Cox Wants To Limit Number Of Public Access Channels

Hal Dawg · Post by **Hal Dawg** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 6:15 am

Does Omaha need six public access channels? A meeting Monday could decide whether that number is cut in half.

Read more at The Reader's online Media Notes column:
http://thereadersmedianotes.blogspot.co ... f-cox.html

refreshed · Post by **refreshed** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:42 am

Cox is holding an on-line survey to gage customers' opinions about this. I got a notice today about it, and it was also mentioned in their Feb. newsletter. They say the channels they have now are not being used enough and want to use some for HD. etc.

Mr. Cox · Post by **Mr. Cox** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:43 pm

The reason the channels exist in the first place is because the various cities/communities requested channels as part of the franchise agreement. Cox would like to use these channels for something else--something that would actually be watched. It would be ideal if the channels were consolidated and time was split.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue May 08, 2007 9:55 pm

Cable Access Debated Before City Council

KETV wrote:Cox said that there's only enough programming to fill one channel, and its customers want more advanced services and diverse programming. Cox said it needs the room the extra public access channels that are taking up. "We believe that public access is valuable, we're simply asking to use some bandwidth that's not currently being used," said Cox's Kristen Peck. The vote on the proposed ordinance is scheduled for next week.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Wed May 09, 2007 9:13 am

As long as the bandwidth would become available again if the demand were there, I wouldn't have any problem using the channels for something else in the meantime.

-Big E

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun May 22, 2011 9:41 pm

Apparently this is holding up negotiations for Cox' new contract due in September.
The Needs Assessment Report came back with these Public, Educational, Government programing needs:

PEG Equipment and Facilities Needs

• NOTE: The $$ amounts set forth below are only examples of equipment and facility needs identified during the needs assessment process -please refer to the Needs Assessment Report for specific recommendations.

1.Capital needs to establish Public Access production facility
– $844,065 includes
- 2 studios, mobile production vehicle, editing and training equipment
- Assumes a staff size of 10 to serve a city the size of Omaha

2. Capital needs to establish Government Access production facility
- $707,547 includes
- Studio, mobile production vehicle, editing and training equipment and wired public meeting room
- Assumes a staff size of four

3. Capital needs to supplement Omaha Public Schools production facility
- $93,568 includes
- Studio upgrade, editing and training equipment

4. Capital needs to supplement UN-Omaha production facility
- $1,316,500 includes
- Studio upgrade, field production, editing and training equipment

5. Capital needs to supplement CTI-22 facility
- $242,171 includes
- Studio peripherals upgrade, editing and training equipment

Grand Total -$3,203,851

HuskerDave · Post by **HuskerDave** » Fri May 27, 2011 12:53 pm

I, for one, have never watched a public access channel on Cox, despite having the service for more than 15 years. I believe Cox should do whatever makes them money and provides the desired channels to their customers. The council should let Cox reduce the channels to whatever the programming actually requires.

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Fri May 27, 2011 10:16 pm

I love the public access channels. They provide a community with an endless supply of unintentional comedy. My personal favorite in Omaha is that Rastafarian guy who comes on at 3 A.M. and provides Omaha with its only (I'm sure) ganja-fueled rant for a half-hour---priceless. Another (locally) is the elderly lady with kabuki makeup and a really bad wig who berates her lazy children, the educational system, the government, or whatever comes into her head, or the home-made sports commentary-type shows where middle-aged guys get into verbal fights over high school sports.

theurge · Post by **theurge** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 12:08 am

Anyone remember the Roots Reggae guy from back in the 90's on Public Access?

I don't think the guy ever had a legitimate call come in. He would get so flustered...it was priceless.

ThatGuy · Post by **ThatGuy** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 1:05 am

theurge wrote:
I don't think the guy ever had a legitimate call come in. He would get so flustered...it was priceless.

Reminds me of this awesome MR. Show sketch.

[youtube][/youtube]