Charter plans to cut KCRA from South Lake Tahoe lineup

UPDATE 5/22 8:35 a.m.: El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel has arranged for a call between the County, City and Charter Cable people this Friday. "We need KCRA for South Tahoe (it’s a public safety issue in my opinion) She, along with others, remember when Charter tried to discontinue California services in 2008.

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News that KCRA will be soon be removed from the Charter Communications lineup for South Lake Tahoe is not being taken well by many locals.

KRVN is the NBC affiliate based in Reno and KCRA is the NBC affiliate based in Sacramento. Since South Lake Tahoe is in California, many rely on KCRA for news that affects them, including news from the Capitol, laws, regulations, taxes and information during campaign season. They carry weekend morning news programs that highlight South Lake Tahoe weather as well.

"KCRA will be removed from the lineup on or after June 4. South Lake Tahoe is part of the Reno DMA (Demographic Market Area) and we carry the designated in-market NBC affiliate, KRNV," Bret Picciolo, Charter Senior Director of Communications for the Northwest Region told South Tahoe Now.

Television markets are defined by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), not by Charter or any other television providers, and South Lake Tahoe is part of the Reno market. Charter is required to carry the in-market NBC affiliate (KRNV) and chose to add KCRA as well, until now.

"Charter tried to eliminate KCRA after a huge outcry from our community they changed their mind," said SLT Mayor Pro Tem Tom Davis. "We don’t get Calif news from Reno stations. As a elected official I will not let Charter censor what news we get."

Davis has been spearheading a campaign to keep KCRA in the Charter lineup in South Lake Tahoe. He has called and written all government officials who preside over the community, including Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Kamala Harris, Congressman Tom McClintock, Assemblyman Frank Bigelow and Senator Ted Gaines. Davis has also been in touch with KCRA General Manager Elliott Troshinsky as well as Charter Communications.

The letter sent to politicians signed by Davis and SLT Mayor Wendy David:

"Recently customers of Charter Communications received a notice advising them that KCRA in Sacramento will be discontinued in the Lake Tahoe, California market. At this time, KCRA in Sacramento is the only California news provider offered by Charter Communications. The South Lake Tahoe City Council has been contacted by several community members who are extremely concerned of this action and it is imperative that our community has access to California news.

The South Lake Tahoe City Council has been in contact with Charter Communications and is in the process of scheduling a meeting to request KCRA in Sacramento continue to be provided to the Lake Tahoe market.

As a city government we are asking for your support and for your office to contact Charter Communications and advise that it is a necessity for Lake Tahoe residents to have access to California news broadcasts."

If anyone wishes to make their voice heard, here is contact information:

Congressman Tom McClintock

2200A Douglas Blvd, Suite 240
Roseville, CA 95661
Phone: (916) 786-5560
Fax: (916) 786-6364
Rocky.deal@mail.house.gov
Ross.Brnach@mail.house.gov

Senator Dianne Feinstein

One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 393-0707
Fax: (415) 393-0710
(email via website)

Assemblyman Frank Bigelow

2441 Headington Road
Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 295-5505
(email via website)

Senator Ted Gaines

4080 Cavitt Stallman Road, Suite 100A
Granite Bay, CA 95746
Phone: (916) 771-5840
Fax: (916) 771-5845
(email via website)

Senator Kamala Harris

501 I Street, Suite 7-800
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 448 - 2787
Fax (202) 228 – 3865
(email via website)

Charter Communications

Call Charter at 1-855-757-7328