More options for television service are in town and with them come increased access to local programming.
Thanks to a broadcast system designed and built by the Oxford Area Cable Communications Commission (OACCC) and Oxford Community Television, Oxford area residents who have AT&T U-verse–as opposed to Charter cable or satellite TV–will now have access to Channel 19, the local Public/Education/Government access channel.
The broadcast of Channel 19 on U-verse began Aug. 11.
Among the many amenities offered through U-verse is digital, high-definition television with more than 40 channels and the ability to record up to four programs at the same time.
?[U-verse] offers the latest in communications and features state-of-the-art technology,? said Amy Grundman, a Michigan spokesperson for AT&T. ‘I think [customers] will enjoy the choices.?
Grundman added that U-verse is ‘lightning fast? and offers many unique features.
AT&T U-verse gives the area another choice for television services, said Don Huegerich, station manager of Channel 19. ‘People can choose the brand-new cable provider or the older one,? he said.
In the past, some areas have had cable franchising agreements granting exclusive franchises to one cable provider. Since then, new laws have opened municipalities up to having more than one provider.
Joe Steele, a spokesperson for AT&T, said that this format for local programming is something the company does for all the communities it serves. ‘We look to provide all communities with PEG content,? he said. ‘This is an exciting new product that allows communities to showcase their programming to residents all across the region.?
According to Huegerich, Charter Communications gives the municipalities which make up the OACCC 5 percent of its gross revenue.
AT&T will also be sending five percent of its gross revenues directly to local municipalities.
This, Huegerich said, is something new. To qualify to receive AT&T’s money, the commission had to be able to provide services that put out a signal acceptable to AT&T U-verse.
The station then designed and built a system which would take their broadcast signal and encode it to make it available through the internet in a ‘streaming? format.
This service will be available to any current AT&T customers in the areas of Oxford Village and Township along with the company’s customers in Addison Township.
AT&T’s U-verse website is at www.uverse.att.com.
Channel 19 is located at 1775 North Lapeer Road.
The station tapes and broadcasts local parades, government meetings (such as township, village and school board meetings), recitals, concerts, plays and sporting events.