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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle and Comcast negotiate 10-year franchise
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12/13/2005 2:00:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tony Perez, Director of the Office of Cable Communications (206) 386-0070
D'Anne Mount (206) 233-8736
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Seattle and Comcast negotiate 10-year franchise
Deal includes local arts programming and senior discounts
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels today released details of a proposed franchise
agreement with cable provider Comcast that will offer new and improved programming,
better discounts for senior and low-income customers as well as much needed
new equipment.
The proposed franchise was presented to the City Council’s Utilities
and Technology committee. If approved, the proposed agreement will last through
2016.
“This agreement will improve services to customers, increase access
to government and technology, and provide lively arts and cultural programming,” said
Nickels. “This franchise will serve us well for the next 10 years.”
Highlights of the agreement include a partnership agreement for groundbreaking
programming called Seattle Arts Zone, the best senior and low-income discounts
in the nation, a capital equipment grant for Seattle Community Access Network
(SCAN) and the Seattle Channel, programs for youth civic involvement, funds
for community technology center computers, and free cable modems for community
access sites.
The Seattle Arts Zone project joins a vibrant local arts community and the
Seattle Channel with the resources of the nation’s largest cable provider.
Comcast has agreed to provide $4.125 million, which will generate $500,000
annually for ten years, for original art and cultural production by the Seattle
Channel.
“The Seattle Channel’s ongoing collaborations with regional arts
organization, performance venues, community festivals and others can be at
the heart of authentic local arts and music programming,” said Tom Skerritt,
local actor and Seattle Arts Commissioner.
The City of Seattle will continue providing the majority of financial support
for SCAN but will ask SCAN to expand its donor support, provide more accountability
in its use of public funds, and improve the quality in its programming.
“SCAN provides an opportunity for a wide array of diverse expression
and community voices,” said Nickels. “I hope to see improved production
and clearer accountability for this valuable community resource.”
In preparation for negotiations with Comcast, the Department of Information
Technology conducted surveys and public meetings and heard from more than 2,000
people. The proposed franchise includes programs supportive of what citizens
said they want, including local arts programming and youth civic involvement
projects.
Federal law prohibits cities from regulating most rates, but many conditions
of operation are negotiated in the draft franchise, which will be presented
to City Council when completed, likely in January, 2006. At that time, the
draft will be available for review and the City Council will conduct a public
review process. Updates and more information can be found online at www.seattle.gov/cable/refranchising.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public safety, economic
opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter
at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
Office of Cable Communications
Department of Information Technology
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