Lowell subcommittee hears update on Comcast franchise renewal; LTC funding, INET and senior discounts discussed

Lowell’s Technology and Utilities Subcommittee met March 25 to hear an update on the proposed renewal of Comcast’s cable franchise and to take public comment on community cable needs.

The presentation and public comments focused on three central issues: the proposed five‑year renewal through Feb. 28, 2030; funding for public‑education‑government (PEG) programming and the Lowell Telecommunications Corporation (LTC); and the city’s institutional network (INET). Subcommittee members and LTC leaders asked about revenue trends, service quality and the limits of what the city may negotiate under federal and state rules.

Moran Fernandez, the city’s chief information officer, opened the hearing for City Manager Thomas Golden and read the administrative background, saying, “Welcome to the city of Lowell's public hearing on the city's Comcast cable license renewal.” Fernandez and city staff reviewed the renewal process, legal constraints and the negotiation results the renewal team planned to forward to the city manager for his decision.

Adam McKeown, executive director of LTC, told the subcommittee, “we are in full support of the efforts of the city and, how this contract goes forward,” and described LTC as a primary local beneficiary of PEG funding. McKeown said LTC’s operating receipts from Comcast have fallen and that the organization is operating with declining revenues.

On funding details, city staff and outside counsel explained how PEG and franchise revenue…