|
Aren't the local cable companies required to provide local programming? Both Brighthouse Networks and Comcast Cablevision are required to provide 25 hours of "Local Community Interest Programming" (LCIP) per week according to the 1996 cable franchise agreements. This programming is to be FROM local religious, charitable, literary, cultural and public health organizations. They have chosen to "outsource" their LCIP requirements to Indy's Music Channel, WDNI-LP Channel 65 (formerly WAV-TV Channel 53). This has caused a lot of controversy as Indy's Music Channel is a music video channel and the result has been a significant reduction in community programming on Indianapolis cable tv.
Aside from the reduction, LCIP is very different from public access programming. LCIP is selected and often produced by the local cable operator, or their designee, in this case, WDNI. According to the franchise agreements, the cable operators are responsible for editorial control and liable for content on this channel. WDNI, of course, controls their own content, subject to FCC broadcast regulations. With public access programming, producers are responsible for their own content, and where Federal law prohibits a cable operator from exercising any editorial control over programming, thereby protecting the public's right to free speech, and exempting the cable operator and municipality from liability. (See Comparison of Public Access TV and IMC's Local Community Interest Programming.) Furthermore, public television access is open to everyone and production facilities and broadcast are provided for free or at a nominal cost, whereas LCIP rates can be set up to normal market rates. Costs to produce and air a program without public access range from $250.00 to $5,000.00 or more per half hour program depending on the air times, subject matter, channel and complexities of the program. See also: |
