PEG as a Leg Up
To the Editor:
I’ve often wondered why cable companies have not used their [public, education and government] channels as a marketing edge over satellite (“Backtalk,” Nov. 7, 2005, page 18). Hey, you can make your own TV seen by the masses! How cool is that? I guess they are so used to thinking of them as lemons foisted upon them that it never occurred to them to make lemonade.
It is also my observation that public access is valued much more highly by minority communities that take advantage of the opportunity to have a mainstream presence on a cable channel. These people may be off the radar of advertisers, but they otherwise represent good cable customers. Even when these folks are economically disadvantaged, cable is a priority for the household. It is a rare opportunity to see your own race, religion and values presented in a non-stereotypical way — perhaps in your own language.
Chuck Peterson Acting Director, Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community Media Center
Kent Venture Needs Talent
To The Editor:
Re: “Jerry Kent’s Clutch Triple,” Nov. 7: As a former Charter [Communications Inc,] shareholder, I was pleased to see that Jerry Kent’s new acquisition will allow him to attract good management talent. Given the train wreck that occurred at Charter in terms of poor management practices, legal proceedings targeted at the company, restated financial statements, decreased shareholder value, etc., his new venture will only succeed by attracting quality multitalented professionals.
James O’Brien Centennial, Colo.
Heaven Is a Place On Demand
“Twin bombshells hit today and just when I was starting to wonder if [video on demand] was going to die a slow death from lack of quality content. Given the ultra-cautious approach and limitations, we cannot categorically state that VOD is off and running. But, when big names find common ground, it just may eventually get us to VOD heaven.”
Martino Mingione, Reinvent TV http://www.reinventtv.com/archives/2005/11/network_execs_r.html
360 Degrees of Heroism
I figured [Anderson Cooper] was a journalist in the same way Nicky Hilton was a fashion designer — a dilettante’s gig claimed by virtue of having rich famous parents. But after reading about this confrontation on other Web sites and now seeing the clip [of him speaking with Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.)], I want to tell him: Sir, you are my f***ing hero.
Eric Krupin, Salt Lake City, Utah
