Why should you care? Because MCCET is a barely tapped yet priceless resource for the coastal community. In hundreds of U.S. cities, large and small, local television stations sit at the hub of community activity, collaborating with, and providing a forum for, local organizations, schools, local government, public agencies, and people of all ages. MCCET could become such a station.
MCCET is at risk because it doesn't have the funding needed to continue broadcasting, let alone to become a vital community service. We have an opportunity to get the funding, but this can only be realized if our community demonstrates to local and county officials its support for MCCET.
Cable television providers are mandated by Federal law to provide channels, services, and financial support to any community that wishes to operate a public access television station. This is done through a cable franchise agreement, negotiated by the community and its cable provider. Fort Bragg's first franchise agreement, signed in 1985, gave very little to MCCET. The agreement has expired, and it is time to negotiate a new franchise agreement. This is the only chance MCCET has to secure funding from Adelphia for the next 15 years.
But getting the funding will not be easy. As might be expected, our cable provider, Adelphia, wants to give as little money as possible. And issues relating to the Coast are often low on the list of priorities for county officials, so there is the risk that they will not devote the attention and resources necessary to achieve success.
Our cable franchise negotiation committee is made up of representatives from the county, Willits, Ukiah, and Fort Bragg. The committee has hired a consultant, as do most cities and counties, because the negotiation process is complex, requiring a great deal of data collection and technical expertise. Moreover, having a consultant participate in negotiations places the community on a more equal footing with the cable company.
Several issues must be negotiated with Adelphia: access to the advances in digital cable technology over the next 15 years, number of channels available to subscribers, quality of reception, repair services and support, subscriber charges, funding for MCCET, and more.
Just to maintain its current level of operation, a bare minimum, MCCET must replace equipment that is outdated and in poor condition. To become a vital resource for the community, the station will need to purchase additional equipment and to relocate to a building with room to have studio spaces, editing rooms, etc., it needs 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. The money needed from Adelphia for these expenditures only amounts to about 75¢ per subscriber per month on the coast.
MCCET is also requesting two additional channels now and still another one in about three years. This is unlikely to pose problems in negotiations because advances in digital cable mean that Adelphia has a practically limitless channel capacity. In other words, supplying additional channels should not be a major issue for Adelphia.
With three channels, MCCET would be able to provide the following sorts of programming: A Government channel would air local government, fire department, and school and hospital board meetings as MCCET now does. In addition, there could be increased coverage of local government and public agencies and satellite broadcasts of California legislative and other government al proceedings as well as news.
An Education channel would broadcast distance learning programming requested by Redwood College and local educational agencies, provide channel time for local school video projects, and show general education programs such as English as a Second Language or Improving Reading Skills programs.
A Public channel could have the Community Bulletin Board as it does now, locally sponsored programming, videos produced by local students and adults, programming developed in collaboration with local organizations, and more.
Despite such anticipated benefits, securing adequate funding for MCCET could become an issue the franchise negotiating committee finds hard to support. This is because the county and the inland cities do not benefit from MCCET, and there is concern that consulting and legal expenses will increase if Adelphia objects to MCCET's funding request.
We can strengthen our position if the coastal community demonstrates its support for MCCET. If you support the vision of MCCET as a vital resource that must be funded, please contact Fort Bragg's City Council and the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors--particularly coastal representatives Patty Campbell and David Colfax--to let them know how important you consider MCCET's future to be.
And come to TownHall March 22nd, 7 to 9pm. The League of Women Voters and MCCET will present speakers, videos, and information on community television. We want to begin the dialogue on the future of MCCET.
The purpose of a local television station like MCCET is to be a tool for the community created by the community. It is your station, your voice, your vision.