Thanks to the tireless efforts and dogged persistence of the Oxford Area Cable Communications Commission, local cable viewers will have better, more consistent service from Charter Communications, Inc.
On August 31, the cable commission signed a ‘Cable Television Franchise Agreement? that will last 15 years. This new deal comes after eight years of operating without such an agreement.
‘This franchise contract offers area viewers stability from a cable company with state of the art updates and advanced services one would expect from a cable company in 2004,? said Ed Madden, Charter Communication general manager of mid-Michigan Market Area.
In terms of viewing consistency, the old cable system has been replaced with digital fiber-optic cables, which Kenneth Campbell III, Chairman of the Oxford Area Cable Communications Commission, explained have resulted in fewer cable interruptions, thus reducing viewer complaints significantly.
‘When Charter came in (to Oxford) it was an antiquated system within the community,? Campbell said. ‘Virtually everything has been replaced.?
‘Two years ago the board would have inch-thick stack of complaints to deal with, but now (they’ve) become virtually nonexistent.?
In addition, digital fiber-optic cable will in the near future offer subscribers direct on-line banking capabilities, direct internet services, and interactive cable possibilities, according to Campbell.
Because Addison Township and Leonard are smaller subscriber-based communities, they are still viewing from the non-digital cable system.
Campbell said because of a Federal Communication Commission legislative amendment currently in pending in Congress, smaller subscriber communities such as Leonard and Addison should have fiber-optic capability by 2006.
The franchise agreement basically allows for Charter Communications to have the cable right-of-ways throughout Oxford Township and Village, Addison, and Leonard.
More importantly to Don Huegerich, station manager at Oxford Community Television (Channel 19), the contract means better programming, updated studio equipment, and steady growth for the public access station, which left the cramped confines of the old high school back in May and moved into a brand new, spacious studio at 1775 N. Lapeer Road.
‘The station will benefit because the board included language so that all current and future revenues set forth by FCC guidelines will be captured (by) us,? Huegerich said.
Currently, OCTV receives five percent of the gross subscriber revenue from the village and township of Oxford, and three percent from Addison and Leonard.
Charter Vice President of Governmental Relations Tim Ramsberger said FCC mandated public access funding will increase from Addison and Leonard from the current three percent to five within the next few months.
‘Subscribers will be notified ahead of time and will only experience an increase that amounts to a few cents on their bills,? said Ramsberger.
‘Because of this (added revenue), I see steady growth for Channel 19. (There are) a lot of good people here,? Huegerich said. ‘We’ve put in a new broadcasting system, upgraded the studio equipment and are increasing governmental (meeting) coverage.?
Cable Commissioner Charles Kniffen said credit for establishing the current cable contract and cable improvements goes to all the board members for dedicating their time toward that goal.