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from: Herald-News

Chamber Discusses Video Franchise Bill

November 14, 2007
By John B. Carpenter

The Dayton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors stopped short of a formal endorsement of video franchising reform legislation Monday but generally expressed approval for AT&T’s bid for a statewide franchise to provide TV programming over its existing network of telephone lines.

from: Times Gazette

Cable / phone fight heats up again
Friday, November 16, 2007
By Brian Mosely

The cable television industry is gearing up for another fight in the Tennessee State Legislature against AT&T, which is planning to promote a bill next year that the cable industry claims would hurt consumers by dismantling the local franchise law.

from: Peoria Chronicle

New FCC rule could mean less franchise fee revenue for Peoria

I’ve been trying to keep up on how cable franchise negotiations are going. You may recall that the city’s franchise agreement with Insight expired in April 2006. After several months, the city finally signed a temporary extension with Insight/Comcast through January 1, 2008. That’s not very far away now, and there’s still no permanent franchise agreement.

from: News Channel 9

Cable Wars Continue in Chattanooga

November 15, 2007
By Karen Zatkulak

It’s another bill that most everyone says is just too high — cable. But right now, folks in Chattanooga only have one choice for that service. City council members want to change the situation.

from: Knox News

AT&T wins over Hamilton County

In advance of the next legislative session, AT&T representatives have been working hard to convince local governments across Tennessee that its statewide video-services franchising proposal won't mean fewer fees and less control for cities and counties.

from: Remove the Labels

Qwest Still Wishy Washy on IPTV - Signing video franchise agreements they may never use…

November 16th, 2007

Qwest recently unveiled that they’ll be spending $300 million over the next two years to bring 20Mbps VDSL to around 1.9 million customers. That’s a far cry from the $6.5 and $23 billion AT&T and Verizon (respectively) are spending on upgrades. Qwest isn’t sure it really wants to get into the video business, though they’re watching AT&T’s IPTV effort very closely.

from: KOMU

More Funding For CAT-3

COLUMBIA - Columbia Public Access Television (CAT-3) operates on a very small budget. However, a rise in cable franchise fee rates will give CAT-3 a boost.

Although Cable Access Television does not turn a high profit, those who work on it say it is still work all the time.

from: National Journal

Martin Proposes Easing Ownership Rules

By David Hatch

(Tuesday, November 13) A federal ban on a single company owning a major newspaper and broadcast outlet in the same city would be lifted in the nation's 20 largest markets under new rules proposed by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.

from: Wet Machine

The Media Ownership Endgame: Martin's Opening Gambit on Newspaper-TV Cross Ownership

As I've said before, Kevin Martin plays a mean game of hardball — but an honest one. And while I'm happy to have him on the right side in limiting cable market power, it makes fighting on the media ownership side an utter bitch and a half. Like Belichik prepping the Patriots, Martin has carefully studied the mistakes of Michael Powell, studied the strategies of the media reform movement, carefully considered his own strengths and weaknesses, and set up his game plan with a determination to win.

from: OakRidger

AT&T still wants statewide franchises

By: John Huotari | John.huotari@oakridger.com

AT&T is still pursuing legislation that would allow a statewide franchise for video services that could compete with cable television.

If approved, the legislation would keep the giant phone and communications company from having to negotiate individual franchise rights with more than 300 local governments, AT&T officials said.