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`A new class of students was not the only change over this past summer, Millersville switched their provider from Comcast cable to Direct TV throughout the campus. The Director of Housing, Thomas Richardson, says, “The University wants a multi-year deal with a television provider. For the past couple years, we had no contract with Comcast cable.”
Eventually, with no results in sight, the administration decided to look elsewhere. Collaboration with the members of Housing, Technology, Purchasing, and Finance Administration led to settlement with Campus Televideo. These administration teams also played a key role in the contract signing, installation, and customer service.
Since Campus Televideo is a satellite provider, they hosted Direct TV as well. “We signed a five year deal with Campus Televideo at a comparable price,” says Richardson. The administration had a preset budget on how much they were willing to spend on a different provider. Luckily, Campus Televideo’s proposal matched the University’s budget quite well.
The benefits for switching, as said by Richardson, “One, we were able to secure a five year deal with Campus Televideo. Two, we have flexibility with choosing channels and having local channels. If students did not want Channel X and we wanted to swap it with Channel Y through Student Senate, we could do so.” He also goes on to say, “Student feedback is important when deciding the channel lineup. Someone might say, ‘You [administration] aren’t a student, what do the students want?’”
“Comcast over Direct TV,” says Josh Smith, a Junior Resident Assistant in Diehm Hall. “Sportsnet and the Music Channel were available on Comcast. But I do like the TV Guide.” Fellow resident and sophomore John Timlin, agreed with Timlin on the Sportsnet, but his passion remains with Comcast cable, saying, “Direct TV is regular TV.” Those who did not notice the switch on campus had Comcast cable back home, like Kim Schiffert, Senior Resident Assistant in Gaige Hall. “I prefer Direct TV over Comcast. Back home, when the electricity went out during storms, I couldn’t tell what I was watching on a channel.” Unlike the men, who are disappointed at the loss of an excellent sports provider, Schhiffert usually watches “Gilmore Girls” and football, though not an enthusiastic football fan. Brandi Lindquist, a freshman in Burrowes Hall, also had Comcast at home. She preferred Comcast over Direct TV. “It has more channels and you could see what you’re watching.”