Meeting: Study session Meeting date: September 14, 2020 Written report: 7
Executive summary
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update
Recommended action: **Due to the COVID-19 emergency declaration, this item is considered essential business and is Categorized as Time-Sensitive** • The report is presented for information only. No action is required.
Policy consideration: Is the progress on the franchise renewal in keeping with council expectations?
Summary: The city’s current franchise agreement with Comcast expires in January 2021. Upon receipt of Comcast’s request to renew its cable franchise in the city, the city notified Comcast of its intent to conduct informal renewal negotiations in accordance with the federal Cable Act. To prepare for negotiations, the city evaluated Comcast’s past performance under the existing franchise and conducted a needs assessment to determine the future cable-related Public- Educational-Government (PEG) community needs and interests of the city. This is the criteria prescribed by the Cable Act. Following the conclusion of the needs assessment, the city’s cable franchise attorney developed a draft franchise agreement, which the city plans to submit to Comcast for consideration.
Financial or budget considerations: The final franchise agreement will determine the franchise fee, based on a percentage of gross revenues derived from cable service and PEG (public- educational-government) capital funding to be received by the city over the next franchise term, expected to be 10 years.
Strategic priority consideration: St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build social capital through community engagement.
Supporting documents: Community needs assessment report and appendices October 28, 2019 council study session report
Prepared by: Jacque Smith, communications and marketing manager Reviewed by: Clint Pires, chief information officer Brian Grogan, attorney at law, Moss & Barnett Approved by: Tom Harmening, city manager
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 2 Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Page 2 Title: Comcast franchise renewal update
Discussion Background: The city’s current franchise agreement with Comcast expires in January 2021. Upon receipt of Comcast’s request to renew its cable franchise in the city, the city notified Comcast of its intent to conduct informal renewal negotiations in accordance with the federal Cable Act. To prepare for negotiations, the city evaluated Comcast’s past performance under the existing franchise and conducted a needs assessment to determine the future cable-related Public-Educational-Government (PEG) community needs and interests of the city. This is the criteria prescribed by the Cable Act.
Present considerations: The city retained The Buske Group to prepare the needs assessment, which was undertaken from August 2019 through May 2020. The final needs assessment report, attached, includes summaries of the following: • Review of documentation related to the current Comcast franchise agreement. • Tour of city cable facilities and inventory of all equipment purchased with revenue derived from the franchise fee and PEG fees under the existing franchise with Comcast. • Community leader/stakeholder meeting in November 2019, attended by 18 participants. • Three in-person focus groups in January 2020, attended by 54 participants. • An online survey available from late January through March 2020, with 536 respondents. • A final report with results of the inventory, focus groups and survey, along with a summary of the needs and interests of the community.
Input from community meetings and the focus groups, as well as from the research conducted by The Buske Group, resulted in several recommendations. Many of those have been incorporated into the initial draft franchise agreement that will be submitted to Comcast for consideration, including points related to the ever-important issues of customer service and viewer access.
Most notably in the draft franchise agreement, the city is seeking to increase the amount of PEG capital support. This increase will help ensure ongoing equipment replacement for existing PEG functions as well as to help provide initial investment for a new community media center, which was identified as a strong interest by community members who participated in the needs assessment. A community media center would provide significant elements not currently available in the ParkTV inventory, with special digital media services and training developed to meet the needs of the community and to lessen the digital divide by providing training and resources to everyone including the BIPOC community, youth, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
FCC 621 Order update In September 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an Order known as the “621 Order.” The 621 Order took effect with the potential to significantly reduce franchise fee and public, educational and government (PEG) fee revenue received by cities from cable operators. The city has not yet been contacted by current cable franchisees regarding any changes to the expected franchise payments as a result of the 621 Order. In October 2019, a petition for review was filed in federal court (Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals) seeking review of the 621 Order on the grounds that the 621 Order is arbitrary and capricious, violates federal Study session meeting of September 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Page 3 Title: Comcast franchise renewal update law and is otherwise contrary to the law. No final decision is expected on this appeal until spring of 2021. City staff is working in close partnership with Brian Grogan, attorney at law, Moss & Barnett, throughout this process.
To prepare for the potential impacts of the 621 Order, the needs assessment included: • Assessment of program origination sites at city and school district facilities currently provided at no charge as part of the current Comcast franchise agreement. The new FCC order may permit Comcast to assess “maintenance costs” for each connection. • Assessment of the community and business need for each of the five ParkTV channels. • Inventory of the various free and discounted Comcast cable viewing services provided to city buildings.
Next steps: The draft franchise agreement will soon be submitted to Comcast for consideration. It’s expected that following their review there will be points of discussion prior to arriving at a final franchise. The current franchise agreement ends in January 2021. City staff is hopeful that a new franchise agreement will be in place by that time.
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 4
COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PEG ACCESS REVIEW
FOR
THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
May 18, 2020
Prepared by
THE BUSKE GROUP 4808 T STREET SACRAMENTO, CA 95819 (916) 441-6277
4808 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95819 (916) 441-6277 | www.thebuskegroup.com | [email protected] Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
I. INTRODUCTION ...... 1
II. COMMUNITY CABLE NEEDS AND INTERESTS ...... 3 A. OVERVIEW AND METHODOLOGY ...... 3 B. COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP WORKSHOPS AND ON-LINE SURVEY ...... 4 C. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS AND BRAINSTORMING DURING ...... 14 COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS D. PARKTV OPERATIONS, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT ...... 20 E. SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS ...... 25
III. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING COMMUNITY CABLE-RELATED ...... 32 NEEDS AND INTERESTS A. INTRODUCTION ...... 32 B. CABLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ...... 33 C. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ...... 36 D. PEG ACCESS ...... 38
APPENDICES 1. Community Needs & Interests Questionnaire 2. a. Responses to the Community Needs and Interests Questionnaire (by ALL) b. Responses to the Community Needs and Interests Questionnaire (by Comcast subscribers) 3. a. Questionnaire Open-Ended Responses: Comments about Comcast b. Questionnaire Open-Ended Responses: Comments about ParkTV 4. Notes from Focus Group Brainstorming Sessions 5. ParkTV Local Programming Operations Questionnaire 6. ParkTV Video Facility Inventory 7. Suggested Video Equipment Replacement/Upgrade Packages
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 6
COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PEG ACCESS REVIEW
FOR
THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
I. INTRODUCTION
Cable TV service in the City of St. Louis Park (“City”) is currently provided by two companies: Comcast and CenturyLink. In August of 2019, The Buske Group was retained by the City to conduct an assessment of community cable-related needs and interests, for use during franchise renewal negotiations with Comcast. The Buske Group was authorized to conduct research in order to identify current and future community cable-related needs and interests.
The existing Comcast cable franchise agreement with the City expires in January of 2021. Comcast reportedly serves about 10,600 subscribers in St. Louis Park.
As a matter of federal law, the cable-related needs and interests of residents are protected in part through the Franchise renewal process. As part of the Franchise renewal process, the City is responsible for identifying cable-related needs and interests, and translating those interests into Franchise requirements. As stated in the legislative history to the Cable Act:
The ability of a local government entity to require particular cable facilities (and to enforce requirements in the Franchise to provide those facilities) is essential if cable systems are to be tailored to the needs of each community [and the legislation] explicitly grants this power to the franchising authority.
It is wise to use a variety of informational-gathering tools when conducting a needs assessment in any subject area. It is critical to use such a variety of tools when dealing with a technology arena that is rapidly evolving, such as cable communications.
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During renewal proceedings, the City may identify basic requirements for cable system capacity, functionality, and customer service, and require a cable operator to provide -- among other things – facilities, equipment and channels for Public, Educational, and Government (PEG) Access. The City’s Division of Communications and Marketing operates the production and playback of PEG access channels and programming, which is branded as “ParkTV.”
It is important to note that during the latter part of the period when activities related to this needs assessment were undertaken, massive changes to our society began to occur, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent social distancing and economic shutdown. Schools and most businesses closed, and people are working from home, if they’re working at all. In the midst of all of this, the importance of communication technologies has grown exponentially.
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II. COMMUNITY CABLE NEEDS AND INTERESTS
A. OVERVIEW AND METHODOLOGY
In order to develop a basic understanding of the current and future cable-related needs and interests for the City of St. Louis Park franchise area, public input was critical. Following is a brief description of the tasks planned and performed by The Buske Group in an effort to identify community cable-related needs and interests in the City of St. Louis Park: Reviewed the current franchise agreement with Comcast and related documents that address PEG access matters, live two-way connections, service to public buildings, and other cable-related provisions. Met with key City staff to discuss the community needs assessment. Conducted a Community Leader/Stakeholder meeting on November 19, 2019, attended by key leaders representing the City, educational institutions, and community organizations to introduce the franchise renewal process and encourage participation in the focus groups and on-line survey. Toured the City to learn more about its geography, demographics, and history. Conducted a series of three community focus group workshops on January 22-23, 2020 to help identify current and future cable-related needs and ascertain attitudes about existing cable services and local access programming. The focus groups were attended by members of the general public, and people affiliated with the City, community organizations, and local educational institutions. Prepared and conducted an on-line survey that was designed to identify community cable-related needs and interests, assess whether current local cable TV services and resources are adequate and appropriate, and help to identify changes that might be made to meet future community cable-related needs and interests. This online survey permitted focus group participants -- as well as City residents and representatives of area organizations and institutions who were unable to participate in the focus groups -- to provide input to this community needs assessment. Prepared and distributed questionnaires regarding the existing PEG access facilities, equipment, programming and services for completion by the staff of ParkTV. Met with ParkTV staff and observed the equipment packages at their facilities.
Information was gathered from: (1) ParkTV staff; (2) cable subscribers and non- subscribers; (3) local government staff, department heads, and elected officials; (4) local businesspeople; (5) non-profit community organizations; (6) local school teachers, administrators, staff, and students; and (7) St. Louis Park residents.
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B. COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP WORKSHOPS AND ON-LINE SURVEY
On January 22-23, 2020, The Buske Group led a series of three focus group workshops in St. Louis Park. While all interested community members were invited to participate, the constituencies of the three focus groups were: City staff, elected officials, Boards, Commissions, and local businesses Non-profit organizations (including arts, culture, faith, and senior organizations) Teachers, administrators, staff, sports, parents and students St. Louis Park residents
Extensive community outreach was undertaken through mailings, e-blasts, social media, one-to-one contacts, and phone calls to encourage community participation in the focus groups and on-line survey.
The focus group workshops provided the following information: (1) an overview of the cable franchise renewal process; (2) an explanation of how the current cable system works; and (3) an exploration of how individuals, community groups, government agencies, businesses, schools, and other organizations can benefit from or use the cable communication system. Special emphasis was placed on providing an opportunity for discussion and brainstorming by the participants.
A total of 54 different people attended the three focus group workshops. These individuals were also invited to complete an on-line survey (for City residents and representatives of area organizations and institutions) that was designed to identify community cable-related needs and interests, assess whether current local cable TV services and resources are adequate and appropriate, and help to identify changes that might be made to meet future community cable-related needs and interests.
A total of 536 on-line surveys were completed during the period from January 22 to March 13, 2020. A copy of the survey questionnaire is provided as Appendix 1 to this report. Appendix 2a displays the survey responses by all survey respondents, and Appendix 2b displays the survey responses by all Comcast subscriber-respondents.
A list of the 31 organizational and institutional affiliations indicated by the focus group and online survey participants is provided on the following page. (Many participants did not indicate an affiliation, and some of the organizations listed were indicated by more than one participant.)
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Organizational Affiliations of Focus Group/On-Line Survey Participants A Team Foundation Adopt a street Augusoft Brainware Partners Citizens Independent Bank City Council City of St Louis Park Community Technology Advisory Commission Dollars for Scholars Flat Rate Content LLC HelioMetrics JCI Minnesota Kiwanis Club of St. Louis Lenox Foundation Lohmans Amhurst HOA Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Minnesota State High School League Monterey Community Association NCAA Park Theatre Company ParkTV SLP Historical Society SLP Planning Commissioner SLP Seed St Louis Park Community and Youth Development Fund St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts St. Louis Park Public Schools Sun Sailor The Park Theater Company Top Natchez Racing USA Track & Field
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Over half of the 536 on-line survey questionnaire respondents (271 individuals) said that they subscribe to the Comcast cable TV service in St. Louis Park. Of all Comcast subscribers, 72.7% indicated that they pay extra to receive high definition (HD) channels. Of this group, 57.1% said that they rarely or never watch channels that are not delivered in HD.
Cable TV subscriber-respondents were asked to indicate which one source they used most often to find information about programming on their cable TV channels. 68.7% of the Comcast subscribers said they used their cable company’s on-screen program guide.
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Programs listed on a cable company’s on-screen program guide can be set to be recorded, using a digital video recorder (DVR). When asked how often they used their cable company’s DVR to record programs to watch later, 47.4% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents answered “always” or “sometimes.”
The Comcast subscriber-respondents were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with Comcast’s cable TV service in five different areas. The chart on the next page displays their responses.
Items rated “very satisfied” or “satisfied” (highlighted in yellow in the chart) by more than 40% of the survey respondents were the quality of the picture and sound -- by 75.7% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents, and the reliability of your cable TV service -- by 66.9% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents. Items rated “very dissatisfied” or “dissatisfied” (highlighted in pink in the chart) by more than 40% of these respondents were the rates for cable TV service (by 70.1% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents), and the amount of time it takes to talk to a representative when you call your cable company (by 44.1% of them).
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Less than half (48.5%) of the Comcast cable TV subscribers said that their level of satisfaction with their cable TV service was “very satisfied” or “satisfied.” 23.5% of the Comcast subscribers said they were “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied.”
72.3% of the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents said they tried to contact Comcast by telephone during the past year. When asked to estimate how long they waited to speak to a customer service representative, nearly two-thirds (65.9%) of the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents indicated that they had to wait one minute or more.
56.6% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents said that it is “very important” (28.1%) or “important” (28.5%) that Comcast provides an office in St. Louis Park, while 14.6% of them said this was “not important at all.”
The Comcast subscriber-respondents could provide any comments about their cable TV service. 166 of them submitted comments, all of which are shown in Appendix 3a. 116 (69.9%) of the comments were negative, 39 (23.5%) of the comments included positive and negative (or neutral) statements, and 11 (6.6%) of the comments were positive. Most common criticisms were about the high cost, inability to only choose desired channels, technical problems, and customer service concerns.
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Next, all respondents (including cable TV subscribers and non-subscribers) were asked if they were aware of ParkTV and its programming on several cable TV channels or online. A very large majority (80.7%) of Comcast subscribers – and 70.4% of all survey respondents -- answered “yes.” Of the respondents who were aware of ParkTV:
1. 69.1% of Comcast subscribers had watched ParkTV programming, and of them: 42.6% had watched the government programming channel 30.6% had watched the local sports and events channel
2. 65.9% of all survey respondents (including cable TV subscribers and non- subscribers) had watched ParkTV programming, and of them: 27.0% had watched ParkTV’s YouTube channel 67.7% did not know that they can produce programs for ParkTV
When Comcast subscriber-respondents who had watched ParkTV programming were asked how often they had watched a ParkTV channel or online in a typical month, 26.2% indicated that they had watched the government programming channel and 25.5% of them had watched the local sports and events channel at least once per month, as illustrated below:
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Comcast subscribers who had watched ParkTV programming (69% of all Comcast subscriber-respondents) were then asked to indicate how often they had watched several different types of programming on the ParkTV channels. The chart below displays their responses. Most often mentioned as being watched at least once per month were: Local high school sports (27.4%) Government meeting coverage (25.2%) Community events (20.5%)
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Comcast subscriber-respondents who had watched ParkTV channels were asked to indicate their opinion of five statements about the ParkTV programming. Over half of them said they “strongly agree” or “agree” with these three statements: Provides programs that deal with local issues (63.9%) Provides valuable information (61.8%) Provides programs that publicize local services (58.1%)
Comcast subscriber-respondents to the survey who had watched ParkTV programming were then asked to indicate all of the ways that they found out about ParkTV programs. The most frequently indicated method was Comcast’s on-screen program guide (49.0%), followed by “channel surfing” (41.5%).
The Comcast subscriber-respondents who had watched ParkTV programming were then asked to rate the picture and sound quality of the ParkTV channels, as compared to other channels they watch. Well over half (59.9%) answered “lower quality,” and 32.0% answered “about the same.”
Finally, the survey respondents who were aware of ParkTV were invited to provide comments about the programming and services offered by ParkTV. 69 comments were provided, and are included in Appendix 3b to this report. 33 (47.8%) of the comments included positive and negative (or neutral) statements, 24 (34.8%) of the comments were positive, and 12 (17.4%) of the comments were negative.
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Comcast subscriber-respondents were then asked how important they think it is to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to residents. A large majority (59.3%) said these local cable TV channels are “important” (39.5%) or “very important” (19.8%).
All survey respondents were then provided a list of several types of local programs or services, and were asked to indicate their level of interest in them. The items for which more than half of the respondents indicated “very interested” or “interested” were: Local news and information (65.3%) Government/public agency meetings (60.7%) Programs about St. Louis Park’s history, arts and artists (57.2%) Environmental programs (53.5%) Information about government services (53.0%) Informational programs about services and activities of St. Louis Park organizations and clubs (51.2%)
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Finally, all survey respondents were provided a list of media-related resources and services and were asked if they would like to use or participate in any of them if offered by ParkTV in the future. Over half of the respondents indicated “Yes” or “Maybe” regarding the following activities: Workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.) (60.3%) Free access to computers and the internet (53.0%) Computer and software training (51.1%)
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C. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS AND BRAINSTORMING DURING COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS
As mentioned earlier in this report, a portion of each of the community focus group sessions was set aside to allow participants to engage in a brainstorming process. During this time, the participants were asked to consider and discuss a series of questions, including:
What are the key local issues facing the City of St. Louis Park, local community organizations, and schools in the next ten years? What makes it difficult to effectively communicate with residents and those you need to reach? How would you (or your organization, local government department, or school) like to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system to educate, inform, and entertain St. Louis Park residents? What would make it easier for you (or your organization, local government department, or school) to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system?
The information presented on the following pages is an analysis and synthesis of the information gathered through the brainstorming process during the focus group sessions. It is the result of a detailed review of the responses to the brainstorming questions discussed during each focus group meeting. Consequently, The Buske Group was able to identify frequently- mentioned community needs, interests, and concerns. The areas of agreement and groupings of responses to each question are presented in the analysis that follows. A copy of the notes from each brainstorming session is included as Appendix 4 to this report.
It is important to note that the recommendations and thoughts that evolved from these brainstorming sessions were independently developed by the focus group workshop attendees, from diverse areas of interest throughout St. Louis Park.
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Input Gathered During Focus Group Workshop Brainstorming Sessions
Question #1: What are the key local issues facing the City of St. Louis Park, local community organizations, and schools in the next ten years?
The participants in the three focus group sessions provided 70 responses to this question about key local issues in the seven areas listed below. The areas are listed in the order of frequency in which related topics were mentioned. The wording in parentheses represents a sampling of focus group participants’ comments and concerns in each area.
Primary Issues Identified 1. Transportation and Environment (alternatives to salt on streets; bikeways; climate change; impact of light rail; pollution remediation; population growth; recycling; transportation options; watersheds) 2. Communication Issues, Collaboration (ability to communicate with renters; digital divide; engagement of homebound residents; getting people interested in engagement with others; hyperlocal communications; more participation needed by minorities in media and governing boards of local organizations; need for platforms to obtain community input) 3. Development, Infrastructure, Economy, Jobs, Housing, Poverty (affordable housing; aging infrastructure; job opportunities; maintaining and financing infrastructure; multi-family housing; need for gathering spaces; small business retention (especially by people of color, women, and veterans); staying competitive in the marketplace) 4. Government-Related Issues (consistent funding streams; health care – quality, affordability; keep property taxes low; keep recreational opportunities available and affordable; maintenance of local parks; public safety; voter turnout in municipal elections) 5. Demographic Concerns (aging population; aging in place; lack of diversity (and involvement by diverse groups); youth development activities/ leadership) 6. Education-Related Concerns (competitive schools; maintaining/improving schools; keeping schools up to date technologically; school quality) 7. Technology, Telecommunications and Media (sophisticated technology achieved through franchise renewal; charging stations throughout the city for electric vehicles)
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Question #2: What makes it difficult to effectively communicate with residents and those you need to reach?
An analysis of the responses to this question resulted in the identification of three primary areas of difficulty, in order of the frequency of comments related to each concern: (1) lack of knowledge, interest, funds, time, trust, collaboration; (2) media-related issues; and (3) audience-related issues. Examples of the stated concerns that fall within these four areas of difficulty are provided below.
Challenge #1: Lack of Knowledge, Interest, Funds, Time, Trust, Collaboration Absence of robust partnership between the city and nonprofit organizations regarding access to technology Apathy Costs associated with modern communications technologies Distrust of government Information overload Establishing relevance Lack of media skills People are busy So many channels, media outlets
Challenge #2: Media-Related Issues Access to technology tools Current community media center location in high school High school radio station was closed Lack of a “TV Guide” for community programming Limited subscribership to local newspaper Privacy concerns with technology Rapid rate of technological change Transmission of inaccurate information via social media and the impact of it
Challenge #3: Audience-Related Issues Community uses multiple platforms Hard to connect with visitors and non-residents Language and cultural barriers Marketing challenges People stay in their own information “bubble” / echo chamber Short attention span
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Question #3: How would you (or your organization, local government department, or school) like to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system to educate, inform, and entertain St. Louis Park residents?
Many suggestions of program content and technology applications were offered by the participants in the focus group workshop sessions. They include the following:
Program Content: Candidates’ debates Chamber of Commerce types of programs Council meetings Cultural education, activities, celebrations Diverse music programming Educational programming for the homebound Fire safety/prevention How cable fees are used How to use light rail League of Women Voters events/programs Live images of area locations (e.g., processing site for organic recycling) Local “newscast” Local history Missing persons and pets Neighborhood association programs Planning Commission meetings Programs derived from the strategic goals of the City Programs in many languages Programs to illustrate city’s comprehensive plan Recycling – and where does it go? School Board meetings Short videos about community activities Storm information/alerts Uplifting shows about people who are doing good in St. Louis Park
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Ways to use community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system to communicate (continued) Technology-Related Applications: All PEG access channels in HD City YouTube channel Content in multiple platforms Drones Searchable archive of community programming
Question #4: What would make it easier for you (or your organization, local government department, or school) to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system?
Five primary categories of concern regarding improvements to make it easier to use the community access channels, ParkTV or the cable system were identified by the focus group participants. Those categories include, in order of the frequency of comments related to each category of concern: (1) Cable Company Infrastructure, System Design, Services, Policies, Fees, etc.; (2) Facilities & Equipment; (3) PEG Access Staff, Management, Funding, Services, Promotion, and Training; (4) Distribution/Programming/Channels; and (5) Regulatory Recommendations. These categories, with a sampling of the suggestions that fall within them, are listed below and on the next page.
Category #1: Cable Company Infrastructure, System Design, Services, Policies, Fees, etc. All PEG access channels in HD A la carte channels for choice by the consumer Availability of local ads about PEG access on cable channels Comcast customer service representative who can speak Spanish (or language of the customer) Easier to contact a customer service representative on the phone Electronic program guide for all PEG access channels High-speed internet for all economic levels More 4K programming Senior discount Technical equity for PEG access channels Uncompressed video on cable channels
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Category #2: Facilities & Equipment Accessibility of a media center (e.g., at a facility like the Rec Center) Community Media Center location that is easily accessible Drones for PEG access Large monitors at gathering sites Media communications facilities in library for public use Mobile network to deliver technology to those who need it State of the art equipment for PEG access
Category #3: PEG Access Staff, Management, Funding, Services, Promotion, and Training Better promotion and marketing of local PEG access Classes on better use of smart phones Collaboration with neighboring community media centers (e.g., SPNN in St. Paul) Free and low-cost training for PEG access Freelancers available to help create programs Maximize revenue generation from sources other than cable TV Rules regarding how to use PEG channels/equipment
Category #4: Distribution/Programming/Channels Don’t be locked into 30-minute time blocks Local programming on multiple platforms Programs in multiple languages Searchable archive of programs
Category #5: Regulatory Recommendations Cable Advisory / Public Access oversight board Customer service standards with remediation provisions Information about who to contact regarding poor customer service if you don’t get a printed bill from Comcast
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D. PARKTV OPERATIONS, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT
1. Introduction As part of a review of the PEG access resources and services in St. Louis Park, The Buske Group prepared a “Local Programming Operations Questionnaire,” for completion by ParkTV staff (see Appendix 5). The questionnaire was designed to obtain information about: (1) the community media services offered in St. Louis Park; (2) staffing; (3) funding levels and sources; (4) expenditures by category (5) original programming figures; (6) equipment usage; (7) training services; and (8) community participation. ParkTV staff also completed a “Community Media Facility Inventory” (see Appendix 6), including information about ParkTV, hours of operation, and production equipment packages. This information, along with on-site inspections of the ParkTV equipment, provided needed details about the age and condition of all production hardware. On October 15, 2019, The Buske Group inspected the ParkTV facilities and equipment used for the development of PEG access programming for St. Louis Park.
2. ParkTV The City operates ParkTV, which oversees the production and playback of PEG access programming. Comcast carries five ParkTV channels in SD and one – “Best of ParkTV” – in HD, while CenturyLink carries each of the ParkTV channels in both SD and HD, as follows:
Channel Type Comcast Channel CenturyLink Channel
Educational 14 (SD) 8114 (SD), 8614 (HD)
15 (SD) 8115 and 8118 (SD) Community 96 (SD) 8615 and 8618 (HD)
8116 (SD) Local Sports and Events 16 (SD) 8616 (HD)
Civic 17 (SD) 8117 (SD), 8617 (HD)
Best of ParkTV (including live public 859 (HD) meeting coverage and the best of ParkTV productions)
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The ParkTV channels present government, educational, and community programming, including live coverage of public meetings (including the city council, economic development authority and planning commission), concerts, plays, school board meetings, high school sports, graduations and other local events. ParkTV also livestreams its five channels through the city’s website and provides several hundred ParkTV programs on its YouTube channel. Comcast includes ParkTV program listings on its electronic program guide. The ParkTV facility -- located in the St. Louis Park City Hall building at 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard – includes staff offices, two editing stations, field production equipment, editing gear, a production van, master control system, and remote-controlled production systems for the City Council chambers and the Community Room. Park TV uses a total of nearly 1,000 square feet of floor space in City Hall. A studio production facility at the St. Louis Park High School, with very old and obsolete equipment, has been available for PEG access productions, but ParkTV staff reports that it was last used in 2017. Normal hours of operation for ParkTV are 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, for a total of 47.5 hours per week. A public parking lot is available at City Hall. During the 2016-2018 fiscal years, ParkTV received a total funding average of about $726,000 per year. 91.4% of total funding during this period was from franchise fee allocations to ParkTV by the City, 6.5% was from Comcast and CenturyLink, and 2.1% was from ParkTV production services and interest income.
During the 2016-2018 fiscal years, an average of 62% of ParkTV’s total expenditures were for personnel costs – a percentage that is similar to the average amount for community media centers in the U.S. (ParkTV has five full-time equivalent staff.) The ParkTV URL (www.parktv.org) links to a page within the City’s website where information is available about ParkTV. At that location, several documents about ParkTV can be downloaded, including (1) an FAQ about ParkTV’s services, resources, programming and opportunities for the public to participate; (2) community TV equipment and programming guidelines; (3) a non-resident eligibility form; (4) a program playback application; (5) series programming guidelines; and (6) a studio production planning form. Several links are also provided at the ParkTV site, to the program schedules for each ParkTV channel, to live streams of each ParkTV channel, and to the ParkTV YouTube channel (see more about the YouTube channel below). The ParkTV staff also sends weekly emails to subscribers with upcoming programming schedules, and places ads in the annual city-school calendar. ParkTV’s use of social media occurs through the City’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
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The ParkTV YouTube channel archives several hundred local programs that have been created by ParkTV since 2008. An impressive variety of well-produced programs are available on demand here, including high school football, basketball, hockey, and other sports; local concerts and other performing arts events; St. Louis Park government meetings and “State of the City” addresses by the mayor; coverage of community events; and several ParkTV series programs and public service announcements. There are currently almost 3,300 subscribers to the ParkTV YouTube channel. One of the programs posted there (“A Day in the Life of a St. Louis Park, MN, Patrol Officer”) has been viewed over 660,000 times. ParkTV staff report that they created a total of 378 hours of first-run local programming for the ParkTV channels in 2018 (a 5% increase from 361 hours in 2017). Thus, a monthly average of 31.5 hours of first-run local programming was shown on the ParkTV channels in 2018. Nearly all production activities are undertaken by ParkTV staff, with the occasional involvement of a small number of other individuals. Nearly all of ParkTV’s equipment is HD-ready. Several items in ParkTV’s inventory are described as being in “fair” or “poor” condition, including: nearly all equipment at the St. Louis Park High School studio facility; field production tripods; video monitors, microphones, speakers and other audio equipment, signal processors and other components in the production van; a video monitor and multiple-DVD player in the playback package; video monitors and audio mixer in the Council Chambers production package; video monitors, camera controller, and video switcher in the Community Room production package.
Following are photographs of ParkTV video production equipment packages.
Photo 1: City Council Chambers Photo 2: Camera in City Council Chambers
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Photo 3: City Council Chambers control equipment Photo 4: ParkTV master/channel control equipment
Photo 5: City Hall Community Room Photo 6: Community Room control equipment
Photo 7: ParkTV production van Photo 8: Production van control equipment
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Photo 9: ParkTV Panasonic camcorder Photo 10: ParkTV video editing system
Photo 11: A/V connections at HS football field Photo 12: A/V connections at ice arena
Photo 13: St. Louis Park High School TV studio Photo 14: High school TV studio control room
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E. SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS
The information gathered through this needs assessment process has helped to identify many significant cable-related needs and interests. Concerns that are considered to be primary in nature are listed on the following pages. Community needs and interests have been identified through the information collected via:
a review of the current franchise agreement with Comcast and related documents that address PEG access matters, live two-way connections, service to public buildings, and other cable-related provisions;
input provided by key staff of the City and ParkTV;
responses provided by the ParkTV staff on questionnaires regarding the existing PEG access facilities, equipment, programming and services;
brainstorming by people who attended one of the three focus group workshops;
an on-site review of the existing ParkTV local programming equipment and facilities; and
an analysis of the responses from 536 people to an on-line survey (the focus group and online survey participants indicated that they were affiliated with 31 different organizations and institutions that serve St. Louis Park).
It is important to note that these are current needs and interests. We believe one can reasonably assume that the communications needs of residents, institutions, and organizations in St. Louis Park will evolve in the future as communications technologies advance.
General conclusions from 536 responses to the on-line survey:
Over half of the on-line survey respondents said that they subscribe to the Comcast cable TV service in St. Louis Park. Of all cable TV subscribers: 72.7% pay extra to receive HD channels (of the HD subscribers, 57.1% said that they rarely or never watch channels that are not delivered in HD); 68.7% said they most often used their cable company’s on-screen program guide to find information about programming on cable TV; and 47.4% said that they “always” or “sometimes” use their cable company’s DVR to record programs to watch later.
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When the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with their cable TV service, 48.5% said they were “Very Satisfied” or “Satisfied,” as compared to 23.5% who said they were “Very Dissatisfied” or “Dissatisfied.”
Most of the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents answered either "Very Satisfied" or "Satisfied" when asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with the sound and picture quality (75.7%) and the reliability of cable TV service (66.9%). The items that received the most “Dissatisfied” or “Very Dissatisfied” indications by these respondents were the rates charged for cable TV service (70.1%) and the amount of time it takes to talk to a representative when you call your cable company (44.1%).
72.3% of the Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents said they had tried to contact Comcast by telephone during the past year. When asked how long they would estimate that they waited to speak to a customer service representative, 65.9% said they had to wait one minute or longer.
56.6% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents said that is “Very Important” or “Important” to them that their cable company provides an office in the St. Louis Park, while 14.6% of them said this was “not important at all.”
The Comcast subscriber-respondents were asked to provide comments about their cable TV service. Of the 166 submitted comments, 69.9% were negative, 23.5% included positive and negative (or neutral) statements, and 6.6% of the comments were positive. The most common criticisms were about the high cost, inability to only choose desired channels, technical problems, and customer service concerns.
80.7% of Comcast subscribers and 70.4% of all survey respondents (including cable TV subscribers and non-subscribers) said they were aware of ParkTV and its programming on cable TV or online. Of those who were aware of ParkTV: 69.1% of Comcast subscribers had watched ParkTV programming, and of them: o 42.6% had watched the government programming channel (26.2% watched this channel at least once per month). o 30.6% had watched the local sports and events channel (25.5% watched this channel at least once per month).
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o Over half said they “strongly agree” or “agree” that ParkTV “provides programs that deal with local issues” (63.9%), “provides valuable information” (61.8%), and “provides programs that publicize local services” (58.1%). o The most frequently indicated methods used to find out about ParkTV programs were Comcast’s on-screen program guide (49.0%), and “channel surfing” (41.5%). o 59.9% said the picture and sound quality of the ParkTV channels (as compared to other channels they watch) was “lower quality.”
65.9% of all survey respondents (including cable TV subscribers and non- subscribers) had watched ParkTV programming, and of them: o 27.0% had watched ParkTV’s YouTube channel. o 67.7% did not know that they can produce programs for ParkTV.
The survey respondents who were aware of ParkTV (including cable TV subscribers and non-subscribers) were invited to provide comments about its programming and services. Of the 69 submitted comments, 47.8% included positive and negative (or neutral) statements, 34.8% were positive, and 17.4% were negative.
When the Comcast subscriber-respondents were asked to indicate how important they think it is to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to St. Louis Park residents, a large majority (59.3%) said these local channels are “important” (39.5%) or “very important” (19.8%).
When all survey respondents were asked about their level of interest in several types of local programs or services, the five items with the most “very interested” or “interested” responses were “local news and information” (65.3%), “government/ public agency meetings” (60.7%), “programs about St. Louis Park’s history, arts and artists” (57.2%), “environmental programs” (53.5%), and “information about government services” (53.0%).
When all of the survey respondents were provided a list of media-related resources and were asked if they would like to use or participate in any of them if offered by ParkTV in the future, over half of them answered “Yes” or “Maybe” regarding
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“workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.)” (60.3%), “free access to computers and the internet” (53.0%), “computer and software training” (51.1%).
During the brainstorming portion of the focus group sessions, participants identified the following community needs, interests, and concerns: When asked to identify the key local issues facing St. Louis Park in the next ten years, most often mentioned were concerns relating to: * Transportation and Environment (alternatives to salt on streets; bikeways; climate change; impact of light rail; pollution remediation; population growth; recycling; transportation options; watersheds) * Communication Issues, Collaboration (ability to communicate with renters; digital divide; engagement of homebound residents; getting people interested in engagement with others; hyperlocal communications; more participation needed by minorities in media and governing boards of local organizations; need for platforms to obtain community input) * Development, Infrastructure, Economy, Jobs, Housing, Poverty (affordable housing; aging infrastructure; job opportunities; maintaining and financing infrastructure; multi-family housing; need for gathering spaces; small business retention (especially by people of color, women, and veterans); staying competitive in the marketplace) * Government-Related Issues (consistent funding streams; health care – quality, affordability; keep property taxes low; keep recreational opportunities available and affordable; maintenance of local parks; public safety; voter turnout in municipal elections) * Demographic Concerns (aging population; aging in place; lack of diversity (and involvement by diverse groups); youth development activities/ leadership) * Education-Related Concerns (competitive schools; maintaining/improving schools; keeping schools up to date technologically; school quality) * Technology, Telecommunications and Media (sophisticated technology achieved through franchise renewal; charging stations in the city for electric vehicles)
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When asked what makes it difficult to effectively communicate with people you need to reach, the leading areas identified were: * Lack of Knowledge, Interest, Funds, Time, Trust, Collaboration (e.g., apathy; costs associated with modern communications technologies; information overload; lack of media skills; people are busy) * Media-Related Issues (e.g., access to technology tools; current community media center location in high school; limited subscribership to local newspaper; rapid rate of technological change) * Audience-Related Issues (e.g., community uses multiple platforms; language and cultural barriers; people stay in their own information “bubble” / echo chamber; short attention span)
When asked how they could use ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable TV system to communicate, many suggestions of program content and technology applications were identified, including: candidate debates; cultural education, activities, celebrations; educational programming for the homebound; League of Women Voters events/programs; local newscast; local history; neighborhood association programs; programs in many languages; short videos about community activities; uplifting shows about people who are doing good in St. Louis Park; all PEG access channels in HD; content in multiple platforms; drones; searchable archive of community programming.
When asked what would make it easier to use the community access channels, ParkTV, or the cable system to communicate, top categories of need were:
Cable Company Infrastructure, System Design, Services, Policies, Fees, etc. (e.g., all PEG access channels in HD; a la carte channels for choice by the consumer; availability of local ads about PEG access on cable channels; easier to contact a customer service representative on the phone; electronic program guide for all PEG access channels; senior discount; uncompressed video on cable channels)
Facilities and Equipment (e.g., accessibility of a media center [e.g., at a facility like the Rec Center]; large monitors at gathering sites; media communications facilities in library for public use; state of the art equipment for PEG access)
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PEG Access Staff, Management, Funding, Services, Promotion, and Training (e.g., better promotion and marketing of local PEG access; collaboration with neighboring community media centers [e.g., SPNN in St. Paul]; free and low-cost training for PEG access; freelancers available to help create programs)
Distribution/Programming/Channels (e.g., don’t be locked into 30-minute time blocks; local programming on multiple platforms; programs in multiple languages)
Regulatory Recommendations (e.g., Cable Advisory / Public Access oversight board; customer service standards with remediation provisions)
Primary findings regarding ParkTV operations, facilities, and equipment:
The City operates ParkTV, which oversees the production and playback of PEG access programming on five Comcast SD channels and one HD channel, and streams programs on its YouTube channel and the city’s website.
ParkTV is housed in about 1,000 square feet of space in City Hall, including staff offices, two editing stations, field production equipment, editing gear, and a master control system. ParkTV staff also operates a production van and remote-controlled production systems for the City Council Chambers and the Community Room. Normal hours of operation for ParkTV are 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday, for a total of 47.5 hours per week.
A studio production facility at the St. Louis Park High School, with very old and obsolete equipment, has been available for PEG access productions, but ParkTV staff reports that it has not been used since 2017.
The ParkTV URL (www.parktv.org) links to a page within the City’s website where information is available about ParkTV (including an FAQ about ParkTV’s services, resources, and programming; equipment and programming guidelines; and several other downloadable forms). Links to program schedules for each ParkTV channel, to live streams of each ParkTV channel, and to the ParkTV YouTube channel are also provided. The ParkTV staff sends weekly emails to subscribers with the upcoming programming schedules, places ads in the annual city-school calendar, and uses social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to reach out to residents.
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ParkTV’s total funding during 2016-2018 averaged about $726,000 per year. 91% of the funds were from franchise fee allocations to ParkTV by the City, 6.5% was from Comcast and CenturyLink, and 2.1% was from ParkTV production services and interest income.
ParkTV has five full-time equivalent staff. In recent years, an average of 62% of ParkTV’s total expenditures were for personnel-related costs, which is similar to the average for community media centers in the U.S.
378 hours of first-run locally-produced programming was created by ParkTV staff in 2018, a monthly average of nearly 31.5 hours.
The ParkTV YouTube channel (with almost 3,300 subscribers) archives several hundred local programs that have been created by ParkTV since 2008. One of the programs posted there (“A Day in the Life of a St. Louis Park, MN, Patrol Officer”) has been viewed over 660,000 times.
Several items in ParkTV’s inventory are described as being in “fair” or “poor” condition, including nearly all equipment at the St. Louis Park High School studio production facility; video monitors in the production van, playback system, and the Council Chambers and Community Room production packages; audio equipment in several locations; field production tripods; and the Community Room video switcher and camera controller.
Nearly all of the ParkTV equipment is HD-ready. Comcast carries five ParkTV channels in SD and one – “Best of ParkTV” – in HD.
Comcast includes ParkTV program listings on its electronic program guide.
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III. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING COMMUNITY CABLE-RELATED NEEDS AND INTERESTS
A. INTRODUCTION
The community needs assessment process conducted by The Buske Group revealed important information regarding the current and future community cable-related needs and interests in St. Louis Park. The community focus group sessions; on-line survey responses; and our review of the PEG access facilities, equipment and activities indicate significant needs and support for a modern cable system. Such a system can help to meet cable-related needs and interests of area residents as they confront the challenges and opportunities of life in the 21st century.
Over the period that this Needs Assessment has been undertaken, massive changes to our society occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent social distancing and economic shutdown. Schools and most business closed, and people are working from home, if they’re working at all. In the midst of all of this, the importance of communication technologies has grown exponentially. Whether it’s conducting a public meeting, live briefings from public health officials, on-line classes for children, or working from home, reliable communication technology is absolutely essential to completing the most basic tasks. This increased dependence on technology is also likely to last beyond this current phase of the pandemic. Unfortunately, technology is not equally available to all due to income inequality, geography, or not having appropriate media tools and the skills to use those tools.
As we look at the current and future community cable and communication technology related needs and interests in St. Louis Park all of these factors must be considered.
Based upon the information and findings presented in this report, The Buske Group has identified a list of community cable-related needs and interests, and developed recommendations as to how those needs and interests could be satisfied. This information should be very useful to the City of St. Louis Park as it engages in the franchise renewal process and negotiates a new franchise with Comcast. The findings and recommendations address the following concerns: (1) Cable Distribution System; (2) Subscriber Services and Customer Satisfaction; and (3) PEG access.
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B. CABLE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
The following recommendations regarding the technical design and capabilities of the cable system to be specified in any new Franchise Agreement are based upon the information and materials gathered during the community needs assessment, and current best practices within the cable industry nationwide.
1. During the franchise renewal term, Comcast’s cable system in St. Louis Park should include state-of-the-art features found in cable systems that serve comparably-sized franchise areas. The new Franchise Agreement should include reasonable standards for technical upgrades during the Franchise term, as technological changes occur and are implemented by cable systems in comparably-sized franchise areas.
2. There is a need and interest in ensuring that the signal quality and functionality of the St. Louis Park PEG access channels is equivalent to that of the highest quality channels offered on the Comcast cable system. Concerns about signal quality and functionality of the St. Louis Park PEG access channels were indicated by cable subscribers who responded to the on-line survey. 59.9% of those who had watched ParkTV programming said the picture and sound quality of the ParkTV channels, as compared to the other channels that they watch, was “lower quality”. Therefore, the renewal franchise agreement awarded by the City should require that Comcast must ensure that ParkTV can independently monitor the signal quality and functionality of its channels as transmitted by Comcast, by providing a free “confidence feed” of its cable service to Park TV. Comcast should also be required to regularly test PEG access channel signal quality on its system, and report the results to the City.
Comcast should deliver all of the St. Louis Park PEG access channels to subscribers without additional charges, and via channels whose quality, accessibility, functionality, and placement is equivalent to that of the highest quality commercial channel carried on its cable system throughout the entire term of the renewed franchise agreement. In addition, in order to meet these needs and interests, Comcast should ensure that there are high-quality, well-maintained, and regularly monitored bi-directional fiber optic links between its headend and the ParkTV master control/playback facility. Comcast should regularly update the signal transmission equipment used to send signals from the ParkTV master control/playback facilities to the Comcast headend.
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3. In addition to maintaining a minimum of the current allocation of bandwidth for PEG access channels, there is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast provide sufficient capacity and other accommodations to enable: (a) an additional PEG access channel to be made available within 60 days of notification by the City, as demand for channel time indicates such a need; (b) the delivery of all St. Louis Park PEG access channels to cable subscribers in the same formats that are used by the highest quality commercial channel carried on the system, including HD1 (or 4K or other advanced format, if it is prevalent during the term of any renewed franchise agreement); (c) continuation of Comcast’s current franchise obligation to provide PEG access programming within its “on-demand” menu of programs (including selected PEG access programs in HD) 2; and (d) the transmission of closed captions, stereo audio and SAP content for PEG access programs that are delivered with such content.
72.7% of all Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey said that they pay extra to receive channels in HD, and 57.1% of these HD subscribers said that they rarely or never watch channels that are not delivered in HD. Currently, Comcast provides five SD channels (used for education, community, local sports and events, and government programming) and one HD channel (“Best of ParkTV”) for PEG access in St. Louis Park. Since equipment manufacturers have discontinued the production of SD televisions and other hardware, HD-only channel line-ups could become typical on cable systems during the next decade, just as analog programming tiers gave way to all-digital cable systems. HD is now the dominant viewing format in St. Louis Park, but it might be surpassed by 4K or another advanced format during the next franchise term. Therefore, PEG access programming should not be relegated to SD, which has become an antiquated and substandard transmission method. On-demand capacity allows PEG access programming to be stored and called up when needed. While on-demand capacity is not a general substitute for PEG access channels (since it is not available to all subscribers and cannot provide live programming), it can be very useful for programs desired by users at particular times. Programs about community resources could be stored and called up on-demand; videos could be organized around topics or community issues so that a person interested in an issue could quickly obtain a variety of information. Many desired programs identified by focus group participants could take advantage of video-on-demand
1 Several recent Comcast renewal franchises have requirements for the delivery of PEG access channels in HD, (e.g., Longmeadow, MA; Salem, Gresham and Portland, OR; Arlington County, VA; Longmont and Denver, CO; Philadelphia, PA; St. Paul, Minneapolis, Roseville, Coon Rapids, and Bloomington, MN; Montgomery County and Laurel, MD; and Tacoma and Vancouver, WA). 2 Many of the communities listed in the previous footnote also require storage space reserved on their cable company’s video-on-demand server for the delivery of PEG access programs to cable TV subscribers.
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technology (e.g., candidate debates, City Council, Planning Commission, and School Board meetings, fire safety/prevention; educational programming; missing persons and pets; etc.). Comcast’s current franchise includes a requirement to provide up to 20 hours per month of community and government programming content in its on demand service. ParkTV staff reports that they actively used this service initially, but viewer interest plunged when Comcast buried ParkTV programs in submenus, requiring a 3- or 4-step process to find them. The renewal franchise agreement should include a provision that ensures the simplification of this process, making ParkTV programs as readily accessible as other on demand programs.
4. There is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast includes full program listings for all PEG access channels on the on-screen program guides.
Comcast currently includes ParkTV program listings on its electronic program guide. When Comcast subscribers who responded to the on-line survey were asked to indicate which one source they used most often to find information about programming on their cable TV channels, the most frequently indicated source was their cable company’s on-screen program guide (68.7%) – nearly six times as often as any other source. Participants in the focus groups brainstorming also stressed the importance of having program listings for all PEG access channels on Comcast’s electronic program guide. The inclusion of PEG access program listings on the cable TV electronic program guide makes it possible for cable TV subscribers to plan their viewing as they do for other channels, and use the electronic program guide to facilitate DVR recording of programs presented on the PEG access channels. 47.4% of the cable TV subscriber-respondents to the online survey said that they “always” (31.7%) or “sometimes” (15.7%) use their cable company’s DVR to record programs to watch later. The inclusion of full program listings for PEG access programs on the cable company’s on-screen program guide is provided for PEG access channels on many other cable systems in the United States.3 Given the fact that over two-thirds of the cable TV subscriber- respondents to the online survey indicated that they use their cable company’s on-screen program guide as their primary way of identifying programming to view, it is essential that all PEG programming be included (both by title and description) on the Comcast on-screen electronic programming guide.
3 PEG access channels and program listings are included on the electronic program guide in several communities served by Comcast (e.g., Philadelphia, PA; St. Paul, Roseville, Burnsville, and Bloomington, MN; Gresham, Salem and Portland, OR; Pasco, Richland, Seattle and Vancouver, WA; Howard County, MD; Chicago, IL; Fairfax County, VA; Longmont and Denver, CO; and Fresno, San Jose, Santa Maria, and Marin County, CA). Other communities with such requirements include Kalamazoo, MI; Bismarck, ND; Barre, VT; Sun Prairie, WI; and Shrewsbury and Newton, MA.
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C. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
The focus group/on-line survey respondents were asked several questions about their level of satisfaction with their current cable TV service. For the most part, the participants who subscribe to a cable TV service expressed satisfaction with their service. Based on some of their other responses, the following recommendations are offered:
1. There is a need and interest in having Comcast offer other lower-cost packages of cable TV programming.
Comcast should be strongly encouraged to offer less expensive programming packages for St. Louis Park residents. When on-line survey respondents were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with a variety of customer service matters, 70.1% of Comcast subscribers said they were “very dissatisfied” or “dissatisfied” with the rates charged for cable TV service. When asked to comment about their cable TV service, the most common criticism was about the high cost. While the most frequently recorded complaint regarding cable service was its high cost, the City does not have authority over rates. However, it is important to document subscriber concerns regarding this matter in this report.
2. There is a need and interest to require Comcast to meet or exceed the FCC’s customer service obligations. Comcast should be required to prove it complies with these obligations, and should take immediate steps to achieve compliance if not. Based upon responses to the on-line survey, special attention should be given to the ability of customers to quickly contact a Comcast customer service representative.
Nearly three-fourths of the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey said that they had tried to contact Comcast by telephone during the past year, and 65.9% of them said that they had to wait one minute or longer to speak to a customer service representative.
The FCC’s customer service standards state: “Under normal operating conditions, telephone answer time by a customer representative, including wait time, shall not exceed thirty (30) seconds when the connection is made. If the call needs to be transferred, transfer time shall not exceed thirty (30) seconds. These standards shall be met no less than ninety (90) percent of the time under normal operating conditions, measured on a quarterly basis.”
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3. There is a need and interest in requiring Comcast to maintain an office in St. Louis Park. 56.6% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents said that is “Very Important” or “Important” to them that their cable company provides an office in St. Louis Park. One of the issues mentioned during the focus group meetings is the aging of the population in St. Louis Park. A local office makes it easier for seniors as well as persons who do not have easy access to transportation to pay bills or return or exchange equipment. Therefore, Comcast should continue to maintain an office in St. Louis Park as it has under the expiring franchise agreement.
4. There is a need and interest in conducting periodic reviews of the performance of Comcast, to ensure that it complies with the obligations of the renewal franchise. This is a standard administrative practice by local franchising authorities to help ensure that a cable company complies with the terms of a renewal franchise.
5. Adequate PEG access bandwidth/capacity should be made available on the subscriber network (with such channels grouped together on the lowest cost tier of services). Having local cable channels featuring programs produced by or about local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to St. Louis Park residents was ranked as either “Very Important” or “Important” by a large majority (59.3%) of the Comcast subscriber-respondents. Therefore: Additional bandwidth/capacity should be made available to add an additional PEG access channel within 60 days of notification to each Franchisee by the City, as demand for channel time indicates such a need. Additional bandwidth/capacity should also be made available to enable on- demand and HD capability (or 4K or a more advanced format, if it is prevalent during the term of any renewed franchise agreement) for PEG access programming, and for future PEG access purposes. PEG access channels (in each format that they are provided in) should be appropriately grouped together within the channel lineup. All PEG access bandwidth/capacity should be provided free of charge to the City, ParkTV, and PEG access producers.
See Section D.3., later in this report, for more specific recommendations regarding PEG access bandwidth/capacity.
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D. PEG ACCESS
1. Overview
The findings of this ascertainment process indicate a high level of support for the inclusion of significant PEG access bandwidth/capacity and resources and an appreciation of the importance of PEG access services. As stated previously in this report, 59.3% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents said it is “Very Important” or “Important” to have local cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to St. Louis Park residents.
PEG access channels are unique in their ability to deliver regularly-scheduled local programming, guided by professional staff that offer outreach, training, production assistance, playback, and promotional services. Local broadcast stations stopped providing such a range of local programming years ago, and are now content to rely primarily on non-local network and syndicated programs. While videos distributed on the internet (via YouTube and other sites) offer another alternative to broadcast and satellite-delivered stations, The Nielsen Company reports that the amount of video programming watched via internet-connected devices is still very small in comparison to those who watch on traditional TV.4 In addition, YouTube and the other online outlets do not provide community-based outreach, training, production assistance, and promotional services available at community media centers throughout the United States, to help local producers create video programming with good production values that do not detract from the effort to get their messages out to the public.
Given the extraordinary times we live in with the massive changes in day-to-day activities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the public is seeking much more localized information than ever before. As a result, there is an increased need for local, robust, multi- platform communication delivery systems to deliver life-saving health information, emergency services, and on-line schooling, and ensure local government transparency, among other things. Throughout the United States, PEG access and community media centers operated by independent nonprofit management organizations, local governments, and libraries must operate at the convergence of technological change and local communications/needs in order to stay relevant and financially sustainable. This needs assessment, together with the information gathered and resulting findings and recommendations, is intended to assist the City in assuring
4 https://www.marketingcharts.com/charts/us-adults-traditional-tv-vs-tv-connected-device-usage-q3-2018- age/attachment/nielsen-trad-vs-connected-tv-in-q3-2018-apr2019
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that the outcome of the franchise renewal process will provide the key resources needed to move St. Louis Park forward to better serve the community.
80.7% of the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey said they were aware of ParkTV. Of those who were aware of ParkTV, 69% said they had watched ParkTV programming. Large majorities of these viewers said that ParkTV provides programming that deals with local issues, provides valuable information, and provides programs that publicize local services.
During the “brainstorming” segment of the focus group workshops, participants offered many suggestions of program content and technology applications. When asked what would make it easier to use the PEG access channels, a wide variety of suggestions were offered, including all PEG access channels in HD, having a community media center that is easily accessible, an electronic program guide for all PEG access channels, state of the art equipment for PEG access, better promotion and marketing of local PEG access, local programming on multiple platforms, and programs in multiple languages.
ParkTV manages the production and playback of PEG access programming on five Comcast SD channels and one HD channel, and streams programs on its YouTube channel and the city’s website. The ParkTV facility (housed in about 1,000 square feet of space in City Hall) includes staff offices, two editing stations, field production equipment, editing gear, and a master control system. ParkTV staff also operates a production van and remote-controlled production systems for the City Council chambers and the Community Room. A PEG access studio is in the St. Louis Park High School. However, all of the equipment in that studio is very old and obsolete, and has not been used since 2017.
ParkTV’s total funding during 2016-2018 averaged about $726,000 per year. 91% of the funding was provided through franchise fee allocations from the City, 6.5% was from Comcast and CenturyLink, and 2.1% was from ParkTV production services and interest income. In recent years, an average of 62% of ParkTV’s total expenditures were for personnel-related costs, which is similar to the average for community media centers in the U.S.
In addition to the old and obsolete equipment at the PEG access studio at St. Louis Park High School, several items in ParkTV’s inventory are described as being in “fair” or “poor” condition. Nearly all of it is HD-ready. However, since Comcast allocates only one HD channel for ParkTV, programming on the other ParkTV channels is transmitted in standard
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definition. (ParkTV programming is streamed on its website and YouTube channel in HD.) Comcast currently includes the ParkTV program listings on its electronic program guide.
378 hours of first-run locally-produced programming was created by ParkTV staff in 2018, a monthly average of nearly 31.5 hours.
Based upon these findings, we have considered PEG access needs and interests for the St. Louis Park franchise area in light of: the nature of the existing ParkTV facility space in City Hall, and the lack of a functioning production studio; the lack of a community media center; the current amount of local programming activity; the age and condition of the equipment; the significant level of interest and community participation in PEG access; the size and unique nature of St. Louis Park; and the cost of providing PEG access services, facilities and equipment.
There is a need and interest in ensuring that any future Franchise Agreement includes provisions that:
a. require a Franchisee to allocate sufficient bandwidth/capacity for PEG access purposes, and transmit the St. Louis Park PEG access channels in HD or other advanced formats that are prevalent in the future; and
b. require a Franchisee to provide adequate capital and operations funding and in-kind resources and support for PEG access that would: (1) maintain and expand the existing PEG access services and resources; and (2) meet the needs and interests expressed by St. Louis Park area residents and representatives of local organizations through the focus group brainstorming sessions and responses to the on-line survey. PEG access services and resources must be available to: (1) all residents, government agencies, institutions and organizations within the St. Louis Park franchise area; and (2) households that subscribe to any cable or other multi-channel programming service provider in St. Louis Park.
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2. PEG Access Facilities and Equipment
The following recommendations are based upon the current age, condition and capabilities of the PEG access production equipment in St. Louis Park, information gathered during the focus group sessions and responses to the on-line survey, the consultant’s inspection of the ParkTV facilities and equipment, and the consultant’s experience and knowledge of PEG access facilities, equipment, services, operations, and management in many other communities.
Based upon the consultant’s inspection of the ParkTV facilities and equipment, review of its inventory forms, discussions with ParkTV staff, comments by focus group brainstorming participants, and respondents to the on-line survey, there is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast, upon signing a renewal Franchise Agreement, should provide initial facility and equipment grant funding.
The initial grant funding would be used to construct and renovate appropriate building space, and purchase and install equipment in a “Community Media Center” (CMC) – as described below -- including studio and field production equipment, a video editing system, a digital media lab, video podcasting system, and PEG Access video archiving equipment. The initial grant funding would also be used to replace and upgrade aging equipment in the production van and the Council Chambers production package. Hardware to enable bi-directional video and data connectivity between participating video origination sites, including encoders, decoders, IP and HD video switching and monitoring would also be purchased with these funds.
Today, CMC’s in the United States operate at the convergence of technological change and local communications/media needs in order to stay relevant. CMC’s serve as a hub where a wide variety of organizations and people gather to learn media skills and collaborate to create hyper-local content. CMC’s provide a place where diverse and frequently economically- challenged groups have access to digital tools and training. The new Franchise Agreement should also include a provision that requires the Franchisee to provide ongoing replacement capital equipment grants.
The ongoing grant funding would be used to periodically replace and upgrade equipment in the: (1) CMC [including the playback/master control system; studio; field production systems; digital media lab, video podcasting system, video editing systems; and video archiving equipment]; (2) production van; (3) Council Chambers and Community Room; and (4) connectivity encoding, decoding, and switching/ monitoring packages.
The initial and ongoing replacement grants described above should be in addition to any amounts paid as franchise fees to the City.
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What Is A Community Media Center (CMC)?
A Community Media Center (CMC) is a video/computer production facility for use by staff and qualified community residents. It includes a studio and video editing systems, and camcorders that can be checked out to record content throughout the community. The CMC described herein would also include staff offices, appropriate storage areas, a digital media lab, video podcasting system, playback/master control equipment, video archiving equipment, training areas, production meeting rooms, and a “green room” (where a program’s hosts and guests prepare to appear on a studio production).
Three significant elements of the recommended CMC that are not present in the current ParkTV inventory are the digital media lab, video podcasting system, and video archiving equipment. The digital media lab would include five desktop and five laptop computers for public use, and a desktop computer connected to a large flat panel video display for use by an instructor. Each computer would include video editing and “Office”-type software. The video podcasting system would permit residents to easily create discussion shows and other content about particular topics or current events, and stream their programs across many podcast sources and playback devices.
The digital media lab and video podcasting system would address the desire for training and access to different types of media production packages, computers, and software, expressed by over half of all online survey respondents. Video archiving equipment would enable the safe and efficient preservation of PEG access programs (including City Council and School Board meetings; local concerts, lectures, sporting events, and graduation ceremonies; and a wide variety of other programs) for future reference and historical perspectives.
At a CMC, training is provided on video/computer techniques necessary to create videos that can be shown on a PEG access channel and/or streamed on the Internet. Access to the CMC equipment and facilities is open to all residents who receive training or a certification identifying them as having satisfied training requirements. Special digital media services and training would be developed to meet the needs of certain segments of the community, such as youth, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
The City typically designates the entity that manages the CMC and provides the services mentioned above. CMC’s are often managed by a non-profit organization established specifically for that purpose. However, in some communities the CMC management entity is the
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City or a local library. Staff of the CMC provide necessary support services to permit the CMC, PEG access channels, digital media lab, and online programming activities to function. These services include community outreach, volunteer development, media production training, production management, distribution of programming/content on cable channels and the internet, equipment maintenance, promotion and public relations.
CMC’s are often located in a facility that also houses other entities that provide community services. This might be a library, community/recreation center, school, or a nonprofit organization. Because of the need to install optical fiber connections to the CMC, it is advisable to have a long-term rental agreement.
Staff at CMC’s in the United States offer a wide range of specialized media services and training, designed not just to teach someone how to produce a TV program but also how to address a specific media-related need. For example:
In Gresham, Oregon, a wide variety of training in all forms of electronic media is offered at the local CMC (“MetroEast,” a nonprofit organization that manages the CMC), including community radio. MetroEast also operates “Rockwood Digital Inclusion and Youth,” a collaboration between the City of Gresham, MetroEast, and several community organizations, where training is offered in how to use a computer and basic computer software, video production camps for youth, video gaming and computer coding training, and training for seniors on how to use their smart phones. Since 1996, a state of the art computer lab for the public, with free access to computers and special training for seniors and many others, has been provided at the CMC in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
An example of a CMC floor plan (approximately 2,800 square feet) is provided on the following page.
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Example of a Community Media Center Floor Plan
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The Buske Group consulting team included Todd Thayer, a broadcast engineer with an extensive background in startup and upgrades of community media centers, studio production, post production and new media technologies. Thayer prepared recommended equipment packages and suggested timelines to equip a CMC and to upgrade and replace the PEG access video production equipment. As detailed in Appendix 7, the estimated cost to purchase and install the recommended equipment packages, plus the estimated cost to update bi-directional video and data connectivity between video origination sites in the City, would total about $1.4 million over the 10-year renewal franchise term. (PLEASE NOTE: Due to the fact that video production equipment is evolving rapidly, the items identified in Appendix 7 are examples of what could currently satisfy the identified video equipment needs, and are not intended to be specific recommendations of items to be purchased.)
The capital equipment replacement/upgrade recommendations are based upon the current condition and shortcomings of the PEG access video equipment packages as described previously in this report; information gathered during focus group sessions and responses to the on-line survey; equipment inventories and supplemental information provided by ParkTV (see Appendix 6), the consultant’s inspection of the ParkTV equipment; and the consultant’s experience and knowledge of PEG access facilities, equipment, services, operations, and management in other communities.
Capital funding will also be needed to construct and renovate space to serve as a CMC. Construction/renovation costs for a CMC are estimated to be $1,000,000, as indicated in Appendix 7.
3. PEG Access Bandwidth / Capacity / Program Submission and Distribution
Information about programming on the St. Louis Park PEG access channels was gathered during the needs assessment activities conducted by The Buske Group. The following recommendations are based upon the information gathered, as well as widely recognized best practices in the PEG access field: a. Initially, there is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast maintains its current allocation of bandwidth to deliver the channels for PEG access programming that are now provided to cable subscribers in St. Louis Park (currently one HD and five SD channels). As discussed previously in this report, we anticipate that the SD format will be completely phased out in the near future, as the penetration of HD (and 4K) televisions in U.S.
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households continues to grow very rapidly.5 During this transition period, as the PEG access channels are converted to HD format (either gradually or all at once), they should be transmitted in both SD and HD formats – as is the case for local broadcast and many of the satellite- delivered channels – for the convenience of all cable TV subscribers, including those who do not yet subscribe to the HD package of programming services. The simultaneous transmission of the PEG access channels in SD and HD formats should continue as long as there are SD channels in the lowest cost tier of service. b. Based on the high level of importance indicated for local programming by the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey, there is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast (and any future Franchisee) has additional bandwidth/capacity available for future PEG access purposes, to be activated in accordance with a pre-determined programming-based formula, when programming amounts put a strain on the existing PEG access bandwidth/capacity. Below is an example of a recommended PEG access channel activation formula:
An additional PEG access channel may be requested when the level of programming on an existing PEG access channel meets or exceeds the following conditions: i. During 16 consecutive weeks, an existing channel designated for the same purpose as the channel requested (public or educational or governmental access) cablecasts at least 40 hours per week of qualified programming. ii. "Qualified programming" includes any locally produced programming carried on the St. Louis Park PEG access channels, except for "bulletin board" material where the same text (or video and text) screen is sent simultaneously to all cable television subscribers. “Locally produced programming” is defined as: (1). Programming produced within St. Louis Park; or (2). Programming produced or provided by any resident of St. Louis Park (or any local public or private entity that provides services to residents located within St. Louis Park), regardless of where the programming is physically produced.
5 A June 2018 report stated that 78% of U.S. households owned an HD television at that time, and 31% had a more advanced 4K television (a huge increase from only 7% two years prior). See https://www.axios.com/big- screen-televisions-united-states-viewing-habits-8a3005ff-5a72-4209-a0bf-c43249567e85.html
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c. There is a need and interest in ensuring that all St. Louis Park PEG access channels are located on the lowest cost tier of service and in a consecutive or near consecutive group of channels throughout the term of any new Franchise.
As long as there are SD channels in the lowest cost tier of service, PEG access SD channels should be grouped together within that tier. In addition, PEG access HD channels should be grouped together within the lowest cost HD tier. The inclusion of PEG access channels in the lowest cost tier of service and the grouping of similar types of channels are standard practices in the cable industry, in keeping with the spirit of the Cable Act’s expressed support for PEG access and for the convenience of subscribers.
d. There is a need and interest in ensuring that each PEG access programming service is given the same channel location on the system of any cable operator serving St. Louis Park.
This recommendation is based on the fact that in communities served by more than one cable service provider, the competitors often assign PEG access channels to different numerical locations, thereby causing confusion in the public regarding how to find these channels and serious problems regarding the promotion of PEG access programming. This is the current situation in St. Louis Park, where Comcast and CenturyLink have assigned different channel numbers to each of the PEG access channels.
e. There is a need and interest in ensuring that PEG access channel locations (both SD and HD, and 4K or other advanced format in the future) may only be changed if Comcast (and any future Franchisee) must do so to comply with FCC requirements or for documented technical reasons, and with the approval of the City.
All costs related to channel relocations must be paid by the Franchisee making such relocations, including but not limited to: (1) PEG access staff time; (2) equipment; (3) creation of electronic and print versions of station ID’s and logos; (4) replacement of materials such as letterhead, business cards, etc.; and (5) signage and any other items which include the channel number (e.g., on the production truck, on signs affixed to or near the entrance of the CMC building, etc.). In addition, the Franchisee should provide free print and electronic advertising and announcements to inform subscribers about the relocations.
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f. There is a need and interest in ensuring that Comcast (and any future Franchisee) includes full program listings for the PEG access channels on its electronic program guide. Participants in the focus groups and the on-line survey respondents indicated concerns about issues related to the ParkTV channels, including a high level of interest in having the program schedules for all of the ParkTV channels displayed on their cable company’s on-screen program guide (which is also needed to facilitate DVR recording). A large majority (68.7%) of the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the online survey said that their most often used source of information about programming on their cable TV channels was Comcast’s on-screen program guide. Only 11.6% said “the internet,” the second most frequently indicated source.
g. There is a need and interest in ensuring that the St. Louis Park PEG access channels have the same functionality and capacity as the highest quality over-the- air broadcast television channels delivered by each Franchisee on its cable system. Depending upon the introduction of new technologies, consumer use of them, and transmission such formats by a Franchisee, this may include 4K or a more advanced format, if it is prevalent during the term of any renewed franchise agreement.
72.7% of all Comcast cable TV subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey said that they pay extra to receive channels in HD, and 57.1% of these HD subscribers said that they rarely or never watch channels that are not delivered in HD. The PEG access channels must be transmitted by Comcast (and any future Franchisee) to its customers in any format (including SD, HD, or any other format being transmitted by a Franchisee), and must be transmitted with any other information also being delivered (including closed captions, secondary audio, text, digital information, etc.). A Franchisee should also be required to maintain the same technical standards for the transmission of the PEG access channels (in all transmission formats) as it must for local broadcast channels on its cable system.
h. Each Franchisee should provide sufficient storage space, encoding, and other accommodations to enable free on demand viewing of PEG access programs.
Free video-on-demand (“VOD”) capacity for selected PEG access programs is provided by many cable systems in the United States. While on-demand capacity is not a general substitute for PEG access channels, it can deliver programs desired at a particular time.
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Examples of VOD applications for PEG access operations include: (1) a high school football game telecast live by ParkTV could be watched later for review and analysis by the members and coach of a participating team; and (2) after close of business, a local merchant could call up a VOD copy of that day’s City Council meeting to review the discussion and decision regarding an issue that would directly affect her business. Many of the examples of programming desired by focus group participants could take advantage of video-on-demand technology, which could deliver desired programs to residents when they seek such information. As indicated earlier in this report, Comcast’s current franchise includes a requirement to provide up to 20 hours per month of community and government programming content in its on demand service. This service was actively used initially, but viewer interest plunged when Comcast buried ParkTV programs in submenus, requiring a 3- or 4-step process to find them. Therefore, the renewal franchise agreement should include a provision that ensures the simplification of this process, making ParkTV programs as readily accessible as other on demand programs. Language in any renewed Franchise should ensure that St. Louis Park’s PEG access channels can take advantage of changes in technology and capabilities over the term of the renewal Franchise. Items like on-demand and HD for PEG access programming are matters of interest today, but the language in any renewed franchise should be sufficiently flexible and forward-thinking to accommodate PEG access use of new technologies that might become standard applications for cable channels in the near future (e.g., 4K and 8K).
i. There is a need and interest in ensuring that each Franchisee provides all PEG access bandwidth/capacity (including SD and HD channels on the existing cable systems, and more advanced format channels in the future) free of charge to the City, ParkTV, and PEG access community producers.
This recommendation is based on the fact that providing PEG access channels free of charge has been the norm in the cable industry for nearly 50 years, including all of the time that cable service has been provided in St. Louis Park. The City, ParkTV, and PEG access community producers have limited resources, and their services would be adversely affected if they had to pay extra for allocated bandwidth/capacity. Furthermore, cable operators do not charge other program services to be included on their channel line-ups, and actually pay ever-increasing fees to carry them (e.g., the per-subscriber fee for a cable company to carry ESPN is approaching $10.00 per month, and $2.00 per month for the Fox News Channel).
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j. There is a need and interest in expanding the ability to submit and distribute video programming from various sites within St. Louis Park.
The City of St. Louis Park has done an excellent job of leveraging the commonalities and natural overlaps between IT, communications, and PEG access in municipal operations to mutual advantage. The existing live origination connections from City Hall, the St. Louis Park High School and its football field, the Wolfe Park Veterans Memorial Amphitheater, and The Rec Center have been important communication resources for the City. These connections have made it possible for ParkTV crews to deliver well-produced, highly regarded, and live coverage of public meetings, concerts, plays, school board meetings, high school sports, graduations and other local events to St. Louis Park residents. As shown in the diagram below, live remote video signals can be sent from the High School, its football field, and The Rec Center (and the Wolfe Park Veterans Memorial Amphitheater, via an intermediary connection to The Rec Center) to the ParkTV master control at City Hall, where the signals are directed to the appropriate channel transmission equipment and on to the Comcast distribution center for delivery to cable TV customers.
COMCAST DISTRIBUTION CENTER CABLE TV SUBSCRIBERS
CITY HALL
HIGH SCHOOL
H.S. FOOTBALL FIELD THE REC CENTER
WOLFE PARK MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATER
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The transport of audio and video communications over IP will become increasingly important and cost-effective, as technology continues to progress. Some of the live origination sites continue to rely on aging coaxial cable, which will need to be upgraded to fully fiber-based transport. These origination sites and their associated delivery systems must be capable of maintaining consistently high technical standards if the City can confidently depend on them – especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic -- to reliably distribute life-saving health information, live briefings from public health officials, on-line classes for children, and much more. Appendix 7 includes an estimate of the cost to update bi-directional video and data connectivity between the video origination sites in the City. During the consultant’s on-site review of the City’s PEG access facilities, distribution systems and operations, the ParkTV staff outlined some of the challenges they face. We were able to offer some options to address these needs using Dante media networking technology-based audio transport. Staff should consider familiarizing themselves with the industry options with regard to A/V transport over IP in order to determine which architecture may provide the best outcomes with lowest barriers to entry. HD-BaseT, Audinate’s Dante, AVB, and Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE) are a few of the options that merit consideration. Each architecture offers differences in terms of openness (vs. proprietary/closed system), network compatibility and functionality (quality of service and latency requirements), and costs. Most of these platforms have vendor support, familiarization and training that staff should explore in order to help make the best decision for the organization. The ability to move information over the City’s municipal area network (MAN) is one of the keys to success for all stakeholders. The use of fiber to connect sites allows the use of dedicated video paths, and/or IP-based encoder decoder solutions. For programming contribution where interactivity between originating and receiving sites is minimal or not required, the use of IP endcoder / decoder equipment allows this traffic to be added to existing links with only the addition of codecs and perhaps a switch or router connection. In the event that 2-way communication with little or no delay is required between sites, dark fiber links with dedicated HD-SDI transceivers are also available with near zero latency. Therefore, concerted efforts should be made to negotiate language in any renewed Franchise Agreement to require the provision of dark fiber between sites for PEG access transmissions, which can keep the costs for terminal equipment and operational latency very low – generally half or less of the cost of IP-based solutions. If fiber is provided but limited in count, the City may also consider coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) options provided by a number of video solution vendors.
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The addition of a Community Media Center in St. Louis Park would provide opportunities to explore the enhancement of site connectivity using these new technologies. Ensuring fiber trunking and GigE or 10GigE infrastructure where appropriate during CMC construction will allow the City to explore new models of civic and municipal engagement. As we have seen from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, more connectivity, more bandwidth and lower latencies are the keys to better communications between individuals and communities – regardless of physical location.
4. PEG Access Services
An analysis of the information gathered reveals a need and interest in continuing, enhancing and expanding ParkTV’s services in the St. Louis Park franchise area. As noted in this report, the assessment of community cable-related needs and interests showed that St. Louis Park residents support the delivery of PEG access programming and services. When the Comcast subscriber-respondents to the on-line survey were asked to indicate how important they think it is to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to St. Louis Park residents, a large majority (59.3%) said these local channels are “very important” or “important” to them. These responses indicate a very positive attitude about these local channels and services. Clear majorities of all online survey respondents indicated strong levels of interest in many other types of local programs or services. Local programs types with the most “very interested” or “interested” responses were “local news and information” (65.3%), “government/ public agency meetings” (60.7%), “programs about St. Louis Park’s history, arts and artists” (57.2%), “environmental programs” (53.5%), and “information about government services” (53.0%). Focus group participants mentioned a number of other desired services during the brainstorming sessions, including many program content ideas, the need for an accessible community media center in St. Louis Park, all PEG access channels in HD, programs in many languages, content in multiple platforms, training workshops for different types of media, computer and software training, and a searchable archive of community programming.
If PEG access services and programming efforts are to more fully meet the needs and interests identified by the public during the needs assessment process in St. Louis Park, the current levels of capital and operations funding and in-kind support must be maintained and enhanced during the term of the next Franchise Agreement.
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The quantity and quality of PEG access services in the future will be dictated to a large degree by the funding available from the City and Comcast (and any future Franchisee). In addition to its current efforts to raise supplementary funds through production services and interest income generation, ParkTV should reach out to other community media organizations to obtain information and advice regarding: (1) the types of activities they undertake to obtain funding and in-kind support from a variety of other sources; and (2) the appropriate categorization of capital and operating expenditures. The procedures followed by those organizations, as directed by their financial advisors and auditors to comply with federal, state, and local obligations, as well as generally accepted accounting principles for media companies, may be very useful to ParkTV.
To help meet the expressed community cable-related needs and interests described in this report, any new Franchise Agreement(s) adopted by the City should include provisions (as also described in this report) to ensure that initial and ongoing PEG access funding support is provided by the Franchisee. These grants would supplement: (1) any funds raised by ParkTV; and (2) any allocations from the franchise fees that might be provided by the City to support PEG access activities.
To help address a need and interest to promote the St. Louis Park PEG access channels, programming and services to area residents and cable subscribers more effectively, any renewal Franchise Agreement(s) adopted by the City should include provisions to ensure that a Franchisee provides the following:
a. Courtesy promotion of the PEG access channels -- including full program listings and capsule descriptions of all PEG access programs scheduled for presentation on each PEG access channel -- on all electronic program guides for their subscribers. 68.7% of the on-line survey respondents who subscribe to the Comcast cable TV service said they most often used their cable company’s on-screen program guide to find information about programming on cable TV -- nearly six times as often as any other source. Detailed program listings for the PEG access channels on Comcast’s (and any future Franchisee’s) electronic program guide would also enable subscribers to plan their viewing as they do for other channels, and would facilitate DVR recording of PEG access programs. b. Free insertion of promotional spots for the PEG access channels and programs Comcast’s (and any future Franchisee’s) cable satellite services that make times available for local advertising insertions.
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APPENDICES Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 60
APPENDIX 1
Community Needs & Interests Questionnaire
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COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE
This survey is intended to obtain information about community needs and interests related to cable TV. The information gathered will help to determine if existing local cable TV services and resources in St. Louis Park are adequate and appropriate, and identify changes that might be made to meet the current and future cable-related needs and interests of St. Louis Park residents.
1. Do you currently subscribe to a cable TV service in St. Louis Park? __ Yes __ No IF “NO,” SKIP TO QUESTION 13
2. IF "YES" TO QUESTION 1 Which cable TV service provider do you use? __ Comcast __ Century Link
3. Do you subscribe to your cable company’s high definition (HD) channels? __ Yes __ No / Don’t Know IF “NO” OR “DON’T KNOW,” SKIP TO QUESTION 5
4. IF “YES” TO QUESTION 3 How often do you watch cable TV channels that are in HD? __ Often __ Sometimes __ Rarely __ Never __ Don’t Know
5. What do you use most often to find information about cable TV programming? __ TV Section of Newspaper __ The Internet __ Channel Surfing __ “TV Guide” Magazine __ Cable Company’s On-Screen Program Guide __ Don’t Know __ Other: ______
6. How often do you use your cable company’s digital video recorder (DVR) to record programs? __ Never __ Rarely __ Sometimes __ Always __ Don’t Know __ Not applicable to me, since I don't have a DVR from my cable company
7. Indicate your level of satisfaction with your cable TV service in the following areas (not including telephone or internet service). VERY VERY DON’T GOOD GOOD FAIR POOR POOR KNOW N/A a. Sound and picture quality ...... ______b. Reliability of cable TV service ...... ______c. Rates for cable TV service ...... ______d. Amount of time it takes to talk to a representative ... ______when you call your cable company e. Ability to respond to service calls within promised .... ______timeframe
8. Have called your cable company in the last year? __ Yes __ No __ Don’t Know IF “NO” OR “DON’T KNOW”, SKIP TO QUESTION 10
9. IF “YES” TO QUESTION 8 During your last call to your cable company, how long were you on hold before speaking to a customer service representative? __ Less Than 30 Seconds __ Between 30 Seconds and 1 Minute __ Between 1-5 Minutes __ Between 5-15 Minutes __ More Than 15 Minutes __ Don’t Know / Don’t Remember __ Never Connected
- 1 - Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 62
COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE
10. How important is it for your cable company to have an office in St. Louis Park? __ Very Important __ Important __ Not Very Important __ Not Important at All __ Don’t Know
11. How satisfied are you with your cable TV service? __Very Satisfied __Somewhat Satisfied __Neutral __Somewhat Dissatisfied __Very Dissatisfied
12. Provide any comments you may have about your cable TV service.
13. ParkTV provides local programming on several cable TV channels, as well as video production and programming for the city website, ParkTV’s YouTube channel, and social media. ParkTV provides live coverage of public meetings (including the city council, economic development authority and planning commission); concerts, plays, school board meetings; high school sports, graduations and other local events. Are you aware of ParkTV and its programming?
__ Yes __ No IF “NO,” SKIP TO QUESTION 22
14. Have you ever watched ParkTV programming on any of the following channels? Mark all that apply. __ Comcast HD channel 859 -- best of ParkTV __ Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118 and HD channels 8615 and 8618 __ Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 __ Government programming – Comcast channel 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 8617 __ Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the city’s website __ ParkTV’s YouTube channel __ None of the above IF “NONE OF THE ABOVE,” SKIP TO QUESTION 22
15. How often do you watch the following ParkTV channels in a typical month? AT LEAST 1 – 3 TIMES LESS THAN DON’T DAILY ONCE/WEEK PER MONTH ONCE/MONTH NEVER KNOW a. Best of ParkTV (Comcast HD channel 859) -- . ______b. Educational programming ...... ______(Comcast channels 14 & 96; Century Link channels 8115, 8118, HD channels 8615 & 8618) c. Local sports and events ...... ______(Comcast channel 16; Century Link channel 8116 and HD channel 8616) d. Government programming ...... ______(Comcast channel 17; Century Link channel 8117 and HD channel 8617) e. Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the ...... ______city’s website f. ParkTV’s YouTube channel ...... ______
- 2 - Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 63
COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE
16. How often have you watched the following types of programming on the ParkTV channels? AT LEAST 1 – 3 TIMES LESS THAN DON’T DAILY ONCE/WEEK PER MONTH ONCE/MONTH NEVER KNOW a. Government meeting coverage ...... ______(e.g, city council, school board, planning commission, etc.) b. Local high school sports (e.g., football, ...... ______basketball, volleyball, etc.) c. Faith-based programs (e.g., local ...... ______church services) d. Community events (e.g., concerts, plays, ..... ______festivals, graduations, etc.) e. Community bulletin board ...... ______f. Informational programs about local ...... ______government services g. Emergency announcements ...... ______
17. Rate your level of agreement with the following statements about ParkTV programming: STRONGLY STRONGLY DON’T AGREE AGREE DISAGREE DISAGREE KNOW
a. Provides programs that deal with local issues ______
b. Provides programs that publicize local services ______
c. Provides programs with diverse points of view ______
d. Provides valuable information ______
e. Provides programs that are interesting to watch ______
18. How do you find out about ParkTV programs? Mark all that apply. __ The ParkTV page in the City’s website __ Cable Company’s On-Screen Program Guide __ Channel Surfing __ ParkTV's YouTube channel __ Friends __ Don’t Know __ Other: ______
19. How would you rate the picture and sound quality of ParkTV cable TV channels as compared to other channels you watch? __ Better quality __ About the same __ Lower quality __ Don’t Know __ Not applicable to me, since I am not a cable TV subscriber in St. Louis Park
20. Are you aware that you or any organizations you are involved in can produce programs for ParkTV? __ Yes __ No
21. Provide any additional comments about ParkTV programming and services. ______
- 3 - Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 64
COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE
22. How important is it to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government, and residents about local activities and issues of interest to residents? __ Very Important __ Important __ Not Very Important __ Not Important at All __ Don’t Know
23. How interested are you in the following types of local video programming: VERY NOT VERY NOT AT ALL INTERESTED INTERESTED NEUTRAL INTERESTED INTERESTED a. Community festivals, neighborhood events ...... ______b. “Community bulletin board” of upcoming local activities . ______c. Ethnic and cultural programs ...... ______d. Environmental programs ...... ______e. Educational/instructional programs from local schools ... ______f. Government agency meetings ...... ______g. Government informational programs ...... ______h. Information about government services ...... ______i. Health and fitness programs ...... ______j. Informational programs about services and activities ..... ______of St. Louis Park organizations and clubs k. Inspirational/personal development and learning...... ______programs l Live coverage of local events (sports, concerts, etc.) ..... ______m. Local church services and spiritual programs ...... ______n. Local news and information ...... ______o. Programs about St. Louis Park’s history, arts & artists ... ______p. Senior citizen activities and concerns ...... ______q. Youth-produced programs ...... ______r. Programs in languages other than English ...... ______
24. Would you like to use or participate in any of the following types of media-related resources or services, if they were offered by ParkTV in the future? YES NO MAYBE a. Free access to computers and the Internet ...... ______b. Computer and software training ...... ______c. Social media training (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) ...... ______d. Workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.) ..... ______e. Workshops on acting, modeling, makeup, stage design and other roles ...... ______f. Advanced media production training (e.g., documentary production, ...... ______advanced lighting techniques, how to upload your videos to YouTube, etc.) g. Citizen journalism (training and involvement in collecting, analyzing and ...... ______reporting local news and information)
- 4 - Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 65
COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE
25. We are looking to collect demographic information for this survey to evaluate if we are reaching a wide and diverse range of people in the community. The information gathered will be used to determine where we may need to increase our outreach efforts and future programming. In what city do you reside? ______
26. If you are a St. Louis Park resident, what neighborhood do you live in? If you are unsure of your neighborhood, indicate your address or the intersection nearest your address. ______
27. With which racial and ethnic group(s) do you identify? Mark all that apply. __ Asian/Asian-American __ Black/African-American/African __ Caucasian/White-American/European-American __ Hispanic/Latinx __ Native American/Indigenous/First Nation __ Pacific Islander __ Another race or ethnicity not listed (please specify): ______
28. Do you speak a language other than English at home? __ Yes __ No
29. If yes, which language(s)? ______
30. How do you describe your gender identity? Mark all that apply. __ Agender __ Female __ Male __ Non-binary __ Transgender __ A gender not listed (please indicate): ______
31. What is your age range? __ Under 18? __ 18 to 24? __ 25 to 34? __ 35 to 44? __ 45 to 54? __ 55 to 64? __ 65 to 74? __ 75 or Older?
32. What is your annual household income before taxes? __ Under $25,000 __ $25,000 to $39,999 __ $40,000 to $59,999
__ $60,000 to $99,999 __ $100,000 or more
- 5 - Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 66
COMMUNITY NEEDS & INTERESTS QUESTIONNAIRE
33. Thank you for participating in this survey.
If you would like, provide us with the following information about yourself or your organization for a chance to win a framed, limited edition print by local artist Adam Turman, featuring the design from the new Discover St. Louis Park Destination Guide.You must provide at least your last name and phone number or email to be entered into the drawing. The drawing will be held after the survey closes on Friday, March 13. The winner will be notified by email or phone. You must be 18 years of age to participate in the drawing.
First and Last Name: ______
Organization(s): ______
______
______
Address: ______
Email: ______
Phone Number: ______
- 6 - Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 67
APPENDIX 2a
Responses to the Community Needs and Interests Questionnaire (by ALL)
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 68
Q1 Do you currently subscribe to a cable TV service in St. Louis Park?
Answered: 536 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 52.4% 281
No 47.6% 255 TOTAL 536
Q2 Which cable TV service provider do you use?
Answered: 283 Skipped: 253
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Comcast 95.8% 271
CenturyLink 4.2% 12 TOTAL 283
Q3 Do you subscribe to your cable company’s high definition (HD) channels?
Answered: 282 Skipped: 254
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 72.0% 203
No 20.2% 57
Don't know 7.8% 22 TOTAL 282
Q4 How often do you watch cable TV channels that are not in HD?
Answered: 204 Skipped: 332
1 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 69
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Often 11.8% 24
Sometimes 27.0% 55
Rarely 37.3% 76
Never 18.6% 38
Don’t Know 5.4% 11
TOTAL 204
Q5 What do you use most often to find information about cable TV programming?
Answered: 279 Skipped: 257
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
TV section of newspaper 4.7% 13
“TV Guide” magazine 1.1% 3
The internet 11.5% 32
Cable company's on-screen program guide 68.1% 190
Channel surfing 10.0% 28
Don’t know 1.8% 5
Other (please specify): 2.9% 8 TOTAL 279
Q6 How often do you use your cable company's digital video recorder (DVR) to record programs?
Answered: 279 Skipped: 257
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Always 31.5% 88
Sometimes 16.1% 45
Rarely 6.1% 17
Never 21.9% 61
Don’t know 0.7% 2
Not applicable to me, since I don't have a DVR from my cable company 23.7% 66
TOTAL 279
2 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 70
Q7 Indicate your level of satisfaction with your cable TV service in the following areas (not including telephone or Internet service).
Answered: 278 Skipped: 258
VERY SATISFIED NEUTRAL DISSATISFIED VERY NOT TOTAL SATISFIED DISSATISFIED APPLICABLE Sound and picture quality 28.1% 48.2% 14.0% 6.8% 1.4% 1.4% 78 134 39 19 4 4 278
Reliability of cable TV 21.4% 44.9% 18.1% 10.1% 4.0% 1.4% service 59 124 50 28 11 4 276
Rates for cable TV 3.2% 9.0% 18.1% 30.3% 38.3% 1.1% service 9 25 50 84 106 3 277
Amount of time it takes to 5.4% 18.7% 26.6% 25.2% 18.3% 5.8% talk to a representative 15 52 74 70 51 16 278 when you call your cable company
Ability to respond to 7.9% 30.3% 28.5% 9.0% 9.0% 15.2% service calls within 22 84 79 25 25 42 277 promised timeframe
Q8 Have you called your cable company in the last year?
Answered: 281 Skipped: 255
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 71.9% 202
No 26.3% 74
Don’t know 1.8% 5 TOTAL 281
Q9 During your last call to your cable company, how long were you on hold before speaking to a customer service representative?
Answered: 202 Skipped: 334
3 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 71
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Less than 30 seconds 5.9% 12
30 seconds - 1 minute 13.4% 27
1 - 5 minutes 24.3% 49
5 - 15 Minutes 27.7% 56
More than 15 minutes 13.4% 27
Don’t know / don’t remember 15.3% 31
Never connected 0.0% 0
TOTAL 202
Q10 How important is it for your cable company to have an office in St. Louis Park?
Answered: 277 Skipped: 259
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very important 27.4% 76
Important 28.2% 78
Neutral 23.8% 66
Somewhat important 5.4% 15
Not at all important 15.2% 42 TOTAL 277
Q11 How satisfied are you with your cable TV service?
Answered: 278 Skipped: 258
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very satisfied 10.8% 30
Satisfied 38.1% 106
Neutral 27.3% 76
Dissatisfied 19.4% 54
Very dissatisfied 4.3% 12
TOTAL 278
Q12 Provide any comments you may have about your cable TV service.
Answered: 172 Skipped: 364
4 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 72
Q13 ParkTV provides local programming on several cable TV channels, as well as video production and programming for the city website, ParkTV’s YouTube channel and social media. ParkTV provides live coverage of public meetings (including the city council, economic development authority and planning commission), concerts, plays, school board meetings, high school sports, graduations and other local events.Are you aware of ParkTV and its programming?
Answered: 533 Skipped: 3
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 70.4% 375
No 29.6% 158 TOTAL 533
Q14 Have you ever watched ParkTV programming on any of the following channels? Mark all that apply.
Answered: 374 Skipped: 162
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Best of ParkTV – Comcast HD channel 859 8.8% 33
Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118 and HD channels 8615 and 12.6% 47 8618
Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 22.2% 83
Government programming – Comcast channel 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 8617 30.2% 113
Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the city’s website 16.3% 61
ParkTV’s YouTube channel 27.0% 101
None of the above 34.2% 128 Total Respondents: 374
Q15 How often do you watch the following ParkTV channels in a typical month?
Answered: 248 Skipped: 288
5 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 73
DAILY AT LEAST 1 - 3 LESS THAN NEVER DON'T TOTAL ONCE TIMES ONCE PER KNOW PER PER MONTH WEEK MONTH Best of ParkTV – Comcast HD channel 859 0.9% 0.9% 8.4% 27.0% 57.5% 5.3% 2 2 19 61 130 12 226
Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 1.3% 2.2% 10.6% 24.8% 56.6% 4.4% and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118, and 3 5 24 56 128 10 226 HD channels 8615 and 8618
Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; 1.7% 2.6% 14.8% 28.7% 48.3% 3.9% CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 4 6 34 66 111 9 230
Government programming – Comcast channel 0.9% 5.2% 12.4% 39.9% 38.2% 3.4% 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 2 12 29 93 89 8 233 8617
Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the 0.9% 2.2% 8.9% 29.8% 52.0% 6.2% city’s website 2 5 20 67 117 14 225
ParkTV’s YouTube channel 1.3% 2.2% 15.8% 30.3% 43.9% 6.6% 3 5 36 69 100 15 228
Q16 How often have you watched the following types of programming on the ParkTV channels?
Answered: 241 Skipped: 295
DAILY AT LEAST 1 - 3 LESS NEVER DON'T TOTAL WEIGHTED ONCE TIMES THAN KNOW AVERAGE PER PER ONCE PER WEEK MONTH MONTH Government meeting coverage 0.9% 2.1% 17.5% 56.4% 18.8% 4.3% (e.g, city council, school board, 2 5 41 132 44 10 234 4.03 planning commission, etc.)
Local high school sports (e.g., 0.9% 3.6% 16.4% 32.0% 45.3% 1.8% football, basketball, volleyball, 2 8 37 72 102 4 225 4.23 etc.)
Faith-based programs (e.g., local 0.9% 0.0% 2.7% 9.9% 82.4% 4.1% church services) 2 0 6 22 183 9 222 4.85
Community events (e.g., 0.9% 1.7% 14.3% 42.0% 38.5% 2.6% concerts, plays, festivals, 2 4 33 97 89 6 231 4.23 graduations, etc.)
Community bulletin board 1.3% 3.6% 7.1% 23.1% 61.8% 3.1% 3 8 16 52 139 7 225 4.50
Informational programs about 0.9% 2.2% 7.6% 28.1% 56.7% 4.5% local government services 2 5 17 63 127 10 224 4.51
Emergency announcements 1.8% 0.9% 7.6% 20.0% 58.2% 11.6% 4 2 17 45 131 26 225 4.67
Q17 Rate your level of agreement with the following statements about ParkTV programming.
Answered: 233 Skipped: 303
6 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 74
STRONGLY AGREEE NEUTRAL DISAGREE STRONGLY TOTAL AGREE DISAGREE Provides programs that deal with local 18.6% 49.8% 29.0% 2.2% 0.4% issues 43 115 67 5 1 231
Provides programs that publicize local 15.0% 43.8% 38.1% 2.7% 0.4% services 34 99 86 6 1 226
Provides programs with diverse points 9.4% 27.7% 58.9% 2.7% 1.3% of view 21 62 132 6 3 224
Provides valuable information 15.3% 48.5% 32.3% 3.9% 0.0% 35 111 74 9 0 229
Provides programs that are interesting 8.4% 33.8% 50.2% 6.2% 1.3% to watch 19 76 113 14 3 225
Q18 How do you find out about ParkTV programs? Mark all that apply.
Answered: 234 Skipped: 302
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
The ParkTV page on the city’s website 25.2% 59
Cable company’s on-screen program guide 32.1% 75
Channel surfing 29.9% 70
ParkTV's YouTube channel 19.2% 45
Friends 14.5% 34
Don't know 8.5% 20
Other (please specify) 17.1% 40 Total Respondents: 234
Q19 How would you rate the picture and sound quality of ParkTV channels as compared to other channels you watch?
Answered: 234 Skipped: 302
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Better quality 0.9% 2
About the same 31.2% 73
Lower quality 44.9% 105
Don’t know 6.8% 16
Not applicable to me since I am not a cable TV subscriber in St. Louis Park 16.2% 38
TOTAL 234
7 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 75
Q20 Are you aware that you or any organizations you are involved in can produce programs for ParkTV?
Answered: 359 Skipped: 177
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 32.3% 116
No 67.7% 243 TOTAL 359
Q21 Provide any additional comments about ParkTV programming and services.
Answered: 77 Skipped: 459
Q22 How important is it to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government and residents about local activities and issues of interest to residents?
Answered: 515 Skipped: 21
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very important 17.7% 91
Important 35.0% 180
Neutral 29.7% 153
Not very important 11.8% 61
Not at all important 5.8% 30 TOTAL 515
Q23 How interested are you in the following types of local video programming:
Answered: 490 Skipped: 46
8 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 76
VERY INTERESTED NEUTRAL NOT VERY NOT AT ALL TOTAL INTERESTED INTERESTED INTERESTED Community festivals, neighborhood 12.1% 35.0% 29.8% 15.8% 7.3% events 58 168 143 76 35 480
“Community bulletin board” of upcoming 13.5% 40.0% 26.5% 13.3% 6.8% local activities 65 193 128 64 33 483
Ethnic and cultural programs 7.1% 36.9% 31.9% 14.2% 10.0% 34 177 153 68 48 480
Environmental programs 11.8% 41.7% 27.2% 11.0% 8.3% 57 201 131 53 40 482
Educational/instructional programs from 9.8% 36.2% 33.9% 12.3% 7.7% local schools 47 173 162 59 37 478
Government/public agency meetings 16.5% 44.2% 26.9% 7.2% 5.2% 80 214 130 35 25 484
Information about government services 10.4% 42.6% 32.6% 7.9% 6.4% 50 205 157 38 31 481
Health and fitness programs 8.4% 35.7% 32.4% 14.0% 9.6% 40 171 155 67 46 479
Informational programs about services 11.0% 40.2% 33.5% 8.8% 6.5% and activities of St. Louis Park 53 193 161 42 31 480 organizations and clubs
Inspirational/personal development and 5.3% 25.1% 37.7% 19.4% 12.6% learning programs 25 119 179 92 60 475
Live coverage of local events (sports, 13.0% 35.5% 31.4% 11.8% 8.3% concerts, etc.) 63 172 152 57 40 484
Local church services and spiritual 2.3% 9.5% 28.6% 22.8% 36.7% programs 11 46 138 110 177 482
Local news and information 15.2% 50.1% 21.7% 6.9% 6.1% 73 240 104 33 29 479
Programs about St. Louis Park's history, 10.8% 46.4% 25.5% 10.1% 7.2% arts and artists 52 224 123 49 35 483
Senior citizen activities and concerns 6.4% 22.3% 36.2% 18.6% 16.5% 31 108 175 90 80 484
Youth-produced programs 7.1% 25.5% 38.9% 15.1% 13.4% 34 122 186 72 64 478
Programs in languages other than 2.5% 8.4% 35.2% 22.0% 31.9% English 12 40 168 105 152 477
Q24 Would you use or participate in any of the following resources or services if they were offered by ParkTV?
Answered: 490 Skipped: 46
9 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 77
YES MAYBE NO TOTAL Free access to computers and the internet 21.9% 31.1% 46.9% 107 152 229 488
Computer and software training 19.3% 31.8% 48.9% 94 155 238 487
Social media training (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) 9.7% 18.0% 72.3% 47 87 350 484
Workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.) 21.3% 39.0% 39.7% 103 189 192 484
Workshops on acting, modeling, makeup, stage design and other roles 9.5% 18.2% 72.3% 46 88 350 484
Advanced media production training (e.g., documentary production, advanced lighting 15.9% 27.3% 56.8% techniques, how to upload your videos to YouTube, etc.) 77 132 275 484
Citizen journalism (training and involvement in collecting, analyzing and reporting local news 15.6% 27.6% 56.8% and information) 75 133 274 482
Q25 We are looking to collect demographic information for this survey to evaluate if we are reaching a wide and diverse range of people in the community. The information gathered will be used to determine where we may need to increase our outreach efforts and future programming.In what city do you reside?
Answered: 482 Skipped: 54
Q26 If you are a St. Louis Park resident, what neighborhood do you live in? If you are unsure of your neighborhood, indicate your address or the intersection nearest your address.
Answered: 465 Skipped: 71
Q27 With which racial and ethnic group(s) do you identify? Mark all that apply.
Answered: 465 Skipped: 71
10 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 78
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Asian/Asian-American 2.4% 11
Black/African-American/African 1.9% 9
Caucasian/White-American/European-American 94.0% 437
Hispanic/Latinx 1.5% 7
Native American/Indigenous/First Nation 0.9% 4
Pacific Islander 1.1% 5
Another race or ethnicity not listed (please specify) 3.0% 14 Total Respondents: 465
Q28 Do you speak a language other than English at home?
Answered: 479 Skipped: 57
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 5.2% 25
No 94.8% 454 TOTAL 479
Q29 If yes, which language(s)?
Answered: 19 Skipped: 517
Q30 How do you describe your gender identity? Mark all that apply.
Answered: 470 Skipped: 66
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Agender 0.2% 1
Female 56.6% 266
Male 42.1% 198
Non-binary 0.6% 3
Transgender 0.2% 1
A gender not listed (please indicate) 0.9% 4 Total Respondents: 470
Q31 What is your age range?
Answered: 471 Skipped: 65
11 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 79
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Under 18 0.2% 1
18 – 24 1.1% 5
25 – 34 16.6% 78
35 – 44 24.6% 116
45 – 54 15.9% 75
55 – 64 17.8% 84
65 – 74 16.8% 79
75 or older 7.0% 33
TOTAL 471
Q32 What is your annual household income before taxes?
Answered: 429 Skipped: 107
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Under $25,000 3.5% 15
$25,00 – $39,999 7.2% 31
$40,000 – $59,999 13.3% 57
$60,000 – $99,999 25.4% 109
Over $100,000 50.6% 217 TOTAL 429
Q33 Thank you for participating in this survey. If you would like, provide us with the following information about yourself or your organization for a chance to win a framed, limited edition print by local artist Adam Turman, featuring the design from the new Discover St. Louis Park Destination Guide.You must provide at least your last name and phone number or email to be entered into the drawing. The drawing will be held after the survey closes on Friday, March 13. The winner will be notified by email or phone. You must be 18 years of age to participate in the drawing.
Answered: 208 Skipped: 328
12 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 80
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
First and last name 99.5% 207
Organization(s) 9.1% 19
Address: 0.0% 0
Address2: 0.0% 0
City: 0.0% 0
State: 0.0% 0
ZIP code 91.8% 191
Country: 0.0% 0
Email 96.2% 200
Phone number 81.7% 170
13 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 81
APPENDIX 2b
Responses to the Community Needs and Interests Questionnaire (by mcastCo subscribers ) Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 82
Q1 Do you currently subscribe to a cable TV service in St. Louis Park?
Answered: 271 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 100.0% 271
No 0.0% 0 TOTAL 271
Q2 Which cable TV service provider do you use?
Answered: 271 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Comcast 100.0% 271
CenturyLink 0.0% 0 TOTAL 271
Q3 Do you subscribe to your cable company’s high definition (HD) channels?
Answered: 271 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 72.7% 197
No 19.2% 52
Don't know 8.1% 22 TOTAL 271
Q4 How often do you watch cable TV channels that are not in HD?
Answered: 198 Skipped: 73
1 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 83
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Often 12.1% 24
Sometimes 25.3% 50
Rarely 37.9% 75
Never 19.2% 38
Don’t Know 5.6% 11
TOTAL 198
Q5 What do you use most often to find information about cable TV programming?
Answered: 268 Skipped: 3
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
TV section of newspaper 4.5% 12
“TV Guide” magazine 1.1% 3
The internet 11.6% 31
Cable company's on-screen program guide 68.7% 184
Channel surfing 9.3% 25
Don’t know 1.9% 5
Other (please specify): 3.0% 8 TOTAL 268
Q6 How often do you use your cable company's digital video recorder (DVR) to record programs?
Answered: 268 Skipped: 3
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Always 31.7% 85
Sometimes 15.7% 42
Rarely 6.3% 17
Never 21.3% 57
Don’t know 0.7% 2
Not applicable to me, since I don't have a DVR from my cable company 24.3% 65
TOTAL 268
2 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 84
Q7 Indicate your level of satisfaction with your cable TV service in the following areas (not including telephone or Internet service).
Answered: 268 Skipped: 3
VERY SATISFIED NEUTRAL DISSATISFIED VERY NOT TOTAL SATISFIED DISSATISFIED APPLICABLE Sound and picture quality 27.6% 48.1% 14.6% 6.7% 1.5% 1.5% 74 129 39 18 4 4 268
Reliability of cable TV 21.4% 45.5% 18.0% 9.8% 3.8% 1.5% service 57 121 48 26 10 4 266
Rates for cable TV 2.6% 8.2% 18.0% 31.1% 39.0% 1.1% service 7 22 48 83 104 3 267
Amount of time it takes to 4.9% 17.9% 27.2% 25.4% 18.7% 6.0% talk to a representative 13 48 73 68 50 16 268 when you call your cable company
Ability to respond to 7.9% 29.6% 28.5% 9.4% 9.0% 15.7% service calls within 21 79 76 25 24 42 267 promised timeframe
Q8 Have you called your cable company in the last year?
Answered: 271 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 72.3% 196
No 25.8% 70
Don’t know 1.8% 5 TOTAL 271
Q9 During your last call to your cable company, how long were you on hold before speaking to a customer service representative?
Answered: 196 Skipped: 75
3 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 85
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Less than 30 seconds 5.1% 10
30 seconds - 1 minute 13.3% 26
1 - 5 minutes 24.5% 48
5 - 15 Minutes 28.1% 55
More than 15 minutes 13.3% 26
Don’t know / don’t remember 15.8% 31
Never connected 0.0% 0
TOTAL 196
Q10 How important is it for your cable company to have an office in St. Louis Park?
Answered: 267 Skipped: 4
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very important 28.1% 75
Important 28.5% 76
Neutral 23.2% 62
Somewhat important 5.6% 15
Not at all important 14.6% 39 TOTAL 267
Q11 How satisfied are you with your cable TV service?
Answered: 268 Skipped: 3
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very satisfied 10.1% 27
Satisfied 38.4% 103
Neutral 28.0% 75
Dissatisfied 19.4% 52
Very dissatisfied 4.1% 11
TOTAL 268
Q12 Provide any comments you may have about your cable TV service.
Answered: 166 Skipped: 105
4 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 86
Q13 ParkTV provides local programming on several cable TV channels, as well as video production and programming for the city website, ParkTV’s YouTube channel and social media. ParkTV provides live coverage of public meetings (including the city council, economic development authority and planning commission), concerts, plays, school board meetings, high school sports, graduations and other local events.Are you aware of ParkTV and its programming?
Answered: 269 Skipped: 2
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 80.7% 217
No 19.3% 52 TOTAL 269
Q14 Have you ever watched ParkTV programming on any of the following channels? Mark all that apply.
Answered: 216 Skipped: 55
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Best of ParkTV – Comcast HD channel 859 13.9% 30
Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118 and HD channels 8615 and 16.7% 36 8618
Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 30.6% 66
Government programming – Comcast channel 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 8617 42.6% 92
Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the city’s website 11.6% 25
ParkTV’s YouTube channel 14.4% 31
None of the above 31.0% 67 Total Respondents: 216
Q15 How often do you watch the following ParkTV channels in a typical month?
Answered: 151 Skipped: 120
5 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 87
DAILY AT LEAST 1 - 3 LESS THAN NEVER DON'T TOTAL ONCE TIMES ONCE PER KNOW PER PER MONTH WEEK MONTH Best of ParkTV – Comcast HD channel 859 1.5% 1.5% 10.4% 32.6% 47.4% 6.7% 2 2 14 44 64 9 135
Educational programing - Comcast channels 14 2.2% 2.9% 13.8% 30.4% 44.9% 5.8% and 96; CenturyLink channels 8115, 8118, and 3 4 19 42 62 8 138 HD channels 8615 and 8618
Local sports and events – Comcast channel 16; 2.8% 4.3% 18.4% 36.9% 33.3% 4.3% CenturyLink channel 8116 and HD channel 8616 4 6 26 52 47 6 141
Government programming – Comcast channel 1.4% 7.6% 17.2% 51.7% 19.3% 2.8% 17; CenturyLink channel 8117 and HD channel 2 11 25 75 28 4 145 8617
Livestreaming ParkTV channels through the 1.5% 3.0% 5.2% 23.9% 59.0% 7.5% city’s website 2 4 7 32 79 10 134
ParkTV’s YouTube channel 2.2% 3.7% 8.9% 16.3% 60.7% 8.1% 3 5 12 22 82 11 135
Q16 How often have you watched the following types of programming on the ParkTV channels?
Answered: 148 Skipped: 123
DAILY AT LEAST 1 - 3 LESS NEVER DON'T TOTAL WEIGHTED ONCE TIMES THAN KNOW AVERAGE PER PER ONCE PER WEEK MONTH MONTH Government meeting coverage 1.4% 3.5% 20.3% 57.3% 13.3% 4.2% (e.g, city council, school board, 2 5 29 82 19 6 143 3.90 planning commission, etc.)
Local high school sports (e.g., 1.5% 4.4% 21.5% 30.4% 40.0% 2.2% football, basketball, volleyball, 2 6 29 41 54 3 135 4.10 etc.)
Faith-based programs (e.g., local 1.5% 0.0% 3.0% 11.2% 78.4% 6.0% church services) 2 0 4 15 105 8 134 4.83
Community events (e.g., 1.4% 2.1% 17.0% 44.0% 33.3% 2.1% concerts, plays, festivals, 2 3 24 62 47 3 141 4.12 graduations, etc.)
Community bulletin board 2.2% 5.1% 8.0% 22.5% 58.7% 3.6% 3 7 11 31 81 5 138 4.41
Informational programs about 1.5% 2.9% 6.6% 28.7% 55.1% 5.1% local government services 2 4 9 39 75 7 136 4.49
Emergency announcements 2.2% 1.5% 8.1% 22.1% 52.9% 13.2% 3 2 11 30 72 18 136 4.62
Q17 Rate your level of agreement with the following statements about ParkTV programming.
Answered: 146 Skipped: 125
6 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 88
STRONGLY AGREEE NEUTRAL DISAGREE STRONGLY TOTAL AGREE DISAGREE Provides programs that deal with local 14.6% 49.3% 31.9% 3.5% 0.7% issues 21 71 46 5 1 144
Provides programs that publicize local 11.9% 46.2% 37.1% 4.2% 0.7% services 17 66 53 6 1 143
Provides programs with diverse points 7.0% 30.1% 57.3% 3.5% 2.1% of view 10 43 82 5 3 143
Provides valuable information 11.1% 50.7% 34.0% 4.2% 0.0% 16 73 49 6 0 144
Provides programs that are interesting 4.8% 34.5% 51.7% 6.9% 2.1% to watch 7 50 75 10 3 145
Q18 How do you find out about ParkTV programs? Mark all that apply.
Answered: 147 Skipped: 124
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
The ParkTV page on the city’s website 16.3% 24
Cable company’s on-screen program guide 49.0% 72
Channel surfing 41.5% 61
ParkTV's YouTube channel 9.5% 14
Friends 10.2% 15
Don't know 8.2% 12
Other (please specify) 10.2% 15 Total Respondents: 147
Q19 How would you rate the picture and sound quality of ParkTV channels as compared to other channels you watch?
Answered: 147 Skipped: 124
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Better quality 0.7% 1
About the same 32.0% 47
Lower quality 59.9% 88
Don’t know 7.5% 11
Not applicable to me since I am not a cable TV subscriber in St. Louis Park 0.0% 0
TOTAL 147
7 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 89
Q20 Are you aware that you or any organizations you are involved in can produce programs for ParkTV?
Answered: 211 Skipped: 60
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 34.6% 73
No 65.4% 138 TOTAL 211
Q21 Provide any additional comments about ParkTV programming and services.
Answered: 40 Skipped: 231
Q22 How important is it to have cable TV channels that feature programs produced by local organizations, schools, government and residents about local activities and issues of interest to residents?
Answered: 263 Skipped: 8
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very important 19.8% 52
Important 39.5% 104
Neutral 27.4% 72
Not very important 9.5% 25
Not at all important 3.8% 10 TOTAL 263
Q23 How interested are you in the following types of local video programming:
Answered: 257 Skipped: 14
8 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 90
VERY INTERESTED NEUTRAL NOT VERY NOT AT ALL TOTAL INTERESTED INTERESTED INTERESTED Community festivals, neighborhood 9.9% 36.1% 32.9% 12.7% 8.3% events 25 91 83 32 21 252
“Community bulletin board” of upcoming 12.6% 37.8% 30.3% 11.0% 8.3% local activities 32 96 77 28 21 254
Ethnic and cultural programs 5.2% 34.3% 35.5% 13.5% 11.6% 13 86 89 34 29 251
Environmental programs 10.3% 40.5% 28.2% 11.5% 9.5% 26 102 71 29 24 252
Educational/instructional programs from 7.6% 36.1% 35.3% 10.8% 10.0% local schools 19 90 88 27 25 249
Government/public agency meetings 16.5% 46.9% 26.0% 5.9% 4.7% 42 119 66 15 12 254
Information about government services 10.4% 42.6% 32.7% 7.6% 6.8% 26 107 82 19 17 251
Health and fitness programs 8.0% 34.0% 33.2% 15.2% 9.6% 20 85 83 38 24 250
Informational programs about services 9.2% 40.2% 33.1% 9.2% 8.4% and activities of St. Louis Park 23 101 83 23 21 251 organizations and clubs
Inspirational/personal development and 5.2% 25.3% 38.2% 18.5% 12.9% learning programs 13 63 95 46 32 249
Live coverage of local events (sports, 13.0% 36.2% 31.1% 11.4% 8.3% concerts, etc.) 33 92 79 29 21 254
Local church services and spiritual 3.6% 8.3% 33.7% 23.8% 30.6% programs 9 21 85 60 77 252
Local news and information 13.7% 50.6% 21.3% 6.8% 7.6% 34 126 53 17 19 249
Programs about St. Louis Park's history, 9.9% 48.2% 24.9% 9.5% 7.5% arts and artists 25 122 63 24 19 253
Senior citizen activities and concerns 7.5% 26.2% 35.7% 17.5% 13.1% 19 66 90 44 33 252
Youth-produced programs 4.0% 24.5% 41.0% 15.7% 14.9% 10 61 102 39 37 249
Programs in languages other than 2.8% 8.4% 31.7% 24.9% 32.1% English 7 21 79 62 80 249
Q24 Would you use or participate in any of the following resources or services if they were offered by ParkTV?
Answered: 257 Skipped: 14
9 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 91
YES MAYBE NO TOTAL Free access to computers and the internet 21.8% 33.5% 44.7% 56 86 115 257
Computer and software training 23.0% 32.4% 44.5% 59 83 114 256
Social media training (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) 12.6% 19.0% 68.4% 32 48 173 253
Workshops on different types of media (e.g., photography, podcasting, etc.) 22.1% 35.6% 42.3% 56 90 107 253
Workshops on acting, modeling, makeup, stage design and other roles 10.7% 15.4% 73.9% 27 39 187 253
Advanced media production training (e.g., documentary production, advanced lighting 15.8% 24.9% 59.3% techniques, how to upload your videos to YouTube, etc.) 40 63 150 253
Citizen journalism (training and involvement in collecting, analyzing and reporting local news 16.7% 22.6% 60.7% and information) 42 57 153 252
Q25 We are looking to collect demographic information for this survey to evaluate if we are reaching a wide and diverse range of people in the community. The information gathered will be used to determine where we may need to increase our outreach efforts and future programming.In what city do you reside?
Answered: 253 Skipped: 18
Q26 If you are a St. Louis Park resident, what neighborhood do you live in? If you are unsure of your neighborhood, indicate your address or the intersection nearest your address.
Answered: 248 Skipped: 23
Q27 With which racial and ethnic group(s) do you identify? Mark all that apply.
Answered: 243 Skipped: 28
10 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7)
Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 92
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Asian/Asian-American 2.5% 6
Black/African-American/African 1.6% 4
Caucasian/White-American/European-American 95.9% 233
Hispanic/Latinx 1.2% 3
Native American/Indigenous/First Nation 1.2% 3
Pacific Islander 1.2% 3
Another race or ethnicity not listed (please specify) 1.6% 4
Total Respondents: 243
Q28 Do you speak a language other than English at home?
Answered: 253 Skipped: 18
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes 4.7% 12
No 95.3% 241 TOTAL 253
Q29 If yes, which language(s)?
Answered: 5 Skipped: 266
Q30 How do you describe your gender identity? Mark all that apply.
Answered: 246 Skipped: 25
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Agender 0.0% 0
Female 57.7% 142
Male 41.5% 102
Non-binary 0.8% 2
Transgender 0.0% 0
A gender not listed (please indicate) 0.8% 2
Total Respondents: 246
Q31 What is your age range?
Answered: 247 Skipped: 24
11 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 93
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Under 18 0.0% 0
18 – 24 0.4% 1
25 – 34 8.1% 20
35 – 44 21.1% 52
45 – 54 15.8% 39
55 – 64 21.9% 54
65 – 74 22.3% 55
75 or older 10.5% 26
TOTAL 247
Q32 What is your annual household income before taxes?
Answered: 215 Skipped: 56
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Under $25,000 4.2% 9
$25,00 – $39,999 6.5% 14
$40,000 – $59,999 16.3% 35
$60,000 – $99,999 27.4% 59
Over $100,000 45.6% 98 TOTAL 215
Q33 Thank you for participating in this survey. If you would like, provide us with the following information about yourself or your organization for a chance to win a framed, limited edition print by local artist Adam Turman, featuring the design from the new Discover St. Louis Park Destination Guide.You must provide at least your last name and phone number or email to be entered into the drawing. The drawing will be held after the survey closes on Friday, March 13. The winner will be notified by email or phone. You must be 18 years of age to participate in the drawing.
Answered: 100 Skipped: 171
12 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 94
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
First and last name 99.0% 99
Organization(s) 12.0% 12
Address: 0.0% 0
Address2: 0.0% 0
City: 0.0% 0
State: 0.0% 0
ZIP code 91.0% 91
Country: 0.0% 0
Email 95.0% 95
Phone number 80.0% 80
13 / 13 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 95
APPENDIX 3a
Questionnaire Open-Ended Responses: Comments about Comcast Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 96
OPEN-ENDED ANSWERS TO SURVEY QUESTION BY COMCAST CABLE TV SUBSCRIBERS: “Please provide any comments you may have about your cable TV service.”
NEGATIVE COMMENTS:
1. As an old person and lifelong SLP resident, I find cable TV a joke. The joke is on us. When cable came out it was to be this great thing. Pay TV with no commercials.... HA Now we get to pay (buckets of money) for TV (if we want a good, consistent signal) and see GOBS of commercials too! I don't see the attraction to have tons of channels I do not watch. I watch one channel at a time when I have the time, and usually while doing other things. The programing is no more valuable or higher quality than it was with air TV. Bah Humbug! BUT, when I want to watch a movie or documentary I go to the internet via Amazon Prime. It is one of the best deals since sliced bread. ;-) And another thing! Paying for TV with all the sports channels is a big waste of money. 2. Bad connection. Have had to have them come out multiple times. VERY expensive and so many channels that I do not want. 3. Cable boxes keep breaking down. I am paying extra for extra channels but can't get them on one of the boxes and was told that if I wanted them I would have to pay extra for a new box. I already pay just under $200 a month now. The other box has on demand that rarely works. That's not on demand. Then they discontinue channels and say that aren't raising rates. Century Link has all these requirements, long distance, etc. That's just the beginning. 4. Cable is part of my monthly HOA fee. I live in over 55 housing. I am dismayed at the cost of the add-ons that my neighbors pay for additional channels, additional hookups, etc. Some people don’t even know what they are paying for— including one who had two internet providers— totally unaware. 5. Cable TV is a joke and too expensive. Internet TV is the new wave and having ParkTV 16 available via the Comcast app is the only way I’d watch it. Unless you build an app like CCX has recently done. Would love to help out if needed. 6. Comcast cable tv is inconsistent. As with Comcast internet service, responses to commands are hesitant or slow. Some days rebooting is necessary numerous times. Sometimes DVR settings change on their own. A few months ago I received an email from Comcast stating they were increasing my internet speed: actually it has slowed. 7. Comcast charges a ridiculous amount of money for their internet service, which is how we watch television. Their pricing for actual TV programming is also too expensive. Subscribing to something like Amazon Prime + Netflix (or Sling, etc.) is less costly. Cannot wait for US Internet’s fiber option to be available in my neighborhood. It will cut my bill in half. 8. Comcast charges far too much for their services and especially the rental cost of required equipment. 9. Comcast has some of the poorest customer service. It takes too long to get thru it computer when asking g to talk to a customer service person. I will be dumping Comcast soon. Very poor company to service St. Louis Park. 10. Comcast is a PAIN to deal with. They cost too much but are better than others. 11. Comcast is evil. The only empire worse than Comcast is Disney. I was looking forward to the free Wi-Fi we were promised 10 years ago, and all of the expense and hype that went into it. We need to stand up against the cable monopolies and make them provide what they promise. City support to make that happen could be the catalyst to hold them accountable.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 1 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 97
NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued):
12. Comcast is horrible. Typically you have to go through the automated loop 2-3 times before you finally get a real person who 90% of the time can’t help you. I’m frustrated that most of the time on demand doesn’t work or if doing on demand movies anymore you just get the televised versions with commercials &huge parts cut. The costs are unreasonable. When cable first came to alp we paid 38.00 per math. SLP advised the cost was high because Comcast was building infrastructure but once laid they promised costs would go down. That never happened. Recently I complained to no avail because suddenly I could no longer watch Starz. I was told Starz changed their deal with Comcast. That’s not my problem I’m still following my contract and Comcast should fulfill their end of the deal. I spoke with supervisor and customer support in addition to the customer service rep. I asked why they didn’t reduce my bill then since Starz was my specific choice of movie channel in my package. Bottom line is Comcast is not customer friendly and I don’t know anyone who likes them. 13. Comcast is not only quite expensive, but their pricing is deceptive (e.g., my $89.99 bundle actually costs approximately $140/month with the "fees"). 14. Comcast office is located in Richfield - making it a challenge to get there. Monthly rates are high for the value you get. There are a lot of channels that we pay for that we never see. It would be great if the customer could pick their channels. 15. Comcast wants folks to pay for unnecessary equipment to use HD channels which is ridiculous. 16. Cost is high especially on fixed incomes. Would like to be able to choose channels I want instead of having to pay for an expensive package that they set up. If I get rid of my cable package I loose CNN & MSNBC. If I have to have a package I don’t need 100-200 channels. I would like a cheaper option with a la carte choices that would fit my preferences. I like the free movies without ads but I would like more older popular movie choices that they don’t offer now that maybe are 5-30 years older that were very popular movies. I like mysteries, romantic comedies, spy, dramas, real life true stories. I would Iove an Agatha Christie channel. I don’t think Comcast competes enough with net flicks for movies. I would like a net flicks option with my subscription. I shouldn’t have to pay extra for net flicks with my current price. I have cable, TV, Internet, phone for about $160 month & I have to call every year to re-negotiate because they raise it every year. They don’t give discounts or price breaks for their loyalty customers. 17. Cost is too expensive. Tired of being told channels will be available but are not. Example have been told three time that a free weekend was available for HBO. It was not found, finally this past time I got through to someone that explained that it was available On-Demand. Why doesn't the ad I received explain that? It would save a lot of hard feeling with customers. Why can Comcast/Xfinity just change something like offered channels with no notice? Why don't they ask customers for comments prior to changes? 18. 1) Cost is too high -- Comcast forces its customers to buy bundles with channels we don't want 2) Why do we need to sign a contract and play the game when the contract ends and rates go up to get lower rates? Let's have every day normal pricing. 3) Picture quality - compression of HD signals results in picture quality which is lower than the original broadcast quality 19. Cost too much. Picture freezes and I have to re-boot which takes a while. 20. Dissatisfied with quality of customer service form Comcast. It’s cheaper to have cable and internet than just internet. 21. ESPN only comes in occasionally and they have not been able to explain. 22. Excessively expensive compared to other cable services available in other states.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 98
NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued):
23. Expensive! 24. For the past several months, I have had numerous, ongoing problems. There have been several consecutive days where I haven't had any service and numerous times that the On Demand feature isn't working. Several online chats with agents haven't resolved the matter. They even had me pick-up a new cable box, which didn't solve the problem. During one of the on-line chats, the technician wrote inappropriate messages to me (I filed a complaint with Xfinity but haven't heard back). 25. I absolutely find it frustrating to have to deal with customer service representatives in India or wherever Comcast has their call Center. Aside from the cost, that is my biggest complaint. 26. I am not getting some TPT channels that I should be getting, according to the list I have. I will be calling Comcast when I can about that. 27. I believe the costs are too high 28. I hate Comcast's customer service and it is too expensive but I live in a condo so we're not allowed to have satellite dishes. The only reason I get it is to watch sports. 29. I have experienced inconsistent help from Comcast when I have had issues with my cable TV. 30. I have had trouble recording multiple programs (2) when they have slightly different (1 - 2 minutes) starting time. I called Comcast but never got a satisfactory answer. I did a "work around". The providers have now gone back to starting shows simultaneously. I have noticed sometimes that the "guide" is slightly off from the actual times, starting and finishing. PBS is especially bad at this. I don't know where the times come from to populate the "guide". 31. I have on DEMAND. MANY TIMES OVER DINNER HOUR, it does NOT work, but two hours later it works. I am sick of it. 32. I have tried to upgrade my service but gave up as it was too difficult 33. I only use Internet service. I am very dissatisfied with the rate and inability to get rates similar to my neighbors who are charged less. 34. I think all channels in the basic package (about 12 channels) should be HD for no extra charge. It is HD over the airwaves for free so should be HD in cable TV. I do not think they should charge extra for the HD cable box so you can get HD cable. Once again, free over the air. And the boxes to attach to the TV so it can get cable should be free. 35. I think Comcast is a rip-off 36. I think it’s very expensive and could be cheaper 37. I think streaming services offer the same access to local channels without costly, ancient looking equipment that needs to be controlled with separate remote controls and separate inputs on the TV. I was disappointed to see that despite very terrible customer service and costly "rented" equipment that the cost of the Comcast service continues to rise for both access and equipment. I am actively pursuing other options and am disappointed in the monopoly that St Louis Park provides Comcast for both cable and high speed (beyond DSL) internet. It is below the expectations I have for this fine city and community.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 3 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 99
NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued):
38. I use Comcast for Internet and TV and find the cost outrageous. I believe most of my neighbors also use them and it seems that sharing cables in St. Louis Park should not be so costly. I am a semi-retired senior citizen and it is by far my largest service payment. I changed to Direct TV a couple of years ago to save expense and was not happy with the downtime when there were storms or snow. Second year was better. Comcast has been great but I wish the cost were less. $180 per month to watch TV and use computer...... I do not use many channels but do want CNN, MSNBC and Hallmark in addition to local channels. Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback! 39. I watch so little, it is mostly for internet access. I pay way too much for the service. The City should be charging them more for providing services in SLP, WITHOUT being able to pass it on to the consumer. 40. I wish I could choose what goes into my package. Many of the channels I don't watch. But I need them to get high speed internet. Not cost efficient. 41. I would like an a la cart option of choosing channels. The packages offered don't meet everyone's needs. Also, having to rent cable boxes for $10/mo. is ridiculous. 42. I'm watching through Comcast's Roku app mostly. I only use the cable receiver when the app isn't working. They purposely throttle the app and remove the HD channels. Not sure why I'm forced to pay an extra fee for HD at this point. They did have the HD channels on the app, but removed them recently. Seems a little like extortion. HD content is still available on the phone app. I watch the city's PEG channels often. Thanks 43. It could improve in many ways. The service is terrible 44. It is expensive and I am frustrated that when we call once a year to lower our rate, they do. We should not have to do that. We should be able to shop for better pricing. It’s ridiculous how expensive it is. We will probably cancel cable and stream all of our viewing options. 45. It is ridiculously expensive. We have the digital starter package (not fancy and no DVR) + internet from Comcast - which we have had for almost 12 years - and our cable and internet cost more than our combined heat and electric, even during some of winter months! If we had another option for high speed Internet that was reliable and affordable, I would probably drop the cable and switch in a heartbeat. Not a fan of Comcast and the monopoly they seem to have. 46. It is too expensive!! My internet and cable, which does not include premium channels, is over $200.00. They have also recently moved a movie entertainment channel, TCM, into a payed sports package tier. Customer service has always been incredibly poor, almost non-existent. The only other TV option, CenturyLink, is now only satellite based and I can't have a dish where I live. It's time for competition!!!! 47. It is way too expensive. 48. It really bothers me that Comcast upcharges for HDTV. It's like, welcome to 2020 when every single TV manufacturer makes only TVs with HDTV and higher. It's really backwards and cheap. This is also why we were cord cutters until recently. We don't usually watch cable unless it's live sports or we're renting a movie. 49. It would be nice if there were other choices than just COMCAST. They are so dominating and keep getting more and more expensive for less service. 50. It’s expensive. I would like to be able to add channels a la cart as I don’t watch very many. 51. It's expensive, and it's impossible to separate TV and internet services in a cost effective manner. Cable TV service is generally reliable, but the internet service that is bolted onto the cable service is terrible and rarely provides promised/advertised speeds.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 4 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 100
NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued):
52. It's much too expensive and they did a bait-and-switch, jacking up my rates. I'm going to cancel because of that. 53. It's over-priced for what it is. Customer service is not very good. Would prefer other options and more competition with carriers. 54. It's ridiculously expensive 55. It's very expensive relative to the number of channels that we actually watch. We are actively searching for alternatives to cable. 56. It's way too expensive. If another cable company comes along with a cheaper rate that offers the same channel line-up without losing anything, and are reliable, I would switch. However, I would not switch to a satellite service no matter what. 57. It's way too expensive. If something else came out that gave me the reliability of cable and all of the channels I watch, I would switch. 58. Lack of specific choice, cost, changes in cost over time, inability to get changes to my service without going through a great deal of trouble - obviously purposeful to keep people from making changes or cancelling. I also don't like the limitations on choice of cable companies. It should be an open market. 59. Need to control the sound when you change the channel. The screen will freeze up every now and then. Why don’t they have Senior rates? Prices are way to high 60. Occasionally I lose the signal on my 2nd TV. I wish I could pay for only the channels I want to watch. Cost is too high and there is little competition. The salesforce is sometimes difficult to understand and confusing on what they offer. 61. Often, I turn on a TV and the feed is not available, so I have no cable TV that I paid for. Then, I have to unplug all of my cable boxes and let the feed re-establish. This stinks as after a long day, I make dinner, sit down to eat, and turn on the TV, and nothing. I can eat dinner before my service comes back. This is a consistent issue and the only resolution is unplugging and plugging-in. 62. Our cable goes out often, the price is too high. Often times it is very difficult to understand the agent helping at customer service over the phone. It is very frustrating. Too bad Comcast has to outsource to other countries, we should be giving Americans jobs. The last few times I have called for customer service, either internet out or cable out, they have been very patient and try to be helpful. Unfortunately often times it takes 1-5 people to talk with to solve the problem. In my brick townhouse complex we don’t get any reception without cable, so Comcast has us over a barrel. 63. Our current service through Xfinity is very disappointing. With frequent interruptions in service (streaming/live TV) the experience has caused us to not use many features due to dissatisfaction, but yet we still pay for the service we no longer use. 64. Our service often goes in and out. We pay for basic cable only as it is too expensive especially with internet. Plus it is easy now a days to just use things like Netflix and chrome cast. 65. Outrageously expensive and issues with cable feed too often. 66. Packages of offerings seem less than great. The costs for even the most basic packages seems high. Weird to have multiple places where the same exact channel shows up. 67. 1. Paying for duplicate channels. 2. Prices are way too high when you bundle and even more so if you try to go al carte. 3. Costs extra for HD. 4. If you try to get rid of the cable tv portion, the price of phone and internet are almost equal to paying for all three bundled.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 5 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 101
NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued):
68. Prices are way out of line in today's marketplace and customer service of Comcast/Xfinity is always terrible: illiterate people staffing the phone line, vague explanations or blaming the government for rising prices, unexplained price increases year over year approaching 10%. 69. Prices are way too high, service is spotty, at best, and customer service is the worst we have experienced from any provider of any service in over 50 years. Most annoying, however, is that Comcast's cable service is constantly, and without warning, going dark and then re-loading; this happens 3-5 times per week in most weeks; once the service goes out, it takes 5-10 minutes to restore and re- load. We have tried to get answers from Comcast as to why this disruption of service happens so frequently, and get absolutely no reasonable answers or response, if they respond at all. We are seriously exploring other options for cable service, primarily because Comcast has absolutely no regard for the quality of its services or its customers; they just do not care. Exclusive franchising agreements with municipalities, including with St. Louis Park, seems to be the driving force behind Comcast's utter disregard of and for its customers. The entire franchising relationship reflects badly upon the leadership in St. Louis Park. 70. 1. Prices are way too high whether you bundle or try to go ala carte. 2. Having to pay extra for HD. 3. Having to renegotiate your contract every year. (If you don't, your pkg. price sky rockets without notice.) 4. Too many duplicate channels, of which we're paying for. 71. Prices keep going up and up even when they say they won't. It's frustrating seeing deals for new customers when long-time loyal customers need to keep paying more and more. 72. Prices keep going up too fast and content not improved 73. Prices keep going up. Without warning, they stop one of the 5 channels we actually watch (i.e. Turner Classic movies). The lack of choice and shear abundance of crap shows that are bundled into the package deals, is astonishing. I have said for 10 years to my spouse, Comcast essentially has a monopoly in our market so they dictate all programming and the price tag associated with the packages. Competition would be a beautiful thing. Soon as the streaming services start adding news & sports, Comcast will be thrown on the trash heap of arrogant monopolies because they did not care about the VOC--Voice of customer. Instead they just set the table and made us eat whatever they were serving whether it was palatable or not. 74. Prices rise monthly!! 75. Rates have gotten out of hand 76. Rates seem too high and cannot eliminate channels do not want 77. Renegotiating prices each year is so crazy, it seems Comcast can boost your monthly fee with no real reason. I’m on a fixed budget and I need internet, at present I do not need a fast speed so I get the minimum speed and basic TV package which comes to $76 a month. I cannot get any cheaper pkg. I can do without the TV so last year I wanted just the basic internet and not the TV and they said it would be the same price!!!! I know others in St Louis Park have just internet and pay $50 a month, why do I have to go through all this hassle. I heard US Internet was in SLP and sounds like folks like it if they have it in their area, I would drop Comcast in a minute if it was here or if Comcast would charge $50 for internet only I would think about it! We need more options and less price hiking. Renegotiating each year with Comcast is so stressful and I feel I’m being taken advantage of! 78. Sometimes the quality of the picture is disappointing. 79. The biggest concern I have with Comcast's cable TV service is it is way too expensive. There ought to be a different pricing structure so that one could pick and choose.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 6 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 102
NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued):
80. The cost of cable is getting out of hand. About to cut the cord. And go with antenna. 200.00 plus 60.00 from century link eats lot of the budget for the senior citizens we have in this city. 81. The cost of having both internet and cable is ridiculous! - Especially now that there are so many other options (e.g., Hulu, Netflix, etc.). Comcast is very arrogant and will not compete on price or will not lower the pricing due to being a LOYAL customer. I wish there were many more options for a service provide other than the two that are available in St. Louis Park. Someone in the City needs to negotiate rates much lower with Comcast. 82. The cost! 83. The price is outrageous, we are thinking of dumping xfinity or Comcast for streaming. They really don’t have affordable plans 84. The pricing is unfair and the rate of increases are always well above the rate of inflation. The service of Comcast is unbelievably bad. I have had incorrect charges on bills and have spent hours on the phone getting corrections made. They also use deceitful marketing and constantly do something different then what you are told on the phone. They do not provide easy access to your cable contract online nor are they transparent about all of the services they provide online. If it weren’t for the yearly insert where they are required to list all of their services I would never know these costs by viewing their online site. If we had other internet service providers outside of CenturyLink like, for example, USI available to all of St Louis Park I would use that and sign up for YouTube TV or HULU instead of having to waste my time with Comcast. 85. The rates are too high and they do not offer a variety of packages to select from that are of interest that are at different price points You have to take a premium package to get sports channels. They always have the cable pricing dependent on what other bundled services that you will subscribe to. For instance, I have heard and read on Nextdoor of individuals that have Comcast internet service only for $50, however if you try to change from an expensive cable package and want to go down to just a basic cable package and Internet, Comcast raises the rate of the internet to $65-$70 because you no longer want to pay for their expensive cable package.. I also really dislike the fact that their rates are not published, they want you to commit to two year contracts to give you a good rate, and every time you call in after the contract expires they are always offering you a deal that is better than you had before to hook you. I wish that SLP had US Internet. Their prices seem are much better. Having the Comcast office in SLP is of little help. They can't negotiate price or discontinue service. They tell you that you must call the 800 number. I had a terrible experience with CenturyLink and their billing practices when we subscribed to their Prism TV and internet in around 2015, so I would never recommend that company. I completed the form on the Attorney general's website for reimbursement from CenturyLink. We need more choices or a city rate for internet and cable. 86. The rates are too high for what you receive. We are forced to pay for channels we don't want and or enjoy. There is often a duplication within the channel lineup and the movies are old, stale and repeated beyond belief. I also feel the city (YOU) charge more than you should for this monthly billing. It's all greed built upon greed. 87. The rates are too high, we are nickeled and dimed for everything (not sure why we have to pay a fee for local channels and it is the customers responsibility for making sure they are getting the lowest rate, the cable company never passes the savings onto clients.... 88. There are intermittent broadcast problems, often in the morning about 7:30, where the sound drops out for 15 - 20 sec. so continuity of speech is lost and often context of sentence is lost. It is too annoying to pursue the issue that early in our wake up cycle.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 7 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 103
NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued):
89. There are too many "filler" channels that I never watch and do not want to pay for. HD content is barely HD and certainly nowhere near Blu-Ray quality like they have advertised in the past. Equipment fees are FAR too expensive, monthly service prices are extraordinarily overpriced, and the overall number of taxes, fees, surcharges is awful. They rely on you to sign up under a limited time deal then your bill doubles or triples once that special ends. At that point you are forced to call in and pretend to want to cancel to get your pricing back to near what it was. The amount of hoops and hassle you have to deal with to lower your bill is daunting. 90. There really isn't very good options, costs are excessive, leaves little options for customers. 91. They are fleecing us. 92. They charge too much for what we get. I would like it if we could pay per channel that we use. We get many channels that we don't even like to watch. I think they keep raising their prices "because they can" and nothing will happen to the company. 93. Think it’s overpriced for what you get. Would be fantastic if could do a la carte to get the channels I would want and not the ones I don’t (like the home shopping channels). 94. Three things: 1.) When things are working they're OK. But three or four times a year or more we experience a temporary outage, Sometimes these are for an hour, more often the outage is for several hours or longer. We don't get any credit on our bill for the time we couldn't the service. 2.) Customer service on the phone is often an ordeal. You have to jump through so many hoops before you can talk to a human being. Comcast likes it that way so people give up. Comcast really needs to do better. 3.) It costs too much. Comcast bundles these stations and don't allow the customer's a chance to pick and choose what they want. Comcast pays a bundle for sports programs. OK but I almost never watch sports on the TV, and never on ESPN or premium sports channels, yet I have to subsidize those who do. In January Comcast made Turner Classic Movies a premium channel and bundled it with their sports package--or something like that. Why couldn't they have bundled it with an entertainment package? If Comcast continues to do this there will come a day when I'll ditch Comcast cable TV and go with Hulu or some other streaming service. If Comcast would allow customers to bundle our channels in a way that's useful to us and let us pay a more manageable price, I'd stick with them. I don't need hundreds of channels I never watch. 95. To watch my favorite Turner Classic Movies I have to subscribe to a sports package I have absolutely no interest in and NEVER watch. I want ala carte selection. And the speed of my internet varies widely from over 400 MB to lately more often 90MB 96. too costly 97. too costly 98. Too expensive 99. Too expensive 100. too expensive 101. Too expensive thinking of canceling it. 102. Too expensive. 103. Too expensive. 104. Very poor customer service and over charging the customer, increasing the bills every month, please don’t renew Comcast contracts because they are screw-in the customer
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 8 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 104
NEGATIVE COMMENTS (continued):
105. Way too expensive! 106. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!! They are constantly raising their costs without notification. 107. Way too expensive. Should be able to pick only the channels that you want. I call approximately monthly with reception issues and receive no credits. They are bad but who would be better? 108. We always lose service when it is hot. Comcast has come to try to fix the problem, but nothing permanently fixes it. We now unplug the cable box when we are not watching TV, which seems to help. 109. We care more about the internet portion of our Comcast service. We find Comcast expensive for what we get overall and have had them fail to show up on two occasions for in-home service appointments without any communication that they couldn’t make it. TV service is a low priority at our home. We would happily dump them if a viable alternative was available (last we checked, CenturyLink was pushing satellite service and phone lines - neither of which we see as an improvement). 110. We had poor picture quality on a couple of the weaker channels. The screen would break up in tiles. This challenge seems to be addressed at this time. When I try to go to a non HD channel 5, 2, 7, etc. the cable goes to channel 25 which I do not receive in my package. I then cannot connect with the non HD Channel. 111. We only subscribe because we have no choice of getting internet any other way. We have consistently seen prices go up and the quality or service decline both technically and interns of variety offered. I have tried to downgrade the TV service to internet only, but they say we are not allowed to do that. The Cable TV was out for the better part of two months recently when a tree branch fell on a wire. We had several technicians out during the time. After telling me the problem was in the house for weeks, they finally sent a crew manager out and said that when the previous repair people were out, they hooked it up to the wrong input. I had to pressure the company to not charge me for the days that we did not have service, and even then they did not refund the full amount for when we did not have service. We would switch out, but were told by a company representative that we could not downgrade. We need Internet because we work from home, so cancelling is not an option. We would like it if we had more choice. The current monopoly is horrible. 112. We primarily have Comcast for internet. We have the same old copper wire that we received 30+ years ago. The only thing Comcast is consistent at is increasing their rates. We have broadband in a city in another part of MN that gives us almost 10X the speed for $47/mo., so we know it can be provided at a much less expensive model. Why not let multiple companies compete with newer technologies and get rid of the high priced monopoly model? 113. We subscribe to Comcast's Basic TV plan. I don't understand why their "Broadcast Fee" has increased every year since they added this fee. This can't be due to updates, etc. Reception has NOT gotten any better. Along with that...these basic channels we receive, are not filling our high resolution TV set screens. Most of the movies/shows, do not show the whole image at all...cutting off parts of the show and even cutting out advertising phone numbers that aren't being displayed in whole. And yet...both "Basic TV" (without a cable box), and "Broadcast Fee" have just been increased again! 114. Were not able to help us over the phone and long wait for in-home service 115. What is most frustrating to me is that they have you on 2 year agreement and they increase your payment by another $60-$80 and force you to call and renegotiate and still raise the rates another $20. I will most likely switch over to streaming and use my digital antenna for the local channels when my contract is up. 116. When contract is up in July I will be cutting the cord. Comcast is a bad company to work with. Wish we had more internet services to go to as the two we have are becoming too expensive for someone like me older and on a budget.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 9 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 105
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE (OR NEUTRAL) COMMENTS:
1. As a senior on fixed income any increases in cost of service could be beyond my budget. So cost is very important to me. 2. Better internet options are needed that provide better pricing. What's happened to expansion of US Internet? 3. Comcast has improved in both service and responsiveness over the past few years. Prices (and options) still seem high, however. 4. Cutting the cable. Going to stream only and free programs only. City should get out of cable. Need cheaper internet service. 5. How long would I have to not be a subscriber before I would be eligible for the new subscriber rates which are less than what a long-time subscriber pays? 6. I am happy to be back with Comcast/Xfinity but the pricing is a disaster. It should not cost so much to have this local service. Thank you! 7. I enjoy the offerings of Xfinity/Comcast but one wanting sports always pays for higher coverage. I wish T.V. could become like a "cafeteria", where one only pays for what one actually watches. Otherwise, it just costs too much. 8. I find the pricing and options confusing and it’s difficult to find out what you need and how to get it installed or changed. However, the cable service is far superior to that of the St Louis Park City Council which never listens to any neighborhood or homeowner. Comcast would do a better job running the city. At least you would get what you pay for which you cannot say about your property taxes. 9. I have not had to call for TV service recently, I am able to get most of my answers done online 10. I have started "cutting the cord" since I get the information and programming I want from streaming services. 11. I wish you could customize the service that fits your needs. I understand that there can't be endless choices, but it would be nice if there some customizable options. 12. I would be very excited to transfer to a higher capacity internet connection. 13. I would like it cheaper. 14. I would like more options for cable television service providers. I find it unreasonable that I have only have 2 choices for cable providers. 15. I would like to see individual selectivity of channels rather than having to choose packages. I would think that the bargaining power of the council would allow for some pressure in this area. Ala carte channel choices, more flexibility in pricing, more cable or internet choices to break up the monopoly over these services. I am aware that the infrastructure investments made by these companies is substantial but we as residents should have more choice in this time of multiple providers who could provide services with a greater range of choices and better quality at a reduced price. If multiple small cities would band together and negotiate with these services, the possibilities for improved access and lower prices would be even more likely. 16. I'd love to have a local number for tech support. We've had a few unusual occurrences with TV lately. 17. I'll be cancelling my cable TV service with my next renewal. Our household simply doesn't watch cable TV anymore. 18. I'm exploring cutting the cable and using online opportunities to watch TV. 19. It would be nice to have more channels in the basic plan. 20. It's my second largest bill each month, after only my car payment. I often wonder if it's worth the money I spend.
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 10 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 106
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE (OR NEUTRAL) COMMENTS:
21. Keep cost down instead of going up every six months 22. Let me choose what channels I want 23. Likely will change plan or service after annual contract expires. 24. Most of the channels repeat the same movies several times a week, and the same movies every week. Laziness in the variety of movies presented. History channel is the only quality channel. If you want a channel, have to subscribe to a package of programs you don’t want. Example they changed Turner Classic Movies channel to be combined with the sports channel - you figure. 25. My only issue is when there are cable box issues it seemed to take a very long time this summer to get resolution and while we were promised something it took my husband several calls before it get resolved and we actually got the equipment we actually needed. In general when you get hold of a client service person they are helpful but it may take several calls and at times it felt like the answer was always turn your equipment on and off again to solve the issue. We have historically had best service with Comcast versus Century Link 26. Please bring fiber to give us more choices, especially if we want to “cut the cord.” 27. Reliable and costly. 28. The cable service I have is very reliable and fast with excellent quality. Customer service is very prompt, professional, courteous and friendly. Prices are higher compared to the competitors. 29. The only reason I still have cable is to get local info. Will cut the cable this summer for good. Everything getting too expensive both cable and internet. St Louis Park should have keep it Internet service. 30. The price is exorbitant but it is that way with all cable and dish networks from the research I have done. I wish there were competition in our area for cable but I don’t think that is allowed. Right now we can afford it but I know there will be a time soon when we will not. 31. The sound, picture, and reliability are fine. The only issue I have is price. It simply is very, very costly to have cable. 32. Too expensive, but convenient 33. We debated "cutting the cord" this winter, but when we analyzed the cost of internet and the streaming services we would want to replace cable, it was almost cost neutral, and we decided not to move forward for now. 34. We like the DVR service. We would like more options for 'packages' that allow for selection of a smaller number of channels we can watch as we use 5% of the channels we pay for and would like to pay less. 35. We only have cable TV because basic cable comes with an internet subscription. 36. We use Comcast and it is fine, we stream most of our TV, but have the local channels / main channels because the package was cheaper than strictly internet. Comcast seems to have a monopoly on the market, and you begin to feel trapped into using them. 37. Wish it was cheaper if you don't have the movie or sports channels 38. Would prefer to have less bundling of channels, and pricing that does not require phone service to get the best pricing on cable TV. We have stopped calling for service, instead we go to Ridgedale office of Comcast and talk with someone in person. It takes less time, we get better service and more accurate pricing options. 39. You keep raising the franchise fee it and one other fee was raised over 50%, the TV board for the cities is not doing their job!!
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 11 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 107
POSITIVE COMMENTS:
1. Comcast has always been helpful and prompt in answering our questions. We dropped cable for a few years to save money but returned a few months ago. It's streaming and works beautifully. 2. Comcast provides very good service and a quality product. Please DO NOT consider Media com. They are historically awful. Everyone I know that has them is very dissatisfied. 3. I appreciate all of the sports channels, and I like that I can watch TV shows that I missed. I also appreciate how I can record programs and skip through commercials when I do so. 4. I attend computer buddies at Lenox and appreciate that John McHugh records activities at the Senior Center and especially that he records student concerts. I think this is a great contribution for seniors who are not able to attend in person. 5. I have used Comcast for 8 years and they have provided quality service over this entire time and I just renewed for another 2 years. 6. I think Comcast is a good cable service provider. However I would like the ability to select the channels I want and not have to pay for channels I don't watch. I also believe the franchise fees are nothing but a tax on subscribers and simply another large source of revenue for the city. 7. It's OK. We just get basic cable service. 8. I've been a long time customer for about 20+ yrs. I trust them! I had Direct TV at one time and never again. I went back to Comcast. Customer service is awesome, they listen, explain things and are never in a hurry to go to their next stop until I understand things. You are the best! 9. Our Comcast rep Lewis was very responsive and helpful. 10. They’ve come numerous times and have been very helpful. 11. Very reliable
APPENDIX 3a – PAGE 12 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 108
APPENDIX 3b
Questionnaire Open-Ended Responses: Comments about ParkTV Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 109
OPEN-ENDED ANSWERS TO SURVEY QUESTION: “Provide any additional comments about ParkTV programming and services.”
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE (OR NEUTRAL) COMMENTS:
1. Cable is going to decline further and the online application will become ever more vital. Please expand access online (still charge providers to subsidize!!). 2. Can local non-profit organizations (JCI Hopkins) utilize this service? 3. Comcast is not a good partner. We should look literally anywhere else. 4. Do not need it myself 5. Does anyone really watch this? 6. Don't watch it very often except briefly for High School sports games. 7. Glimpse occasionally 8. Haven't watched any City Council meetings since we dumped Comcast. Will try YouTube or maybe the city website. Miss them. 9. I "know of" ParkTV, but that was pretty much the extent of my knowledge. I thought it was just city council meetings broadcasted, etc. 10. I could watch it more if it was provided over antenna! 11. I did not know the ParkTV programs are on YouTube but I am unsure of the delay to watch them there. 12. I didn't know about the YouTube content, but will check it out now. 13. I do want to be aware of what's happening in the city but I would use YouTube channel instead of cable to watch ParkTV 14. I don’t have Comcast or direct TV and have been streaming my cable/tv for the past 5yrs. I had PS Vue and have recently switched to Hulu TV. I would watch ParkTV if it was available through an app to stream or if it was available on local TV with just the antenna. 15. I have had no TV signal for past 15 years. I used to tape the city council meetings in the 1990s & watched on my VCR at the time. 16. I just attended the meeting with the "Buske" group about the renewal process/Comcast. It was informative; but, a bit disappointing in terms of learning that no other company is in the bidding process for a contract w/ the city. Whether or not the city outlets for media are used more robustly or not; we all will pay a great deal more than we do now. Unless local businesses get involved/donate services; or, have them barter equipment goods and what not, I don't see it being the digital panacea they promise. Q: Will I watch ParkTV in the future? There are already too many outlets begging for my time. Would I help in the endeavors of others with my background? Yes. 17. I only recently became aware of ParkTV and had not been aware that they streamed any content live.
APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 1 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 110
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE (OR NEUTRAL) COMMENTS (continued):
18. I think CCX is a great model and example of great local content... would be glad to discuss further. I worked at CCX for four years, spent a year at KARE and many other stations over the years. Think increasing quality of content would really increase engagement. 19. I usually don't think about watching it. 20. I wasn't aware of services available. I may pursue in near future. In terms of what is available and what might be done for various non-profits I am involved in. Overall, I believe this is a modern service that the city must continue to support. It needs to be more prominent on the SLP home page. 21. I watched SLP government programs and some concerts until I tossed Comcast out. I would run across such programming while surfing TV channels. Now, I hardly ever think about them. And basically don't watch anymore. 22. I wished I watched more of Park TV when I had cable; I wish Park TV was available on over the air broadcast TV and I would watch it more. 23. I would love to be able to watch ParkTV programming with a satellite. We don't subscribe to any cable service, but we are able to stream the basic channels (ABC, NBC, etc.) with a satellite booster. 24. If this is not already happening, a mailing or email with a list of services provided on ParkTV and the places they are accessible online (YouTube, city website, etc.) would be helpful for those who are not using cable services. 25. I'm aware of it, but I don't watch. I've only seen little clips here and there so I'm unsure which channels I see them on. It often looks like a meeting around a table, in a conference room OR talk show format. 26. I’ve seen them taping at a concert at the amphitheater once. 27. Never use it. 28. The program guide on cable does not really give a good description of what programs are on. It might be nice to have an email blast with the upcoming programs on a weekly basis. 29. Wasn't aware the channels could be watched on the internet. Would be nice if it could be over the air (antenna) TV. Get rid of the link / payment to Comcast. Cable is dead. 30. We had watched Park TV on Comcast. We dropped Comcast and subscribed to US Internet. 31. Wondering what the cost is to residents 32. would like to watch community education programs 33. Would love to see more programming like that on CCX media (Golden Valley), which produces stories on local issues, perspectives, and events with frequency.
APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 111
POSITIVE COMMENTS:
1. Found out about Park TV and recording programs from John McHugh. John leads the senior computer buddies class at the Lenox Center. I find these videos very helpful and informative. 2. Good to have local viewing for events in SLP- thanks! 3. Good to know about creating our own program. 4. I am grateful for Park TV when they cover my community events like Give Back Day in November each year. 5. I am so grateful for your sports coverage! My parents can watch our daughter play even though they live hours away! 6. I attend senior program computer buddies every week ([email protected]) hosts the meeting. It’s excellent and very helpful to me. I also attend music jam and John films that. 7. I believe this is important programming for St. Louis Park 8. I don't have children in school anymore, I don't belong to organizations that may benefit from using production facilities and so I don't have much need for the ParkTV programming and services. However, I do believe it provides a valuable service to the community. 9. I enjoy going back and watching old concerts I was in on YouTube 10. I enjoy watching the music concerts and bands that play at Wolf Park and the ROC. High school sports are nice to view occasionally as well. 11. I find being able to watch city council meetings very valuable. 12. I have produced 26 programs for The Park Theater Company: St. Louis Park's Community Theater's "Arts in the Park video magazine" since September 2017. The support and assistance of Park TV and its Community TV Coordinator, John McHugh, has been invaluable and instrumental in our initiative's successful objective to bring information about the arts and culture of St. Louis Park to a broader community audience. Park TV epitomizes the reality of "community access" and building community through the arts! 13. I liked being able to see the city council meeting where the concerns of my neighborhood were entirely ignored. The city council is NOT serving homeowners. 14. I love seeing the programming on the YouTube channel. The producers are very talented and professional. 15. I should avail myself of this great opportunity. 16. I’ve only lived here for a few years. I’m not entrenched in this community—yet. From what I have seen, the Park TV would be very valuable to someone who has lived here for years, grown up here, or has children in the SLP school district. 17. I'm glad it's there even though I don't watch it. Seems like a very good thing for the community. 18. It has good information and programming when I need or want it. 19. Keep up the great work!
APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 3 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 112
POSITIVE COMMENTS (continued):
20. Park TV does a great job. The YouTube channel will probably get the most usage over time compared to the other channels. 21. Thank you for broadcasting high school sports - that is my favorite part of ParkTV 22. The only time I have watched is for City Council candidate forums. Helpful for that! 23. We enjoy watching the local high school sporting events. The camera work is exceptional and it's great for family members who aren't able to come to the event. They are able to be a part of the community and enjoy the action. 24. We love it when you cover the BSM sports!! We wish we had better notice of when you will be there so we can get the announcement out to our families/friends!
APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 4 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 113
NEGATIVE COMMENTS:
1. Audio portion on council meetings is awful. You need to have each wear a mic. You can do better. Would watch more if we could hear it. 2. Dry at best. Sometimes informative. Annoying at worst. Channel 17 has the same three PSAs playing ad nauseam. And the information on the bulletin board is often out of date. Whoever programs this channel obviously doesn't spend any time actually watching it. Why are there tweets on the TV channels? With no pictures or video. Just links to content that I can't click. Tweets on TV are a terrible idea. If I want tweets, I'll go to twitter on my phone. Please stop doing this. It seems desperate and hackneyed. I'd rather that channel just have the weather and time info with music. That is at least relaxing and tolerable and offering info I can use. Channel 16's volume is too low and has been for a while. Some programs are barely audible. The program guides for all public channels are often incorrect. The programming on all channels seems lazy and unplanned. At one point over the holidays, two of the channels were just displaying a software splash screen. Seemed a tad unprofessional. A lot of the programming seems out of date. Someone on a program I was watching the other day mentioned that the governor was Jesse Ventura. That is stale. Please make fresh content. Please make content that isn't just someone lecturing me from the front of a room. It's just not interesting. I can't get channel 859, because we don't pay extra for HD. Thank you. 3. More training and guidance should be given to those producing ParkTV programs. I often find the audio and video quality very low and disappointing to watch - so I don't stay with the program very long. Even the big concerts - not sure who sets up the audio - but I found it to be very poor quality. 4. None of it is interesting. Boring content. Maybe exciting for our elderly population. But the programming is very dated and not relevant. 5. Park TV could be a valuable resource for many local programs but it needs a marketing effort. I have suggested in the past to have children's reading hour to kids can have books read to them that they may not have at home because parents are busy. A nice calm alternative to cartoons a craft show with demos and tours of local artists. And so on and so forth. 6. ParkTV is a legacy method of presenting community content and is not a compelling service for community engagement. 7. Park TV needs to offer a program listing to users. Currently it is a "oh gee what is on'? I would like to know when council meetings or citizen advisory meetings are held and televised. Would like to know when it will be replayed if missed. 8. Quality is uneven. Sometimes the sound is difficult to hear. The amount of youth sports is ridiculous and the announcing is brutal. 9. The low quality of the school board meetings is extremely distracting. 10. The programs have way too many white people. Look at Minneapolis programs they are very diverse. 11. The sound on the council meetings is terrible. 12. You need to promote your services better.
APPENDIX 3c – PAGE 5 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 114
APPENDIX 4
Notes from Focus Group Brainstorming Sessions Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 115 BRAINSTORMING NOTES – ST. LOUIS PARK January 22-23, 2020
Question 1 -- What are the key local issues facing the City of St. Louis Park, local community organizations, and schools in the next ten years?
Focus Group 1: Local Government (January 22) Housing affordability Transportation (especially light rail) Climate change/resilience Meaningful inclusion Staying competitive in the marketplace Competitive schools Small business retention, especially by people of color, women, and veterans Consistent funding streams Youth development activities/leadership Maintaining and financing infrastructure Public safety Increased funding for neighborhood associations City newsletters for neighborhood associations Hyperlocal communications Inclusivity re neighborhood associations Recycling participation Ability to communicate with renters Voter turnout in municipal elections Understanding how we can pursue Smart City goals Sophisticated technology achieved through franchise renewal Arts & cultural uplifting Redevelopment issues Charging stations throughout the city for electric vehicles Transportation options need to be readily available Keep property taxes low Engagement of homebound residents
Focus Group 2: Public (January 22) Impact of light rail Climate change Inclusion and access for all citizens Population growth Education – maintaining/improving schools Affordable housing Health care – quality, affordability Including city’s strategic plan elements in cable community needs assessment Public safety Aging infrastructure Keep recreational opportunities available and affordable Business growth in an online era Pollution remediation
APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 1 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 116 Focus Group 2: Public (January 22 -- continued) Ground contamination in new developments Maintenance of local parks Aging population Education of/for all citizens Awareness of local religious and nonprofit organizations
Focus Group 3: Education (January 23) Digital divide Lack of funding to address digital divide Light rail Multi-family housing Road construction Need for gathering spaces Expanding diversity in S. Louis Park Getting people interested in engagement with others Affordable housing Bikeways Water Sidewalks Aging population Aging in place Job opportunities Climate change School quality Watersheds Recycling Alternatives to salt on streets Keeping schools up to date technologically More participation needed by minorities in media and governing boards of local organizations Lack of diversity (and involvement by diverse groups) Need for platforms to obtain community input Maximize benefits through cable franchise renewal Who defines state of the art?
APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 117 Question 2 -- What makes it difficult to effectively communicate with residents and those you need to reach?
Focus Group 1: Local Government (January 22) Information overload / clutter People stay in their own information “bubble” / echo chamber Lack of relationships and social capital Distrust of government Engagement of community – people don’t care Does it matter to engage? Technology equity Problems with mail delivery Access to technology tools Costs associated with modern communications technologies Lack of city revenues to address equity concerns Absence of robust partnership between the city and nonprofit organizations regarding access to technology Language and cultural barriers Difficult to get a representative sample for surveys Barriers to engagement Need expansion by the city to use current communications tools Affordable childcare to free up time to engage in community activities Early evening meetings need food available for participants Privacy concerns with technology Hard to connect with visitors and non-residents Transmission of inaccurate information via social media and the impact of it Internal city “culture” (“This is how we do things here”) Establishing relevance Limited subscribership to local newspaper Expectations and follow-through of/by the city Scheduling, pacing and options for public input to the city council City website needs to be more user-friendly Focus Group 2: Public (January 22) So many channels, media outlets People have many different ways that they get information Language differences Cost Lack of internet access Lack of media skills People don’t know how to get information People expect information to be delivered to them with little or no effort on their part Poor media “etiquette” People are busy Spam is making people ignore some information sources How to identify dated information Apathy Lack of a directory of needed information, contact information Lack of a “TV Guide” for community programming APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 3 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 118
Focus Group 3: Education (January 23) Current community media center location in high school No incentive for people to get together People spend a lot of time on their phones High school radio station was closed Who decided how to define “state of the art?” Short attention span Information overload Language barriers Technological limitations Community uses multiple platforms Issues are complex Funding mechanisms are difficult to understand Marketing challenges Rapid rate of technological change
APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 4 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 119 Question 3 -- How would you like to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable system?
Focus Group 1: Local Government (January 22) Uplifting shows about people who are doing good in St. Louis Park Volunteer opportunities (what & how to engage) Youth training Entrepreneurial opportunities Media-related apprenticeships School programs/sports Local government meeting coverage Recycling and sustainability programs for multiple platforms Programs to address all five city strategic goals All PEG access channels in HD 4K channels for PEG access Streaming of PEG access programs on multiple platforms How to use light rail Trails that are ready for use Flooding risks Free activities How cable fees are used Voting procedures Focus Group 2: Public (January 22) Regular, high quality programs about solar energy Programs to illustrate city’s comprehensive plan Content in multiple platforms Interactive town halls with local officials Programs on YouTube Public service announcements on PEG access channels and inserted on many cable channels Drones Fire safety/prevention League of Women Voters events/programs “Boring” programs (stationary hawk nest viewing camera, fireplace, etc.) Live images of area locations (e.g., processing site for organic recycling)
Focus Group 3: Education (January 23) Programs in many languages Light rail construction Multi-family housing Road construction Local “newscast” Bike lanes (connect the parks) Short videos about community activities Diverse music programming Programs derived from the strategic goals of the City Educational programming for the homebound Programs not produced in 30-minute blocks APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 5 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 120
Focus Group 3: Education (January 23 -- continued) Neighborhood association programs City YouTube Local business profiles Programs about St. Louis Park attractions Storm information/alerts Programs about the Water Plant and other City projects City’s parks, community centers, infrastructure, services Council meetings School Board meetings Youth sports Watershed issues Planning Commission meetings Candidates’ debates Local history St. Louis Park activities Cultural education, activities, celebrations Live police activities Recycling – and where does it go? Searchable archive of community programming Chamber of Commerce types of programs Leverage PEG funds to create other types of social good Develop ways to “monetize” community media programs and services Missing persons Missing pets Stolen property
APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 6 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 121
Question 4 -- What would make it easier to use the community access channels, ParkTV, a community media center, or the cable system?
Focus Group 1: Local Government (January 22) More effective use of current communication tools Community media center Better home for media equipment than current school facility Collaborations with local nonprofit organizations and schools Funding to support collaborative media ventures Accessibility of a media center (e.g., at the Rec Center) Involvement of all schools (not only public schools) Classes on better use of smart phones Online for-credit classes in media Partnership with PCs for People Collaboration with neighboring community media centers (e.g., SPNN in St. Paul) All PEG access channels in HD 4K channels for PEG access Streaming of PEG access programs on multiple platforms Ability to access wi-fi hotspots More hotspots Availability of local ads about PEG access on cable channels Trade one PEG access channel for inclusion of community channels on Comcast’s streaming packages Having media/tech resources available Large monitors at gathering sites PEG access videos shown at gas stations Maintaining currency with latest technology (video and internet) High-speed internet for all economic levels More 4K programming Uncompressed video on cable channels Easier to contact a customer service representative on the phone Customer service metrics
Focus Group 2: Public (January 22) Electronic program guide for all PEG access channels Technical equity for PEG access channels Local programming on multiple platforms Availability of PEG access PSAs on local ad avail time Drones for PEG access State of the art equipment for PEG access Free and low-cost training for PEG access Better promotion and marketing of local PEG access More PEG access channels Better robo-call blocking Senior discount
APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 7 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 122
Focus Group 3: Health, Human Service, and Wellness Organizations and Agencies (continued) Better promotion of ParkTV and its programs Programs in multiple languages Community Media Center with equipment for use by the community Community Media Center location that is easily accessible Comcast customer service representative who can speak Spanish (or language of the customer) Information about who to contact regarding poor customer service if you don’t get a printed bill from Comcast Customer service standards with remediation provisions Cable Advisory / Public Access oversight board A la carte channels for choice by the consumer Technology grant program Media communications facilities in library for public use Freelancers available to help create programs 4K camcorders Multi-platform availability of programs Don’t be locked into 30-minute time blocks Interactive technology for use in programming Searchable archive of programs Public-Private collaboration for community building Mobile network to deliver technology to those who need it Rules regarding how to use PEG channels/equipment More affordable to use media Maximize revenue generation from sources other than cable TV
APPENDIX 4 – PAGE 8 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 123
APPENDIX 5
ParkTV Local Programming Operations Questionnaire Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 124 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 125 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 126 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 127 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 128 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 129 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 130
DRAFT -- CONFIDENTIAL ParkTV FAQs
Expand/Contract Questions and Answers
Can I submit programs to show on ParkTV? If you live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park, you can submit programs to ParkTV for playback on the community television channel. Contact John McHugh at 952.924.2528 or [email protected] for more information.
How can I request a copy of a recorded event? To buy a recording of an event, email [email protected] or call 952.924.2635.
How can I watch the ParkTV channels if I don't have cable? Those without cable may watch any of the ParkTV channels at www.youtube.com/slpcable or at www.parktv.org.
We have a big performance or presentation coming up. Can you record it and show it on cable TV? Large events in St. Louis Park are suitable for multicamera production and are planned in advance by staff who cover ParkTV 16. To request a event or presentation to be recorded, contact Paul Broden at 952.924.2635 for more information. Sufficient advance notice is necessary.
What does ParkTV offer? ParkTV offers:
Answers about cable TV in St. Louis Park A/V equipment training appointments through Community Education Free equipment use to eligible people, resulting in TV programs playing on ParkTV 15 or 96 PSA playbacks for eligible organizations, displayed inbetween programs on ParkTV A/V equipment and production consulting and referrals ParkTV staff also help with the Senior Video Club and Senior Computer Buddies. Learn more about senior programs.
What equipment and facilities are available? The following equipment is available
Camcorders and editing Picture/object copy stand Tripods Lighting Audio equipment and accessories
https://www.stlouispark.org/our-city/stay-informed/parktv/parktv-faqs 1/2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 131
If reserved in advance, the high school TV studio can be used Tuesday - Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m., after pre- planning your production. TV studio multicamera taping requires a crew. Plan ahead; members of your organization can be trained as a crew.
Single camera use is also available.
Equipment/facility use, for eligible persons, is allowed after training or successful testing. Contact John McHugh at 952.924.2528 or [email protected] for more information.
What is required to use the city's video equipment? To use the city's video equipment, you must either take a Community Education video equipment class, or, if you have been trained elsewhere, pass a free proficiency test. A community education catalog is mailed to every home, three times each year. Information and registration also available on Community Education's website.
If you live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park, or want to produce a program for a St. Louis Park organization to which you belong, there is no charge for use of equipment.
Multiple checkouts for a single program require a program production plan. Your program must be completed and played, free of charge, on ParkTV channel 15. You may also use your own equipment and borrow accessories from ParkTV channel 15.
Where are you located, and when are you available? ParkTV staff is available at city hall Monday through Friday, by appointment. Staff often has appointments out of the building. Please contact John McHugh at 952.924.2528 or [email protected] to confirm availability or make an appointment.
Who should I contact to resolve issues or complaints with my cable company? To resolve any issues or complaints you have with your cable provider, contact them directly. As the franchise authority for both Comcast and CenturyLink, ParkTV staff can help if you have been unable to resolve issues or complaints with either provider.
Note: ParkTV staff can’t access your account information for either provider or resolve your problem directly; instead they will contact the cable companies on your behalf to help resolve issues.
Call 952.928.2856 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., if working with your cable provider has been unsuccessful.
https://www.stlouispark.org/our-city/stay-informed/parktv/parktv-faqs 2/2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 132
Community TV guidelines Instruction and equipment • Video equipment class registration and catalog listing is through St. Louis Park Schools Community Education program. Administration of the community TV department, channels, staff, equipment and facilities is done by the City of St. Louis Park.
• Reservation, checkout and use of video production equipment and facilities is limited to people who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park, and are registered with the community TV office, having received verifiable training and demonstrated proficiency in equipment operation. Staff and members affiliated with, and planning to produce for, a St. Louis Park-based organization and organizations whose client base is significantly composed of St. Louis Park residents may qualify.
• Reservation and use of equipment and facilities is handled by community TV staff and is subject to scheduling reflecting availability, prior project completion and eligibility. Terms and conditions of equipment checkout are specified on reservation/checkout forms.
• Production priorities are St. Louis Park topics, community TV projects and subjects of interest to eligible users.
• Community TV instruction/equipment guidelines have been established by the City of St. Louis Park. Community TV channels programming • Programs must be submitted by adults who complete a playback application form to go along with their video recording. If programs are submitted by a minor, the minor's parent/legal guardian must sign the form, acknowledging responsibility for compliance with community TV channels programming guidelines.
• Those who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park are eligible to submit programs. Non-resident applicants must submit a non-resident eligibility form.
• Non-original programs must be submitted, in-person, at city hall to community TV staff, by appointment. Regular, original series programming may be submitted by the eligible producer, by arrangement with staff.
• Up to four titles, covering up to eight weeks of playback, may be submitted at one time.
• Programs are produced using community TV video equipment by those who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park and are produced by community TV staff, or submitted by city staff for playback.
• When program module capacity is more than program playback applications, priority (in the following order) will be given to those applicants who live, work or attend school in St. Louis Park.
• Community TV's public service announcements (PSAs) between programs display St. Louis Park and state/county information that is edited by staff. PSAs may be submitted by eligible adults. Video recording format requirements Using an automated playback system, a program module consists of video server files scheduled by staff on channels 15 and 96. • Video cassette tapes submitted for playback must be S-VHS or VHS cassettes, recorded at the two-hour (SP) mode. - Format: There must be at least 10 seconds of video black immediately prior to the start of the program, and one minute of video black at the end of the program. - Single programs, which start near the head of the tape, are preferred. - Tapes with a copy-protection signal or copy prohibition identification cannot be accepted. - All submitted tapes are copied to DVDRW for playback on community TV, or the DVD mpeg file copied to a video server for playback.
St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 133
• Tapes must be labeled with the following typed or printed information: - Name of the program series, episode titles and numbers. - Audio format: channel of audio to be selected because of soundtrack/LTC/SAP or video inserts affecting HiFi audio track. - Program length: accurate total running time of the program. • All tapes submitted must meet the following signal quality requirements: - Audio signal: no consecutive minutes of audio program exceeding two VU (volume units.) Generally, the program must not have a distorted audio signal, compared to the average audio signal quality of the other programs on the channels. - Video signal: The image must be stable. There must not be any periods of erased signal. - There must not be any periods of frame rolling beyond an edit point. - There must not be any frame tearing exceeding five percent of total running time. - Any tracking error must be correctable at a single setting. - Signal deficiencies: Tapes with poor signal quality may be refused for playback. The applicant may submit a better quality copy for playback. - Video tape quality: The tape must not shed oxide and/or clog the heads of the playback machines. - The tape must not have damaged sections (creases or splices) which cause more than 1/3 of the frame to be distorted. Unformatted tapes may be declined, returned for formatting, or formatted as time allows. You may submit a maximum of five tapes. • DVDs may be submitted. - DVDs must not have any adhesive label. - DVDs have a maximum of one title. Each title must have the program start within the first 10 seconds of the recording. - DVDs with any “pre-roll” of color bars and tone, slate or countdown are discouraged. Your program can only appear after this real-time pre-roll has finished and may require your program to end early at the 29- or 59-minute mark. - DVDs with format problems may be declined for playback. Your DVD must be in “autoplay” format, or have a simple title “root” menu, not an interactive title menu. - Maximum of five DVDs may be submitted. - Most DVDs will have their mpeg file used for playback on our video server. • Our automated playback system displays screens of program descriptions and PSAs between programs. This information identifies the program that finished playing and the next program to appear. For this reason, a 60- minute program will have only the first 59 minutes played; a 30 minute will have only the first 29 minutes played. Programming guidelines • No lottery information, obscenity (by community standards), advertising/solicitation of funds or misinformation is allowed in community TV channels programming.
• A person submitting a program which contains graphic, objectionable and/or offensive segments, more suited to coincide with the cable operator's adult programming hours (10 p.m. – 4 a.m.) is responsible for informing community TV about such program content.
• All community TV channel programming is scheduled by staff, reflecting availability determined by staff. A video program not produced in St. Louis Park, or by the submitter, may be scheduled no more than twice in 12 months. Program series episodes may be scheduled no more than twice in two months.
• Applicants submitting programming to community TV accept responsibility for the program content and responsibility for real or perceived copyright violations. All submitted programs shall have public contact info, which ParkTV includes in the program description.
• Applicants who arrange for a scheduled program time or program series time, must supply the program recording(s) prior to the first day of the program module it is scheduled. Currently, program modules start at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 134
• Applicants are responsible for timely distribution and pickup of video recordings, and community TV will incur no expense in these matters.
• A person submitting programming agrees to comply with community TV's guidelines. Failure to comply may result in loss of scheduled program time on the channels and/or equipment/facility user opportunities.
• Community TV equipment will be used for production of programs for playback on community TV and not for profit-making or revenue-generating functions.
• Cable TV channels are simultaneously streamed as internet video channels on www.parktv.org and www.stlouispark.org. Eligible adults submitting programs affirm that these additional playbacks do not conflict with any program copyright restrictions.
• The guidelines for community TV channels operation are approved by the City of St. Louis Park, MN.
Contact John McHugh 952.924.2528 [email protected]
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Page 135 Title: Comcast franchise renewal update
Community TV non-resident eligibility form
Applicant name: ______Email: ______Home phone: ______Work phone: ______Street address: ______City: ______State: ______ZIP code: ______
Eligibility options Check one and complete the information below.
☐ I work in St. Louis Park. Business: ______Street address: ______City: ______State: ______ZIP code: ______Email: ______Phone number: ______Work reference: ______
☐ I attend school in St. Louis Park. School: ______Street address: ______City: ______State: ______ZIP code: ______Email: ______Phone number: ______School reference: ______
☐ I am a member of a St. Louis Park community organization for which I want to produce a program. Organization: ______Street address: ______City: ______State: ______ZIP code: ______Email: ______Phone number: ______Organization reference: ______
Applicant signature: ______Date: ______
Date: ______TV 15/96: ______
St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 136
Community TV channel playback application Applicant name: ______Email: ______Home phone: ______Work phone: ______Street address: ______City: ______State: ______ZIP code: ______Organization: ______Series name: ______
Program number Title Length
Scheduling request: ______
☐ Some program content may not be suitable for children. This program should be played during TV96 adult program hours. ☐ This program(s) may be excerpted as examples to promote community TV programming. Video program public contact information: ______Scheduled: ______Statement of responsibility and compliance In submitting this program, I acknowledge my responsibility for program content of this video recording and I acknowledge that: 1. No lottery information, obscenity (by community standards), advertising/solicitation of funds, or misinformation is allowed in community TV programming. 2. Applicants submitting programming for community TV accept all responsibility for real or perceived copyright violations. 3. A person submitting programming agrees to accept community TV's programming guidelines. A copy of the guidelines is available upon request. 4. The program is not for commercial purposes. 5. I accept responsibility for all claims arising out of the cablecasting of the program I am presenting and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Community TV, its directors, officers and staff, the City of St. Louis Park, its commissioners and staff against any such claims arising out of the program I am presenting or any breach of this statement of compliance. 6. If playback applicant is under 18 years old, an application must be completed by his/her parent or legal guardian, for responsibility and compliance. 7. An eligible applicant who doesn't live in St. Louis Park, MN must complete and submit a non-resident eligibility form. 8. www.parktv.org cable TV channels are simultaneously streamed as internet video channels. Eligible adults submitting programs affirm that these additional playbacks do not conflict with any program copyright restrictions. 9. Non-original programs must be submitted, in-person, at City Hall community TV, by appointment. Regular, original series programming may be submitted by the eligible producer, by arrangement with staff. Up to four titles, for up to eight weeks of playback, may be submitted at one time. Titles may be either a SD MPEG2 video file (720x480) using mpeg 1 layer II (mp2)
Applicant signature: ______Date: ______
Contact: John McHugh, 952.924.2528, [email protected]
St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 137
Community TV program series guidelines
• Series editions are scheduled at a regular time in three-day (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) or four-day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday) modules on community TV cable TV channels. • The editions are 59 minutes or less in length. Editions longer than 59 minutes cannot be assigned a regular time on a 24-hour programmed community TV channel. Thirty minute programs may not exceed 29 minutes in length. • Scheduling by community TV assigns a priority to series produced in St. Louis Park or submitted by a St. Louis Park organization. - A non-St. Louis Park edition may be scheduled up to twice each year, if requested on the program playback application. Eligibility for submitting programs is established in the St. Louis Park community TV program guidelines. • Deadlines for edition submitting: - Series scheduled for a three-day module may have their edition(s) and properly completed playback application(s) submitted to community TV, by an eligible adult, prior to noon on Monday. - Series scheduled for a four-day module may have their edition(s) and properly completed playback application(s) submitted to community TV, by an eligible adult, prior to noon on Thursday. - A national holiday or other event may require an earlier deadline. - Community TV office hours are spread through morning, afternoon and evenings during the workweek. - Eligible submitters should contact community TV staff for an appointment to submit programs during office hours, or by approved arrangement. - Submissions must be done in-person to community TV, community TVs designee or by approved prior arrangement. - The eligible adult is responsible for knowing their deadline and meeting or staying ahead of their deadline. - Series missing their deadline cannot be guaranteed a regular time on a community TV channel. • Series needing a specific playback sequence or repeat may indicate so on their playback application. • Series may keep a maximum of five episodes, either ready for play or ready for pick-up, at community TV. The eligible adult submitting the episodes is responsible for proper submission and timely pick-up. • Series must meet the signal quality, format and content program guidelines established by community TV. Episode recordings the do not meet community TV guidelines must be replaced by episode recordings that do. • Recordings with problems or that are late may cause an eligible adult to request a substitute or repeat episode. These requests may be made, by email, for episode recordings at community TV which already have been submitted with a properly completed playback application. A non-commercial video program cannot contain: 1. Statements of quality or sales pitches for a product or price 2. A call to action to buy the product 3. Specific address and phone numbers of sponsors (except for comments) 4. Lottery information (chance, prize, consideration) Contact John McHugh 952.924.2528 [email protected]
St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 138
Community TV studio production plan
Title of program: ______Producer’s name: ______Email: ______Home phone: ______Cell phone: ______Street address: ______City: ______State: ______ZIP code: ______Requested date: ______Subject and content:
Studio program production planning categories What kind of program ☐ Performance ☐ Presentation ☐ Interview ☐ Slide show What is the topic? ☐ Single topic with program ☐ Several topics (each in separate chapter) What audio would be used? ☐ Studio microphone ☐ Video tape ☐ Commercially licensed music ☐ Pre-recorded audio What permissions do you need? ☐ Video appearance ☐ Audio announcement ☐ Pre-recorded video ☐ Pre-recorded audio What video will be used? ☐ Computer picture files ☐ Pictures mounted on 8.5” x 11” cards ☐ PowerPoint slides ☐ 8.5” x 11” art cards ☐ Studio presentation ☐ Studio interview
Producer’s signature (parent of minor): ______Date: ______
St. Louis Park staff: ______Date: ______
I plan to tape a studio TV program, for St. Louis Park, MN Community TV. I understand that each studio use must result in a program which I submit to Community TV. I understand that I may not start a different production until this one is completed. If producer is a minor, parent or guardian must chaperone and sign, accepting responsibility.
St. Louis Park Information Resources Department/ParkTV • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.parktv.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 139
APPENDIX 6
arkPTV Video Facility Inventory Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 140
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 141
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 142
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 143
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 144
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 145
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 146
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 147
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 148
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 149
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 150
Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 151 VAN Quantity Make/Model Format Quality LevelCondition Age 4 Sony HXC-FB80 HD B E 2 4 Sachtler FSB Tripods B E 2 1 Datavideo Digital Recorder I/P E 3 1 Digital Recorder (Helo?) I/P E 2 1 Toshiba DVD Recorder C G 10 1 Marshall Dual 8" monitor V-R82DP-2C I/P E 10 1 NEC Multisync 19" color monitor I/P F 5 2 Audix speakers C F 15+ 1 Compix character generator B G 4 1 Omega FFV Dual Channel Replay Deck I/P G 5 1 Ross Video Limited Digital Audio I/P F 30+ 2 Video DAs VDA 100A I/P F 30+ 1 DNFST300 Replay Controller I/P G 10 4 Neutrik Opticalcon NAO2S-HIW-A Single Mode I/P E 2 4 Anton Bauer 190 series batteries B E 2 4 Sony HB80 Camera Control Units I/P E 2 1 Marshall Dual 7" M-LYNX-702 Monitor I/P E 2 2 Marshall 4-way 3" V-R44P I/P G 10 1 AJA FS2 Converter I/P E 1 1 Marshall Dual 8" monitor V-R82DP-HDSDI I/P G 10 1 Samsung DVD Player P241 C F 10 1 Videomedia 10-way switcher I/P F 20+ 1 AJA FS1 videoconverter I/P G 10 1 Panasonic AVE-HS450 switcher I/P G 10 1 Feelworld 9" dual monitor B E 1 1 Marshall 19-20" VR201P-AFHD I/P G 10 1 Gemini CD player CDNP1500 C G 5 1 Audiocom MS2002 (intercome master unit) I/P F 20 1 Behr Inc Multigate Pro I/P F 15 1 Behr Inc Multicom Pro 4 channel dynamic processor I/P F 15 1 Behr Inc MulticomPro 2 channel processor I/P F 15 1 Behr Inc Ultralink Pro 8 channel splitter I/P F 15 1 Soundcraft Spirit SX Mixer 2 channel I/P F 15 1 Comcast Modulator TVM 550 I/P E 1 1 Cadco Modulator M369 I/P F 15 3 Henry Engineering Talent Pod announcer headsets I/P F 6 1 6 channel homemade audio snake I/P F 20 2 100M fiber cable I/P G 2 2 50M fiber cable I/P G 2 2 50-ft fiber cable I/P G 2 2 25-ft fiber cable I/P G 2 4 50-ft smpty fiber I/P G 2 4 25-ft smpty fiber I/P G 2 4 camera raincovers (for current cameras) I/P G 2 3 camera raincovers (for old cameras) I/P G 5 2 200-ft B&C on Lentequip reels I/P G 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 152 VAN 1 Feelworld announcer monitor I/P G 4 2 NADI condenser mics I/P F 15 2 NADI SP9 mics C G 15 2 Sling Studio I/P E 1 2 Beyer Dynamic DT 290 announcer headsets I/P E 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 153 PLAYBACK Quantity Make/Model Format Quality LevelCondition Age 1 TRMS Cablecast B E 1 1 AJA Kumo SP Extron MAV series B G 2 2 Flex4 540 broadcast server B E 2 1 Flexlite 340 Cablecast B E 2 5 CG 330 Video Players B E 2 1 DVD Pioneer DVF-07 I/P G 4 1 Samsung 5E monitor C F 15 1 HP desktop unit C E 1 1 Integra multiple DVD player C F 10 1 Plantar 24" PXL 225 IMWC C G 2 1 Granicus encoder I/P E 1 1 Radiant Comm Corp VAB705 receiver/transmitter Comcast I/P 1 Fiber Comm VABX-744 Comcast 1 Radiant Comm Corp VABX700S 4 ch. Fiber out Comcast 1 Fiber splicer multiplayer Comcast 2 Blonder Tongue routers CenturyLink Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 154 Council Chambers Quantity Make/Model Format Quality Level Condition Age 2 Insignia 32" monitors NS-32D22ONA18 C F 4 1 Planar PXL 2251MW 22" monitor C F 5 1 Toshiba DVC DVR620 DVC C E 7 1 NEC Multisync E201W I/P G 10 1 Compix character generator I/P E 2 1 Panasonic live switcher AV-HS410 B G 7 1 Crestron mic/videorouting I/P E 1 1 ProHD monitor DTX24H 24" B G 5 1 Planar PL1911MW C F 10 1 Lilliput Preview HD LCD Monitor 10" FA1013NP-H/Y B E 1 1 Data Video HDR-1 B E 1 1 Shure FP16A audio modulator B G 6 2 Digital Radio Shack Speakers C F 20 1 Panasonic multihybrid control panel AW-RP555 I/P G 20 1 Z400 computer B G 7 1 Shure multichannel box M367 B F 10 4 Panasonic AW-HE130WP (wall and ceiling) HD I/P E 2 1 Panasonic camera controller I/P E 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 155 Field equipment Quantity Make/Model Format Quality Level Condition Age 2 GoPro Hero 6 Black CHDHX-601 Flash, HD, 4K C G 2 1 GoPro Fusion CHDHZ-103 Flash, HD, 4K C G 1 2 DJI Osmo CP.ZM.000351 HD, 4K C E 1 2 Portable Tripods F 25-Mar 2 Extra Battery Packs E 1 1 Portable lighting kit E 2 1 Microphone E 1 1 GoPro Hero 2 HD2-14 C F 6 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 156 Editing Quantity Make/Model Format Quality LevelCondition Age 5 HP-Z440 HDD, DVD, record to server B E 2-Jan 2 Acer 22" Philips monitor C E 1 4 Adobe Creative Cloud licenses NA 2 HP-Z230 I E 3-Jan 2 Adobe Premier Elements 13 NA 4 Asus 24" monitor C E Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 157 Community Room Quantity Make/Model Format Quality Level Condition Age 3 Panasonic AW-HE40SWP ceiling I/P G 10 1 Asus HDMI monitor C F 5 1 Planar PL1911 MW monitor I/P F 5 1 Panasonic AW-RP50 remote cam controller I/P F 5 1 Panasonic AW-HS50 Compact Live Switcher I/P F 5 1 Pressmite Active Press Box I/P G 5 1 Lilliput HD LCD monitor for CG I/P G 5 2 Logitech speakers C G 5 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 158
APPENDIX 7
Suggested Video Equipment Replacement/Upgrade Packages Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 159
St. Louis Park Summary Initial Period Replace / Replenishment Schedule Equipment Package Unit Cost Rationale Years 1-2 Years 3-5 Years 6-8 Years 9-10 Council Chambers $147,703 Initial period budget is for worn-out equipment $10,000 $147,703 replacement, pending rebuild. Full replacement in Yrs 6-8. Community Room $105,402 Budgeted for rebuild in years 3-5. $105,402 Studio $207,482 Installation in Yrs 1-2, monitors replaced every 5 $207,482 $5,000 $5,000 years. Field Production - Staff $12,926 One kit budgeted for initial period and each $12,926 $12,926 $12,926 $12,926 subsequent period. Field Production - Community $7,373 Two kits budgeted for initial period and two in $14,747 $14,747 $14,747 $14,747 each subsequent period. Production Van $345,697 Initial period budget is for worn-out equipment $10,000 $177,297 $158,400 replacement, pending rebuild. Budgeted for full replacement in Yrs 3-5, except cameras to be replaced in final period.
Post-Production $10,615 One kit budgeted for initial period and one in $10,615 $10,615 $10,615 $10,615 each subsequent period. Digital Media Lab $60,225 Digital Media Lab budgeted in Yrs 1-2. Full $60,225 $60,225 replacement in Yrs 6-8. Playback (5 channels) $135,850 Full replacement in Yrs 6-8. $135,850 Video Podcasting System $11,605 System budgeted in Yrs 1-2. Full replacement in $11,605 $11,605 Yrs 6-8. Archive $49,500 Budgeted for purchase in initial period; full $49,500 $49,500 replacement in Yrs 9-10.
Connectivity - Distribution $85,723 Budgeted to be allocated 50% in initial period, $42,862 $21,431 $21,431 and 25% each in years 3-5 and years 6-8. Estimated CMC Construction $1,0 00,000 Budgeted to occur in initial period. $1,000,000 and Renovation Costs 10-Year Total: TOTALS: $1,429,961 $342,417 $420,101 $251,188 $2,443,667
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 1 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 160
Council Chambers
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 PTZ camera w/HD-SDI out 5 $3,455 $17,275 2 Camera control (IP or RS-422) for up to 5 cameras 1 $2,800 $2,800 3 Production Switcher 1 $20,000 $20,000 4 PC based graphics - (graphics composition) 1 $2,500 $2,500 5 Video Recorders (w/drives and rackmount) 1 $3,500 $3,500 6 HD/SD-SDI Waveform monitor 1 $7,200 $7,200 7 Allowance for video terminal & distribution 1 $10,000 $10,000 8 Allowance for audio 1 $20,000 $20,000 9 Allowance for millwork 1 $10,000 $10,000 10 Allowance for cable / connectors 1 $6,000 $6,000 11 Allowance for design / systems integration 1 $10,000 $10,000 12 Allowance for installation 1 $25,000 $25,000
subtotal $134,275 est. tax & shipping $13,428 Total $147,703
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 2 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 161
Community Room
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 PTZ camera w/HD-SDI out 4 $3,455 $13,820 2 Camera control (IP or RS-422) for up to 5 cameras 1 $2,800 $2,800 3 Production Switcher 1 $12,000 $12,000 4 Video Recorders (w/drives and rackmount) 1 $3,500 $3,500 5 HD/SD-SDI Waveform monitor 1 $7,200 $7,200 6 Allowance for video terminal & distribution 1 $2,500 $2,500 7 Allowance for audio 1 $2,500 $2,500 8 Allowance for millwork 1 $2,500 $2,500 9 Allowance for cable / connectors 1 $4,000 $4,000 10 Allowance for design / systems integration 1 $20,000 $20,000 11 Allowance for installation 1 $25,000 $25,000
subtotal $95,820 est. tax & shipping $9,582 Total $105,402
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 3 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 162
Studio
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 PTZ camera w/HD-SDI out 4 $3,455 $13,820 2 Camera control (IP or RS-422) for up to 5 cameras 1 $2,800 $2,800 3 Tripod / head / dolly system for PTZ camera 4 $4,000 $16,000 4 Studio teleprompter 2 $1,500 $3,000 5 Software & computer for teleprompter system 1 $2,500 $2,500 6 Production Switcher 1 $20,000 $20,000 7 Video Recorder (w/ rackmount) 1 $2,400 $2,400 8 Video recorder drives 4 $500 $2,000 9 Flat panel display (multi-image monitoring) 2 $600 $1,200 10 Video patch panel 2 $1,550 $3,100 11 Intercom system 1 $4,000 $4,000 12 Allowance for audio system 1 $15,000 $15,000 13 Allowance for lighting system1 1 $20,000 $20,000 14 Allowance for monitoring & distribution 1 $12,000 $12,000 15 Allowance for racks 6 $800 $4,800 16 Allowance for millwork 4 $3,500 $14,000 17 Allowance for cable / connectors 1 $10,000 $10,000 18 Allowance for design / systems integration 1 $12,000 $12,000 19 Allowance for installation / travel 1 $30,000 $30,000
subtotal $188,620 est. tax & shipping $18,862 Total $207,482
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 4 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 163
Field Production - Staff
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Camcorder 1 $5,800 $5,800 2 Camera case 1 $210 $210 3 Battery 2 $215 $430 4 Shotgun Mic 1 $175 $175 5 Filter 1 $30 $30 6 Tripod / head system 1 $1,800 $1,800 7 3 Light Kit 1 $1,100 $1,100 8 Wireless mic kit w/plug pack 1 $1,160 $1,160 9 Audio Support 1 $750 $750 10 Memory Cards 4 $74 $296
subtotal $11,751 est. tax & shipping $1,175 Total $12,926
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 5 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 164
Field Production - Community
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Camcorder 1 $1,800 $1,800 2 Camera case 1 $210 $210 3 Battery 2 $215 $430 4 Shotgun Mic 1 $175 $175 5 Filter 1 $30 $30 6 Tripod / head system 1 $900 $900 7 3 Light Kit 1 $1,100 $1,100 8 Wireless mic kit w/plug pack 1 $1,160 $1,160 9 Audio Support 1 $750 $750 10 Memory Cards 2 $74 $148
subtotal $6,703 est. tax & shipping $670 Total $7,373
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 6 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 165
Production Van
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Studio camera system with CCU & lens 4 $36,000 $144,000 2 Camera case 4 $210 $840 3 Shotgun Mic 4 $460 $1,840 4 72mm UV Protection Filter 3 $30 $90 5 Tripod / head system 3 $2,200 $6,600 6 Video Switcher 1 $20,000 $20,000 7 Replay system 1 $20,000 $20,000 8 Video Recorder (w/drives and rackmount) 1 $2,400 $2,400 9 Allowance for terminal & monitoring equipment 1 $10,000 $10,000 10 Flat panel display (multi-image monitoring) 2 $750 $1,500 11 Allowance for audio 1 $10,000 $10,000 12 Allowance for cases / crates 4 $3,000 $12,000 13 Allowance for cable / connectors 1 $7,500 $7,500 14 Allowance for lighting 1 $2,500 $2,500 15 Allowance for vehicle 1 $45,000 $45,000 16 Allowance for design / integration 1 $30,000 $30,000
subtotal $314,270 est. tax & shipping $31,427 Total $345,697
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 7 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 166
Post-Production
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Edit platform w / peripherals 1 $4,500 $4,500 2 Monitor 2 $400 $800 3 Interface card 1 $150 $150 4 eSATA storage solution (8 bay - 8TB) 1 $3,000 $3,000 5 Edit cart 1 $1,200 $1,200
subtotal $9,650 est. tax & shipping $965 Total $10,615
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 8 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 167
Digital Media Lab:
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Apple iMac 27" 3.6GHz 8-core i9 w/peripherals, Adobe Premiere, etc. 6 $5,000 $30,000 2 Apple MacBook Pro 2.4GHz 8-core i9 w/peripherals, Adobe Premiere, etc. 5 $4,000 $20,000 3 Flat panel display 1 $750 $750 4 Wireless color inkjet printer 3 $250 $750 5 Headphones 10 $100 $1,000 6 Allowance for racks, furniture 15 $150 $2,250
subtotal $54,750 est. tax & shipping $5,475 Total $60,225
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 9 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 168
Playback (4 channels)
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Playback server & automation (2x2) 3 $22,500 $67,500 2 Digital Signage System (bulletin board) 5 $6,500 $32,500 3 Routing Switcher 1 $6,000 $6,000 4 Allowance for distribution 1 $7,500 $7,500 5 Allowance for monitoring 1 $10,000 $10,000
subtotal $123,500 est. tax & shipping $12,350 Total $135,850
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 10 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 169
Video Podcasting System
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Apple MacBook Pro edit platform w/peripherals 1 $3,000 $3,000 2 USB 3.0 HD POV Camera w/clip mount 2 $300 $600 3 Broadcast Dynamic Microphone w/windscreen 2 $150 $300 4 XLR-USB microphone adapter interface 2 $75 $150 5 Microphone stand w/articulating arm mount 2 $75 $150 6 Podcasting audio mixer 1 $150 $150 7 Powered stereo speakers (pair) 1 $100 $100 8 Headphones 2 $100 $200 9 Foam acoustic tiles (24-pack, 1' x 1') 4 $150 $600 10 Allowance for lighting 1 $5,000 $5,000 11 Allowance for furniture 2 $150 $300
subtotal $10,550 est. tax & shipping $1,055 Total $11,605
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 11 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 170
Archive
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Allowance for LTO library 1 $20,000 $20,000 2 Allowance for multi-terabyte RAID 1 $8,000 $8,000 3 Allowance for optical authoring system 1 $8,000 $8,000 4 Allowance for optical duplication system 1 $4,000 $4,000 5 Allowance for infrastructure 1 $5,000 $5,000
subtotal $45,000 est. tax & shipping $4,500 Total $49,500
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 12 Study session meeting of Sept. 14, 2020 (Item No. 7) Title: Comcast franchise renewal update Page 171
Connectivity / Distribution
Description Units Unit Cost Extension 1 Encoder (ASI / IP) 4 $2,495 $9,980 2 Decoder (Frame / PS / controller card) 1 $2,000 $2,000 3 H.264 Decoder card 5 $1,490 $7,450 4 HD-SDI Transmit / Receive pairs 4 $2,475 $9,900 5 Bonded cellular IP encoder 2 $6,000 $12,000 6 Routing Switcher 1 $6,000 $6,000 7 HD/SD-SDI Waveform monitor 1 $7,200 $7,200 8 HD Monitor 1 $3,600 $3,600 9 Allowance for switching / distribution 4 $3,500 $14,000 10 Allowance for monitoring 1 $5,800 $5,800
subtotal $77,930 est. tax & shipping $7,793 Total $85,723 Provides for bi-directional video & data connectivity between participating Inet sites including encoders, decoders IP and HD video switching and monitoring
APPENDIX 7 – PAGE 13