The Frankfort Plant Board (FPB) News and Updates page provides customers detailed information on all pertinent happenings regarding FPB including, boil water advisories, network negotiations, outage reports and more.
12/3/15 – 5pm At the FPB Cable Building on 306 Hickory Dr.
Agenda:
1) Consider recommendation of AMC Networks renewal
2) Consider recommendation of NBC/Universal renewal
3) Update on 2016 renewals
4) Set meetings dates for 2016
“Migrating three lightly-viewed channels and launching two brand new channels that customers do not want on Classic Cable doesn’t seem fair to FPB or our customers.”
The NCTC is in active negotiations with multiple cable networks, including NBC Universal and AMC Networks (AMCN). Cable programmers ask for increases during every contract negotiation. When agreements are reached, these increases are passed directly through from the programmers to FPB and on to the customer. According to FPB Marketing and Video Content Coordinator Harvey Couch, most of the Classic Cable rate leaves our community and goes to large media conglomerates throughout the US. “Breaking down the FPB Classic Cable bill, most of the rate goes to programming costs. Currently, FPB Classic Cable (including retrans fees) costs $64.43 per month, per customer. Cable programmers and media companies in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta receive approximately $38.00 of that charge. Another portion goes for retransmission consent to national companies that own the network affiliates in Louisville and Lexington. The remaining amount ($16.50) is used by FPB to provide cable service to customers. Equipment, personnel and infrastructure maintenance all are funded by the small portion remaining from the rate structure. In 2002, that amount was $15.75. While our customer rates have unfortunately increased significantly since 2002, the amount that stays in this community has essentially remained the same.”
Currently, FPB carries AMC on Classic Cable and IFC, We TV, and BBC America are offered on Preferred Cable. AMCN is demanding that FPB move the Preferred Cable networks to Classic Cable (therefore passing on that expense to more subscribers) as well as launch two other channels they own (Sundance Channel and BBC World News) on Classic Cable. All told, AMCN wants to go from one to six networks on Classic Cable. According to Couch, this should be a customer decision, not one forced on to unwilling subscribers. “Migrating three lightly-viewed channels and launching two brand new channels that customers do not want on Classic Cable doesn’t seem fair to FPB or our customers.”
If FPB accepts these terms, the increase to customers for the AMCN programming on FPB Classic Cable would be approximately 400%. Additionally, AMCN is requesting a 10 year contract. Couch states that this was an unprecedented demand from AMCN. “Most cable programming contracts are 3-5 years. It seems irresponsible to sign a contract of that length, especially not knowing the landscape of the video world in 10 years.”
FPB staff and operators from another 700 NCTC member companies have communicated to AMCN that we are willing to pay a fair increase on AMC and maintain existing distribution for their other channels, but AMCN has made it clear that the distribution terms on this deal were going to be an all or nothing situation.
FPB has called for a special public meeting to discuss the potential rate increases with our Board and customers. The special meeting will take place Tuesday, December 1 at 5pm at the downtown Farmers Bank location (125 W. Main St, 4th floor).
Couch says this is a huge decision for our customers. “FPB is dedicated to providing reliable service at the lowest possible rate. It is a responsibility we take great pride in. This public hearing will provide valuable input as to how FPB staff and our Board approach this very important decision.”
FPB crews completed repairs and service has been restored to the Cloverdale area. Thank you for your patience during this weather related interruption.
Updates will follow. Thank you for your continued patience.
Thank you for your continued patience.
Thank you for your patience as we work to repair services.
FPB will be hosting a public meeting to discuss the process of our change in energy provider. This information sharing meeting will include FPB staff and our team of consultants. A Q&A with the audience will follow the meeting.
Friday morning (Friday, November 13), FPB Cable-Telecom crews will conduct necessary maintenance in three specific sections of the service area.
Area #1 includes: Clay St., Steele St., Lyons Ct., Carriage Ln., West Todd, New St., State St., Shelby St., Patton Ln., West Campbell, West Fourth St., Conway St., Ewing St., Ewing Ct., Webber Ct., Hawkins Dr., Bridge St., Riverview Ct., West Third St and Thomas Place.
Area #2 includes: 110 – 114 Cypress Dr., 200 and 210 Kings Daughters Dr., 188 – 202 Tupelo Tr., 200 Tupelo Tr., apartments 10 – 15., 220 Tupelo Tr., apartments10 – 45
Area #3 includes: 148 – 152 Elkhorn Ct. and 917 Georgetown Rd.
This maintenance window will begin at 2:00am and service should be restored by 6:00am, Friday, November 13. Cable, internet and telephone customers may see service affected or completely interrupted during this window.
We understand this is an inconvenience to our valued customers. FPB chose to conduct the maintenance during these early morning hours to avoid service issues during peak usage times. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience during this necessary maintenance.
Repairs are completed and water service is restored to the impacted area below. A Boil Water Advisory is in effect until further notice.
E. Fourth St from Logan St to Fowler St.
Goebel Ct.
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 replacing a broken valve and repairing a damaged water main.
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.
Friday - 11/6/15
Candlelight Tradition Continues in Downtown Frankfort
Friday highlights include:
Food and Shopping with Downtown Merchants
Small Trolley available from 5-8 pm
Capital City Chorale and Bluegrass Theatre Guild performing "Night Before Christmas" at The Lancaster 5:30-6:00 p.m. and 7:00-7:30 p.m.
Carriage rides from 6p-8p
College Basketball - Kentucky State University at UK
Frankfort’s University takes on the University of Kentucky in an exhibition game at Rupp Arena.
The Thorobreds and the Cats tip off at 6pm and the game can be seen on ESPNU - FPB Preferred Cable channel 141 and in HD on 641. New KSU Head Coach Darnell Williams will coach his first ever game at Rupp against Coach Cal and the #3 ranked Cats.
High School Football Playoffs Begin
Three local schools hope to keep their state title dreams alive in round one of the KHSAA football playoffs.
In 1A action, Frankfort hosts Bellevue at Sower Field. The game kicks off at 7:30 and is the FPB Game of the Week. Watch the playback Tuesday at 8pm on FPB TV, channel 10 and 510.
In 3A, Western Hills travels to Louisville to take on traditional power Central. Game time is at 7:30.
In 4A, Franklin County takes on John Hardin in Elizabethtown. Kickoff at Bulldog Stadium is set for 7:30.
Saturday - 11/7/15
College Football
At Noon, the University of Kentucky takes on Georgia in Athens. The Cats and Dawgs will battle on the SEC Network, FPB Classic Cable channel 34 and in HD on 534.
The University of Louisville hosts Syracuse at Papa John’s Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:30. The Cards and Orange can be seen on WAVE 3, FPB Classic Cable channel 3 and 503.
Candlelight Tradition Date Night
Enjoy a night out, great music and a cocktail stroll.
The 4th Annual Candlelight Cocktail Stroll, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. How it works: Sign a card when you purchase a drink, put in cocktail stroll box at each participating location. Two Winners drawn on 11/10 to win either a Jim Beam gift basket or a Buffalo Trace gift basket. Most downtown vendors are participating.
Also, check out the Grand Opening of the Lancaster, with drinks and appetizers from 5p-9p.
Sunday - 11/8/15
Candlelight Tradition Wraps Up With Food, PJs and Tweed
Rick's White Light Food Truck will be set up on Broadway serving hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ, desserts, drinks and coffee - 12:30p-5:00 p.m.
Polar Express Pajama Party & Santa at The Grand Theatre, 1:30p - 3:15p
Steampunk Tweed Ride, 2:30p- 4:00p. - Starts in front of the Old Capitol
Many restaurants and shops will be open.
