Producers Seek More Cable Access

As the city prepares to renegotiate its 15-year-old contract with Comcast Cablevision next week, award-winning public access producers are lobbying for more time on local channels.

“A lot of people feel that television is fragmenting society,” said Peter J. Anninos, producer and director of the local program “City Watch Live.”

“With community TV, you have people going out, getting involved and taking part in events,” he said.

Public access programming, which includes government and education shows, has dwindled to 16 hours a week on one channel, from a total of 36 to 42 hours on two channels in 1989. Local producers now scramble for scarce time slots.

While some cable industry observers say the number of hours given to public access is less than average, others say 16 hours is more than what many cities offer.

As it stands, Comcast provides money to the Seal Beach Cable Foundation, a city-formed nonprofit organization, to fund local programming. But the public access staff, most of whom are volunteers, say the $75,000 a year the foundation receives to produce 25 shows isn’t enough.

“We need more funding, more equipment and better facilities,” Anninos said. Infomercials dominate programming on Comcast’s Channel 3, the cable-access station. “It’s amazing how many people watch our shows,” said Anninos, who won an Emmy in 1995 for his work on a PBS astronomy series. “If we had our own channel, more people would be watching.”

Besides City Council and Planning Commission meetings and educational programming from Coastlink Community College, local programs like “City Watch Live” or “Inside Leisure World” provide a closer look at issues and events that affect the city. Many of these shows have garnered state and national recognition.

Although local producers have a good case, City Manager Keith Till said, the city has to consider all aspects of the franchise agreement in its negotiations with Comcast.

Last week, Comcast, which serves about 95,000 customers countywide, announced plans to upgrade its network to fiber optic cable. The move to provide digital television service would enhance picture quality and sound, add dozens of channels and provide Internet access.

With the advent of satellite dishes that compete with cable companies for national programming, industry experts say that local programming may be the best way to satisfy local subscribers.