TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Mark Danaj, City Manager
FROM:
Bruce Moe, Finance Director
Leilani Flores Emnace, Information Systems Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Government Access Channel Broadcast Capabilities (Finance Director Moe).
RECEIVE REPORT; DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council: a) receive the report, and b) discuss and provide direction.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
Through the two incumbent cable television franchisees (Time Warner and Verizon), the City provides community (Government) television to the residents of Manhattan Beach. The City utilizes Time Warner Channel 8 and Verizon Channel 35 to broadcast (and re-broadcast) City Council and Planning Commission meetings, as well as other special events such as Mayor's Town Hall meetings. Additionally, other content advertising City events and activities are programmed. The City is the programming authority for these channels (the same content is run concurrently on both channels). In technical terms, these are "Government" channels (as opposed to "Education" or "Public" channels, described further below).
In response to questions and requests the City Council has received, staff was directed to present information on the City's public access channel broadcast capabilities to provide a framework for discussion and further research.
DISCUSSION:
Public-Education-Government Television
Cable television Local Access Channels are mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Local Access Channels include Public, Education and Government (PEG) channels. Pursuant to Section 611 of the Communications Act, local franchising authorities (such as the City) may require cable operators to set aside channels for PEG use with the followi...
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