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BERNICK AND LIFSON <br /> A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION <br /> I. <br /> INTRODUCTION <br /> At the time of awarding the original franchise and in <br /> subsequent transfers of the cable communications franchise, the <br /> Commission considered and approved the technical ability, financial <br /> capability, legal qualifications and character of previous owners <br /> of the cable system, as well as other appropriate factors. The <br /> same qualifications are to be considered and reviewed as part of <br /> the transfer of control request as they relate to Meredith. The <br /> sources of information used in examining these factors include the <br /> Response to the Municipal Request for Information supplied to the <br /> Commission and its consultants and other supplemental written <br /> information provided by Meredith and North Central. <br /> II. <br /> STANDARD OF REVIEW <br /> The Commission's task in this process is to review the <br /> information provided regarding the transaction and to approve or <br /> deny the transfer of control of North Central. The cable <br /> communications franchises and State statute both expressly reserve <br /> the right of the City to approve or disapprove such a transfer of <br /> control. The standard of review is that the City's consent shall <br /> not be unreasonably withheld. For the purpose of determining <br /> whether the City will consent to the change in control of North <br /> Central, the Commission has made inquiry into the legal, technical <br /> and financial qualifications of Meredith, as well as other <br /> appropriate factors. <br /> In analyzing the transaction, the Commission must consider <br /> whether the transaction meets all of the criteria originally <br /> consid_Pred—in—granting the o-r-iginal—r-a-nchi-se and subsequently <br /> approving the previous transfer of ownership of North Central. It <br /> should be noted, however, that this analysis is not a comparison <br /> between the current owners and the proposed new owners. Rather, <br /> this analysis is an application of factors to determine whether the <br /> proposed new owners of North Central satisfy the standards outlined <br /> above to the reasonable satisfaction of the Commission. <br /> The Commission should focus on the following factors in <br /> determining whether to approve or deny the transfer of control to <br /> Meredith. <br /> 2 <br />