Follow-Up on the News

Cable Wars

John Carey, a member of the Rye Cable Commission, reported that negotiations with both Cablevision and Verizon “are going very slowly, despite our best efforts to keep them moving.” Both sent the commission draft franchise agreements in March but neither provider has responded to subsequent comments.

“It appears,” said Carey, “as if both Cablevision and Verizon are biding their time, assuming that before the Legislature adjourns it will rip out that part of local home rule under which municipalities have handled local TV franchising.”

“Further,” Carey noted, “in some states, state-wide franchising is now the rule, and this is what the Brodsky bill in Albany would do. One result of its adoption could be that franchise fees would be greatly curtailed or even ended. That would mean that City Council deliberations could not be aired without the taxpayers footing the bill.”

Supporters of the Brodsky bill argue that most local taxpayers are already paying for cable access through the 5% local cable tax. Also, consumer groups such as Consumer’s Union, which publishes “Consumer Reports,” attribute the dramatic rise in cable TV charges to local franchise agreements. Consumer’s Union recently testified in Albany on behalf of the Brodsky bill.

Mr. Carey recommended that the Council join with other communities across the state and hire a top-rate lobbying firm to defeat Assemblyman Brodsky's bill.