By Emily Patrick
Moosehead Enterprises, Greenville’s longstanding cable television provider, recently informed customers they would be suspending cable television services in the near future. Because the company has been integral to the community for so many years, we thought we would give you a brief history and look towards the future from the eyes of its former owner and longtime employee, Earl Richardson, Jr.
Moosehead Enterprises became operational in 1963, with owners Richard Folsom, Malcolm Folsom and Earl Richardson, Sr., delivering broadcast television to the Moosehead Region. Between 1965 and 1966, the company expanded, building systems in Bingham and Jackman and later in Rockwood, Guilford and Monson.
Another landmark year, 1979 saw EJ, or Earl Jr., come on board with Earl Sr., Scott Richardson and Malcolm Folsom. Some of you may remember the excitement when, in 1980, the company saw the launch of satellite-delivered television to the area: namely, HBO and ESPN, with many more to follow.
Not long after, in the mid 80’s, Earl Richardson purchased the company from the Folsom family and in 1989, Susan (more fondly known as Sue) Richardson began working in the office. To this day, if you call the office, you’ll almost certainly be greeted by Sue’s friendly voice.
Always changing, just like the technology it provides, in the late 1990’s the company was sold to Scott Richardson and Earl Richardson, Jr., with customer numbers peaking at 2600 cable television subscribers monthly. Then, in 2014, cable broadband internet was introduced to the area with help from the Varney family.
2016 was another big year. With the intent to bring fiber optic internet to all of the communities served by cable television, Moosehead Enterprises was sold to the Varney family. Today, Premium Choice Broadband now covers Piscataquis, Penobscot and Somerset counties from Glenburn to Jackman and is also expanding into Southern Maine. They currently maintain offices in Bangor and Greenville and provide high-speed fiber-optic internet for streaming to many satisfied customers.
From Earl Richardson, Jr.: “I have seen many changes in technology over the past 45 years working in the cable television industry and I look forward to seeing what comes next as we work with Premium Choice Broadband to bring the latest in internet technology to our customers. We appreciate having had the opportunity to serve our communities with cable TV over the years and will do our best to assist our customers as they make the transition to streaming television. Our Greenville office continues to be open Monday-Friday. For any questions or concerns about this change, call 207-695-3337.”