Commission briefed on Comcast franchise extension: PEG funding floor, HD access and nondiscriminatory hookup

Jerry Lederer, outside counsel to the commission, briefed commissioners on Wilmington’s recently executed extension of the Comcast cable franchise and the provisions it preserves and updates.

Lederer said the extension preserves the city’s existing franchise benefits while updating several items that had become ambiguous. “Comcast offered us $90,000 per year, but then asked us…could they do it on a per‑sub basis? … We were able to document that our needs were greater than 85¢…our needs were 95¢,” Lederer said, summarizing the negotiated PEG (public, educational and government) support. He added that the agreement guarantees that “in no year…will that amount be less than $90,000,” and that the extension guarantees at least $450,000 in community channel support over the five‑year term.

Why it matters: PEG funding supports the city’s community TV operations, equipment purchases and related capital needs.…