City leaders to get cable report

June Casagrande

The cable customers have spoken. This month, city leaders will get

their first chance to listen to what Cox and Adelphia customers are

saying they want from their cable providers.

The city has just completed an extensive series of surveys and

workshops to assess the cable needs and wants of residents and

businesses. A telecommunications committee, which includes Councilmen

John Heffernan and Gary Adams, will take its first look at the 85

pages of results on Jan. 16.

Though officials say they’re waiting until after that meeting to

interpret the results of the surveys and workshops, a few points

already stand out.

Service is foremost in people’s minds, said Marilee Jackson, the

city’s public information officer. Local programming might also

emerge as a priority.

“Without getting too specific just yet -- that really is up to the

committee -- we are seeing a few things,” Jackson said. “For example,

it looks like broadcasting of school sports might be something we see

in the future.”

Though last year, the city extended until Jan. 27 the deadline for

renewing the city’s contracts with its cable providers, it appears

another extension will be necessary. After the committee reviews the

findings, the city will likely begin talks with Cox and Adelphia

about renewing the two companies’ contracts.

But despite the city’s seeming upper hand in contract

negotiations, federal communications laws give cities almost no power

to call the shots with cable companies: Newport is required to renew

the two companies’ contracts almost regardless of terms.

The information-gathering process just completed is designed to

give the city some leverage to negotiate better service. It will put

public pressure on the companies to offer residents the best

communications services available.