The Argus Observer | Online

Cable One touts new program

Monday, February 16, 2004 10:31 AM PST

Kristin Gribben - Argus Observer

TREASURE VALLEY - Cable One is hoping a new hour of programming featuring Northwest news will help quell local controversy regarding Portland versus Boise news but some local residents remain skeptical the new venture will make a difference

Michelle Cameron, Cable One's general manager for the Treasure Valley, said the cable giant will offer access to an hour of nightly northwest news - with tidbits of Oregon specific information - through the new 24-hour news channel 28 from Boise.

Cable One pulled coverage of Portland-based, National Broadcast Corporation-affiliate KGW nearly two years ago.

The company replaced KGW with Northwest Cable News - which covers Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of Montana through stations in Seattle, Portland, Spokane and Boise.


ADVERTISEMENT

NWCN was removed from Cable One's line up soon after, according to Ontario City Council member Audrey Jacobs. Since then, Malheur County residents who do not have a satellite dish do not have access to local news from Portland or other areas of Oregon.

Jacobs said the reinstatement of NWCN's program a couple weeks ago - called Northwest News Tonight - and the two minute Oregon news blurbs that replace regularly scheduled advertisements during the 9 and 9:30 p.m. commercial slots were "an attempt to appease us and it's not going to work."

Doug Armstrong, president and manager of KTVB and the 24-hour news channel, said NWCN programming was born from the station's initiative - not Cable One.

"We made the decision independently based on our desire to better serve our Oregon customers," Armstrong said. He said Cable One was notified of the programming after the network made the decision. Armstrong said KTVB has no objection to Cable One reinstating KGW news from Portland. He said the only issue would be duplication laws. According to Federal Communication Commission regulations, Cable One could not offer the exact same program on two different stations. This would not prohibit, however, Cable One from showing KGW's local news programming.

Cameron said Cable One was exploring options to broadcast KGW local news through KTVB in Boise. This would require developing a fiber optic connection between KGW in Portland and KTVB in Boise - both of which are owned by the parent company, Belo.

Cameron said a fiber optic connection between the two stations might be developed as early as the end of the year.

She said the joint venture between Cable One and KTVB is "likely to happen."

According to Armstrong, KTVB has no current plans to invest in a costly fiber optic connection, but would not rule out the possibility for a fiber optic connection in the future.

Armstrong said he believes Cable One has the capacity to transmit KGW from Portland for Malheur County residents. Armstrong said because Eastern Oregon residents outside of Ontario receive Portland news, there must be at least two or three transmitters in the eastern part of the state.

From that transmitter, Armstrong said, Cable One could "microwave" the signal into the Treasure Valley. He added that Cable One provides the Twin Falls area with local news from Salt Lake City.

"Microwaving" the signal is not an option for Cable One, Cameron said. Last year, Cable One changed from microwaving signals to a fiber optic network. This allowed for Malheur County residents to receive digital cable and other upgrades, Cameron said.

The company said microwaving KGW caused poor picture quality because of the distance from the nearest transmitter receiving KGW and Cable One's receiver in Payette. Cameron said she was unaware of the closest transmitter to Payette, but in a document submitted by Frank Yraguen, former Malheur County Circuit Court judge, there is a transmitter in La Grande that receives signals from KGW.

Oregon state senator Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) agrees with Jacobs that Cable One has not done everything in its power to carry Oregon news.

Ferrioli spoke at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce meeting last Monday about the issue. He mentioned the addition of Northwest Cable News, but expressed the same skepticism as Jacobs.

"These are less than perfect alternatives," Ferrioli said.

Ferrioli added he was suspicious that the main reason Cable One is not offering Oregon news has to do with the advertising market. He said the main advertising market in the Treasure Valley is Boise, which gives Cable One little incentive to move west of that market by addressing the concerns of Malheur County residents.

Poor picture quality and copyright fees associated with carrying KGW were the reasons Cable One cited for discontinuing Portland news, according to Cameron. Cable networks are forced to pay copyright fees through FCC enforcement for carrying network stations outside the "demographic market area."

For example, Jacobs said, Klamath Falls, Ore., receives its news from California rather than Portland, and Vancouver, Wash., receives Portland news because it is closer to that market than the Seattle market.

Ferrioli said he does not advocate more FCC regulation. He said Cable One needs to practice more ethical business conduct.

"It's a matter of plain common sense and good business practices," Ferrioli said.

Return to Previous Page

Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:

" Islam is a woman-hating, human-enslaving ideology that should NOT be taught in our public schools. It's obvious the Saudis and the rest of the Muslim fanatics who are trying to take over the world have bought off the State of Oregon. Expect lawsuits.

And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.

Disgusting. "

anonymous wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 AM:

" The girl was Latasha Rodriguez "

Cody W. Ables wrote on May 16, 2008 11:04 PM:

" May 16, 2008

Here is something that we should all read. This is a letter from an angry woman in New Jersey regarding the War in Iraq and all of the war’s negative publicity. Pay attention.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three-thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means quit reading. Should you choose to do so, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
Important for us all!!!!
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!’

I hope you take this woman’s viewpoint into consideration. It closely parallels my own. As I begin my journey in becoming a soldier of the greatest country in the world, hearing this woman’s words sets my heart at ease. It is warming to know that there are people in this great country who still care about those men and women who have no choice.

Cody W. Ables
U.S. Air Force Academy 2012
"

TERMS OF USE

Those who post comments are accountable for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they furnish. While we encourage writers to utilize this service on our Web site, we also strongly suggest they treat it as public forum where good taste counts. We reserve the right to decline for approval objectionable material from these blogs.

Writers that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments - such as racists language, threats or comments unrelated to the story - will not be approved for the blogs. Also, entries that are unsigned or "signatures" by someone other than the actual writer will not be approved.

While writers can still post anonymously, we strongly suggest that they do not do so.

Opinions, guidance and other information expressed in Argus Observer story blog comments and on the Argus Observer blogs represent the individuals' own views and not necessarily those of the Argus Observer. The Argus Observer furnishes this type of forum and does not endorse and is not accountable for statements or advice from anyone other than an designated Argus Observer spokesperson.

More Headlines

Armory back on track

Cable One touts new program