Town-specific franchise requirements are separate and distinct from Comcast’s PEG access programming operating procedures.

Comcast is committed to the creation and delivery of Interactive Broadband products and services that enable people to simplify and enhance their lives. We help our customers reach around the corner and around the globe. Our superior customer service reflects our dedication to an environment that embraces community, opportunity, integrity, and courage. We value balance in life and work, and believe our services contribute to that goal. Our excitement for the future ignites a passion for excellence and a belief that all things are possible.

Comcast provides communities with a wonderful opportunity for volunteers by providing public, education, and government access facilities and equipment. Our goal is to provide a safe and professional work environment for all. To achieve this, we want to inform you of what is expected of you and what you may expect in your relationship with Comcast.

• We believe that it is important for all of us to treat each other with consideration and respect.
• Our work environment models safety for our employees, vendors, customers, and volunteers.
• The behaviors that we demonstrate reflect the attitude of respect and dignity for all.
• We work together in a team environment.

• We require the proper use of equipment, computer systems, and our facilities.

Comcast provides channel time, production equipment, training, and technical assistance free of charge to residents for the production and presentation of noncommercial programs.

Residents can include the town’s inhabitants and employees, or members, of non-profit organizations and municipal agencies that serve the town. (See Organizational Access User definition). Any resident may request channel time for the presentation of a program. In order to use production equipment to produce a program, a resident must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the equipment or receive training in its use and certification by Comcast's staff.

Comcast's staff will provide training in the use of equipment and customary studio and field production, editing, and post production, along with technical assistance in program production. Comcast's staff is not available to serve as a production crew to make programs or cover events for volunteer producers. Comcast's staff will assist residents in assembling production crews from among trained and qualified volunteers.

Comcast reserves the right to review all definitions and policies contained in this Access User Policy Manual and has the discretion to make changes as it deems necessary.

Access Channels -- Channels set aside by the cable operator for use by the public, educational institutions, municipal government, or for lease on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Access User -- Any qualified individual who is a resident, or employee, (or member), of a non-profit organization, or of a municipal agency that serves the town. He must qualify by successfully completing training and sign the Access User Agreement. Then he may schedule equipment, facilities and/or channel time in his own name. (Such an individual may or may not be a producer. See that entry for more information.)

Alphanumeric Keyboard -- A keyboard that allows communications with a computer in letters and numbers.

Bicycled Tape -- A videotape that is not produced in the town, rather, it is pre-produced and prerecorded material that is shipped or brought to operators for PEG Access use.

Broadband Communications System -- Frequently used as a synonym for cable television. It can describe any technology capable of delivering multiple channels and services.

Cable Television System -- A broadband communications system, capable of delivering programming and information services from a set of centralized antennas, generally by coaxial cable, to a community. Other integration includes fiber optics and satellite and microwave communications.

Candidate, legally qualified for office -- Any person who has publicly announced candidacy by formal declaration and meets the legal qualifications for office, and these conditions:

For all offices other than U.S. President and Vice President:

For office of U.S. President and Vice President:

CG (Character Generator) -- Device which electronically displays letters and numbers on the television screen.

Channel Capacity -- Maximum number of channels that a cable system can carry simultaneously.

Copyright -- The exclusive right to the material contained in a program. The right covers reproduction, publishing, and broadcasting of information.

Dedicated Channel -- Any channel reserved for a particular use.

Distant Signals -- Television channels from another market imported and carried locally by a cable television system.

Downstream -- The flow of signals from the cable system headend through the distribution network to the subscriber.

Earth Station -- Structure, referred to as a "dish", used for receiving and/or transmitting those electromagnetic signals coming from or going to a satellite.

Educational Access -- Channel time reserved for noncommercial educational access programming.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- The U.S. governmental agency established in 1934 to regulate electronic communications. The FCC succeeded the Federal Radio Commission.

First Time Access User -- An individual or non-profit organization which has not used either the equipment, facilities, or channel time during the preceding twelve months.

Franchise -- Contractual agreement between a cable operator and a governmental body that defines the rights and responsibilities of each in the construction and operation of a cable system within a specified geographical area.

Government Cablecasting -- Access for federal, state, and local officials to disseminate information to their constituents via cable television. This can be achieved by the official submitting videocassettes to the cable operator, sending abridged newsletters for display on a system's alphanumeric channel, or participating in interview programs on access channels.

Hardware -- Equipment involved in the production, storage, distribution, or reception of electronic signals. (Examples are headend, coaxial cable network, amplifiers, television receivers, and production equipment, like cameras and videotape recorders.)

Headend -- Electronic control center of the cable system. This is the site of the receiving antenna and the signal processing equipment essential to proper functioning of a cable system.

HUBS -- Distribution centers where signals are taken from a master feed and transmitted over cable to subscribers.

Independent -- Individually owned and operated cable television system; not affiliated with an MSO.

Institutional Network -- A network which is operated in conjunction with a cable TV system, which is designed to satisfy the needs of schools, businesses, or government.

Interconnect -- Connection of two or more cable systems by microwave, fiber, coaxial cable, or satellite, so that programming or advertising may be exchanged, shared, or simultaneously viewed.

Issuing Authority -- Governmental body responsible for specifying the terms of a franchise, awarding the franchise, and regulating its operation. While the franchising authority is usually a local city or county body, some areas are regulated exclusively on the state level.

Leased Access -- Any channels made available by the operator for a fee.

Libel -- A written or oral statement that conveys an unjust characterization.

Local Origination -- Cable programming entirely planned and produced by Comcast staff and/or a pre-produced videotape that is cablecast on a channel controlled by the cable operator.

Local Origination Programming -- Programming in which program planning and production is carried out by the Comcast staff. There may be volunteer input on ideas and involvement in the production, but editorial control and responsibility rests with the cable operator.

Local Signals -- Over-the-air broadcast signals available within the Grade B contour of a community; usually carried on a cable system's basic tier of programming.

MSO (Multiple System Operator) -- Company that owns and operates more than one cable television system.

Narrowcasting -- Delivery of programming that addresses a specific need or highly focused audience.

Obscene Material -- Material which fits the legal definition of obscene or indecent material under local and state laws.

Ordinance -- Enabling legislation passed by a local government to establish guidelines for the franchising process.

Organizational Access User -- Any member of a non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 identification number that serves the town, or employee of a municipal agency that serves the town, that has scheduled equipment, facilities, or channel time in its name. An organizational Access User is subject to the same weekly facility and channel limitations as individual Access Users, whether one or several individuals book time in the name of the organization. If a member of any such organization is not an inhabitant of the town, he may only produce programming that is sponsored by the organization to which he belongs.

PEG -- Refers to "public, educational, and governmental" access channels; i.e. PEG channel(s).

Penetration -- Ratio of the number of cable subscribers, or pay-TV subscribers, to the total number of households passed by the system.

Producer -- An access or organizational user that is responsible for the production of a PEG Access cable program. The producer is Comcast’s main contact for a program and must be a resident of the town served by the facility. While a program may involve many Access Users working on the same production, the producer agrees to be personally and financially responsible for all liabilities arising from safety and other violations of Comcast’s PEG access programming operating procedures by themselves or any members of the production crew. (In the case of a minor, his parent or guardian assumes all responsibility for program content and other liability outlined in Comcast’s PEG access programming operating procedures and the Access User Agreement).

Programming -- the news, entertainment, information resources, and educational presentations carried on a cable system or broadcast by a radio or television station. Such programming can originate at the local, PEG Access, regional, or national level.

Public Access -- That channel time, available on a first-come, first-served, nondiscriminatory basis, specifically for noncommercial access programming by residents or local non-profit organizations.

Public Access Programming -- Programming produced by volunteers using Comcast facilities and equipment. When an access user brings in a prerecorded tape for cablecast, it is also considered public access. In both these instances, Comcast, by federal law, may not edit or control content. This programming must be noncommercial.

Regular Access User -- An Access User that has used either the equipment, facilities, or channel on two or more occasions in the four-week period prior the current request for scheduling. Regular Access Users also include those who have used the facilities or channel on a monthly basis for at least six months prior to the current request for such use.

Satellite -- Device located in a geostationary orbit above the earth which receives transmissions from separate points and retransmits them to cable systems over a wide area.

Slander -- A false oral statement that is meant to defame a person's character.

Staff -- Those employed by Comcast.

Subscriber -- Customer paying a monthly fee to cable system operators for the capability of receiving diverse programs and services.

Training -- Evidence of proper training is the ability to complete a task without staff assistance. The requirements for completing training are defined by the Access Coordinator as applicable to the program under production.

Upstream -- The flow of data or voice signals from a remote origination point through the cable system to the headend.

Users – See Access User.

Volunteer – Access Users who volunteer their services for assisting in the production of programming.

Channel and facility times are provided on a first-come, first-served, nondiscriminatory basis to any resident Access User filing a request, in accordance with the operating rules. It should be understood, however, that since this is a shared resource, specific channel time and equipment use requests cannot always be guaranteed.

1. Scheduling Channel Time (continued)

1. Access Users must obtain in writing, and produce upon request, all the necessary approvals, clearances, licenses, etc. in order to cablecast any program material that includes, but is not limited to, broadcast stations, networks, music licensing organizations, performer's representatives, and any and all other persons as may be necessary for authorization to cablecast the program material. Failure to provide proof of the necessary clearances, rights, licenses, etc. will result in the suspension of the particular program, series, or episode in question until such proof is produced. (See page 19- section V. part B for information on use of copyrighted material).
2. Labels – Before cablecast, all videotapes must be clearly labeled with the following information on the box spine and on the tape:

1. Title of program
2. Cablecast date
3. Producer’s name
4. Length of Program
5. Audio specifications (Channel 1 or Channel 2)

1. Leader and Trailer -- The beginning of all cablecast programs must include the following, in this order:

1. 30 seconds color bars, with audio test tone at 0db
2. 10 seconds academy leader (countdown 10-2 with 2 seconds of black)

1. Appropriate production credits
2. Comcast credit – (i.e., "Produced at Comcast")
3. 60 seconds of standard black

1. Tapes scheduled for cablecasting must be brought to the staff at least seventy-two

1. Programming must meet minimum quality standards for cablecast. Comcast reserves the right to pre-screen programs. If programming does not meet minimum technical standards and/or does not comply with FCC regulations and the law, Comcast will refuse the request for playback.
2. All videotapes supplied for cablecast must be in the following formats: VHS in SP mode, or 3/4" U-matic, unless other arrangements have been made.
3. Videotapes must be of such quality that a processing amplifier used by the channel will accept the signal. If the amplifier will not accept the signal and the resulting picture is unstable, the videotape may be rejected.
4. Audio quality of all videotapes will be constant and of sufficient level to permit adequate reproduction on Comcast transmission equipment.
5. If staff notices an abnormal number of production problems with a videotape (i.e. poor audio or video), an Access User may be asked to re-train.

1. Underwriting for programs must be for goods and services or in-kind contributions that aid in developing and improving the program. Credit for underwriting will be similar to the following: "Goods and services used in the production of this program were contributed by [company name]." Credits will be shown before and after the program and can be displayed at periodic intervals during the program. Such programs must still include Comcast’s credit (See above).
2. Comcast must be notified that a program will be underwritten at the time the program proposal is submitted.
3. Any individual or group submitting a proposal for grant funding for a project which involves the use of Comcast’s facilities must have obtained prior written approval from Comcast staff.

1. Negotiating a percent of sales or net income; or
2. Charging an hourly fee for the actual value of the equipment and facility time; or
3. Trading services, i.e. a media artist working under a grant trades teaching specialized video production classes in return for using the facility.

1. A resident must sponsor the bicycled program by signing the sponsor form (page 24) and providing proof of residency.
2. Any public, non-profit organization, or state agency can bicycle tapes with only one representative as the sponsor. The non-profit organization does not have to be based in the town but the representative must be able to furnish proof of its non-profit status and that it does serve that town, i.e. one representative must be a resident of the town who will sign an Access User Agreement.

IV. USE OF FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Comcast’s channels and facilities are a medium for expression and free speech. No individual will be denied the use of the facilities on the basis of race, sex, age, physical disability, religion, or political belief. It is hoped that PEG Access residents, non-profit organizations, and institutions will utilize this resource as a means to produce a wide variety of programs.

1. Eligibility to Use Production Equipment and Facilities

1. Availability -- Equipment and facilities are available to residents of the town and representatives or employees of non-profit organizations and agencies that serve the town on a first-come, first-served, and nondiscriminatory basis. Non-residents formally enrolled in a student internship program at Comcast may use the equipment and facilities.
2. Minors -- Eligible persons who are minors must have written permission from their parent or guardian to use Comcast facilities. The parent or guardian must sign the Access User Agreement, accepting responsibility for scheduled production equipment and/or program material if the minor is the producer of a program. A responsible adult shall execute the necessary assurances that authorization has been obtained concerning the use of any equipment by a minor and/or appearance of any minors on a cablecast program. Such adults shall be responsible for liability resulting from the use of equipment or an appearance by a minor.
3. Access User must have successfully completed the applicable Comcast workshop or demonstrate, on a standardized equipment use test, the basic operation of the requested video equipment. If the Access User has not used the equipment or facilities for more than one year, re-certification may be required.
4. Access Users must sign an Access User Agreement before using the facilities. This document certifies that the Access User has read, understands, and will abide by the operating rules, and agrees to be solely responsible for the content of any programs produced or scheduled for cablecast if they are the producer of record.

1. No smoking, food, or beverages are allowed in the control room or studio area, or mobile studio, at any time.
2. Anyone found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or carrying a weapon of any kind, will be removed from the premises. This will result in the loss of privileges.

1. General Facility Policies (continued)

1. Abide by safety guidelines. See Section C below.
2. There will be no use of phones or other office equipment, unless granted permission by Comcast staff.
3. Access Users are responsible for loss or damage to facilities and equipment due to negligence or abuse.
4. Access Users of Comcast equipment, or studio and post-production facilities, will not change wiring, patch bays, or components without staff permission or supervision. No attempt should be made to work on or repair equipment. Any damage caused in this manner will be charged to the Access User. A loss of privileges will result from such equipment abuse. Access Users of Comcast equipment should report any defects or problems to the staff.
5. Access Users that are found to be misusing or abusing the equipment may be asked to repeat training, testing and/or be subject to loss of privileges.

1. Staff may waive certain equipment and facility rules at their discretion.

1. Volunteer Standards of Conduct for Non-Comcast Employees

1. Volunteer Standards of Conduct for Non-Comcast Employees (continued)

1. General Rules for Equipment Use

All work and master tapes will be subject to recycling at the discretion of staff.

1. Access Users holding equipment reservations must follow these check-out and check-in procedures:

1. Sign all required forms and equipment checklists.
2. Determine if equipment is in working order.

1. Equipment must be returned on time.
2. Any problems with equipment or damage must be noted on the equipment checklist and brought to staff attention.

1. Equipment must be picked up and returned during staff hours. Pickups and returns

must be made at least 30 minutes before the facility closes.

2. Failure to return equipment when due may result in suspension of Access User privileges and/or a late charge of $25.00 per day.

1. Portable/Field Equipment (continued)

1. Equipment may be borrowed for a maximum of twenty-four (24) hours during the

week and seventy-two (72) hours over the weekend. Longer loan periods must be requested at the time the reservation is made and will be honored at the discretion of staff.

2. Access Users with portable equipment already checked out will not be allowed to check out additional equipment, unless special arrangements are made with staff.
3. Only in special cases, and with staff permission, can Access Users take equipment outside of the towns being served by this Comcast facility.

1. Editing and Post Production

Requests to use the editing equipment for titles, special effects, etc. shall be made at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance and will be subject to the discretion of staff.

2. Studio Facilities

1. A minimum of one (1) week notification is required for scheduling a studio

production.

2. Access Users must show up on time for scheduled studio productions and must have the studio and control room equipment and sets put away before the end of the scheduled time period. It is generally good practice to allow for set-up and clean-up of the studio, at least one hour before, and after, the time needed to tape the actual show. Also, remember to leave time before or during the scheduled studio time to brief the crew and talent on the planned production.
3. Scheduled studio productions will be cancelled if the production crew does not show up within thirty (30) minutes after the start of the scheduled facility time.

1. Mobile (Studio) Van

1. Where a van is available for access use, the scheduling of time for the use of the mobile studio should allow ample time and sufficient crew for the following:

1. checking over and loading the needed equipment,
2. travel time to and from the production site,
3. setup time,
4. a crew briefing period,
5. the length of the actual event being taped,
6. taking apart equipment, reloading the van at the end of the taping, and
7. the check-in of the van and equipment back at the studio

1. Mobile (Studio) Van (continued)

1. Necessary parking permits and a parking space for the van have been obtained.
2. Safe and protected work areas have been secured.
3. Written permission to use the production location, where needed, has been obtained.
4. Necessary labor approvals have been obtained.

1. The Access User is responsible for additional costs incurred such as special lighting, audio, special effects, and electrical power.
2. In order to schedule the mobile van or participate in a mobile studio production, Access Users under the age of 18 must have written permission from their parent or guardian.

1. Program Planning Proposal

1. Access Users of television channels and program producers are fully responsible for the

content of all program material and have the following program rights and

privileges:

2. To request that program master videotapes held by Comcast be

discontinued from cablecast or erased in the event that program

information becomes outdated or obsolete.

3. To play or distribute the videotape, for nonprofit purposes only, provided

Comcast is given graphic credit within the videotape at each cablecast date

or play.

4. Videotapes for making duplicates (dubs) of program masters, or any other

tapes, must be provided by the individual or group making the

dub.

1. The following material is prohibited:

1. Obscene and indecent material. This type of programming is not permitted

on cable television by federal law.

2. Material which constitutes libel, slander, invasion of privacy or publicity rights,

or which might violate any other local, state or federal law.

3. Programs containing material that violates copyright or trademarks. Use of such

material generally requires obtaining appropriate rights from music licensing

organizations, publishers, representatives, copyright holders, broadcast stations,

networks and any other persons as may be necessary for cablecast. Access Users may

be asked to furnish written authorization for use of such materials.

4. Program material that creates the immediate danger of damage to property

or injury to persons; the substantial obstruction of law enforcement or

functions or services; the deprivation of any person by threat, threat of

force or physical action through the exercise of a legal right, or the disturbance

of any person in the enjoyment of a legal right; or the creation of a public nuisance.

1. The following material is prohibited: (continued)

1. Comcast Program Rights

As Comcast has provided materials, facilities, and staff support for the production of programs, Comcast has the following rights:

1. To retain the edited master of the program for its tape library.

2. To make duplications of the program for noncommercial distribution, except where permission has expressly been denied in advance. Producers will always be given graphic credit in the videotape for such use.

3. To cablecast the program as often as is deemed appropriate and on any of its affiliated cable systems.

4. To exercise the option of erasing an obsolete or unusable program after it has been cablecast.

5. Comcast should be notified of any subsequent use of any tape produced and cablecast with television facilities if the producer received any profit or remuneration.

6. Comcast must be reimbursed for equipment rental at fair market value or 50% profit whichever is smaller. This is not a rental agreement.

7. Comcast will own programs produced by Comcast’s staff. When Comcast staff produces a program, with the assistance of volunteer or staff crew, it is considered to be Local Origination Programming and copyright ownership is held entirely by Comcast.

2. FCC Regulations Regarding Political and Issue-Oriented Programs

1. Political Candidates and Access

2. Coverage of Public Affairs Issues and Access

1. Except where prohibited by the local franchise agreement, Comcast will accept community bulletin board text advertising at a rate of $5.00 per page per day.
2. A resident candidate, or resident supporters, may also produce, at no charge, an access program of at least thirty (30) minutes duration.
3. Bicycle a taped program under the established policies contained herein.
4. Comcast does not accept spot video advertising (30-60 seconds) for cablecast on public access channels.

1. Political Files -- Comcast keeps a political file containing a record of:

1. The charges made, if any, for cablecast, or a notation of free time given.

B. Public Record (continued)

2. If an organization pays or furnishes political advertising materials, or materials which discuss controversial issues of public importance, Comcast will keep a record of the chief executive officer, or members of the executive committee, or board of directors of the sponsoring organization.

1. Individual Sponsorship File

FCC rules require sponsorship identification of cablecast material paid or bartered for by any business enterprise. The rule is waived for individual "want ads" or classified ads. Whenever this exemption is used, a list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of sponsors of want ads or classified advertising must be retained.

2. Children's Programming File

1. Eligibility

A text information service is available, free of charge, to non-profit organizations providing public service announcements and/or event information to the town.

2. Procedures

1. To place a message on the calendar, complete a Calendar Request Form and:

1. return by mail, or
2. fax, or
3. bring in person

1. All other rules regarding limitations on content for programming apply to bulletin