Published: April 28, 2009 11:57 am         

Some changes could be coming for CTS customers

Monticello — There could be some changes coming for local cable customers, as the

Telecommunications Board contemplates dropping several of the premium movie

channels from its lineup. The board met in regular session on Wednesday,

April 22 and received information about the declining number of subscribers

for premium movie channels.

Office Manager Lisa Guinn told board members that the economy has played

a part in the decreasing number of subscribers for these channels. She noted

that Community Telecom Services is actually losing money on some of these

channels because of the way they were packaged through the company that

formerly owned the cable system.

She said the board could opt to remove all the premium channels or a

portion of them, replacing them with other cable channels. Guinn noted that

CTS will have to add ESPNU to its lineup before basketball season, since

many UK games will be carried on the network next season.

Another option the board could choose to add is RFD-TV, which is a

rural, agriculture channel. A third channel that could be added would be

Wazoo Sports, which Guinn said should launch by August and will carry

regional sporting events.

She noted that two other channels are tied as the most requested

channels by customers. They are Great American Country and Soap Net, which

the board could also consider adding to the system if they opt to remove

more than three premium movie channels.

No decisions were made in regard to programming.

Also during the meeting, the board heard an update regarding the status

of the fiber to the home project. Board chairman Greg Latham noted that the

Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) has given the go-ahead to proceed

with the first phase of the project, which will include putting the fiber

backbone in place. KIA provided $1 million in grant funding for the first

phase.

Latham said that after that phase is completed, RUS will give the

go-ahead for the remainder of the project.

The board met in executive session to discuss the strategic business

plan. No action was taken.

The board also discussed the vacancy in the vice-chairman's position,

but decided to wait until next month to make nominations.

     

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