FCC, Cable Operators

FCC’s Net Neutrality Order Extends Exclusive Access Prohibitions to Broadband-Only Services Delivered to Residential and...

Womble Bond Dickinson on 7/31/2024

In April, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) adopted its Net Neutrality Order which once again reclassified Broadband Internet Access Service (BIAS) as a Title II, common carrier service. ...more

FCC Proposes Rules to Curb Cable Operator, DBS Provider Fee Practices

Lerman Senter PLLC on 1/3/2024

The FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to consider prohibiting certain billing practices of cable operators and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers. Specifically, the FCC is proposing to ban cable...more

FCC Updates EAS Rules

Lerman Senter PLLC on 10/14/2022

The FCC has updated its Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules to make emergency alerts easier for the public to understand and more accessible to those with certain disabilities. EAS messages are currently transmitted using...more

FCC Cable Franchising: In-kind and Mixed Use Rules

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 4/13/2022

PublicCEO Article Addresses Current Rules and What Happens Next - Over the last few years, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been reinterpreting several key Cable Act provisions that govern cable franchise...more

Sixth Circuit Cable Order Challenged by City Coalitions

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 7/16/2021

Franchise Requirements Should Not be Treated as Franchise Fees and Cable Operators Can be Charged Fees on Non-Cable Services, Cities Argue - Three coalitions of cities filed briefs with the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of...more

6th Circuit Largely Affirms FCC Ruling That Most In-Kind Franchise Requirements Are Franchise Fees

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 6/3/2021

On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit affirmed most aspects of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 2019 ruling that nearly all non-cash (or "in-kind") assessments required by cable...more

Sixth Circuit Affirms FCC Rule That Most In-Kind Contributions Are Franchise Fees

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP on 6/2/2021

On May 26, 2021, a Sixth Circuit panel rejected challenges by numerous municipalities to a 2019 order by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that most “in kind” (non-cash) contributions required by cable franchisees...more

FCC Revises Cable Operator Notice Requirements for Service and Rate Changes

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 10/6/2020

On October 1, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to change its rules governing the required notices that cable operators must give to customers and local or state franchise authorities when changing...more

FCC Modifies Cable’s Existing Commercial Leased Access Obligations

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 7/17/2020

The FCC today adopted a Second Report and Order in its Commercial Leased Access (CLA) proceeding that modifies the existing rate formula for cable operators providing CLA channels. The core rate formula remains unchained—it...more

FCC Denies Cable Franchise Order Stay Request But Provides Implementation Guidance

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 11/12/2019

When the FCC’s Cable Franchise Order became effective on Sept. 26, it upended 35 years of common understanding on what a local government could obtain in cable franchise negotiations, which could cost local governments...more

FCC Confirms Most In-Kind Contributions Are Franchise Fees, Curtails Regulation and Taxation of Internet Services on Mixed-Use...

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 8/6/2019

On August 1, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that most non-cash (in-kind) assessments required by cable franchises constitute franchise fees subject to the 5% cap under the Communications Act. ...more

Virgil Quick Come See: FCC Drives Down Local Government Regulation of Cable Operators

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP on 8/5/2019

On Thursday, August 1, 2019, the FCC took several actions to address persistent, decades-long efforts by local governments to convert their control over local rights-of-way into ever-increasing revenue streams from cable...more

FCC Plans to Modernize “Written Notice” Rules for Cable Operators

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 11/1/2018

On October 25, 2018, the FCC released a draft Report and Order that would expressly allow cable operators to provide certain written customer communications electronically. As part of the FCC’s “Modernization of Media...more

Proposed FCC Actions Will Limit Local Control And Cut Revenues - Immediate Action Needed — Community Coalition Forming

Best Best & Krieger LLP on 9/12/2018

The FCC is poised to issued two orders: a $2 billion unfunded mandate “Small Cell” order that imposes rules akin to state small cell laws (such as SB 649 vetoed in 2017 by California Gov. Jerry Brown)....more

Cable Operators with Earth Station Operations Should Consider Licensing/Registering Such Operations Before the Filing Window...

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 5/11/2018

Developments at the FCC regarding the use of the 3.7-4.2 GHz band have raised questions about the future operation of earth stations in that band. As the FCC considers whether to reallocate the spectrum available for earth...more

FCC Modernizes Signal Quality and Signal Leakage Rules

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 9/28/2017

On September 25, 2017, the FCC released a Report and Order updating its Signal Quality (aka “proof of performance”) rules and Signal Leakage rules for digital cable systems. The FCC’s Signal Quality rules set technical...more

Annual and Quarterly FCC International Reports Due March 31, 2017

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP on 3/17/2017

Annual Section 43.62(b) International Circuit Capacity Report - Each year the FCC collects data regarding capacity held on international terrestrial, satellite and submarine cable facilities, the status of the circuits,...more

FCC Enforcement Monitor ~ October 2016

Pillsbury - CommLawCenter on 11/1/2016

Pillsbury’s communications lawyers have published FCC Enforcement Monitor monthly since 1999 to inform our clients of notable FCC enforcement actions against FCC license holders and others. This month’s issue includes: - ...more

Second Circuit Blazes New Trail in Set-Top Box Cases: Cable Service and Boxes Are Not Separate Products

Proskauer - New Media & Technology on 9/8/2016

Since 2008, cable customers have been suing cable operators across the country claiming operators violate the antitrust laws by forcing customers to lease set-top boxes from the operator to access “premium” cable services. ...more

FCC Proposes to Eliminate Two Public Inspection File Requirements for Broadcast and Cable

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 5/31/2016

At its Open Meeting on May 25, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) proposing to eliminate two public inspection file requirements – one that applies to broadcast...more

The FCC’s Privacy NPRM: A Closer Look at the Commission’s Legal Authority and Some of Its Proposals

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 4/27/2016

As we have previously advised, the FCC’s proposed rulemaking to “protect the privacy of customers of broadband and other telecommunications services” (the “NPRM”) proposes sweeping changes to the ways that Internet Service...more

Proposed EAS Rules Mark a Greater Role for New Media Platforms and Increased Importance for Social Media in Delivering EAS Alerts

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on 3/29/2016

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM” or “Proposed EAS Rules”) in January, proposing improvements to the Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) and Wireless Emergency Alerts...more

The United States Federal Communications Commission › Cable Operators