Approve Addition of Sprout and Horse Racing TV (HRTV) to the Digital Cable Lineup:

The Cable Advisory Committee and Staff recommends that the Board approve addition of Sprout and HRTV to the Digital Cable Lineup.

Sprout, a children’s channel for ages 2-5, is a partnership between Comcast Media Network, HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop.  The programming consists of 24 hours per day of original kids programming along with PBS programming like Sesame Street, Barney and Friends and Bob the Builder.

This direct agreement has a term through June 30, 2011.  The license fees are contained on pages C-5/1-10.  The agreement allows for free service for the first six months.  The present budget has funds available for the launch of this network.  If approved, Sprout would be located on digital cable channel 135.

HRTV, a network recently purchased by Churchill Downs and Magna Entertainment, will allow FPB to continue coverage of Churchill Downs racing and add several new race tracks to our lineup including:  Santa Anita, Lone Star, Pimlico and Laurel .

The direct agreement has a term through December 31, 2009.  There is no license fee associated with the agreement and HRTV has agreed to supply the equipment necessary  to offer the network to our customers (see pages C-5/11-22).  If approved, HRTV would be located on digital cable channel 145.

Both agreements were reviewed by the Staff Attorney and meet with his approval.