Save Access

from: Common Dreams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 22, 2007
11:18 AM

CONTACT: Free Press
Jen Howard, Free Press, (202) 265-1490, x 22

Ohio Lawmakers Urged to Oppose AT&T-Backed Bill
SB 117 Puts Future of Broadband and Public Access Channels at Risk

COLUMBUS, OHIO - MAY 22 - Consumer groups and local public access stations are urging Ohio state legislators to oppose Senate Bill 117 — legislation that would eliminate longstanding consumer protections and local oversight of cable TV providers. The bill, which already passed the state Senate, will be considered by a key House committee tomorrow, May 23.

from: Cup of Joe

Battle Intense on Flawed Cable Franchise Change
Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Once again today, state legislatures take up the issue of some very unwise changes to how cable franchises are provided and regulated. It's been the single most dollar-gulping lobby effort this year in state government, with current spending at just over $4 million. (And that's just the amount as of April of this year.)

from: Detroit News

AT&T stokes cable, Web war
Some Comcast customers will have choice for 1st time
Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Eric Morath / The Detroit News

The days of rising cable bills could be over in Metro Detroit.

AT&T Inc. launches its U-verse television service in 50 Metro Detroit communities today, giving cable companies, chiefly Comcast, their stiffest competition yet.

from: Chon.com

$4M Spent to Lobby AT&T-Cable Issue

By BETH RUCKER Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press
May 18, 2007, 4:08PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The battle over legislation that would ease AT&T's entry into the cable TV market has led to nearly $4 million being spent in lobbying efforts over the past six months _ making it the state's most expensive lobbying issue this year.

Note: This is an astroturf technique, manufacturing names for petitions. A New Jersey verizon astroturf did something very similar during that state franchise battle.

from: Capital Times

2 pols who opposed cable bill say their names were misused

Judith Davidoff — 5/17/2007 11:46 am

A couple of lawmakers were surprised to find their names on a list of Wisconsin residents supportive of a video franchise bill when, in fact, both oppose the legislation.

from: Knoxville News Sentinel

Is Tennessee Ready for AT&T to Enter Cable Market?

May 18, 2007

A bill making its way through the Legislature would allow communications giant AT&T to enter the cable television market in Tennessee under the argument that increased competition will result in reduced prices and better service.

This week word came that the Grand Rapids Media Center (GRMC) is being forced to reduce operating hours, a casualty of the Michigan State Video Franchise passed last year.

frm: Kane County Chronicle

Officials: Boxes increase awareness

By KAREN LONG - klong@kcchronicle.com

GENEVA – Some concerns that Geneva officials had about a bill for state-issued authorization for cable and video services might be addressed through amendments.

from: Knox News

TV cable bill piles up lobby costs

Funds spent for and against measure total $2M each side

By TOM HUMPHREY, tomhumphrey3@aol.com
May 16, 2007

NASHVILLE - Lobbying in support of legislation to revise state cable television law has cost almost $2 million, roughly the same amount as lobbying against it, according to disclosures filed Wednesday with the Tennessee Ethics Commission.

from: Democratic Media

The Universe According to AT&T’s U-verse

By: Jennifer Harris

AT&T's leap into the converged world is illustrated in its two-pronged IPTV approach, Homezone and U-verse. IPTV is a system that enables digital television sets to be programmed using the more personalized data delivery method of the Internet – Internet Protocol.