Editorial

Battle pits community against corporate giant

We suspect there are lots of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno residents who don't watch KCAT, the local cable access station. On the other hand, with the station's prime location between Channel 5 and Channel 7, there's a good chance many local residents will stumble across it and realize that it offers something special for the community--local programming.

Among the shows someone might come across while channel surfing among the big network locations are Los Gatos Then and Now and Los Gatos History, two shows done by the late Mary Foster that feature local history as seen through the eyes of the town's old-timers--many of whom are no longer living.

Viewers might see Police Connection, produced by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department's Volunteers in Policing. Or the Children's Christmas and Holiday Parade or the Los Gatos High School graduation. They might even come across the message board and stick around long enough to see what's going on in town.

It's not big-time programming. But it's ours. And that's what community access television is supposed to be about.

Now cable giant TCI and its new corporate boss, AT&T, have announced they are bumping KCAT--and a couple of other public access stations, including Saratoga's KSAR--over to Channel 15.

Everyone knows the old adage that the three most important elements of good real estate are location, location, location. And Channel 6, says KCAT station manager George Sampson, is prime real estate.

Sampson would like to talk to TCI about its claim that KICU has a right to Channel 6 under the "must-carry" law. He thinks the claim is ludicrous. So does Town Attorney Orry Korb, who has written several letters citing his opinion that TCI's planned move violates the cable company's franchise with the town.

With classic corporate arrogance, TCI has responded with silence.

Sampson, who's been kicking around the world of television for quite a while, is a realist. He figures if KCAT is sitting on prime real estate, it must be worth something. Giving up a prime location might be worth it if TCI would compensate the station. With an infusion of money or equipment, KCAT could improve service to the community with more programming on local issues, including live coverage of Town Council meetings.

TCI's spokesman won't respond to Sampson on that score, but he did scoff at the idea during an interview with the Los Gatos Weekly-Times.

The worst of it is, says Sampson, if they can move KCAT to Channel 15 this year, there's nothing to prevent TCI from moving the station to Channel 99 the next year.

If anyone doubts that there's a price to be paid for the corporate mentality that seems to be taking over the country, a look at how TCI and AT&T are treating our local community should offer a clue.

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