Unless the Traverse City-area public access community can pull a legal rabbit out of its hat, it seems likely that Charter Communications is going to move local public access channels into what some have described as a cable TV gulag.
Charter wants to upgrade its service from analog to digital, much the same way over-the-air stations switched to digital transmission earlier this year. In cable terms, the switch would allow Charter to pack much more information -- high-definition TV, faster computer connections and more -- into its existing system.
At the same time Charter wants to push public access channels up the dial so it can use the coveted lower numbers for other services. Right now, the four public access channels are Up North 2, Northwestern Michigan College 13, Traverse City Area Public Schools 98 and Government Access 99.
Charter wants to package them on analog channels 96, 97, 98 and 99 beginning Dec. 1, and eventually move the four to channels 991, 992, 993 and 994. Thus, the complained of gulag.
Public access representatives argue they have worked long and hard to "brand" themselves as channels 2, 13, 98 and 99 and that's where viewers expect to find them.
In terms of public policy, however, what's most important is that Charter ensure that its customers who purchase the lowest tier of service continue to have public access channels available to them if and when the channels move into the 90s and into the 990s.
Any loss of access to basic-tier customers is unacceptable. It would run directly counter to one of the basic promises of cable TV when firms like Charter received permission to string cable and start cashing in. Part of the deal was the cable firms had to make available -- and support and promote -- public access channels.
One only has to look at the long list of local governments that now air their meetings on cable and the huge array of other programming available to know that it's been a rousing success.
Charter must ensure -- as in promise -- that when the change to digital comes everyone on its system will still be able to view the public access channels as they do now without having to pay for that access. Charter must also help make the public aware of the switch and promote the new spots on the dial.
There can be no loss of the public's ability to view community programming, including government in action. Preserving universal access to public access must be a bedrock goal of any new arrangement. That was part of the original pact with Charter and must remain so.
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