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Local residents, advisory councils warn that Nutmeg’s regional model could dilute town-specific channels
Summary
Public comments and advisory council letters filed in the dockets say communities oppose consolidation and fear losing distinctive local programming. Nutmeg says town-specific channels would continue and the regional branch would broaden access.
Local advisory councils and residents raised objections on the record and in written submissions, saying Nutmeg’s plan risks erasing town-specific government and education programming currently available on locally managed channels.
Members of the public and several cable advisory councils told PURA they value the convenience and municipal focus of local studios. A representative quoted council minutes for Area 1 (Norwalk region) that said the council voted to oppose the Nutmeg takeover because it believed a centralized model would replace town-specific PEG channels. The minutes also recorded a meeting in which a Nutmeg representative discussed a regional model; Nutmeg’s witness said the excerpt was misinterpreted and insisted town-specific E and G channels supported by current distribution would remain intact if the petitioner were approved.
Commissioners repeatedly asked Nutmeg how it would preserve channel identity and ensure subscribers’ fees continue to benefit the same communities. Witnesses described a proposed “localized funding allocation policy” for regional branches and said a dedicated public channel would be available across the combined service area while E and G channels could remain town-specific where incumbent distribution supports that model.
Local users also raised logistical concerns about travel distances. Several company witnesses and intervenors pointed to producers who prefer nearby studios, and Nutmeg acknowledged that some producers might have to travel farther to a regional branch but argued many current studios are significantly underused. Commissioners requested Nutmeg provide a written allocation policy and a clear outreach/marketing plan to onboard incumbent producers in case the authority approves the petitions.
The hearing record contains letters both opposing and supporting Nutmeg’s petitions; PURA will weigh those submissions alongside the parties’ operational and financial evidence before deciding.
