Cable company franchise agreements, set for and renegotiated every 15 years, give cable companies permission to use public “right-of-way” to operate their cable systems and deliver cable service.
Full Answer
What is a cable franchise agreement?
Does Colorado Springs have a cable franchise?
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What is a cable franchise agreement?
Cable franchise agreements provide the franchisee the right to construct, install, maintain and operate a cable system on County Public Rights-of-Way in exchange for the franchisee's promise to provide cable service to residents of the County.
Are cable companies regulated by the FCC?
The Federal Communications Commission and local franchising authorities are responsible for enforcing a variety of cable television regulations.
Does a cable station need a franchise from the local government?
Under the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 (Cable Act), cable operators must obtain franchises from state or local franchising authorities, and these authorities may continue to condition franchises on various requirements.
Why am I paying a franchise fee on my cable bill?
Franchise Fee Franchise fees are paid to local governments as compensation for Comcast's use of the public rights-of-way and easements. The Federal Cable Act authorizes cable operators to collect from customers the full amount of franchise fees paid to local governments.
What federal agency regulates cable companies?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates cable and satellite services to protect consumers. At the FCC Consumer Complaint Center, you can either file a complaint or get information about cable and satellite TV consumer issues.
Are cable companies federally regulated?
The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications through cable, radio, television, satellite and wire.
Are cable companies required to provide local channels?
Must-carry rules, first instituted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1965, require cable systems to carry local broadcast television stations.
How do cable companies get their channels?
Cable companies offer a lot of channels, but how do they pay for them? Cable companies pay each network owner for each household receiving the signal for a given network. You make the payment irrespective of whether any of the families watch the programs from that channel or not.
Can the FCC fine cable channels?
If an investigation is warranted and the FCC finds a station in violation of its rules, it has the authority to revoke a station license, impose a fine or issue an admonishment or warning.
What is the franchise fee on my spectrum bill?
The fee is a percentage of the revenues received from providing cable services, generally 5% in most areas, but can be slightly higher in some areas. According to federal law, cable operators may pass the entire amount of the franchise fee to their customers and itemize the fees on the customer's monthly bills.
How do I get rid of Comcast TV broadcast fee?
Unfortunately, the only way you can get rid of this charge is by canceling your television services with Comcast or Xfinity. Although some people resort to contacting third-party service providers to do the negotiations, those would just be minor things.
What is a local franchise fee?
Local governments typically charge private utility companies for the use of public rights-of-way. This fee functions to offset the company's expense for these charges, as allowed by law.
Is cable TV regulated by the FCC which part of so?
Most rates charged by cable television companies are not regulated by the FCC.
Why can't the FCC regulate cable?
Why can the FCC regulate broadcast stations more than cable operators? The FCC can regulate broadcast stations more than cable operators because broadcast stations occupy part of the publicly owned spectrum. They receive exclusive licenses to use frequencies on the spectrum in exchange for complying with FCC rules.
How is cable TV regulated?
In 1984, Congress passed legislation that, among other things, eliminated regulation of cable rates in most cases. In 1992 Congress reversed itself, allowing rate regulation. But the current federal law, adopted in 1996, significantly restricts the ability of state and localities to regulate the cable industry.
Does the FCC oversee cable news?
First, the regulation applies only to the broadcast medium, which means that the FCC has no power to enforce it against cable news networks, newspapers or newsletters (whether online or print), social media platforms, online-only streaming outlets or any other non-broadcast news platform.
How much is a cable TV franchise fee?
Cable TV franchise fees may be levied at a rate up to 5% of gross revenues from the franchise area every year ( 47 U.S.C. §542 (a) and (b)).
When did the FCC order stop franchise fees?
New FCC order: On August 2, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed a new order that will restrict local government cable franchise fees and agreements. In particular, the order:
What is Moses Lake Cable?
Moses Lake cable franchise agreement, Video Internet Broadcasting Corporation (2002) — Granted to a company that provides video services over a fiber network built and owned by the county PUD. Franchise fee and terms are similar to franchises granted to cable providers that provide services over their own wires.
Is there a franchise agreement for cable TV in Washington?
Below are examples of local government cable TV franchise agreements in Washington. However, be advised that these franchises may not be in compliance with the 2019 FCC order described above. We will be adding new examples as they become available.
When did Cox acquire Media General Cable?
Cox acquired its cable system in Fairfax County from Media General Cable, Inc., in 1999, with a 15-year prior franchise term ending on June 9, 2013. Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement.
When did Comcast upgrade to Verizon?
Comcast completed a full upgrade of its cable system in 1999. Comcast’s cable service is available to all Reston area households and without line extension charges to at least 85% of households. Verizon Cable Franchise Agreement.
What is a cable franchise agreement?
The Cable Franchise Agreements give the City of Colorado Springs (the Cable Franchise Authority) oversight on how the cable providers use the Public's easements and right-of-ways, and limited authority over customer service issues. Cable service customers who live within the city limits of Colorado Springs may contact the Cable Franchise Authority if the customer is unsuccessful in addressing a customer service issue with the cable provider. The Cable Franchise Authority will then contact the cable provider on the customer's behalf. Though the Cable Franchise Authority’s oversight of the cable providers is limited, an acceptable solution can usually be found.
Does Colorado Springs have a cable franchise?
The City of Colorado Springs currently has Cable Franchise Agreements with Comcast, Falcon Broadband, and CenturyLink. Administration of these agreements is handled by the Office of Innovation and Sustainability.
Federal Regulations
- Cable television franchise agreements are governed by federal law rather than state law and are negotiated with the cable company. Cable TV franchise fees may be levied at a rate up to 5% of gross revenues from the franchise area every year (47 U.S.C. §542(a) and (b)). On August 2, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed an orderth...
Public Access Television ("Peg") Channels
- Local governments authorizing cable television franchises may require cable operators to set aside channels for public, educational, or governmental (PEG) use. The channels are: 1. Public access channels, which are available for use by the general public and administered either by the cable operator or by a third party designated by the franchising authority, 2. Educational access …
Examples of Cable Franchise Agreements, Codes, and Ordinances
- Below are examples of local government cable TV franchise agreements and ordinances related to such agreements.
Recommended Resources
- The Buske Group — Private consulting firm whose website includes a file archivewith sample documents related to the franchise process such as a community needs assessment, operating rules and proce...
- Federal Communications Commission: Cable Television— Offer information about federal cable television rules and laws.
- The Buske Group — Private consulting firm whose website includes a file archivewith sample documents related to the franchise process such as a community needs assessment, operating rules and proce...
- Federal Communications Commission: Cable Television— Offer information about federal cable television rules and laws.
- Findlaw: Cable Franchise Renewal and Local Right of Way Management(2017) — Offers an overview of factors to consider in creating or renewing a cable franchise agreement.
- Metropolitan Area Communications Commission (MACC) — Administers the cable franchise agreements for 15 jurisdictions in Washington and Clackamas counties. Website includes the franchise agreementbe...
