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Sessic~ 1651, Minutes September 11, 1995 Page 4 Mr. Alfred H. Jkx~s, 7441 Stratford, said in 1993 Continental raised its rate for a basic package by 17-1/2%, ~_ch more than the cost of living. In 1995, rates were again raised by more than 7%. He felt these large increases were Mr. Paul Berra, Director of O~mma%ity Relations for Continental Cablevision, said with reqaxd to ~, oertai~ ~:~ are mandated by federal laws which require specific types of programs. He said the system will soon be up~_~__, with a total of 78 channels. Also, rates are structured pursu- ant to FOC rate rec3ulation rules, and ~/nental,s were found to be in com- pliance. He sa/d (k~t~ b~m no responsibility for nor control over pro- gra~ on HBO or other channels. He noted that proposed legislation may allc~ subscrib~ to use a new method to block out programs with violence or the City since it was felt that some of the questions caused a perception of ne~ativity which showed in the responses. Oont~ had a professional firm survey 309 subscribers in University City, and the results will be given to Council. He felt that most subscribers w~re satisfied with Oontinental. Mr. Tc~ Hopfinger, 7129 Waterman, Area Manager for Continental Cm_blevision, said he shared custc~_rs' frustration on the replication of programs, but Oontinental cannot control content. He said the company carried LaborVision for 13 w~s, but sponsors did not follow th~ when given a list of the public aooess re~ to request that the show be carried again. He felt the City survey showed negative responses reg~ servioe, and he bm~ compiled year-to-date information on Comt~'s service response in terms of the FCC ~ks. He suErefitted this report for the record, noting that the cc~pany compares favorably with the bendremarks. Mr. Wagner asked Mr. Hopfinger to c~m,ent on the availability of foreign language broadcasting, specifically with regard to the earlier question about French. Mr. H~pfinger said he has not bad this request previously, but at this time Continental does not have tb~ flexibility to add new channels. He said if there is an opportunity in future, Continental will consider it. Mr. Cotton raised the matter of advance payment, noting that payment is made before services are received. Mr. Hopfinger said Cont/nental is required to est~_blish billing at the time installation is completed, and the subscriber makes a payment during the month. Each mo~fch has 27 billing cycles. He said he was not familiar with how the billing was est_~_blished, but it is not done the same way as a utility company. Mrs. Thompson mmk~d_ how newer movies could be obtained, and why Continental spent money on a survey wbmn it could have used the City's. Mr. Hopfinger said the best way to get more movies would be feedback to HBO since Oontinen- tal does not control content. He agreed the weekend programin~ could be strunger. Regardir~ the survey, there was concern about the structure and a perception that questions might be leading. Mayor Majerus closed the public hearing at 8:16 p.m.