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City Council approves 15-year WinFirst cable franchise after debate over financial stability
Summary
The Los Angeles City Council voted to approve a 15-year franchise for WinFirst to provide cable service citywide, 12-2, after a lengthy debate about the company's finances, transfer restrictions and performance guarantees.
The Los Angeles City Council voted 12-2 on July 24 to approve a 15-year franchise ordinance authorizing WinFirst to provide cable service in the city.
Council members debated whether awarding a long-term franchise to WinFirst would actually increase competition or simply create a saleable asset that could be transferred to an incumbent operator. Councilmember Holden said he would vote no because he was not satisfied about WinFirst’s financial stability and worried the company would sell the franchise after receiving the award. Terry Sauer, the city’s Chief Administrative Officer, said staff conducted a file and financial review, concluded the matter was a policy decision for council, and therefore offered no…
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