Month: August 2019

FCC updates from LCTV’s Executive Director Seth Albaum

Hey folks,

I have some unfortunate news to share in regards to changes at the FCC that will strip down and possibly eliminate access centers across the country.

On August 1st, the FCC Commissioners voted 3-2, along party lines, to accept changes that put in jeopardy the future of public access television, televised and streamed municipal meetings, and school media and technology programs.

Let’s look at how these services have been funded, and how broadband companies are now trying to wiggle their way out of agreements with local governments with the help of the Federal Communications Commission.

Continue reading FCC updates from LCTV’s Executive Director Seth Albaum →

FCC votes to diminish benefits to communities nationwide.

Yesterday the FCC fired the first shot in a battle that will last for a while, voting to take away the benefits guaranteed to cities/towns & community media centers nationwide under the Cable Act. This will not only affect us, but also the City of Lynn.

To be clear: we aren’t funded by taxpayers. We are funded by the revenue generated by cable companies like Comcast & Verizon – who reportedly made $94.5 billion & $130 billion in 2018, respectively. Make no mistake, if this comes to pass as the FCC & big corporations want, your bills won’t go down. This will lead to the slow death of an entire industry, loss of hyper-local coverage, and much more – all so they can claim back a very small 5% of their total revenue.

You can read our previous blog post by clicking here as a quick summary of the situation. Below you can read a press release from the Alliance for Community Media on yesterday’s vote.

Continue reading FCC votes to diminish benefits to communities nationwide. →