The City Council hopes that local representatives of TCI Cablevision of Utah relay the following message to company officials: Provo says to shape up or ship out.
During the second and final public hearing on cable service in Provo, council members this week heard more complaints from residents about TCI.The cable company's franchise with Provo, first negotiated in 1966, will expire in December.
A few residents praised TCI, saying its service is commendable, but generally residents were there to complain. Several complained about not being able to get service. Some reiterated what council members already have heard: TCI's broadcast quality is poor and the company charges too much for its limited program offering.
"I like cable TV. I'm glad to have it. I don't want to do without it," said Kay Smith. But the quality and variety offered by other cable systems "makes me absolutely sick," he said.
"I really and truly feel that everybody ought to be treated the same," said resident Paul Lloyd, who has been trying to get cable service for 21/2 years. "All I know is I want cable TV and I can't get it."
Ray Jones, representing 52 families, also wants cable service in his area.
"I look a little jealously at my neighbor across the street . . . who enjoys cable TV," Jones said. "I think the City Council owes the people of this city good cable TV. This is not for a select few, a choice few. This has become part of the way of life."
However, Todd Franks said being unable to get cable television may be a blessing in disguise. Franks said the service has a tendency to go out at crucial moments - like during the final seconds of a Jazz basketball game, which is an even greater insult than having to deal with shadowed images that double team sizes.
Brent Nokleby said expanding service may require a capital investment but it shouldn't require a price hike.
"Overall, I don't think Smith's (grocery store) would raise grocery prices because they were going to build a new store," he said.
Residents asked the council to limit the number of years in TCI's new franchise, to require it to reinvest a certain amount of money each year in new equipment, to establish specific customer service goals for the company and to expand service to more areas of Provo.
Council members asked TCI General Manager Vicki Hansen to provide the city with a copy of the company's profit statement.
Tom Bork, director of government relations for TCI, said, "We don't like being berated, because we are a customer-service company." Bork is "not aware of TCI ever losing a franchise anywhere in the country." TCI needs to have a 10- to 15-year franchise agreement to recoup future capital expenditures.
"I think we can negotiate an amicable franchise," Bork said.
Over the next seven months or so, city officials and representatives of TCI will attempt to hammer out a new franchise agreement, according to Mayor Joe Jenkins.
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Provo and cable TV
What Provo may try to include in its new agreement with TCI:
City officials are studying the cable television franchise ordinance used by Salt Lake City, which requires:
-The franchise fee paid to the city is based on all revenue generated by the company, including charges for commercial advertisements, leased use of studios in the city, and installation and connection fees.
-Service is to be citywide. Each year, the company must provide a five-year expansion plan, including target completion dates.
-When 15 or more subscribers in an area within 1,320 feet of a trunk cable request service, the company must extend service, providing it is technically feasible, won't adversely affect the system and easements can be granted.
-Quarterly franchise payments must be accompanied by a brief report showing how the fee was determined and identifying in detail the sources and amounts of gross revenues for that quarter.