[August 10, 2011] Cable subscribers able to receive government-educational programs Tweet Aug 08, 2011 (The Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Cable subscribers throughout Onslow County are now able to watch live city council and commissioner meetings with Monday's launch of Channel 14 through Charter Communications. The "border to border" initiative expands access for government/educational programs to residents of Swansboro, Hubert, Richlands and Stump Sound. It is a joint venture between Time Warner, Charter Communications, the City of Jacksonville and Onslow County government, said Angela Christian, the county chief operations office. "It took a long time and a lot of effort, but we are really happy it has finally happened," she said before the start of the County Commissioners meeting Monday evening. Time Warner and Charter communications collaborated to complete the last leg of the system to provide the service, giving more than 43,000 households access. Government programming for Onslow County government and the City of Jacksonville along with other community partners will be seen simultaneously on G-10 and Channel 14, or G-14 as it's also called. G-10 has been on the air since March 3, 2006, said Glenn Hargett, Jacksonville community affairs director and cable channel administrator. "This has been more than a year's journey ... but we have been able to work through the franchising and all the technical difficulties," he said. "And our appreciation goes to Time Warner for their cooperation in making all this happen." Before Monday, there was no control on when and how the tapings were aired, Hargett said. "Now the programming schedule has been agreed to by local governments," he said. Additionally, Coastal Carolina Community College will come under the umbrella so it will be able to use the video service, Hargett said. "We are going to be carrying a piece for them coming soon when the (University of North Carolina Wilmington's) new chancellor gives a press conference here Aug. 15," he said. "They have been a part of it but have not used the video assets." Programming will provide information on the area and encourage participation in government services, activities and decision making, said Jeff Hudson, the county's manager. "I am extremely pleased that our staff was able to negotiate this cooperation between Time Warner and Charter Communications," stated Hudson upon announcing the expanded service. "All our citizens can now watch their local government at work." With the launch of Channel 14, Onslow County Board of Commissioners continues its commitment to transparency and open communication, Hargett said. "We continue to try and serve the citizen's the way they want to be served using various forms of media from Facebook to Twitter," he said, adding he hopes it will encourage more citizens to be involved in local government issues. Rules approved by the Federal Communications Commission Monday aim to make it easier for independent television programmers to get their channels carried in cable system lineups and prevent cable companies from discriminating against independent channels that may compete with their own networks, according to the Associated Press. The new rules are intended to give cable viewers more channel choices and give independent programmers more leverage in negotiations with cable companies. Programming through G-14 and G-10 includes Onslow County Board of Commissioner meetings along with spotlights on county departments and activities through the Onslow Today show. The program schedule is listed online at onslowcountync.gov under Quick Links. For more information, contact Onslow County Administration at 910-347-4717. To see more of The Daily News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.jdnews.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Daily News, Jacksonville, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]