A cable contract approved by the Annapolis city council last night would expand the range of televised sports games offered in basic cable packages. But, according to at least one alderman, the offer also could result in higher rates for area subscribers.
The council voted unanimously to approve a new contract requiring TCI Cablevision to make Home Team Sports and ESPN2, which broadcast Orioles, Bullets and Capitals games, part of a basic cable package.
TCI has threatened to sue if the city approved that provision, and General Manager William J. Forest said after the meeting that the company will consider what to do next.
Higher rates, not a lawsuit, may be what the Annapolis viewing public should expect next, said Ward 5 Alderman Carl O. Snowden, who is supervising cable contract negotiations as chairman of the Finance Committee.
"If people think that, once this contract is approved, they're not going to be looking at cable increases down the road, they're kidding themselves," said Mr. Snowden, who said he believes that TCI will accept the new contract but suspects it will shift any new costs to subscribers.
"There's nothing prohibiting TCI from passing the cost onto the consumer and using the excuse, 'This is what the City Council mandated,' " he said after the meeting.
Although Mr. Forest acknowledged that rate increases are likely in the future, he argued that any new fees would stem from higher general operating expenses, not the city's tougher contract.
The council approved three changes that TCI found particularly objectionable.
The first is the extra sports networks, which the city says should be included for the sake of fairness alone since the two other cable companies in Anne Arundel County offer the channels.
"If you happen to live in Pasadena, you get HTS and ESPN2 in the basic package for several dollars less [per month] than you pay in the city of Annapolis," said Ward 7 Alderman M. Theresa DeGraff, who sponsored the amendment. "This is a big issue for my constituents."
TCI has indicated that it will take the city to court over the sports network provision, arguing that under a 1992 federal law the city cannot dictate which programs its constituents receive in the basic cable package. Those decisions must be determined by subscriber surveys and not government mandates, Mr. Forest said.
Another controversial element of the contract is its length. While the last agreement was valid for a full decade, the new contract would be valid for only three years, with the option to renew for two additional years before the contract is renegotiated.
The council approved a third provision disputed by TCI that requires the cable company to spend $100,000, over the next two years on facility and equipment improvements for Channel 15, the local cable access channel in Annapolis.