O.C. Board’s Broadcast Gets Little Feedback
Like many other on-camera personalities, the Orange County supervisors have received their TV ratings--and they don’t like them.
After six months of paying to have their meetings broadcast over local cable channels, they’ve received only 10 responses from the public.
“I know that cable TV is important to people in Orange County, [but] here at the county my office has received only one phone call, and I think it was from someone saying they didn’t like our televised meetings,” Supervisor Jim Silva said. “I don’t think we’re getting that many viewers.”
The county spends $299,000 a year for taping.
Midway into its 12-month TV contract, the county has received two e-mails and eight voice mails--all positive--from the public regarding the board’s taped meetings, according to a report presented to supervisors Tuesday.
Defenders of the televised meetings argued that the public does not often respond when it’s satisfied, only when it’s upset, especially if it’s something seen on television.
“Every day and everywhere I go, people tell me that they’ve seen the board meetings and have found them very informative,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “They tell me there’s a difference with what they read in the newspapers and what they see on television.
“It’s brought to life the very difficult and controversial issues that this board struggles with everyday,” Spitzer said.
Spitzer and Supervisor Tom Wilson fought to have the meetings televised, and in August the board approved 4 to 1, with Silva dissenting. Instead of a three-year contract, the majority settled on a one-year trial, with a midterm report to help guide their decision on future TV deals.
Under the contract, Network Television Time of Los Angeles videotapes meetings and distributes them free to several cable companies that cover the county.
Network Television Time has converted a small room adjacent to the board’s hearing room into a control booth. Robotic cameras and modified lighting also have been installed in the board’s chamber.
County spokeswoman Diane Thomas, who gave the six-month assessment to the board, said later that she was not surprised at the low number of public responses.
“Happy viewers don’t communicate,” Thomas said. “However, unhappy viewers make their opinions known, and we’ve had lots of informal feedback.”
Silva, who has been reluctant to support televised meetings, has said he favors having them offered in an open, competitive market, unsupported by public funds.
As Thomas concluded her report on potential costs for the coming year, Silva remarked: “If it hits a million dollars, you’ll let us know?”
Thomas was instructed to explore cost options for the county if it decides to continue the program for another year.
“I hope we can find a way to continue televising the meetings,” Wilson said. “It’s important to keep our communities informed with what their supervisors are doing.”