[Press Release] : Columbia Channel change on Mediacom

[Press Releases]

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of
Columbia’s Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided
links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Toni Messina, Communications Director - (573) 874-7660 

Columbia Channel change on Mediacom

COLUMBIA, MO (April 9, 2009) - Remember the 80s! For citizens who
subscribe to Mediacom cable service, Public Communications Director Toni
Messina wants them to remember the 80s when looking for government,
educational and public access television programming.

“Mediacom recently announced some changes in its channel lineup,”
Messina said. “The city’s cable television channel number will
change to 80 from 13, effective April 20 or April 21. Our station will
only be shown in a digital format.”

This only applies to Mediacom broadcasts. Messina said that, to the
best of her knowledge, Charter cable subscribers may keep viewing the
Columbia Channel on channel 2, and people who subscribe to
CenturyTel’s Internet video package can watch on channel 401.

“Channel 80 will replace Columbia Channel 13 as the place to find
live broadcasts of City Council, Planning and Zoning and Board of
Adjustment meetings,” Messina said. “We’re also the only channel
that airs video segments on city programs and services and city job
listings. We promote a lot of community events, too.”

“This change affects all three of the local ‘PEG’ channels
broadcast to Mediacom subscribers, and all at the same time,” Messina
said. “PEG” is an acronym found in federal legislation authorizing
these channels. According to a fact sheet published by the Federal
Communications Commission:

● Public access channels are available for use by the general public.
Columbia Access Television, now shown on analog channel 3, will switch
to digital channel 85.

● Educational access channels are used by educational institutions
for educational programming. Columbia Public Schools Television, now
shown on analog channel 16, will switch to digital channel 81.

● Governmental access channels are used for programming by organs of
local government. The Columbia Channel, now shown on analog channel 13,
will switch to digital channel 80.

“I hope citizens will remember the 80s as the place to get important
news about and perspectives from their community,” Messina said.
Remembering big shoulder pads, Valley girls and mega-hair…not so much.

- 30 -
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or
subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and
follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/index.php 



** Virus scanned by City of Columbia MO Email Firewall **