§ 93-30. Services to subscribers and users.

A. 

Concurrently with the activation of the cable communications system in the Township, the grantee shall provide all services to subscribers as described in the franchise agreement.

(1) 

The system shall carry the broad categories of programming and services listed in the franchise agreement. Should the grantee desire to change the selection of programs or services offered, it shall maintain the mix, quality and level of services provided over the system. Any such change in programs or services offered shall comply with the conditions and procedures contained in the franchise agreement and shall be reported to the Township at least 60 days prior to the proposed implementation. The grantee shall notify all subscribers, in writing, at least 30 days prior to implementing any change in the selection of programs or services offered on any tiers, or prior to adding or deleting any channels or changing the channel number for any station. The grantee shall endeavor to ensure diversity of programming regarding the community's needs.

(2) 

The grantee shall provide and maintain on such channels as the franchise agreement may direct, at a minimum, the following access services:

(a) 

A government access channel, which shall be a specifically designated channel for governmental use by the Township and shall be managed, scheduled and programmed exclusively by the Township or shared with other local governmental entities, at the discretion of the Township. Should the grantee wish to activate a government access channel, it shall within 120 days install at its own cost and expense a return line to make the channel operational. The Township shall have complete control over the content, scheduling and administration of the channel.

(b) 

An education channel, which shall be a specifically designed channel for use by local public and private school authorities and shall be managed, scheduled and programmed exclusively by them. Should the grantee wish to activate an educational channel it shall within 120 days install at its own cost and expense a return line to make the channel operational. The Township shall have complete control over the content, scheduling and administration of the channel.

(c) 

No government access or educational channel may be assigned, transferred or leased, in whole or in part.

(3) 

The grantee shall make available lease access channels to assure that the widest possible diversity of information sources are made available to subscribers.

(a) 

Such channels shall be specially designated for lease access use by persons unaffiliated with the grantee, at rates which are in accordance with the Cable Act.

(b) 

The number of such channels shall be determined by the provisions of the cable or other applicable federal and state Law.

(c) 

The grantee shall not exercise any editorial control over any programming provided over such channels, except that the grantee may consider such content to the minimum extent necessary to establish a fair and reasonable price for the use of such channels.

(4) 

The grantee shall fully provide the services, facilities and equipment for public, educational and government access as indicated in the franchise agreement.

(5) 

The grantee shall comply with all obscenity and indecency regulations as adopted by the FCC.

B. 

Emergency override. The grantee shall, without charge, provide, service and maintain public emergency transmission facilities on all channels to the Township, as described in the franchise agreement.

Amended 3-8-2006 by Ord. No. 298