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Select Board holds Verizon cable license ascertainment hearing; public comments emphasize Needham Channel support and PEG funding
Summary
The board held a required public ascertainment hearing for Verizon’s cable license renewal. Needham Channel representatives praised Verizon’s partnership and urged continued support for PEG access; the board left the record open for written comments through Feb. 25.
The Select Board conducted a public ascertainment hearing Feb. 11 as part of Verizon’s cable license renewal process. Federal law requires communities to hold hearings to gather public input on cable‑related needs and Verizon’s performance under its current license, which expires July 16, 2027.
Michael Grama, president of the Needham Channel, and Mark Bridal, the channel’s executive director, said the channel has generally had a cooperative relationship with Verizon and asked the company to maintain capital and operational support for local PEG access. "Our hope is that the process will be smooth," Grama said, noting Verizon has been a partner for community programming and studio needs.
Speakers and board members raised multiple topics: the 5% PEG fee in Verizon’s license and whether that cost is passed to subscribers (panelists said carriers have latitude but typically carry the fee within their pricing), whether Fios/broadband revenues fall under the cable license (they do not), and pole maintenance and double‑pole removal.
The board kept the record open for additional written comments at selectboard@needhamma.gov through Feb. 25 and said it expects to close the ascertainment record at the next Select Board meeting on Feb. 25.
Why it matters
Cable license renewals are the primary local venue to request commitments from providers about customer service, local programming and support for public‑education‑government (PEG) channels. The Needham Channel said continued provider support is central to local access and community programming.
