Comcast shifting Boston Metro Gov’t Access channels in FCC-mandated realignment: Education and SCAT channels unchanged: RCN lineup unaffected 

Director of Communications and Cable Thomas P. Champion announced that the City of Somerville’s “City Cable” government access channel, currently broadcast at Ch16 on the Comcast cable system, will be moving to Ch22 effective June 5, 2012.  The move is a result of adjustments Comcast is making to accommodate the FCC-mandated relocation of a Massachusetts-based shopping channel, WWDP.  The city’s Education Channel (Ch15) and Somerville Community Access Television (SCAT, Ch3) are unaffected by the change. RCN subscribers will see no changes in the current locations of any of their public access channels, with City Cable remaining at Ch13, SCAT at Ch3 and the Education Channel at Ch15 on the RCN system.

“Comcast is making this change in cable markets across the Boston metro area,” said Champion.  “It’s not something they wanted to do, but FCC rules mandate that some television providers must be carried in the 1-20 channel group if they so request.  Some providers also have the right to be carried on cable in the same channel positions that they occupy on the airwaves.  Regular City Cable programming will simply shift to the new location on Channel 2 on June 5.  In the meantime, we will be working closely with Comcast to make sure the viewing public knows where to find us.”

A May 3rd letter to city officials from Comcast Gov’t and Regulatory Affairs Sr. Manager David Green stated, “As a result of WWDP electing must-carry status under FCC Rule 76.56 .  WWDP will move from Ch72 to Ch10; WGBX will move from Ch10 to Ch16; Government Access will move from Ch16 to Ch22.  Customers will receive notice of these changes in advance via direct mail communication.

“I have verified with RCN officials that they have not been asked to make a similar adjustment and that they have no plans to do so,” said Champion. City Cable video content is streamed online at http://www.somervillema.gov/view-videos.  City Cable also offers live and archived broadcasts of Meetings of the Board of Aldermen at http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx.