Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

December 11, 2009

Fight over public access channels continues

Analog customers can't watch channels after move

BY Sheri McWhirter

TRAVERSE CITY -- Andy Fowler sees nothing but snow when he tunes in to recently relocated public access channels.

Fowler, of Traverse City, does not have digital cable, opting instead to keep his analog television service. That means he can't view a pair of public access and educational channels as some area residents continue to struggle with cable provider Charter Communications' decision to move those to a digital tier.

"Customers on analog, like me, can't get the channels," Fowler said. The problem could be remedied with a digital converter box that Charter offered to provide, he said, but he'd need one for every television set in his home.

"I want the public access television stations, but I'm not willing to pay money to get it. I don't know why Charter did that," Fowler said.

Charter moved Up North 2 and Northwestern Michigan College 13 to channels 97 and 96, respectively, on Dec. 1. They are now in a block with other public access, educational and governmental channels -- called PEG channels -- on channels 98 and 99.

Cable customers from Empire to Petoskey reported interference problems on the re-located channels, both with picture and sound in some cases.

Joan Wright, of Traverse City, can see the new channels, but not clearly.

"I can see it, but it's snowy," she said. "It's bad enough I won't bother watching it."

Wright also reported the trouble to Charter, she said, but was told the company can't help her because she's on analog service.

"Charter is responding with technical support in some cases," said Joe VanderMeulen, executive director at the Land Information Access Association in Traverse City. The nonprofit agency is contracted to operate Up North 2 and Government 99.

The PEG channel changes are part of Charter's efforts to bring new high-definition and digital services to customers throughout northern Michigan, said Tim Ransberger, the company's government relations director for Michigan.

Charter technicians will continue to troubleshoot any reported interference problems, he said.

Interference is often caused by loose wires or connectors and can be easily fixed, Ransberger said, adding customers experiencing problems should contact Charter for assistance.

"We operate on a number of different frequencies and it is possible for a loose connector to affect one channel and not others," Ransberger said.

Customers may have to pay for repairs if the problem is caused by equipment inside homes, he said.

"This wouldn't have happened if they hadn't made the change," VanderMeulen said.

Traverse City commissioners tried to halt the PEG channel switches by filing a federal lawsuit. A ruling denied the city's request for a temporary restraining order and a status conference is scheduled for Dec. 15 in Bay City.

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