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Nutmeg urges PURA to approve takeover of multiple PEG operations; cable companies urge preservation of local studios
Summary
At a PURA hearing, Nutmeg Public Access Television argued it can strengthen public-access TV across several western Connecticut franchise areas. Charter, Optimum and Cox opposed, saying Nutmeg’s plan would close local studios, dilute town-specific channels and harm local access.
Nutmeg Public Access Television asked the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on Tuesday to transfer community access (PEG/CAP) responsibilities in several western Connecticut franchise areas to the nonprofit, arguing its 36 years of experience and a regional operating plan would revive underused local access channels.
“Comcast recognized Nutmeg TV’s 36 years of proven experience,” Nutmeg Executive Director Joanie Wedler told commissioners in opening remarks, saying the nonprofit’s proposal would give communities “far more than what they’re currently receiving.” Wedler said incumbent providers have failed to present concrete plans to improve local access and that some company-run studios have become “stranded assets.”
Representatives for the three major incumbent providers disputed that account. Brian Smith of Optimum Communications said Nutmeg’s petitions aim to consolidate studios and relocate control away from the towns. “Local communities, town selectmen, and cable councils are the ones best positioned to dictate their own programming priorities,” Smith said.
Cox’s regulatory director, Lindseay D. Ro, told the panel Cox has operated Area 17’s community access services for 30 years and that local producers prefer a studio located within the franchise area. Charter’s vice president for government affairs, Mike Chuanik, highlighted recent equipment upgrades at Charter’s studio and argued Nutmeg’s plan would close Charter’s Newtown studio while passenger subscribers would pay the same PEG rate.
Presiding Commissioner Holly Cheeseman set procedural ground rules (including a two-day hearing schedule and a requirement that witnesses adopt pre-filed testimony) and administered oaths to panels of witnesses from Nutmeg and the cable operators. The record will include Nutmeg’s vision and operating plan filings, company interrogatory responses and letters from local advisory councils.
The authority did not take any votes during the session; it set deadlines for late-filed exhibits and said the hearing will resume in a subsequent session to continue cross-examination and receive requested financial and operational detail.
