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00SL2
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Public access advocates hoping to hold on to cable channel
by Joe Lawlor | The Flint Journal
Wednesday January 30, 2008, 6:07 PM
FLINT -- He's a slouching, white-haired government critic who shouts out of your television set and shakes his hands to make a point.
But Bob Leonard, the former Genesee County prosecutor, no longer appears on Comcast Channel 17.
Public access advocates have reason to hope, though, as recent Michigan court decisions temporarily stopped Comcast from moving public access channels to the 900s as the cable giant undergoes a digital conversion.
Leonard said moving to the 900s would significantly reduce his audience if he ever gets back on the air.
"If you're going through the TV channels on your clicker, you might stop on 17 and say, 'There's that nut again. Let me watch for a few minutes.' But who the hell is going to make it to channel 950? They'll never get there," said Leonard, who suspended production after Comcast closed its public access studio in December.
Public access programs produced at independent studios can still appear on Channel 17.
And while David Cohen, Comcast's executive vice president, did not indicate whether the company would consider abandoning plans to move the public access channels to the 900s, he did apologize before a U.S. Congress subcommittee on Tuesday.
"This is not the way we do business -- in Michigan or in the rest of the country -- and I want to apologize for that," said Cohen, while also noting that satellite and telephone companies are not required to provide the same level of public access programming as cable companies.
Comcast officials declined to comment to The Flint Journal on Wednesday.
Paul Herring, president of the Flint Producers Association and the producer of numerous public access shows, said he was so encouraged that for now he's abandoned attempts to boycott Comcast.
"We're going to give Comcast a chance to make good," said Herring, who produces "Common Ground," "Flint After Dark" and Flint City Council meetings.
Herring said he would like to see Comcast allow a signal to originate from Flint, as it does with Channel 18 at Mott Community College. That way, a non-profit group could set up its own studio.
Herring said he still produces shows from his own studio, but some public access shows are no longer in production.
Evangelist Geneva Spears, who produces and appears on such shows as "Streets," "Jesus Girls" and "Soul-Winning Jubilee," said she's still producing shows, but she's not happy with Comcast.
"After years and years of building up a following, to have something for the people, for this to happen, it's just really sad," Spears said. "All these programs are uplifting, inspirational and informative."
State Rep. Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Twp., said while the unintended consequences of a new state law opened the door for Comcast to scale back its public access, he doesn't believe the state should immediately pursue a new law to force Comcast to provide the same level of public access that it used to.
The new law fosters competition with Comcast, Gonzales said.
"We're not happy with their business decision, but there's got to be some middle ground," Gonzales said.
Meanwhile, Flint resident Christopher Vanucci likes his public access programs, including Leonard, "that guy who sits around complaining about what's going on in Flint."
"It's just kind of neat to watch. It's something different," Vanucci said.
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Source:
http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/01/public_access_advocates_hoping.html |
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Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:41 am |
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Mark Bonto
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00SL2,
Lawlor called and left a message to interview me, but I wasn't available for comment. He definitely wanted to include my opinions for this article. Now I wish I would've.
I love Bob. He's a good guy and we get along great. He's also a good friend, acquaintance, that is. However, I'm not sure I totally agree with my friend Bob on this one.
First, it's channel 916, not 950. He missed it by 34 channels. If he was exaggerating to make a point, then I apologize for that. I should've read the humor between the lines. Second, I conducted a survey on my show (that's distributed in many parts of the country - lots of feedback) about being on the higher-tiered channels. Most people, by far, don't go through channels on the "clicker" consecutively. If they want to "channel surf," they'll start at the number they're currently on, not "2" and then go by ones. They normally just punch in the number they want to go to, or any random number. If they want to see "that guy who sits around complaining about what's going on in Flint," they'll punch a 1-7. Or a 9-1-6. Just not a 9-5-0. If you want to see public access entertainment (which is great), most people will just punch in that number, being sure not to go by the Home Shopping Network wondering if Suzanne Somers has a deal that they just can't pass up.
Most of us producers are happy we still have an outlet for PEG programming - period (that's a tough tongue twister). Not overly concerned with what channel we'll be on. Our main battle is mostly to get back what we had, not where we'll be seen with it. |
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Watch national award-winning “Comedy On Tap” Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm. Both on Comcast channel 17. Go to my website at: http://markbonto.com and listen to me, and see me live at The White Horse on the radio: Wednesdays 7-7:30am on WKUF 94.3 FM. |
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Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:12 pm |
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Ted Jankowski
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Mark, I had a message on my machine also. It amazes me how many people I don't know can get my cell number but a reporter from the flint Journal cannot. Since many down there already have it From Tony Dearing to Majorie Raymor. Of which I have programed into my speed dial on my own cell phone.
I'm continually amazed at the lackluster effort we've received from the Journal's reporters. I'm thrilled the story made it. They did need ot finally print something in a timely manner. |
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Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:38 pm |
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Mark Bonto
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Ted,
That's too funny!  Same with me. These reporters know my home number, work number, height, weight, car VIN number, social security number - yet they can't call me on my cell?
I'm happy the story made it, too. Not only because it's in favor of our cause, but it shows that the Journal actually
kept
an employee or two! |
_________________
Watch national award-winning “Comedy On Tap” Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm. Both on Comcast channel 17. Go to my website at: http://markbonto.com and listen to me, and see me live at The White Horse on the radio: Wednesdays 7-7:30am on WKUF 94.3 FM. |
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Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:46 pm |
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Ted Jankowski
F L I N T O I D
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| I was thinking the Same thing. However, You said it best! |
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Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:19 pm |
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