CITY SCOLDS TCI FOR LACK OF INPUT

In the wake of unpopular programming changes, the Cape Girardeau City Council passed a resolution Monday censuring the local cable television operator for failing to consult the public.

"I certainly think this is in order, to show our displeasure of their handling of our city's customers and residents," Councilman Richard Eggimann said after the resolution passed unanimously.

Denver, Colo.,-based Tele-Communications Inc. operates the cable television systems in Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

In the resolution, the council chastised TCI for its "complete failure to seek and obtain customer input concerning its recent channel and programming changes, as well as its failure to inform its customs in a timely manner of said changes."

The council also called on TCI to reconsider its recent programming changes and to seek customer feedback before making future changes "in order to restore the goodwill and good name of TCI in this community."

Roger Harms, general manager of the Cape Girardeau-Jackson TCI system, did not return phone calls left Monday at his home and office.

The resolution is non-binding on the company. Federal law largely dictates how cable companies can operate.

"I wish we could do more but our hands are tied," Councilman Tom Neumeyer said.

TCI announced in December that it would drop Chicago superstation WGN and Comedy Central and VH-1, which shared channel space. Those channels were replaced Dec. 30 with Animal Planet and The Cartoon Network.

The changes have prompted negative public response, particularly concerning the removal of WGN, which broadcasts Chicago Cubs baseball and Chicago Bulls basketball games.

Harms previously said the programming changes resulted from a general assumption that subscribers want more family-oriented viewing and that the new channels fit that description. However, he said TCI did not actually ask its customers what channels they would like removed or added.

Although TCI has a nonexclusive franchise with the city to operate its cable system, the city can take no punitive action against the company.

"The city has no legal hold on the company as far as what kind of programming it airs, but the city certainly has the right to express its concerns," said City Manager Michael Miller.

Miller said the resolution is not intended to be critical of TCI's programming changes, only the company's failure to consider the public's wishes.

Making reference to the newly added Cartoon Network, Neumeyer said, "If TCI were customer-driven, we would not be getting reruns of 'Scooby Doo.'"