Senator Oliverio Fights to Keep
West Virginia Public Television Accessible
Comcast Cable has ended access to West Virginia Public Television for many.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Comcast cable no longer offers West Virginia public television as part of its basic subscription. Senator Mike Oliverio (D- Monongalia) is calling on West Virginia citizens across Northern West Virginia and both panhandles to call Comcast Cable and demand that they keep West Virginia Public Television available through basic subscription.
"All West Virginians should have access to their state's public television programming," said Oliverio. "The fact that Comcast Cable will not make WV PBS available to all of its paying customers is unacceptable."
Comcast Cable has decided to stop airing West Virginia Public Television through its basic subscription without upgrading to a cable conversion box. Although they are making the box free for one year in an introductory offer, Senator Oliverio believes that the idea of charging West Virginia citizens for public television they already pay taxes for is appalling. Even with one free box for a year, charges to ship the box to the home, installation and the fee for additional boxes for homes with more than one television will be excessive and unfair.
"Comcast is a utility in this state whose job it is to serve the public," Oliverio added. "To take public television away from taxpayers, from those on fixed incomes, from those who can least afford to pay for additional luxury items - regrettably strikes at the heart of what West Virginia Public Broadcasting is all about."
Senator Oliverio is working with local, state and federal officials to bring public television back to all West Virginians throughout North Central West Virginia and the two panhandles.
"I encourage citizens to call 1-800-COMCAST and demand the company does the right thing. Clearly, the right thing is to enable West Virginians to see West Virginia Public Television."
