The city of Philadelphia is in the midst of negotiations to renew its franchise agreement with cable service provider Comcast and is hosting a series of public forums to obtain community input for the process. Residents are invited to testify about their cable-related needs and interests.
In a printed statement, Mayor Michael Nutter claimed that the city has been “asking for input from the public for more than two years” and that the city issued a Community Needs Assessment Report on April 9 based upon the feedback received so far. The mayor added that negotiations are expected to lead to a new cable franchise deal that will have a 15-year term.
The April 9 report was 571 pages and included information on community needs and a technical review of the Comcast cable television system as part of the renewal process involving four franchise areas in the city. The current 15-year agreement expires later this year and authorizes Comcast to use public rights-of-way to operate its cable system and deliver service.
Two public forums were held on April 28 at PCI Library, 1905 Locust St., and South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St.
Upcoming forums will be held on April 29, from 5 to 7 p.m., at MaST Charter School, 1800 E. Byberry Road; April 30, from noon to 2 p.m. at Community Center at Visitation, 2646 Kensington Ave.; April 30, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Martin Luther King High School, 6100 Stenton Ave.; and May 2, from noon to 2 p.m., at Bibleway Baptist Church, 1323 N. 52nd St.
Citizens may also provide feedback by calling 215–686–8125, by email to CitizenFeedback@phila.gov or by U.S. mail to “Cable Franchise Authority, Attn: Cable Television Administrator, City Hall, Room 702, Philadelphia, PA 19107.” The public may view the needs assessment report at www.phila.gov/cablefranchises. ••
