CAN TV, the fleet of public access cable TV channels in Chicago, has spent 2004 in a funding fight for its future. The cable company RCN had defaulted on due payments to CAN TV, and an ordinance to change the funding structure for the network ran into difficulties both with the Mayor's office and later with Comcast.

But the fights however have paid off for CAN TV in the short term, as CAN TV has arrived at a contract with Comcast to provide for funding for the short term, and is on the verge of a financial settlement with RCN. The Chicago City Council also passed an ordinance directing both CAN TV and Chicago's cable companies to forge a long-term financial solution for CAN TV by December 1, 2006. Read more