Council Hears Complaints About Paragon Cable

Minutes before an El Segundo City Council meeting this week, City Clerk Ronald L. Hart looked out at the crowd and asked: “So what brings people out?” The resounding chorus: Paragon Cable, the company that is the sole provider of cable television in the city.

Six residents, an apartment owner and three City Council members lashed out during a public hearing Tuesday night at Paragon Cable Communications for a recent rate increase, poor service and the growing complexity of its equipment.

Resident Shirley Jensen said: “It’s getting where I’m beginning to feel too stupid to turn on my own TV.”

Several of those who spoke said their problems with Paragon began in August, 1988, when the company began overhauling the cable system to double the number of channels to 60.

At the time, Paragon had just taken control of the city’s cable franchise agreement from Group W, whose parent company, Westinghouse Electric Co., was bought out by a consortium that included Paragon’s parent company, American Television and Communications Corp.

Many residents complained of hidden costs and of the complexity of the new system installed by Paragon. Many El Segundo residents must now rent a remote control device from Paragon, for $4 a month for the first year, to operate a small box, which costs $25 to install, that controls the cable hookup. Many must also buy an adapter switch, for roughly $10, so they can tape programs on their videocassette recorders while watching another channel.

‘Looks Like a Bomb’

“Before, I just had one remote control that worked on everything,” Jensen said. “Now my TV has so many controls and wires it looks like a bomb.”

Many also complained to the City Council about a $4 rate increase, the second increase in a year, which brings the basic rate for cable service to $16.95 per month.

Paragon General Manager Mark Mangiola told the City Council that the company is doing a “good job.”

“We’ve spent $1 million in upgrading the picture quality of all channels, plus we’ve increased the number of channels. I think we’ve been good corporate citizens,” he said. Two residents and City Councilman Alan West said they were pleased with the improved reception.

But Wendy White, the city’s supervisor of community cable channels, said the city has received complaints from 300 residents about Paragon since last year.

“Many of the complaints go something like: ‘How could the city let this company run our cable system,’ and I don’t have the answer,” White said.

Councilman Scot Dannen suggested the city look into a consumer protection ordinance that would demand better service from the cable company. “Right now, Paragon is doing a sloppy job,” he said. “Service is poor, installation ludicrous. And, if I get a chance, we will seriously discuss if (Paragon) stays in El Segundo.”

No action was taken.

The public hearing was called partly in response to complaints about cable service and as part of El Segundo’s negotiations with Paragon over renewing the franchise agreement, which expires in February, 1991.