June 18, 1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~eui~n 1221, l~.nutas June 18, 1979 Page 2 CI~ liAHAGER'S AGENDA PRESENTATION ONCABLETELEVISION The City Hanager said that Continental Cablevision of Ohio, Inc., has requested per- mission to present an audiovisual display~ to the City Council, since it is seeking a franchise right within University City. ~ontinental Cablevision is represented by Nathan B. Kaufman. Hr. Kaufman said Continental Cablevision serves about 225,000 families in a number of states, and is one of the larger privately owned cable television companies in the United States. He said the audiovisual display will demonstrate the applicabil- ity of cablevtsion to the City of University City. 1tr. Kaufman urged the Council to ask other companies to make a presentation also, and said his tom?any would like, within 30 or 40 days, to make a formal written proposal which he invited Council to compare with the proposals of other companies. He introduced Mr. William Clancy, Vice President of Continental Cablevision, and Mr. James A. Wand, Vice President and General Manager of Ilidwest Region of Continental Cablevision. The audiovisual pre- sentation followed. It ~ave a brief history of the company and demonstrated how cable television could be used in University City, and the processes involved in in- stall/ng the system here. Janis Settle, reporter for KSD-TV, illl Olive Street, asked to address Council. She said she had Just completed a five-part series on cable television, and had quite a bit of informationwhich Council might like to have. She suggested, if and when Council decides to §rant a franchise, the company should provide the following: (1) at least 35 channels, (2) the possibility for two-way capability, (3) public pro- grammin~, (t) reasonable monthly costs, and (5) an estimate of the time required to build. Hs Settle also suggested that Council hear proposals from a at--her of com- panies, since there are now many in the market. More discussion followed centerin~ around various charges (for hookup, special movies, etc.) and other commmities near- by which already have cablevision or will have in the near future. Mr. Clancy made a presentation. He stressed that cable television is an optional service, and no one has to buy it. He said his company proposed a 35-channel system for Oniversity City. He also said his company has two-way capability, proposing an institutional two-way loop throughout University City. He said they would offer government, educational and public access channels to University City in a contrac- tual arrangement. The amount of time required to build would be about six months, depending on the weather. Hr. Clancy said all municipal buildings and all schools, public and parochial, would receive free installation and free service. A connec- tion with Washington University would be provided with, at Washington University's option, the possibility of continuing education programs being sent into the com- munity. The monthly cost to a subscriber would probably be about $7.50, but Mr. Clancy emphasized that a decision to grant a franchise should not be made on price alone. He said his company has been in the forefront of this industry and has many "firsts" in the field. The company offices would be located in University City (thereby paying property tax) as would a full-color studio and a mobile studio, with 12 to 15 permanent employees. Three percent of the gross income would be paid to University City as a franchise fee. Councilman Adams asked if there would be a charge to hook up additional television sets in a household to the cable, Mr. Clancy said there probably would not be an installation charge for the first and any subsequent hookups during the construction