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Taunton commission authorizes attorney to press Comcast for PEG channel upgrades and higher capital fee
Summary
At a March meeting, the Taunton Cable Commission discussed Comcast’s offer to upgrade public, educational and government (PEG) channels from standard definition to SDI in exchange for a higher capital fee and authorized commission counsel to pursue the proposal with the company.
The Taunton Cable Commission on March (date not specified) authorized its attorney to pursue a revised franchise offer from Comcast that would upgrade the city’s three PEG channels to SD-SDI and raise the commission’s capital share of cable revenues.
The commission’s authorization follows a proposal from Comcast to improve channel quality and increase capital funding. Under the proposal discussed, Comcast would upgrade the three PEG channels from standard definition (SD) to SD-SDI and would raise the commission’s capital allocation from 0.25% of gross revenues to 0.45%. Commission members said the operating allocation (about 4% for operating budgets) would remain separate from the capital share.
Why it matters: PEG channel upgrades affect the picture quality available to viewers of the city’s public access, government and educational channels, and the capital-fee increase would provide additional funds the commission can use for equipment and studio upgrades.
Details of the offer and the commission’s response
Commission counsel and members said Comcast initially proposed upgrading two channels to SD-SDI and one to high definition (HD). The commission countered by asking to have all three PEG channels upgraded to the same SD-SDI level and to add a fourth HD channel for broader access. Comcast’s latest written proposal, as described in the meeting, offered to upgrade all three PEG channels to SD-SDI and to increase the capital share to 0.45% — but only if the commission accepted the three-channel SD-SDI plan and dropped the request for a separate fourth HD channel.
Commission members discussed practical implications including whether upgraded channels would remain on the basic tier for all subscribers, and whether Comcast may relocate channel numbers. Counsel noted Comcast’s license language and federal law reserve the company’s ability to relocate channels, and said the commission will seek confirmation that the PEG channels remain accessible to basic-tier subscribers after any relocation.
The proposal discussed includes a timeline provision: the SD-SDI upgrades for the three channels were described in Comcast’s draft as deliverable within 18 months. Counsel also reported Comcast had previously included provisions in draft agreements allowing HD upgrades contingent on payments by access providers (examples mentioned in discussion referenced quoted industry practice, e.g., payment thresholds such as “up to $20,000” for installation), and the commission said it would push back on any requirement that the city pay installation costs for the SD-SDI upgrade.
Formal action
A motion was made and seconded to authorize Attorney Bill August to negotiate and communicate the commission’s position with Comcast consistent with the parameters discussed — specifically to seek the three-channel SD-SDI upgrade and secure the increased capital share (0.45%) while opposing city payment for installation costs. The motion was approved by voice vote. (No roll-call tally was provided in the transcript.)
Next steps and outstanding questions
Commission members asked staff to confirm technical details with local studio personnel and Comcast representatives: whether encoders are located at the high school studio, whether moving channels would affect basic-tier reception, and whether Comcast would relocate the SD-SDI signals into a different numbering block. Attorney August said he would seek written confirmation from Comcast that the PEG channels will remain available to basic subscribers and will forward Comcast’s written proposal and any clarifying language to the commission once received.
The commission also discussed internal allocation of capital funds (the capital share is divided among local entities) and noted that the contract will be a 10-year franchise; counsel said upgrades could be triggered under the new agreement and the 18-month upgrade clock could start before the contract’s end date.
Ending
Attorney Bill August will follow up with Comcast and report back to the commission on the company’s written offer and any clarified terms about channel placement, basic-tier availability, upgrade costs and timing. The commission’s formal authorization allows counsel to continue negotiations consistent with the parameters discussed at the meeting.
