By Keep Us Connected
At the September 8, 2011, city council meeting, Chicago aldermen united to protect the public’s channels, with 48 aldermen signing a letter opposing any RCN cable renewal deal that excludes CAN TV and calling on RCN to reach agreement for CAN TV’s funding without further delay.
RCN’s franchise renewal was due to be introduced [last] week but was held by the administration because RCN, the first of three cable companies to renew its franchise, has failed to reach agreement on CAN TV’s funding.
“CAN TV channels are the public’s channels. That’s what we’re standing together to protect,” said 49th Ward Alderman, Joe Moore. “Cable company revenues are healthy, and the future for cable in Chicago looks bright. But that picture changes if the public ceases to be a priority for companies doing business in Chicago.”
Alderman Moore and other aldermen have repeatedly gone on the record that funding of CAN TV is key to any cable company continuing to do business here.
In June, the council approved a three-month extension of RCN’s franchise that provided for funding of the City’s franchise fee to continue, but since RCN has failed to reach agreement with CAN TV, its funding of CAN TV stopped on June 24th, 2011.
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Meet the Keep Us Connected coalition.
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Disclaimer: Barbara Popovic, executive director of CAN TV, is a friend of (and landlord to) the Beachwood’s Steve Rhodes.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on September 12, 2011