The Catawba County Board of Commissioners did take the proactive action available to it, on behalf of the citizens of Catawba County, by issuing a resolution calling on WCNC Television and Charter Communications to settle a dispute which WCNC officials had indicated could have resulted in the removal of WCNC from Charter’s channel offerings, as of January 1, 2009. The two parties have since announced an agreement in principle between Charter and Belo Corporation, parent company of WCNC, that resulted in WCNC remaining on Charter’s package of channels.

“I am very pleased that Charter Communications and Belo Corporation were able to reach an agreement through which WCNC will still be available to Charter Communications customers in Catawba County,” said Kitty Barnes, Chair of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners. “Our board took a positive stand on the issue for our citizens, but it is important for everyone to understand that county commissioners and city and town councils no longer have any control over cable television.”

The Board of Commissioners’ proclamation read as follows:

“RESOLUTION NO. 2008-15

ENCOURAGING FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
AND WCNC-TV-DT TO ENSURE CATAWBA COUNTY CITIZENS
THE BEST POSSIBLE CABLE SERVICE

WHEREAS Charter Communications is a major provider of cable service to the citizens of
Catawba County and these citizens should receive the best, inclusive and most diverse selection of
channels from this major source; and

WHEREAS WCNC-TV-DT Charlotte provides news, and local and network programming to
viewers in Catawba County; and

WHEREAS negotiations between Charter Communications and WCNC-TV-DT failed to result in
an agreement as to terms for Charter to offer WCNC's signal and, effective December 31, 2008, Charter will no longer provide cable subscribers with WCNC's signal; and

WHEREAS the absence of the WCNC's broadcasting will substantially affect the options and
diversity of choices for Catawba County cable subscribers, including but not limited to, the ability to view local news, sports and the Super Bowl in February 2009.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Catawba County Board of Commissioners strongly
urges Charter Communications to continue its negotiations with WCNC-TV-DT Charlotte to reach an
agreement as to terms to provide its subscribers with WCNC's signal and to ensure Catawba County
citizens receive the best viewing quality, options and diversity available to them from this major cable provider.

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Charter
Communications, the North Carolina Secretary of State as the franchise authority with Charter
Communications, the North Carolina Attorney General's Office, which is the contact authority for
complaints regarding cable service, and to the County's State Legislators.

Adopted this 22nd day of December, 2008.”

With the passage of State Law 2006-151 and North Carolina General Statute 66-351 resulting from that law, the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office now issues franchises to cable television operators that apply to operate in North Carolina. As local government franchises with cable TV operators ended after January 1, 2007, State officials advised those local governments that they could not renew their franchise agreements. Catawba County’s franchise agreement with Charter Communications ended in February 2007.

State officials have advised Catawba County that citizens with complaints about cable television service should now contact the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division. That office has set up a toll-free number, 877-566-7226, which citizens who have concerns should call.