FCC action could gut Martha’s Vineyard TV

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MVTV fears a crippling financial blow by an upcoming FCC ruling. — Ralph Stewart

Updated 6 pm

Action by the Federal Communications Commission could put Martha’s Vineyard Community Television out of business, according to MVTV executive director Stephen Warriner. As NPR reported Monday, a proposed rule change would essentially grant cable operators the option of stifling or defunding the local cable access programing.

Warriner said MVTV is “completely funded through Comcast.”

He was at a loss for words should Comcast eliminate its quarterly payments: “If they all of a sudden defund us — I don’t know what to say.”

Comcast pays MVTV a six-figure sum that covers the salaries of staff and the freelance payments of videographers. According to the nonprofit’s Form 990 tax documents from 2016, the most recent posted online, MVTV took in $694,766 in revenue, and had expenses of $537,289. Of those expenses, $361,760 was salaries and benefits for MVTV employees.

In 2017, MVTV took in $772,119 and payroll was $385,757, according to numbers provided by Warriner.

If the rule is put into effect, Warriner said it wouldn’t just hurt MVTV: “There’d be a lot of people across the state out of a job.”

“Basically Comcast has way too much power,” he added. “I heard it’s them who’s pushing it — way too much power in one company’s hands.”

“I hope they don’t take that action,” Martha’s Vineyard Commission executive director Adam Turner said. “[MVTV] performs a basic function here.”

Turner went on to say the governmental video coverage MVTV provides “plays a major role” because it ecompasses every Vineyard town, providing “unfiltered” information that in turn “helps grassroots communication.”

Representatives from U.S. Sen. Ed Markey’s office and Congressman Bill Keating’s office did not immediately return requests for comment on the potential ruling.

“The proposal by the FCC to erode existing agreements between municipalities and cable companies is deeply concerning,” state Sen. Julian Cyr wrote in a statement emailed to The Times. “If implemented, ‘FCC Docket Number 05-311’ would cripple cable access stations across the United States and would reduce critical transparency and access to important local community and government meetings. I hear frequently from constituents that they feel price gouged by cable providers; this proposal seems nothing more than a giveaway by the federal government to profitable and large companies, many of whom have a monopoly in the marketplace. In Massachusetts, I’m proud that the state Senate passed a bill to require cable access stations be offered in HD, like nearly every other station offered by cable operators. Meanwhile, the federal government is aiming to gut the funding that keeps our local cable access stations afloat. This is a shame. I’ll be sending a letter against this proposal by the November 14th FCC deadline for public comment. I encourage others to do the same.”

A spokesman for the FCC said it would communicate with The Times on the pending rule as soon as time permits.

The public is able to comment on the proposed change through Nov. 14.

Updated to add comments from Sen. Cyr. – Ed.

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. I’m dumbfounded!!!!! PLEASE let me know if there are any petitions to sign meetings to rally about this. And Bravo STEVE WARRINER!!! You’ve carried this gift from its inception …. carry on!!!

  2. Thank you Glenna! There is a petition that you or anyone else can write to help save public access TV. The link is here: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express You then need to add 05-311 in the top box to let the FCC know which issue you are commenting on. Sadly, the expiration is November 14 by midnight Eastern time. Also, when you put your name in you must press enter or return or the web site will keep erasing your name. We need the help from anyone who appreciates the ability to access television, cares about school children (who we teach) or appreciates the government coverage we provide so you can be in the know. It does not take long and numbers matter. Thank you to anyone who can help us continue the service we are providing to OUR community.

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