CITY ALDERMEN’S EFFORTS to persuade Comcast to bring CKSH, a French-language CBC affiliate from Sherbrooke, Quebec, back into Queen City customers’ channel lineup appear to have fallen short — leaving many feeling “déçu,” — disappointed.
“Sacré bleu” at City Hall.
Aldermen Jim Burkush and Will Stewart asked that Comcast Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs Bryan Christiansen come speak to the board, after learning Comcast had deleted the French language Canadian channel.
The move prompted numerous calls and complaints to aldermen and Mayor Joyce Craig’s office. Manchester has many French-speaking older residents who watch this programming.
Christiansen said Comcast frequently evaluates the company’s channel lineup, taking into consideration the cost of carrying those channels.
In the case of the Sherbrooke channel, “we would grab it off the air in Newport, Vermont, then transport it via fiber to the Manchester community,” he said.
“It was a very costly exercise to do for very little viewership,” Christiansen said. “We did drop the channel because there was very, very, very limited viewership of that channel. We are not going to restore the Canadian channel.”
When pressed on what constitutes “low viewership,” Christiansen said “a few dozen” viewers total.
Stewart urged Comcast to reconsider its decision.
“I’ve heard from primarily older residents who said that they’re not tech-savvy, they’re not internet-savvy, they may or may not have internet access or know how to navigate YouTube and the various apps and other options that are out there,” Stewart said. “For these folks, particularly those that are native French speakers — and they are still among us — this is their lifeline to the culture they came from.”
Christiansen repeated several times during the conversation that Comcast has no plans to bring the channel back, but he said the company would work with residents and city officials to show them other ways to access French programming.
Meanwhile, City Hall was illuminated in blue and white lights last week in support of Israel after terror attacks and violence in the region.
“The city of Manchester mourns for the people of Israel and all those impacted by Hamas’ devastating terror in the region,” Craig said in a statement. “To our Jewish neighbors and every resident here hurting from this violence, our prayers are with you and our community stands united in our condemnation of terror and hatred in all its forms.”
Support for troops
Craig announced her third-floor office at City Hall will again be a drop-off location for the Holiday Cards for Our Military Challenge.
Founded in 2017 by Dr. Laura Landerman-Garber, the goal is to deliver “personalized, signed expressions of respect, care and gratitude to deployed U.S. troops,” according to a statement.
“It’s an honor to participate in this every year, and I encourage every resident to get in the holiday spirit as we show our support for all those serving in our military,” Craig said in a statement.
“This year marks a significant milestone for the Holiday Cards for our Military Challenge, with a 1,000,000th card expected to be sent. This is an incredible testament to the dedication of Laura, and all those who have become involved in spreading the holiday cheer to our military service members.
“I look forward to supporting this effort for many years to come, but first, we’ve got some cards to write.”
Card makers are asked to follow the guidelines:
1. Use a greeting card or a piece of paper (no larger than 8 x 11) folded in half.
2. Start the card with “Dear Warrior”
3. Write a personal note about yourself and your community. Share how you celebrate the holidays or a favorite holiday memory, or draw a holiday scene. Feel free to be serious, funny or both. Please remember to use appropriate and respectful language, and that our troops are diverse in their holiday practices and beliefs.
4. Sign your first name only, along with your city or town and your state. Include your school, business or community group if you desire.
5. Envelopes are not necessary. If you do include an envelope, don’t seal it. If you want to, write “Warrior” on the outside and decorate the envelope.
The 2023 deadline is Nov. 15. Cards submitted after the deadline will be used for later mailings. A limited selection of cards is available for use at the Mayor’s Office.
Drop off completed cards at the Office of Mayor Joyce Craig, 3rd floor of City Hall at 1 City Hall Plaza, Manchester. Cards also may be addressed as “Holiday Card Challenge” and sent to:
PO Box 103, Hollis, NH 03049.
If using FedEx or UPS, please send to: Holiday Card Challenge, 5 Hutchings Drive, Suite 100 Unit 103, Hollis, NH 03049.
Paul Feely is the City Hall reporter for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. Reach him at pfeely@unionleader.com.
