Page 122 - Middleborough 2024 Town Report

MCCAM2024 ANNUAL REPORT
PERMANENT
CABLE COMMITTEE
THE FUTURE OF PEG ACCESS
PEG Access (Public, Education and Government cable
access programming) is currently in jeopardy of losing
funding due to “Cord-Cutters”. Since funding for PEG
only comes from cable TV subscribers and not internet
service, when someone “cuts the cord” on cable, that
funding resource no longer exists. Many communities
have seen a 10-15% decrease in funding in the past few
years. Middleborough was fortunate to negotiate
a higher percentage (maximum is 5%) during the last
round of negotiations with both Comcast and
Verizon. So even though the total number
of subscribers has decreased in Middleborough, the
funding has increased.
NEW MEDIA DEPARTMENT
MCCAM has welcomed the Town Media Department to
their ofice/studio at 1 South Main Street. In early 2024,
Karen Foye approached the Town Manager and the
Permanent Cable Committee with an idea to create a
new Media Department for the Town. The Media
Department oversees the Town website, social media
and several projects involving print and digital media for
various Town Departments. Karen Foye was hired to
oversee this new department along with a full-time
employee, Elizabeth Gazerro. Liz has a workstation in
the reception area of the MCCAM studio/ofice. Having
the Media Department as a part of MCCAM space has
been very beneficial for MCCAM. With reservations for
facilities, meeting and event calendar updates as well as
website and social media information now coming into
the MCCAM ofice, it gives MCCAM the information we
need for important meeting and event coverage and
public service announcements. It’s also great to have Liz
in the reception area to welcome people to MCCAM.
MassAccess is working with communities in MA as well
as the State Legislature to enact legislation that would
provide new funding sources. They are looking
at requiring streaming companies to pay a sort
of franchise fee to the State and communities
to help make up the diference in losses from
the “cord cutters”.
If you are interested in learning more about MCCAM,
how to submit a public service announcement for our
on-air bulletin board, how to become a volunteer or how
to produce your own show, please contact Karen Foye or
Zack Grundy at the MCCAM ofice 774-766-6350
karen@mccam.tv or zack@mccam.tv
Watch theLIVE stream
of our Government Channel, Public Channel
and Education Channel
or watch our programming anytime, from
our video on demand library
MCCAM.tv
Respectfully submitted
Karen Foye
Karen Foye
Cable Access Director
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