Comcast cutting its local cable outlets

The future of television programs aimed at the Mid-Valley is in limbo after Comcast Corp.'s decision to drop local channels from its cable systems across California.

The nation's largest cable TV operator will move programming from its local studios onto a single channel, according to Comcast spokesman Bryan Byrd. Many shows currently airing only in one market will reappear on the Comcast Hometown Network, which the carrier will present on channel 104 throughout the state.

Comcast debuted the channel in late 2008, but most of the programming moves will take place by year's end, Byrd said Wednesday.

No sign-off date has been announced for channel 19, the outlet for locally produced shows in the company's Yuba City and Marysville systems.

"By making it not (exclusively) local, you give it more resources," he said. "You give it production teams to go around the state and cover different things."

Comcast does not plan to close any local studios for now, he added.

Among the staples of Comcast's local coverage are weekly telecasts of the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox baseball team, which plays its home games in Marysville. Byrd said the broadcasts likely will continue in 2010 on Comcast Hometown, possibly accompanied by those of other teams.

The cable company's local telecasts have given Yuba-Sutter issues more attention than any other TV stations are likely to provide, said Cheyenne Balderama, a former Comcast producer in Yuba City who directed the newsmagazine "Take 5."

"I felt by having shows like that it was a great benefit to this community," said Balderama, who left Comcast last month to become the Yuba-Sutter United Way's recreation program coordinator. "We had tons of feedback about how important it was to have shows pertinent to this immediate area, to let people know what's going on in their back yard."

Government access programming on channel 18 will not be affected.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Howard Yune at 749-4708 or hyune@appealdemocrat.com.