THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 23, 1995 TAG: 9507220100
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
In an effort to improve customer relations, Falcon Cable Media will host a tour and call-in show this week.
The public may tour the control room, at 216 Moore Ave., from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Refreshments will be served.
A call-in show allowing customers to air their concerns will follow, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The show will air live on Channel 8.
``We need to open up a line of communication with our customers,'' said Jack Edwards, regional manager for Falcon. ``We're doing a lot of new things.''
Edwards said the company plans to add four new channels - ESPN 2, Channel 43 and eventually the history and home shopping network channels by fall. In addition, a $350,000 glass fiberoptic cable will be built to improve picture quality.
Last winter, Falcon Cable came under fire for shoddy service, poor customer relations and high cable rates. When Edwards became regional manager last January, he said his aim was to improve customer feedback.
Suffolk residents pay $21.89 for 35 basic channels.
However, Edwards said Suffolk rates were adjusted by FCC guidelines. He says Suffolk's 433-square mile area and low population density impacts on rates.
Along with service improvements and new channels, Edwards said he plans to organize a cable committee made up of cable officials and members of the community. He hopes to have the committee meet quarterly or monthly. by CNB