Town Government &
  Services:

Committees Home Page

Cable TV Advisory Committee

Committees: Cable TV Advisory Committee

2006 Annual Report

In 2007, the Committee retained knowledgeable, experienced counsel;  expanded it's membership to bring in other key and current disciplines;  and set both general and specific goals for what it would seek from providers between now and August, 2009 when the current Comcast contract expires.  We also visited various studios (the current Comcast one, which will be taken over by Comcast;  Linden Ponds;  Dedham;  etc.), with an eye toward establishing our own, as part of the negotiations process.
 
This year, we have already commenced meetings with Verizon, with an objective of coming to a mutually-acceptable agreement within 4-6 months; and having them begin to compete with Comcast as early as within this calendar year.  We will then likewise begin negotiations with Comcast, with a goal of agreement with them in advance of their contract expiration.  There's a slight possibility a third player may also compete.
 
Throughout all of these intensive meetings, we seek to deliver to the residents of Hingham an improved cable product; potential individual family savings; additional/improved equipment for our schools and town facilities; and the possibility of a state-of-the-art studio second to none, for greatly expanded programming creation, for young and older, with many varied, worthwhile public and community interests.  And, ideally, all this at no additional cost to the taxpayers.
 
A tall order.  However, I believe we have perhaps the most outstanding Committee ever put together for this; and between Committee members and the guidance we are receiving, these remain our objectives.