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Selectmen's Meeting � ��j -3- October 1, 1984 <br />and felt that offering of the Playboy channel constituted a breach of con- <br />tract. He added that the matter had not been broached to ' the Board by Adams/ <br />Russell, but that Mr. Pollack had. talked to the Cable Comm.itt ee and had offered <br />scrambling devices upon request by, cus t.omer s . It had been thought by some <br />that putting the burden of requesting on the customer was inappropriate. <br />Mr. Ward added that the Committee did have conversation with Adams /Russell <br />on the addition of the channel, which the company prflposed . to do in response <br />to public interest. The Committee had considered that basically, since the <br />programming was considered to be rated "R" not ' there was no control in <br />- the mat ter, <br />Mr. Page agreed with Mr. Ward's assessment,, and referred to Mr. Henchey' s <br />assurance to the Board at the time of licensing that Adams /Russell's intent <br />was to exercise good judgment and taste in selections of programming. He said that <br />the Committee had been told by Adams /Russell that Cinemax and HBA showin s also <br />_ -. <br />rated "W', could be considered to be more offensive than Playboy. He. added <br />that the Committee had never been asked by Adams /Russell ' f or its approval of <br />the programming. <br />Mr., Ward reported that about 60% of converters shipped to Adams/Russell <br />scramble both sound and picture of the channel, and that 40% allow transmission <br />of the sound track. <br />Mr. Pollack said he felt the showing of the Playboy channel did not repre- <br />sent a departure f rom the terms of the contract, and of f erect to have Mrs . Baker <br />representing the Playboy Channel appear to answer any questions the Board may <br />have. <br />He said that the Torn of Bedford had seen no problem with. the Channel and <br />that both Bedford and Hanscom Field-customers had requested ehe addition. He <br />had attempted, through contact with the CATV Committee, to out if there <br />would be Lexington opposition before proceeding with arrangements . It had been <br />his intent to make the channel available upon request , but not to advertise or <br />bring attention to its availability.' There has been no attempt to market the <br />channel, but it is offered on a one -to -one basis when subscribers are enquiring <br />about other options. <br />Mr. Sacco suggested that offering the playboy channel to a prospective <br />customer for the Disney Channel, as had been reported to him, seemed less than <br />appropriate.' <br />ppropriate . ' He asked if the Committee has seen the Playboy channel and was <br />t old 'b y Mr. Ward that he had not. <br />Mr. McLaughlin, liaison to the CATV Committee,: recalled that at his first <br />meeting with the committee, the matter had been brought up that the committee <br />could have gotten the impression that - the' Board did not wish to become involved <br />in such decisions. <br />Mr . ward said he now realized that the committee shou have informed the <br />Board of the issue, and will do so in any future instances. <br />Mr. Pollack told the Board he would plan to notify customers, by means of <br />a notice to be included with their bills, that the converter can be installed <br />upon their request. This could be done with or without reference to the Play- <br />boy channel in the f lyer, . <br />Mr. Marshall said he would prefer specific mention of the Playboy Channel . <br />in the notice. with reference to commitments' made on types of programming to <br />be shown, he felt that Adams/Russell had misrepresented facts and had lied to <br />the Board on this issue. He said that this action has created a long term pro- <br />blem and will have an impact on the future relationship between the company <br />'� and the Board, <br />