Title
Public hearing on Proposed Renewal of Cable Television Franchise Agreement.
Staff Summary
· Various unincorporated areas of the County have been served by a variety of cable television providers over the past 20 years. In the last 10 years, Comcast has acquired and assumed responsibility for serving those areas under six franchise agreements that were negotiated with predecessor cable providers.
· Some competition in the area of cable television and video services has developed in various parts of the County, through the introduction of AT&T's U-Verse product, as well as satellite dish providers, such as DirecTV and DishTV.
· In 2007, the Illinois General Assembly adopted the Cable and Video Competition Law, which allows providers who use public rights-of-way to provide cable and/or video service to obtain either a local franchise or a state authorization from the Illinois Commerce Commission.
· Rather than obtain a state authorization, Comcast has elected to negotiate with the County to enter into a renewal of its various franchise agreements in a single franchise agreement that is substantially based on a model developed by the Metropolitan Mayors' Caucus and customized to address particular County concerns.
· Under the federal Cable Act, a public hearing on the proposed franchise agreement is required prior to the approval of any franchise renewal.