If you’re a child at heart, an avid music lover, or a fan of exotic beaches, the recent change in television providers may have you fuming.
Under the new television provider, CATV, channels such as Disney, Fuse, and The Travel Channel are no longer being offered at the University Village or Residential Learning Community (RLC). In order to vocalize the concerns that have begun to accumulate from this change, University Village resident, Terry Rangel has started a petition.
“I found out through other residents that found out about it before me that were upset. Everyone, including myself, have basically been complaining that it is not fair to go from a provider that has been used for many years to this new one, especially without letting us, the residents, know. The new provider is missing many of the channels that most, if not all, us as residents, used to enjoy,” said Rangel.
According to Trevor Liddle, Director of TAMIU Housing and Residence Life, the switch in providers came from an in-depth look at demographic statistics. “The channels that have been selected rank highest in viewership for our college age demographic. We have all of our Laredo major local channels, a new international language programming channel, a well balanced cable news offering and expanded sports and entertainment options,” explains Liddle.
While the number of channels has been reduced from 76 to the current 48 channels, Liddle assures that residents will now have 45+ HD channels as opposed to the previous 7 HD channels. Liddle goes on to add that the channels that were removed did not fall under the 18-24 viewing demographic, and the new provider now provides residents and TAMIU students with an evolutionary prospect. “Currently under development are two TAMIU specific channels, something our previous provider was unable to accommodate, Channel 2 is going to be a scrolling message channel and Channel 50 is available to re-broadcast TAMIU events from sports to the arts, as we continue to develop the programming for this channel we are looking at a number of exciting options to further add value to the whole university community,” said Liddle.
Regardless, residents do not appear to be responding to promises of quality when it means the expense of quantity. “There will be a cost difference. At the end of the paper that we got the day the channels were changed, and it says that we will be informedlater on what to do if we want additional channels, and I know they will be added with a price,” worries Rangel.
Meanwhile Liddle, previously unaware that any petition was being circulated, goes on to reassure residents that all apprehensions surrounding the new change in television providers will be addressed in a timely manner. “I can assure you that our staff, in Housing & Residence Life, goes to great lengths to communicate with residents. Our goal is to work with residents to find workable solutions all within the parameters we are bound by,” expresses Liddle.
Rangel plans to address the issue with Student Government in the near future to see what measures need to be taken to address this problem.
If you’re still looking to sign this petition, contact Terry Rangel at terryrangel@gmail.com. Please be advised only University Village and RLC residents are permitted to sign. Otherwise, residents with complaints are urged to contact Trevor Liddle at tliddle@tamiu.edu.