City Council Encourages Citizen Participation in Cable Television Franchise Renewal Process

May 18, 2011 Neighborhoods Partnership Network

New Orleans, LA – May 17, 2011 – The current Orleans Parish Cable Television Franchise is up for renewal this year. Citizens are encouraged to participate in a survey prepared to help the City Council evaluate the performance of Cox Communications, the current cable television provider for Orleans Parish.

The renewal process begins in the City Council Cable, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee, chaired by District “A” Councilmember Susan Guidry.

“We want to hear from citizens. Our public engagement process will include an online survey and public hearings,” said Councilmember Guidry.

To assist the City Council, please take a moment to answer the survey:
http://www.nolacitycouncil.com/resources/resources_coxrenewal.asp

Cox has a non-exclusive franchise to operate in Orleans Parish. The non-exclusive franchise was initially granted in the mid-1980s and renewed in 1995.

Federal law governs cable television franchises and designates citizen input as a step in the local renewal process. The public input gathered will be used in the renewal evaluation process. Federal law does not allow the City Council to set subscriber rates; therefore the Council has no influence over a Cox subscriber’s monthly bill.

The second phase of the citizen engagement process will be a public meeting hosted by the New Orleans City Council Cable, Telecommunications, and Technology Committee. The public meeting will be held in the Council Chamber later this summer.

Click here to participate in the online survey:
http://www.nolacitycouncil.com/resources/resources_coxrenewal.asp

For additional information, visit http://www.nolacitycouncil.com.