ARTICLE TOOLS

E-mail story

Printer friendly version

iPod friendly version

Share This

Text Size: A A A A

Governor Bredesen pledges to work on cable

By: Dave Flessner
(Contact)

Included in this article

Gov. Phil Bredesen

Gov. Phil Bredesen, D-Tenn., said today he may become involved this year in the fight between AT&T and Tennessee’s cable television companies over cable and broadband services in the state.

In a meeting today with reporters and editors at the Times Free Press, Mr. Bredesen questioned the approach by House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh to encourage AT&T and cable providers to reach their own compromise on a legislative bill this year. AT&T wants the Legislature to adopt a statewide franchising authority to allow the phone giant to offer cable television across the state. But the cable TV industry and its supporters in the Tennessee Municipal League blocked the measure last year, contending that AT&T wanted an easier path that current cable TV providers to enter the business.

“”I’m looking at some alternatives,” Gov. Bredesen said. “I don’t think what Speaker Naifeh is trying to do can be successful” since the two sides are taking opposite positions on the franchising authority request.

“Last year and so far this year, it’s shaping up into what AT&T wants versus what the cable TV companies want,” he said. “Maybe at some point, we ought to consider what Tennesseans want. It’s something I am taking a look at how I might have an influence on.”

For complete coverage, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.