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from: MultiChannel News

Cablers, AT&T Compromise in Connecticut
New Version of Legislation Brings Telcos, Incumbent Cable Operators Closer to Parity

By Linda Haugsted3/16/2007 5:52:00 PM

Last year’s fight for video reform in Connecticut would have allowed new entrants in while locking incumbents into their franchises until a competitor reached 20% of towns in a franchise.

from: MultiChannel News

Help In an 'Ugly Box'
Cities Go Guerilla To Fight Pro-AT&T Franchising Bill
By Linda Haugsted
3/19/2007

The competition between cable and telephone companies for customers has been marked by guerilla stunts such as advertisements in pizza boxes and come-ons on dry cleaning bags. But now two Illinois municipalities have gotten into the guerrilla game to protest a bill they believe will strip them of needed local authority over video providers.

Despite Telco claims of the need for competition - it seems cable companies are already facing stiff competition - in the form of DirecTV and EchoStar.

from: MultiChannel News

Cable Penetration Hits 17-Year Low
By Steve Donohue3/19/2007 7:06:00 PM

Cable penetration dropped to a 17-year low of 61.3% in February, as pay TV competition from direct-broadcast satellite and telephone rivals continues to eat into the basic-subscriber counts of cable distributors.

from: Suncoast News

Cable TV Bill Cuts Counties' Revenue

By CARL ORTH The Suncoast News

Published: Mar 20, 2007

Counties face a dimmer financial future if legislation creating a statewide cable TV franchise becomes law.

But a west Pasco lawmaker thinks the plan would help lower viewers' bills.

from: Colombia Tribune

City leaders fear effects of cable bill
Deal with Mediacom might become moot.

By MATTHEW LeBLANC of the Tribune’s staff
Published Monday, March 19, 2007

A measure that would allow the state to control local cable TV franchise agreements has Columbia leaders upset.

from: Broadband Reports

Locals Fight AT&T Franchise Push in Illinois
State versus local control...

Posted 2007-03-19 09:26:08 by Karl

We've discussed at length the battles between AT&T and local towns in Illinois who've been annoyed at AT&T's refusal to adhere to the local franchise system as they deploy IPTV. Some towns have been annoyed by the placement of large AT&T VDSL cabinets, some are concerned primarily about revenue and others don't like that AT&T will be ignoring build-out requirements (see our interview with Peter Collins, Geneva, IL, IT chief).

from: MultiChannel News

Martin: A Record of 'Picking on' Cable
Cable Operators Say FCC Chair Has Been Hostile

By Ted Hearn 3/19/2007

Washington — The cable industry can be certain of one thing as the Bush administration enters its final laps: Kevin Martin has been a huge pain in the coax.

from: Lasar's Letter

Radio blog: One step closer to a non-commercial educational radio (NCE) filing window?

by Matthew Lasar Mar 16 2007 - 7:00pm Noncommercial

A new wave of non-commercial radio applicants will get their chance this year, it seems.

The Federal Communications Commission has announced that at its upcoming March 22nd meeting, "the Commission will consider a Memorandum Opinion and Order evaluating approximately 200 applications (comprising 76 mutually exclusive groups) to construct new or modified NCE FM broadcast stations."

from: The News-Journal

Hollow promise to viewers
Cable provider plan unlikely to spread the wealth

March 17, 2007

Competition can provide consumers with greater choice and lower prices. It can also give lawmakers a cover for consumer-unfriendly legislation.

from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Rebuff cable legislation
By BY BOB CHERNOW
Posted: March 18, 2007

What happens when a powerful utility like AT&T wants its way? It joins forces with competitors and uses lobbyists to change the rules of the game. That is what is happening to cable and video in the Legislature.