BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Conflict between Spectrum and the City of Buffalo continues.
Customers voiced their complaints over things like the digital conversion for all televisions that use cable and rising prices in the region. Additionally, Spectrum is still in a dispute with New York State over its lack of service in rural areas and even last month's announced settlement over internet speeds.
Buffalo Common Councilman Richard Fontana highlighted one of the newer issues between Spectrum and the city which includes the location of the public access channels for common council proceedings. According to the City of Buffalo website, the public access channel is 20 though the councilman said that is incorrect and, instead, much further up.
"We were very concerned, and still are, that they moved the public access channels all the way up to (1303)," Fontana told WBEN on Wednesday. "People don't ever channel surf...I do..I never go past 280."
Fontana said the common council asked Spectrum to change the location of the public access channel to one that is more frequently used and said that Spectrum refused to do so. The city does feature programming such as council proceedings online
Another issue that he highlighted is the city's claim that Spectrum owes it $100,000 and that the city will not negotiate a new franchise agreement, or terms in which Spectrum can use the city's infrastructure to conduct business.
"The past agreement called for improvements at the Apollo (Media Center) and improvements for internet speeds across the City of Buffalo and various items that would help businesses and residents alike," Fontana said.
Spectrum responded to the discussion on the public access channels and a representative said they are looking into additional information about the franchising.