C-NET Executive Director, Cynthia Hahn, Provides Annual Presentation to Board of Supervisors

On June 7, 2022 at the Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting, C-NET Executive Director, Cynthia Hahn, provided the Board of Supervisors with C-NET's annual update on their programming, 2021 performance highlights, and happenings at the agency.

During her presentation, Ms. Hahn began by discussing the extensive changes to meeting layouts for local municipalities in the Centre Region, notably the "hybrid" model, where members of the public and elected officials are able to join meetings remotely by Zoom, while some members of the public and elected officials join in-person at their discrepancy. Ms. Hahn noted that in 2021, "all of our member organizations, essentially, needed to go hybrid," and noted that the process is more complicated than many may surmise. C-NET has provided member organizations with technical assistance while undergoing this process to display the best format for viewers while working to synchronize virtual and in-person attendance at municipal meetings, and continues to work to provide the best production possible.

Viewing advancements made to C-NET from 2021 to 2022 also included adding their programming to popular streaming services such as Apple TV, Roku Streaming, and Amazon Fire TV, while maintaining their live programming on cable services and YouTube. C-NET streams Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors Meetings and Planning Commission Meetings live on television, which accounted for a total of 43 programs presented by C-NET in 2021.

Dues paid to C-NET by member organizations are on a 5-year period for most organizations, and 2021 will be noted as the final year in the 5-year period for the next payment due in 2023. Ferguson Township is responsible for 9.04% of all content hosted by C-NET, and C-NET Channel 7 hosts Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings when they occur, and with re-runs. Meetings are posted 48 hours after they occur to C-NET's website, and chapters are included for each discussion item for those that would like to view the meeting and see discussion on a specific item.

Ms. Hahn's presentation also discussed the basics of franchising, which all member municipalities participate in with Comcast. Comcast provides 5% of gross revenue produced from broadcasting in Ferguson Township, and provided $250,000 to Ferguson Township from this agreement. Comcast consumers in Ferguson Township are also billed $0.32/month for a subscriber pass-through, and the funds are sent to Ferguson Township, but are ultimately forwarded to C-NET by Ferguson Township to help pay for their capital needs. Franchising is C-NET's primary funding source, and is directly responsible for their day-to-day operations.

To see Cynthia Hahn's full presentation, see the attached PowerPoint below.

C-NET's mission statement is "to maintain and operate, on a not-for-profit basis, a government and educational access network to inform the public on subjects useful and beneficial to the community via cable television channels and internet communications, and to do all acts incidental to the operation and development of these services."  All Member Organizations pay annual contributions to C-NET for their services, and annual contributions for most members are determined by a funding formula based on each member’s use of C-NET services over a 5-year period. See C-NET's informational presentation on their structure, governance, funding, staff, and programming here.

Ferguson Township currently has an opening for C-NET Representative. Information can be found on the linked page along with an ABC Application Form to be submitted online or at the Township Municipal Building.