Every ten years, Concord negotiates a renewal of the cable franchise agreement with its cable television provider, Comcast (Xfinity). The Town, Minuteman Media Network (MMN) (the Town’s TV studio), and the PEG Access Advisory Committee (Committee) hosted three in-person focus groups to gather input about Concord’s community media needs and interests, on May 10 & 11, 2023. 

These meetings allowed for interested community members to learn about the Comcast franchise renewal. The Committee wants your opinions and ideas about cable TV and community media services that should be available in Concord as part of any new franchise agreement. 

The Committee is sponsoring a town-wide survey seeking residents’ input on Comcast service and future cable TV needs. To access that on-line survey, click here or go to: https://concordma.gov/cabletv. The survey will open May 1 and remain open until June 9, 2023. 

Information and ideas generated from these focus groups will help guide the negotiations. “Using the information we collect from these community brainstorming sessions and survey, we can continue shaping MMN’s future to make Concord better,” commented Karlen Reed, PEG Access Advisory Committee chair. For more on the Committee, go to https://concordma.gov/2012/PEG-Access-Advisory-Committee. 

MMN is Concord’s community media access station. MMN operates the three community access TV channels on channels 8, 9, and 99 on Comcast (Xfinity). MMN records and televises local government meetings, locally produced public programs, and education shows. Anyone who lives in, works in, or goes to school in Concord or Carlisle, MA can request MMN’s video services and learn how to produce their own television show. MMN loans up-to-date video equipment for its community members to use and offers training for youth and adults. 

For more information about MMN and its programs go tohttps://concordma.gov/2335/Minuteman-Media-Network-MMN. 

Thank you. 

PEG Access Advisory Committee 

Karlen Reed, chair

Vince Carlson, clerk 

Cory Atkins, member 

Cynthia Rainey, member 

PAAC@concordma.go