Capitol cable TV system updates cause disruptions

House staffers left to fend for themselves during the August recess may not have their favorite soap operas or news commentators to keep them company.

The Architect of the Capitol’s (AOC) office is using the break to upgrade the Capitol cable television system to include more channels. The process has resulted in “periodic outages” of television channels said Mike Culver, director of external communications for the AOC.

{mosads}“We can assure you that this minor inconvenience will result in much improved television service in September,” Reps. Robert Brady (D-Pa.) and Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) wrote in a Dear Colleague letter sent out at the beginning of the month.

When Congress returns, there will be 20 new channels for the viewing pleasure of members and staff. The specific channels being added and the final channel lineup have not been released yet but the House Administration committee is expected to announce the details at the end of the month.

“Chairman Brady recognized that the current house system was limited to only 34 channels and often didn't provide enough channels for committee hearings to broadcast, House and Senate floor proceedings and national news,” said Kyle Anderson, press director for the Democrat office of the House Administration committee.

At last count, there were 14 standard channels offices were not receiving, though the cable channel guide is updated daily on the internal HouseNet network.

A leadership aide who did not want to be identified said he was not getting several news channels on his television, including CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Noting that some of the news channels were considered more liberal, while others were more conservative, he said the AOC’s upgrading process did not seem to be prejudiced.

“It’s fair, balanced and inconvenient,” he said.