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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 12-16 Survey shows support for cable television THE REVIEW VOLUME 20,NUMBER 32 Publication#328680 /2///..i#Gti Maplewood, Minnesota ., innesota "' "'° Single Copy 30` WED.,DEC. 16, 1981 Surveyshowssupport for cable televisi on By JONATHON CLYDE GLASS interest in coverage of five sorts of political meetings.City cable programming for offensive material.He brought up regional news updates,weather information and similar Staff Writer council proceedings proved most popular with a 51 percent the subject at the commission's Dec.10 meeting and was information.The bidding companies will be asked to provide Like their neighbors in surrounding communities, rating, followed by the State Legislature, Congress, told the commission probably could not screen program- one or two studios and equipment available for the Maplewood residents have expressed an overwhelming Metropolitan Council and the school boards. ming,he explained. production of local programming.They will be asked to preference that movies be shown on the cable television The pattern of interest in sports programming seems to "I think there should be control," Anderson told the provide Home Box Office or similar movie services within system proposed for the area. follow the trend in current commerical television Review.As things stand now,there will be no way to stop the lower range of monthly fees.They also will be expected The results of the Maplewood cable television program- programming.The highest ranking went to profesisonal programming which is considered derogatory,in poor taste to offer several sorts of "interactive" services enabling ming survey have been completed and 92 percent of sports with 72 percent, followed by college athletics, or offensive,he said. customers to feed information into the system and, for Maplewood respondents asked that movies (general and Madison Square Garden events, high school sports and Besides the question of monitoring,Anderson expressed example,do their shopping and banking via the cable. parental guidance)be included in the programming.The finally local park leagues. concern about the quality of overall programming cable four next highest categories were:how to information(82 The overall level of interest in news programming was would be able to provide.The television networks cannot The next major step in the commission's process of percent), medical help(81 percent), and weather-radar- high.Local news received the top rating with 79 percent,but develop good programming for four stations now,so how selecting a company(commonly called the franchisee)will time and consumer education(both at 79 percent). it was closely followed by regional and national news. will the cable companies be able to come up with be a public hearing tentatively scheduled for early Roughly 19 percent, or 1,217 of the 6,500 Maplewood Dramatic entertainment generally ranked among the top programming for 80 channels,he asked. February, according to Stearns, vice president of the residents who received the surveys in the mail,responded to categories,with movies especially popular.Besides the 92 commission.At that time,the public will be able to review them.More than 86 percent of the respondents said theypercent rating for general and parental-guidance rated The cable commission,made up of representatives of nine P° g cities in the area,is nearing the completion of the needs the commission's plans for the programming and physical wanted cable television made available,while 6 percent said movies,restricted movies gained a 69 percent level of in- design of the cable service before the commission actually terest,which was roughly matched bythe appeal of musical assessment stage of the process of choosing a company to they did not want itiand 2percent were evel ofcided. '6hY PP solicits bids for the franchise,he explained. The respondents indicated their level of interest in more concerts and major theatrical productions like those of the provide cable service to the area.Using the information In the meantime, the next full meeting of the cable Guthrie Theater. from the programming surveys, the commission will than 60 kinds of programming potentially available through commission will be at 7:30 p.m.Jan.14 in the White Bear compile a list of the services it expects all companies to cable television.Their choices were very similar to the provide if they want to bid for the cable franchise in this Lake City Hall,250 Miller Ave. overall responses from the eight other communities in the Several sorts of religious programming were mentioned area. Ramsey-Washington Suburban Cable Commission. While on the survey.Approximately 35 percent of the respondents On Dec. 10, the commission considered a number of By that time,Maplewood should have a new represen- the percentages differ slightly,the top five programming expressed interest in watching it. The X-rated movies recommendations from the Needs Assessment Committee, tative on the commission,joining Anderson and alternates categories chosen by Maplewood residents are identical to received a 32 percent rating.That compares with a 36 headed by Gerald Stearns of North St.Paul,which detail FranJuker,Maplewood City Councilwoman,and Ann Fitch, those named by residents from the other communities. percent rating for X-rated movies from the overall cable some of the services the commission could ask of companies librarian. Maplewood's former representative, James The Maplewood survey results suggest some interesting commission area. bidding for the local franchise. These recommendations Rohricht, 2125 Duluth Place, resigned his position in tastes among local residents. Norm Anderson, Maplewood Councilman and include the provision of eight sites where people can feed November. Lyle Erickson,2380 Brenner Ave., has been • representative on the cable commission, has expressed information into a continuous broadcasting information nominated to fill the vacancy,subject to the approval of the For instance,the results indicate the level of popular reservations about the commission's inability to monitor service,which would provide a steady stream of local and city council.