BY ART BUKOWSKI
TRAVERSE CITY -- The clock is ticking for area residents who have trouble watching a pair of public access channels because of noise or sound interference.
Traverse City recently struck a deal with Charter Communications regarding the relocation of two long-standing channels used by local governments and other groups. Under the agreement, the company will fix viewers' interference problems without charge.
But the offer doesn't last forever. It expires Aug. 8, six months after the deal was finalized. Officials urge residents to get moving now, rather than wait until the last few months of eligibility.
"They have a six-month window to get free service from Charter to correct any interference problems," said Joe VanderMeulen, executive director of the Land Information Access Association. "Take a hard look ... and if there's any problems with sound or video quality, make the call now and get Charter in there."
LIAA in September was the first to draw the public's attention to Charter's plans to move Northwestern Michigan College 13 and Up North 2 to channels 96 and 97, respectively.
The city filed a federal lawsuit against Charter last fall in an attempt to halt the company's plan. A federal judge denied the city's request for a temporary restraining order on Nov. 30, and Charter moved the channels the next day.
Some customers without digital service reported varying degrees of interference when they tried to view the channels after the switch.
If Charter can't fix the interference, it will provide a converter box free of cost. Presence or lack of interference will be determined by a measurable Federal Communications Commission standard, City Attorney Karrie Zeits said. Those with a box hadn't reported interference problems, she said.
Meanwhile, LIAA is in the process of remaking Up North 2 to UpNorth TV. That change, along with how to access the new channels, will be advertised on a series of Charter-funded television commercials.
The Charter number to call to report concerns is 1 (888) 438-2427. For more information, visit www.upnorthmedia.org.
