Final Public Hearing Scheduled for New Bedford Cable License

NEW BEDFORD — City residents will have a final chance to attend a public hearing as part of the consideration process for a new cable license.

The City of New Bedford, as issuing authority for a cable television license for the city, is hosting the second and final public hearing on Wednesday 6:00 p.m. The City’s ten-year cable license expires in November.

The first public hearing was held on June 20. After that hearing, the City Council voted to provide further opportunity for the public to comment.

The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether to issue a cable television license to Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.  Members of the public are invited to attend and be heard on whether the current cable operator is in full compliance with its currently existing cable license; and what the City’s future community cable-related needs may be.

The hearing will include a presentation by the New Bedford Cable Network, the City’s Public, Education and Government (PEG) access network, including an overview of its community programing. There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on New Bedford’s community cable-related needs at the hearing.

The public may also submit comments in writing to the City by email at cable@newbedford-ma.gov, or by mail at to the Office of the City Solicitor. Comments in writing should be received no later than August 2 at 5:00 p.m.

The hearing will be held in the 3rd Floor Meeting Room of the New Bedford Main Library, located at 613 Pleasant Street.