HD. 4389 – AN ACT RELATIVE TO DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT ON PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
The bill would impose a 5% fee on digital streaming providers which are using public rights of way in order to sell their services to Massachusetts residents. The revenue distribution will be as follows:
20% to the State General Fund, 40% to the Municipalities, 40% to Community Media.
PEG Access stations, including AOTV, have been beneficial to Massachusetts communities and provide transparency to constituents.
There are two main financial issues that will hamper us from continuing our mission; cable cord-cutting and FCC rules that will favor the cable companies. Since many people no longer subscribe to cable, it is no longer fair that only cable subscribers pay for the PEG access stations, which are now available to all through the internet and, in Athol, on WVAO 105.9 FM radio. AOTV does its own fundraising, but cannot raise the funds necessary to fully fund operating and capital expenses.