Contract for Management of Austin's Three
Public Access Television Channels, Facilities and Programming
Public Access Television: Background
- Community-oriented content is not well sustained by market-driven media.
Since 1970, community activists have pushed to help fill the demand for such
content, giving rise to Public Access television. The vision has always been
about providing and protecting free-speech "soapboxes" for our electronic
age.
- The FCC's 1972 rulings set up the framework for securing public access channels
from cable companies. Requirements were established for cable companies to
provide channel space and support for public, educational and government access
channels.
- After several legal and legislative challenges, the free speech mission
of public access was reaffirmed and institutionalized by the Cable Act of
1984. It prohibited cable operators from interfering with access content and
absolved them of any liability for it.
Access in Austin
- Austin's three public access channels are currently operated by a non-profit
contractor, Austin Community Television. Founded in 1973, ACTV is the oldest
continuously operating community television center in the country. The City
owns the public access studio. The video production equipment is owned by
Grande Communications, Time Warner Cable and the City of Austin.
- Contract funding is established via the City’s cable television franchises
with Grande Communications and Time Warner Cable: the cable companies make
quarterly payments to the City in support of public, educational and government
(PEG) access TV through a $0.35 per month charge to Austin’s residential,
non-bulk cable subscribers.
Access Today
- The current six-year contract with ACTV expires September 30, 2005. The
City will put the contract out for competitive bids via a Request for Proposal
(RFP). The new contract will also be for six years (2-year initial, with two
2-year extensions). The 2011 expiration coincides with the that of the current
Time-Warner franchise.
- The City’s Office of Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs will finalize
the requirements and performance criteria in the Scope of Work section of
the RFP with the assistance of the Telecommunications Commission. This will
form the basis of the contract with the successful respondent.
- Here is the process:
- Telecommunications Commission Public Hearing (held 2/9/05)
- Commission holds work session/special called meeting to
adopt scope of work
- RFP issued and advertised by Purchasing Office in early
March 2005. To get on the mailing list, please contact Terry Dyke at 974-2622.
- Pre-proposal conference held
- RFP open for about 45 days
- Evaluation team makes recommendation
- Optional interviews end; decision finalized
- Recommendation from Telecommunications Commission
- Recommendation from Council Committee on Telecommunications Infrastructure
- City Council approval of contract
- Negotiate and execute contract with access manager in time for 10/1/05
start date
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