FRAMINGHAM -- A new license agreement with Comcast cable has raised hopes that cable viewers will see improved local cable channels by giving control over programming to a town-appointed board of directors.
The license renewal signed by selectmen this week allows Comcast to walk away from overseeing public access programming. A nine-member board will now assume that responsibility.
Norma Shulman, who was appointed this week to the nonprofit board, said the change represents "a great opportunity for Framingham."

"The nonprofit has the opportunity to have a policy of promoting the use of public access TV for the benefit of residents in the whole community," she said. "They have a different purpose for existing than a private corporation."
The new 10-year agreement with Comcast ends a lengthy legal battle over the company's proposal. Selectmen took the rare step of rejecting its initial offer last year, claiming it failed to meet the town's needs.
Comcast appealed to the state Department of Telecommunications and Energy, which made a partial ruling on the case earlier this year, largely in favor of the cable company.
One of the reasons cited by the town for rejecting the initial license was Comcast's refusal to continue running the local cable studio on Burr Street and overseeing public access programming.
Under the new agreement, Comcast will provide 2.5 percent of gross annual revenues to the nonprofit access corporation as well as 1 percent for local government programming and 1 percent for educational programming. It will also make a $375,000 capital payment for equipment.
"Comcast is pleased to have reached an agreement with the town," said spokesman Marc Goodman. "We've always stated that we wanted this license to meet the needs of the town, Comcast and most importantly all our customers. We look forward to a renewed relationship with the town."
Town Counsel Chris Petrini said the cable company is paying Framingham more than it would have under its initial offer, though there was some dispute between the two sides over exactly how much more.
One problem with the old license, Shulman said, was that Comcast's so-called local origination programming could not be shown on RCN's public access channel. RCN also serves Framingham.
Any show worked on by a Comcast employee, like those hosted by Town Meeting members Dave Hutchinson and Audrey Hall, could not be seen by RCN subscribers. Shows produced entirely by volunteers, however, could be shared.
Under the non-profit corporation, RCN and Comcast subscribers will be able to see the same programming at the same time, Shulman said.
"Overall, I think the service to the community has the possibility of being much greater, and the amount of work required of volunteers will be much greater," she said.
Besides Shulman, the other members of the Public Access Corporation's board of directors, who were appointed by selectmen, are: Barry Bograd, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Robert Martin, Morton Shuman, Collins Fay Martin, Tom Sherwin, Audrey Hall, and Ron Rego.


http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/lo...ticleid=136546