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Wednesday, March 01
Community television advocates did a good job of getting their people
out for Monday's public input meeting of the Pittsfield Cable
Commission. Twenty-four speakers made the case for Pittsfield Community
Television, which plays an important role in keeping residents aware of
what is going on politically, while also offering community groups like
school orchestras deserved exposure. The telecasts of the City Council
meetings in recent years undoubtedly played a role in the departure of
various underachievers and trouble-makers. With the city's 10-year
contract with Time Warner coming to a close, the speakers made a good
case for a funding increase from the less than 5 percent of revenues the
company sets aside for the nonprofit body, but that decision will be
made in the high councils of Time Warner and the entreaties of
Pittsfield residents may not have much impact. Discussion of cable rates
and programming was noticeable by its absence Monday. Are subscribers
that thrilled with Time Warner or, as seems more likely, are they
convinced this multi-billion dollar licensed monopoly doesn't care what
they think? |