Cable TV in Cambridge is a hot topic this Fall.  Cambridge’s Continental Cablevision is no more. The cable system in Cambridge is now called MEDIA ONE. All cable customers received an elaborate informational packet from this new company just before the channel numbers were all shuffled. A colorful packet provided information about the new channel line-up and the other services or "packages". Many people are confused about this information and others are unhappy about the channel shuffling. Many of the 16,000 Cambridge cable subscribers are senior citizens. The Consumers’ Council office fielded recent calls about the changes. Some of the questions and comments are:

* Will I now have to pay for the Discovery Channel?

* My television does not have a channel #1 so how can I watch the City Council meetings on its new channel #1 location?

* What does the 99 cent monthly service fee get you?

* Will it cost a fee to add or drop channels?

* Isn’t there an easier way to explain this information?

The Consumers’ Council reported this concern about cable TV to its citizen advisory board called the Consumers’ Commission. The Commission believed it was time to hold a public meeting to help eliminate the confusion. The Commission has arranged for Media One representatives to be present at a public meeting. On Thursday, November 13, 1997 at the Cambridge Senior Center at 806 Mass. Avenue a meeting will be held at 1:00pm and all are invited. If you want to have lunch at the Senior Center before the meeting that day, you need to call 349-6060 to make a reservation.

Media One representatives will provide information and answer to questions the audience might raise. This meeting may also be a good opportunity for Media One to explain its senior discount for those living in subsidized buildings.

Please come to this important meeting and bring your questions! If you can’t come or wish to talk to me prior to the meeting please call the Cambridge Consumers’ Council at 349-6150. The City’s Cable TV Office will videotape the meeting for later re-broadcast.

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