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from: Iowa City Press

Cable competition could be on way

By the Associated Press
Tuesday, March 20, 2007

DES MOINES — The state could grant a statewide cable television franchise under a measure approved today by the Senate.

Supporters said the proposal would bring new competition to a monopoly industry and drive down consumer costs.

from: Missourian News

Channels would face funding issues
Bill doesn’t designate revenue for Columbia Access Television, other public channels after 2011

March 20, 2007

By EMILY RISTOW

With approval of the statewide video franchising bill by the Missouri General Assembly, Columbia Access Television and other public, educational and government channels throughout Missouri face a lack of guaranteed funding after Jan. 1, 2012.

from: http://www.keepusconnected.org/

Hearing on House Bill 1500 Thursday, March 22

As Illinois faces changes to video franchise laws, the Keep Us Connected coalition urges state legislators to protect the public interest.

By joining the Keep Us Connected coalition, you are supporting pro-community video franchise laws that:

from: MultiChannel News

Tax Battle Unites Enemies
By Linda Haugsted3/19/2007

The political season in Massachusetts is creating an interesting dynamic between the telephone and cable industries, which will fight tooth-and-nail on a cable franchise-reform bill this session but will link arms to fight Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to eliminate some decades-old personal property tax exemptions.

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.

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: 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.