equally interested in providing an environment that encourages this rivalry.

The City of Malden, by federal law is the issuing authority responsible for negotiating any franchise agreement with these cable providers. This not only guarantees local control but it insures that any cable company that uses the “public rights of way” to carry their signals to the homes of Malden will give something back to the community that they make millions of dollars from. This federal mandate provided by Congress assures the access of quality digital services and the funding of neighborhood media centers like Malden Access Television (MATV).

As the Mayor and his lawyers sit down to discuss the agreement with the representatives from Verizon, they will be looking for the best deal to meet the communication needs of the citizens of Malden. The team was already very successful in negotiating a new contract with Comcast last year that was very favorable to our citizens and secured the continuation of MATV and the resources we provide. The settlement was based on the idea that another company such as Verizon Communications would be coming to Malden and provide an alternative for consumers. That strategy was always a part of the process and actually helped in the final accord with Comcast as we agreed on the concept of  a “level playing field”.

This idea means that the City of Malden when requesting any provider to come into the city and set up a cable franchise, they will hold each company to the same requirements and agreements negotiated with the current provider. In theory, this would mean that any new license requested from another business would simply match the incumbent agreement. It was one of the reasons the City settled for less than what we got in capital funds from the original agreement with Comcast in 1999. We knew Verizon was interested in coming to this city a year ago (See “Keep it Local” in Malden Observer 6/15/07) so we settled for half. No fuss no muss, just agree to what was asked of the other telecommunication corporation.

I am appealing to all Malden citizens who have benefited from the resources of Malden Access Television to come down to the public hearing on Thursday, February 28 at 6pm to voice their support of MATV. If you have ever taken a camcorder class, used our Community Bulletin Board, or watched a program that informed, entertained or just had someone you know on it, please join us at City Hall and share your testimony. Verizon Communications needs to know that you care about community television and you want them to contribute to our success the same as Comcast does.

I will be there on February 28 as well as many other citizens who acknowledge the important role that community media plays in their life. Voice your support, speak your mind. That’s what public hearings are for. See you there to cheer our community connection, MATV.