Viacom Update 3-31-14

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FPB continues to actively negotiate with Viacom and remain hopeful to reach an agreement before midnight 3/31.

We hope Viacom does not pull their signal as they have threatened.  Viacom is asking for an increase in fees of 40 times the rate of inflation.  Significant channel fee increases impact your bill and we’re on your side to keep these fees low. Please visit www.TVOnMySide.com for updates.

March 30

Frankfort Plant Board has been impacted by actions of Viacom today that have disrupted service. It is regrettable that Viacom has decided to drag our loyal customers into the negotiation with disruption of service and misinformation while we remain under an agreement until 11:59 pm EDT on March 31. 2014. Please know that we continue negotiations and the decision to lose the Viacom services rests squarely with Viacom. To learn more and stay on top of the facts please visit http://TVOnMySide.com.

Water Temporarily Shut Off

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Water service on Shore Acres Rd from 357 Shore Acres Rd to the end of the line has been temporarily shut off to repair a water main break. It will take an estimated two hours to make the repairs. Once the service is restored, a boil water advisory will be issued. Please see the information below. Thank you.

The Water Department of the Frankfort Plant Board advises to boil the water before drinking or using it for cooking. The advisory is in effect for the following area:

Shore Acres Rd from 357 Shore Acres Rd to the end of the line.

A vigorous boil for at least two minutes is recommended. This Boil Water Advisory is a precautionary measure due to a loss of pressure in the water main caused by a water main break.

This Advisory will remain in effect until lab analysis of water samples taken confirms that the potable water supply in the effected area is safe to drink. You will receive a notice when this advisory is lifted.

If you have any questions concerning the Boil Water Advisory please call 352-4372 or 352- 4433

Boil Water Advisory Issued for the Bellepoint Area

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The Water Department of the Frankfort Plant Board advises to boil the water before drinking or using it for cooking. The advisory is in effect for the following area:

•  Benson Ave.
•  Kentucky Ave.
•  Cline St.
•  Rose St.
•  Polsgrove St.
•  Dabney St.
•  Brawner St.
•  Major St.
•  Wilson St.
•  Lilly St.
•  Augusta St.
•  Forrest St.

A vigorous boil for at least two minutes is recommended. This Boil Water Advisory is a precautionary measure due to a loss of pressure in the water main caused by a water main break.

This Advisory will remain in effect until lab analysis of water samples taken confirms that the potable water supply in the effected area is safe to drink. You will receive a notice when this advisory is lifted.

If you have any questions concerning the Boil Water Advisory please call 352-4372 or 352- 4433.

Interruption of Water Service

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On Monday 3/24/14 there will be an interruption of water service from 8:30 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. in the following areas:

  • W. Broadway St from Washington St to 525 W Broadway St
  • Wilkinson St from W Main St to W Broadway St
  • Wilkinson Blvd from W Broadway St to Clinton St.
  • Long Ln
  • W. Main St from Wilkinson St. to Sutterlin Ln.
  • Sutterlin Ln.

Immediately following there will be a Boil Water Advisory.

A vigorous boil for at least two minutes is recommended. This Boil Water Advisory is a precautionary measure due to a loss of pressure in the water main caused by Plant Board crews installing new valves.

This Advisory will remain in effect until lab analysis of water samples taken confirms that the potable water supply in the affected area is safe to drink. You will receive a notice when the advisory is lifted.

If you have any questions concerning the Boil Water Advisory, please call 352-4372 or 352-4433

Negotiations With Viacom

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“Viacom demanded a rate increase that’s 40 times the rate of inflation”

Frankfort Plant Board Cable-Telecom is in negotiations with Viacom, owner of MTV Networks, to continue offering Viacom’s channels, but believes the current proposal from Viacom would have costly repercussions for the local company’s customers.

While FPB is restricted from talking about specific rates, Viacom demanded a rate increase that’s 40 times the rate of inflation*. Imagine pulling up to the gas pump and finding that gas has gone from $3.50 a gallon to $6.00 – overnight. That’s the scale of some of these large increases.  In addition, Viacom may demand we drop their networks if we don’t agree to their proposal.

FPB is a municipal utility in Frankfort, offering cable programming, phone and broadband services throughout Frankfort & Franklin County while employing more than 200 people.

Cable Superintendent John Higginbotham said “ we have created a new web site, TVOnMySide.com to educate our customers on rising programming costs.  Across the country, networks are substantially increasing their fees to cable companies, which affect customers directly”

“Viacom owns popular networks such as MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central.  But in order to offer these, the cable networks require us to carry networks that are not as well-known, networks such as  MTV2, MTV Hits and VH1 Classic.  And network fees account for the bulk of monthly cable bills.” explained Higginbotham.

Today's entertainment marketplace is changing rapidly, and there has been considerable consolidation among major media companies.  These mergers allow large programming companies significant leverage over independent cable companies such as FPB.

 Higginbotham added “Our goal is to protect our customers from significant programming fee increases.   We pay programmers such as Viacom a fee per channel per month per customer for their programming.  When these contracts conclude, we negotiate new agreements and that concludes that business deal.  But when a multibillion dollar company such as Viacom demands an unprecedented increase in its monthly fees, we believe it’s our responsibility to take a stand” Higginbotham concluded “These large increases impact all of us throughout Frankfort and we want to make sure our customers know we are working on their behalf.”

FPB  urges  customers to get the facts and stay  informed by visiting TVOnMySide.com.

* Source: 12-month period from January 2013 to January 2014, Bureau of Labor Statistics, released February 20, 2014.