WGSF Television

Link: http://wgsf.oldgleaner.com/

Several companies had applied for a cable television (CATV) franchise in Newark over the years, but none had been granted.
Pressure on the Newark City Council really built up in the early 1970’s. It seemed more and more likely that this time the push would result in the granting of a CATV franchise.
I followed the development of the Cable CATV Rules and Regulations closely, as did many others in the educational and broadcast communities. Also like many community interest groups, I recognized the potential of utilizing one of those channels as an adjunct to the WGSF broadcast capability. I openly championed access to the Community channels as stipulated in the Rules and Regulations, suggesting that they decide in favor of a company that offered access channels. This did not endear me to some of the parties involved in the debates and discussions concerning the granting of a franchise for CATV service in Newark.
A lot of money was at stake, and the participants - the companies and law makers - were feeling the pressure.
Some of the applicants felt that I was favoring one company over another, and speaking out where I had no right to do so. My point, however, was, “If you grant a cable franchise, please include stipulations that include a Community Access channel for the Newark City Schools.” Some applicants seemed to dodge that portion of the rules and regulations in their presentations to the Newark City Council. Others seemed to dangle various enhancements that in all likelihood would never be implemented.
The television service community was also very concerned about the impact a CATV franchise would have upon their occupations. Even though most realized that the CATV movement was sweeping the country, and that the granting of a franchise was likely, it still didn’t sit well. Television antennas, supporting towers, installation and service made up a large part of their business. There was also concern that the CATV company would even restrict access to the receivers in the homes.
I had enjoyed a good, working relationship with these technicians, but many now were thinking that I was a traitor to their cause. Again, I affirmed that I had no real input into the selection of a franchisee. I was simply speaking out to make all parties aware of the new Rules and Regulations, especially the requirements for the community access channels.
I will never know whether my efforts made any impact on the choice of a company to receive the CATV franchise. As written, though, the franchise specified criteria for granting access to community channels on the system.
The next step was to meet that criteria for an educational channel.