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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Blazes burn in Crater Lake National Park State tests show a mixed report card The sorry state of McNeal Medford teenager indicted on attempted murder, assault charges Summer ends Thursday for Hellgate jetboats Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford teenager indicted on attempted murder, assault charges Police seek help in Eagle Point poaching case Officials warn of scam involving fake invoices for school supplies Mandatory evacuation ordered in Happy Camp Complex fire Former Medford gymnastics coach arrested again on child pornography charges Politics and Elections Mark L. Hopkins: What the next election should be about Senate race could be expensive Talent to consider taxing recreational, but not medicinal marijuana Candidate files false statements Just one seat will be contested for Central Point council Education State tests show a mixed report card State assessment chart: 2013-14 Students flock to Ashland schools Central Point launches language immersion program UPDATED: Medford school bus in crash; no students hurt, officials say Environment New disease strikes Roseburg deer herds Dredgers might return to the Rogue next year Dubs' auction preview draws bidders and gawkers OR-7's pups are true wolves ODFW director Elicker will step down State news Nation - World Obituaries Jerilyn J. 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Real Estate News Historic building owners get lessons in restoration Pleasant weather, stable interest rates spurred summer home sales People In Business Transportation Agriculture 1-800-Flowers.com buying Harry & David for $142.5 million Earlier than normal pear harvest coming up short of expectations Weisinger's Winery has earliest crush on record Amy's Kitchen begins expansion in White City Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: New Apple products Letters to the Editor, Sept. 10 Catherine Rampell: Only college graduates need apply Fighting back against domestic violence Letters to the Editor, Sept. 9 Editorials Fighting back against domestic violence Tablet computers are a tool, not a frill Other Views: The time is now to start disaster planning Harry & David: the next chapter An unresolved conflict; A judge declines to say if county laws trump city laws Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Sept. 10 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 9 We march for mental health on Saturday. 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Letters to the Editor, Sept. 8 Letters to the Editor, Sept. 7 Guest Opinions Hazardous fuel treatments vital to protection from severe wildfires Wilderness for Kalmiopsis has served us well The summer of my discontent: An open letter to Bill Rauch The power of local philanthropy Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: A Healthy Way to Enrich the College Experience Community blog: Fosters Needed Quail Run Vineyards expands into Talent drainage A cook's contest Community blog: Dukkah dresses up hummus, spreads and dippers Food Quail Run Vineyards expands into Talent drainage A cook's contest Community blog: Dukkah dresses up hummus, spreads and dippers Community blog: Middle East's 'peanut butter' on the rise in U.S. Community blog: 'Crispy Treats' a cut above rice-cereal originals Home and Garden Medford gardens to be showcased Saturday Trees aren't always the best companions for plants Hot tips for a cool (shade) garden An August checklist for your garden Green Scene: Diagnosing common tomato troubles Health Community blog: A Healthy Way to Enrich the College Experience Community blog: What's Wrong With This Picture? Community blog: We Need to Talk Down-size is the right size Oregon Health Policy Board to meet in Medford Hiking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs Community Blog: Is Peace Possible in the Middle East - Part three of four Milestones and Achievements Grange memberships going like hot cakes New Arrivals Engagement Wedding: Gibson-Hodnefield New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Oregon Poet Laureate Peter Sears reads in Ashland Musical 'Backwards in High Heels' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Kathleen Madigan to perform at the Craterian Ashland Contemporary Theatre gets dialectic with "Freud's Last Session" Live Music in Local Clubs Theater CultureFest at Oregon Shakespeare Festival Musical 'Backwards in High Heels' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Ashland Contemporary Theatre gets dialectic with "Freud's Last Session" 'Freud's Last Session" at Ashland Contemporary Theatre OSF presents 'The Alchemy of Gender' Music Live Music in Local Clubs Rob Zombie plays Lithia Amphitheater Jennifer Nettles plays Britt Keith Greeninger and Matt Hill at the Rogue Theatre Britt Festivals adds to indoor fall concert lineup Community Events Oregon Poet Laureate Peter Sears reads in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists 5 Things to Do This Weekend From business professor to artist Shady Cove Tie Days Swap Meet Dining Ami Sushi serves up Asian dishes Wild River Brewing & Pizza Co. NW Raw Kelly's Crepes Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Medford teenager indicted on attempted murder, assault charges ... Police seek help in Eagle Point poaching case ... Officials warn of scam involving fake invoices for school supplies ... Medford teenager indicted on attempted murder, assault charges ... Police seek help in Eagle Point poaching case ... Officials warn of scam involving fake invoices for school supplies ... CABLE Comcast moves to replace Charter in Southern Oregon By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 9, 2014 @ 5:49 pm Updated Sep 9, 2014 at 11:40 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 9, 2014 @ 5:49 pm Updated Sep 9, 2014 at 11:40 PM » Social News Charter could disappear from Southern Oregon by next summer as part of a major deal that would allow communications giant Comcast to take over the local cable business and offer faster Internet speeds as well as Pac-12 Network college games. “Charter becomes Comcast,” said Tim Goodman, director of government affairs for Comcast. The deal will require Federal Communications Commission approval in the face of criticism by other media companies and consumer activists. In addition, Comcast is acquiring Time Warner Cable, a $45 billion merger. Netflix has expressed concern over the Comcast deal, and Dish Network has told the FCC it should block Comcast from buying Time Warner because it would give Comcast too much power, according to a Los Angeles Times article. Despite the headwinds, Goodman said he expects the Time Warner deal could be wrapped up by the end of the year, and the Charter swap is expected by June 2015. Charter has about 11,000 customers in Medford, Goodman said. Charter will take over cable and Internet services in the Midwest and South that are currently offered by Comcast. In exchange, Comcast will get Washington, Oregon and parts of California, Goodman said. Ultimately, the Medford City Council will have to approve the transfer of the franchise from Charter to Comcast. “We are going to get the Pac-12 Network, and that will make a lot of people happy," said Councilor Daniel Bunn. "We’ve got some good teams finally, and it will be good to watch them.” Comcast customers could spend more or less than they currently pay, depending on what package they choose, Goodman said. On Comcast’s website, Internet with a fast connection as well as HBO and some TV stations would cost $44.95. But the offer is only good for 12 months; after that, the cost increases to $69.99 for another 12 months. After two years, the price jumps to $114.93. Other options are higher, according to Comcast’s website. An introductory offer for an Internet connection that is about the same speed as the one Charter offers is $29.99 from Comcast. However, after the introductory period, the Internet cost from Comcast is $58.95 to $66.95. Goodman said the pricing structure for this area hasn’t been worked out yet, but he said the Pac-12 Network would be available on channel 720. Comcast has a $9.95-a-month Internet service for families with children in the free and reduced lunch programs at school, and Goodman said it will be offered in this area. On the other end of the spectrum, Comcast will offer a cloud-based entertainment box that allows recording four channels while simultaneously watching a fifth channel. “And, we’re looking to expand this offering further,” Goodman said. Another upgrade would be a home security system that allows users to view on their TV sets who is ringing at the front door. Charter offers Internet download speeds of about 30 megabits per second. Goodman said 30 megabits will be on the low end of Comcast’s Internet speed in the valley, reaching up to 100 megabits per second and higher for business customers. “We’re looking at upgrading the systems to provide even faster Internet,” he said. Medford resident Jim Wickre said he dropped Charter two years ago because it couldn’t get the Pac-12. “I had Charter since I moved to Medford in the 1970s before it was even owned by Charter,” he said. “When they refused to have the Pac-12, I had to go to a sports bar to watch the game.” He uses Dish Network for TV but still uses Charter for Internet and phone. He said the signal quality for Dish Network is perfect, even when it’s raining or snowing. Wickre said he’s a big college football fan and Dish Network lists every game that is on, provides stats and color-codes each game to let you know if it’s exciting or a dud. He said he’s not sure whether he would make the switch to Comcast if it did feature the Pac-12. “As far as TV goes, if somebody buys them out, I will take a look at it,” he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 9, 2014 @ 5:49 pm Updated Sep 9, 2014 at 11:40 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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