Every ten years, Concord negotiates a renewal of the cable franchise agreement with its cable television provider, Comcast (Xfinity). The Town, Minuteman Media Network (MMN) (the Town’s TV studio), and the PEG Access Advisory Committee (Committee) will host three in-person focus groups to gather input about Concord’s community media needs and interests, on May 10 & 11, 2023.
These meetings allow for interested community members to learn about the Comcast franchise renewal. The Committee wants your opinions and ideas about cable TV and community media services that should be available in Concord as part of any new franchise agreement. A Town-wide postcard on these meetings will arrive beginning the weekend of April 21.
The focus groups are organized by interest area. Community members should attend the focus group that is most convenient or matches their interests.
Educators, Youth, Sports, Community, Arts, Historic, Cultural Heritage and the Public
Wednesday, May 10: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Concord Free Public Library Goodwin Memorial Room
129 Main Street
Local Government and Local Business
Thursday, May 11: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Town Hall Select Board Room
2nd Floor 22 Monument Square
Seniors, Non-profit and Human Service Organizations, and Faith-Based Groups
Thursday, May 11: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Harvey Wheeler Community Center Clock Tower Room
1276 Main Street
A drawing will be held at each focus group for a gift card to a local business worth $50. Light refreshments will be served.
The presentation and brainstorming questions will be the same at each focus group. To RSVP for one or more of the sessions click here or go to: https://concordma.gov/cabletv.
The Committee is also sponsoring a town-wide survey seeking residents’ input on Comcast service and future cable TV needs. To access that on-line survey, click here or go to: https://concordma.gov/cabletv. The survey will open May 1 and remain open until June 9, 2023.
Information and ideas generated from these focus groups will help guide the negotiations. “Using the information we collect from these community brainstorming sessions and survey, we can continue shaping MMN’s future to make Concord better,” commented Karlen Reed, PEG Access Advisory Committee chair. For more on the Committee, go to https://concordma.gov/2012/PEG-Access-Advisory-Committee.
MMN is Concord’s community media access station. MMN operates the three community access TV channels on channels 8, 9, and 99 on Comcast (Xfinity). MMN records and televises local government meetings, locally produced public programs, and education shows. Anyone who lives in, works in, or goes to school in Concord or Carlisle, MA can request MMN’s video services and learn how to produce their own television show. MMN loans up-to-date video equipment for its community members to use and offers training for youth and adults.
For more information about MMN and its programs go tohttps://concordma.gov/2335/Minuteman-Media-Network-MMN.
Thank you.
PEG Access Advisory Committee
Karlen Reed, chair
Vince Carlson, clerk
Cory Atkins, member
Cynthia Rainey, member
PAAC@concordma.go