City Agrees to Switch in Cable Franchises
In a deal that will enrich the city’s TV facilities by $50,000, the City Council this week voted to change its commercial cable franchise.
Century Valley Cable Corp., a subsidiary of Century Communications Corp., will take over from MultiVision Cable TV. City Manager Fred Maley said Century Valley has purchased MultiVision’s franchise in Villa Park, but the sale was contingent on City Council approval.
As part of the deal, Century Valley agreed to give Villa Park $50,000 for televising and broadcasting local public, educational and governmental programs.
“This money can’t be spent for anything except our [city-owned] cable TV,” Mayor Joseph S. Barsa said, adding that it is a very good deal for the city.
The city’s equipment is used to televise City Council meetings, to train people, including students, in TV skills, he said, and to help civic groups.
“The franchise change won’t increase costs to any Villa Park cable-TV subscriber,” Barsa said, and may even lead to lower rates.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
