How much community access television Oceanic Time Warner should provide over the next two decades will be the subject of a public hearing today on the cable provider's franchise permit application before the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

The meeting is from 5 to 8 p.m. at McKinley High School's Hirata Hall.

Oceanic Time Warner's current franchise permit expires in December and some community television advocates are worried that the company will be allowed to reduce what it is required to provide under the new permit.

For instance, Oceanic Time Warner has proposed reducing the number of community access channels from the current six to no more than five, said Jack Bates, of 'Olelo Community Media.

Community access advocates are worried that 'Olelo Community Media, O'ahu's community access provider, may need to reduce other services, staffing and programming unless the DCCA specifically requires such services under the permit.

'Olelo officials say they're also worried some of its community media centers may be in jeopardy of closing.