SCRANTON, PA. – Residents who enjoy cable television may soon have another option to tune in. The City of Scranton aims to enter into a non-exclusive agreement with RCN Telecom Services (Lehigh), LLC, listed as Astound Broadband, “to construct, operate and maintain a cable system.”
“Local competition helps drive down the price of services for our residents, which is why we’re pleased to welcome Astound to Scranton,” Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said. “A new cable provider offers new opportunities for citizens to stay informed and entertained.”
The new cable network will be developed without any cost to the City, and Scranton will receive revenues from Astound to fund capital expenditures for government and educational access broadcasting, according to legislation presented to Scranton City Council. It is anticipated that Astound will construct its cable system within three years and that it will be available to all residences.
Astound’s system “shall deliver no fewer than 300” channels with “consistent, high-quality reception.” It will also make quarterly payments to the City equal to five percent of its gross revenues in the City.
Under the proposed agreement, Astound will also provide “one Educational Channel and one Governmental (“EG”) Access Channel.” Further, an annual EG capital grant, funded by $1.40 in annual subscriber fees, will support “the production of local EG Channel programming.”
City Council introduced the legislation by unanimous vote at its regular meeting on Tues., March 4, 2025. Currently, the City only holds one other cable television franchise agreement with Comcast.
ABOUT THE CITY OF SCRANTON: Incorporated in 1866, the City of Scranton has a population of approximately 76,000 residents and is the sixth-largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scranton City Hall is located at 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Residents requiring services should visit www.scrantonpa.gov
ABOUT MAYOR PAIGE G. COGNETTI: Paige G. Cognetti was sworn in as the 36th Mayor of Scranton in January 2020. Her administration is focused on driving economic growth, upgrading infrastructure, ensuring public safety, fostering government transparency and efficiency, and improving residents’ overall quality of life.
Scranton Hopes New Cable Provider “Astounds” Residents | Press Release
Last modified: March 5, 2025
