The Times West Virginian

Local News

October 19, 2008

Comcast makes new contract offer

During negotiations with T.K.M.I. as part of deal to take over Mannington TV

By Mallory Panuska

FAIRMONT — A disputed cable-franchise agreement pending within the City of Mannington may be on the way to a resolution following a new contract offer made last week.

Comcast Cable has been negotiating a buyout agreement with long-time service provider Mannington TV for several weeks. But when conflict arose over a previously signed 15-year contract with True Knowledge Ministries International (T.K.M.I.) Broadcasting to broadcast a local Christian family television station through the network, the deal was put on hold.

Comcast would not renew the full remaining 10 years of the contract with T.K.M.I. and instead offered a four-year agreement with automatic annual renewal terms, which the company would not accept. In turn, this created a conflict between the companies.

And nearly two weeks ago, a heated debate occurred at a Mannington City Council between the players involved in this conflict. These individuals included Mannington TV owner James Sturm and legal counsel Josh Sturm, T.K.M.I. president and CEO Nick Lalli, Marion County Commissioner Randy Elliott, Commission President Alan Parks, and several others representing both sides of the contention.

City council members represent customers within the city, and the commissioners represent those in several communities outside the city limits that are serviced by Mannington TV. Both government bodies previously approved the start of negotiations between Mannington TV and Comcast.

But the commissioners became concerned about the deal when they learned that T.K.M.I.’s contract was not being renewed in full. They scheduled a public hearing for this Wednesday to try to help resolve the issue.

But now, following a counteroffer made by Comcast last week for a new multi-year contract with T.K.M.I., it looks as though the issue may be resolved early this week.

“There is a negotiation going on between Comcast and T.K.M.I. and looks like there could be a settlement before Wednesday’s hearing,” Lalli said.

And if there is, Elliott and Parks said that the public hearing will be canceled.

“We’re hoping they can work this situation out,” Parks said. “We are waiting and letting them work through this process. Hopefully, they can come to terms with each other.”

Comcast spokesperson Jody Doherty also confirmed last week that the two companies are “in discussions to arrive at acceptable terms for carriage.”

Elliott, Lalli and Parks said the deadline for T.K.M.I. to sign the new contract is Monday. Elliott added that if the deal on the table becomes official, it looks as though it will be a “win-win-win” for all parties involved.

Rick Ricchuito, director of new business development for Comcast, has said that if a deal is struck between Mannington TV and Comcast, all customers currently serviced by Mannington TV will be upgraded to Comcast’s Marion County service lineup within 12 to 15 months of the contract approval. He said customers will also be offered digital, high-speed Internet, phone service and all other amenities currently provided by the larger company, which includes the option for a public access station within the lineup.

And if T.K.M.I. signs on with the deal, it will have the opportunity to be received in an additional 12,000 homes within 12 to 18 months, which would be a significant upgrade, Josh Sturm said.

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.

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