Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

C-SPAN-Charter-FX-cable

Full Text:

Charter Responds To FX Ad

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Charter Communications this week responded to recent accusations that it

dropped the FX television network in favor of CSPAN-2 in an effort to increase

profit at the expense of local viewers.

According to Janice Vance, Charter's marketing coordinator, FX was pulled off

the air June 2 after negotiations with the Rupert Murdoch-owned company fell

through. AC Nielsen ratings showed few people were watching the FX channel,

which showed re-runs of such programs as "NYPD Blues" and "The X-Files."

"The value of the network to our customers was not there. Charter is not

saving money. It really has very little to do with money," Mrs Vance said.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal contacted Charter Communications after

receiving phone calls from residents upset over an FX advertisement in last

week's Bee .

"I wanted to know why FX was taken off the air; and if Charter Communications

was saving money, shouldn't rate payers save money too," he said. "I think

it's reasonable for viewers to say `pass the savings along.'"

Mr Rosenthal pressed Charter about what kind of savings it was receiving by

taking away FX and replacing it with C-SPAN 2, which broadcasts public affairs

programming. Charter declined, saying that was proprietary information. Mr

Rosenthal reminded Charter that it was a public utility and threatened to take

his case to the attorney general's office.

Why C-SPAN 2

According to Charter, this is one of the most "highly-educated, politically

savvy, discriminating, family oriented" areas in the country.

"This audience has high viewing standards, is interested in educational,

informational programming, and cares deeply about what their children have

access to on TV," an ad in this week's Bee explains. "In the past six months,

we've had many requests for C-SPAN 2, including five petitions."

In general, C-SPAN transmits news from the US House of Representatives, while

C-SPAN 2 transmits the Senate.

Of the 14 towns served by Charter Communications, FX only took out an

advertisement in The Bee , according to Mrs Vance.