FCC Regulation Document

Part: 
Topic: C

47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                     47 CFR Part 76 (Feb. 20, 2024)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.

Title 47 —Telecommunication
Chapter I —Federal Communications Commission
Subchapter C —Broadcast Radio Services

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Part 76 Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

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   Subpart A General
     § 76.1 Purpose.
     § 76.3 Other pertinent rules.
     § 76.5 Definitions.
     § 76.6 General pleading requirements.
     § 76.7 General special relief, waiver, enforcement, complaint, show cause, forfeiture, and
             declaratory ruling procedures.
     § 76.8 Status conference.
     § 76.9 Confidentiality of proprietary information.
     § 76.10 Review.
     § 76.11 Lockbox enforcement.
   Subpart B Registration Statements
     § 76.29 Special temporary authority.
   Subpart C Cable Franchising
     § 76.41 Franchise application process.
     § 76.42 In-kind contributions.
     § 76.43 Mixed-use rule.
   Subpart D Carriage of Television Broadcast Signals
     § 76.51 Major television markets.
     § 76.53 Reference points.
     § 76.54 Significantly viewed signals; method to be followed for special showings.
     § 76.55 Definitions applicable to the must-carry rules.
     § 76.56 Signal carriage obligations.
     § 76.57 Channel positioning.
     § 76.59 Modification of television markets.
     § 76.60 Compensation for carriage.
     § 76.61 Disputes concerning carriage.
     § 76.62 Manner of carriage.
     § 76.64 Retransmission consent.
     § 76.65 Good faith and exclusive retransmission consent complaints.
     § 76.66 Satellite broadcast signal carriage.
     § 76.70 Exemption from input selector switch rules.
   Subpart E Equal Employment Opportunity Requirements
     § 76.71 Scope of application.
     § 76.73 General EEO policy.
     § 76.75 Specific EEO program requirements.
     § 76.77 Reporting requirements and enforcement.
     § 76.79 Records available for public inspection.
   Subpart F Network Non-duplication Protection, Syndicated Exclusivity and Sports

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                Blackout
     § 76.92 Cable network non-duplication; extent of protection.
     § 76.93 Parties entitled to network non-duplication protection.
     § 76.94 Notification.
     § 76.95 Exceptions.
     § 76.101 Cable syndicated program exclusivity: extent of protection.
     § 76.103 Parties entitled to syndicated exclusivity.
     § 76.105 Notification.
     § 76.106 Exceptions.
     § 76.107 Exclusivity contracts.
     § 76.108 Indemnification contracts.
     § 76.109 Requirements for invocation of protection.
     § 76.110 Substitutions.
     § 76.120 Network non-duplication protection and syndicated exclusivity rules for satellite
               carriers: Definitions.
     § 76.122 Satellite network non-duplication.
     § 76.123 Satellite syndicated program exclusivity.
     § 76.124 Requirements for invocation of protection.
     § 76.125 Indemnification contracts.
     § 76.130 Substitutions.
   Subpart G Cablecasting
     § 76.205 Origination cablecasts by legally qualified candidates for public office; equal
                opportunities.
     § 76.206 Candidate rates.
     § 76.213 Lotteries.
     § 76.225 Commercial limits in children's programs.
     § 76.227 [Reserved]
   Subpart H General Operating Requirements
     § 76.309 Customer service obligations.
   Subpart I [Reserved]
   Subpart J Ownership of Cable Systems
     § 76.501 Cross-ownership.
     § 76.502 Time limits applicable to franchise authority consideration of transfer applications.
     § 76.503 National subscriber limits.
     § 76.504 Limits on carriage of vertically integrated programming.
     § 76.505 Prohibition on buy outs.
   Subpart K Technical Standards
     § 76.601 Performance tests.
     § 76.602 Incorporation by reference.

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       § 76.605Technical standards.
       § 76.606Closed captioning.
       § 76.607Transmission of commercial advertisements.
       § 76.609Measurements.
       § 76.610Operation in the frequency bands 108–137 MHz and 225–400 MHz—scope of
               application.
     § 76.611 Cable television basic signal leakage performance criteria.
     § 76.612 Cable television frequency separation standards.
     § 76.613 Interference from a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD).
     § 76.614 Cable television system regular monitoring.
     § 76.616 Operation near certain aeronautical and marine emergency radio frequencies.
     § 76.617 Responsibility for interference.
     §§ 76.618-76.620 [Reserved]
     § 76.630 Compatibility with consumer electronics equipment.
     § 76.640 Support for unidirectional digital cable products on digital cable systems.
   Subpart L Cable Television Access
     § 76.701 Leased access channels.
     § 76.702 Public access.
   Subpart M Cable Inside Wiring
     § 76.800 Definitions.
     § 76.801 Scope.
     § 76.802 Disposition of cable home wiring.
     § 76.804 Disposition of home run wiring.
     § 76.805 Access to molding.
     § 76.806 Pre-termination access to cable home wiring.
   Subpart N Cable Rate Regulation
     § 76.901 Definitions.
     § 76.905 Standards for identification of cable systems subject to effective competition.
     § 76.906 Presumption of effective competition.
     § 76.907 Petition for a determination of effective competition.
     § 76.910 Franchising authority certification.
     § 76.911 Petition for reconsideration of certification.
     § 76.912 Joint certification.
     § 76.913 Assumption of jurisdiction by the Commission.
     § 76.914 Revocation of certification.
     § 76.916 Petition for recertification.
     § 76.917 Notification of certification withdrawal.
     § 76.920 Composition of the basic tier.
     § 76.921 Buy-through of other tiers prohibited.

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       § 76.922
              Rates for the basic service tier and cable programming services tiers.
       § 76.923
              Rates for equipment and installation used to receive the basic service tier.
       § 76.924
              Allocation to service cost categories.
       § 76.925
              Costs of franchise requirements.
       § 76.930
              Initiation of review of basic cable service and equipment rates.
       § 76.933
              Franchising authority review of basic cable rates and equipment costs.
       § 76.934
              Small systems and small cable companies.
       § 76.935
              Participation of interested parties.
       § 76.936
              Written decision.
       § 76.937
              Burden of proof.
       § 76.938
              Proprietary information.
       § 76.939
              Truthful written statements and responses to requests of franchising authority.
       § 76.940
              Prospective rate reduction.
       § 76.941
              Rate prescription.
       § 76.942
              Refunds.
       § 76.943
              Fines.
       § 76.944
              Commission review of franchising authority decisions on rates for the basic service
              tier and associated equipment.
     § 76.945 Procedures for Commission review of basic service rates.
     § 76.946 Advertising of rates.
     § 76.952 Information to be provided by cable operator on monthly subscriber bills.
     § 76.962 Implementation and certification of compliance.
     § 76.963 Forfeiture.
     § 76.970 Commercial leased access rates.
     § 76.971 Commercial leased access terms and conditions.
     § 76.975 Commercial leased access dispute resolution.
     § 76.977 Minority and educational programming used in lieu of designated commercial leased
              access capacity.
     § 76.980 Charges for customer changes.
     § 76.981 Negative option billing.
     § 76.982 Continuation of rate agreements.
     § 76.983 Discrimination.
     § 76.984 Geographically uniform rate structure.
     § 76.985 Subscriber bill itemization.
     § 76.990 Small cable operators.
   Subpart O Competitive Access to Cable Programming
     § 76.1000 Definitions.
     § 76.1001 Unfair practices generally.
     § 76.1002 Specific unfair practices prohibited.

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     § 76.1003 Program access proceedings
     § 76.1004 Applicability of program access rules to common carriers and affiliates.
     §§ 76.1005-76.1010 [Reserved]
   Subpart P Competitive Availability of Navigation Devices
     § 76.1200 Definitions.
     § 76.1201 Rights of subscribers to use or attach navigation devices.
     § 76.1202 Availability of navigation devices.
     § 76.1203 Incidence of harm.
     § 76.1204 Availability of equipment performing conditional access or security functions.
     § 76.1205 Availability of interface information.
     § 76.1206 Equipment sale or lease charge subsidy prohibition.
     § 76.1207 Waivers.
     § 76.1208 Sunset of regulations.
     § 76.1209 Theft of service.
     § 76.1210 Effect on other rules.
   Subpart Q Regulation of Carriage Agreements
     § 76.1300 Definitions.
     § 76.1301 Prohibited practices.
     § 76.1302 Carriage agreement proceedings.
     §§ 76.1303-76.1305 [Reserved]
   Subpart R Telecommunications Act Implementation
     § 76.1400 Purpose.
     § 76.1404 Use of cable facilities by local exchange carriers.
   Subpart S Open Video Systems
     § 76.1500 Definitions.
     § 76.1501 Qualifications to be an open video system operator.
     § 76.1502 Certification.
     § 76.1503 Carriage of video programming providers on open video systems.
     § 76.1504 Rates, terms and conditions for carriage on open video systems.
     § 76.1505 Public, educational and governmental access.
     § 76.1506 Carriage of television broadcast signals.
     § 76.1507 Competitive access to satellite cable programming.
     § 76.1508 Network non-duplication.
     § 76.1509 Syndicated program exclusivity.
     § 76.1510 Application of certain Title VI provisions.
     § 76.1511 Fees.
     § 76.1512 Programming information.
     § 76.1513 Open video dispute resolution.
     § 76.1514 Bundling of video and local exchange services.

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   Subpart T Notices
     § 76.1600 Electronic delivery of notices.
     § 76.1601 Deletion or repositioning of broadcast signals.
     § 76.1602 Customer service—general information.
     § 76.1603 Customer service—rate and service changes.
     § 76.1604 Charges for customer service changes.
     § 76.1607 Principal headend.
     § 76.1608 System technical integration requiring uniform election of must-carry or
                 retransmission consent status.
     § 76.1609 Non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity.
     § 76.1610 Change of operational information.
     § 76.1611 Political cable rates and classes of time.
     § 76.1614 Identification of must-carry signals.
     § 76.1615 Sponsorship identification.
     § 76.1616 Contracts with local exchange carriers.
     § 76.1617 Initial must-carry notice.
     § 76.1618 Basic tier availability.
     § 76.1619 Information on subscriber bills.
     § 76.1620 Availability of signals.
     §§ 76.1621-76.1622 [Reserved]
   Subpart U Documents to be Maintained for Inspection
     § 76.1700 Records to be maintained by cable system operators.
     § 76.1701 Political file.
     § 76.1702 Equal employment opportunity.
     § 76.1703 Commercial records on children's programs.
     § 76.1704 Proof-of-performance test data.
     § 76.1705 [Reserved]
     § 76.1706 Signal leakage logs and repair records.
     § 76.1707 Leased access.
     § 76.1708 [Reserved]
     § 76.1709 Availability of signals.
     § 76.1711 Emergency alert system (EAS) tests and activation.
     § 76.1712 Open video system (OVS) requests for carriage.
     § 76.1713 Complaint resolution.
     § 76.1714 Familiarity with FCC rules.
     § 76.1715 Sponsorship identification.
     § 76.1716 Subscriber records and public inspection file.
     § 76.1717 Compliance with technical standards.
   Subpart V Reports and Filings

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     § 76.1800 Additional reports and filings.
     § 76.1801 Registration statement.
     § 76.1802 Annual employment report.
     § 76.1803 Signal leakage monitoring.
     § 76.1804 Aeronautical frequencies: leakage monitoring (CLI).
     § 76.1805 Alternative rate regulation agreements.
   Subpart W Encoding Rules
     § 76.1901 Applicability.
     § 76.1902 Definitions.
     § 76.1903 Interfaces.
     § 76.1904 Encoding rules for defined business models.
     § 76.1905 Petitions to modify encoding rules for new services within defined business models.
     § 76.1906 Encoding rules for undefined business models.
     § 76.1907 Temporary bona fide trials.
     § 76.1908 Certain practices not prohibited.
     § 76.1909 Redistribution control of unencrypted digital terrestrial broadcast content.
   Subpart X Access to MDUs
     § 76.2000 Exclusive access to multiple dwelling units generally.
   Alphabetical Index
      Part 76

PART 76—MULTICHANNEL VIDEO AND CABLE TELEVISION
SERVICE
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 153, 154, 301, 302, 302a, 303, 303a, 307, 308, 309, 312, 315, 317, 325, 338, 339, 340,
 341, 503, 521, 522, 531, 532, 534, 535, 536, 537, 543, 544, 544a, 545, 548, 549, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 561, 571,
 572, 573.

Source: 37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart A—General
§ 76.1 Purpose.
The rules and regulations set forth in this part provide for the certification of cable television systems and for their
operation in conformity with standards for carriage of television broadcast signals, program exclusivity,
cablecasting, access channels, and related matters. The rules and regulations in this part also describe broadcast
carriage requirements for cable operators and satellite carriers.

[37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972, as amended at 70 FR 21670, Apr. 27, 2005]

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Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.3 Other pertinent rules.
Other pertinent provisions of the Commission's rules and regulations relating to Multichannel Video and the Cable
Television Service are included in the following parts of this chapter:

     Part 1—Practice and Procedure.

     Part 11—Emergency Alert System (EAS).

     Part 21—Domestic Public Radio Services (Other Than Maritime Mobile).

     Part 63—Extension of Lines and Discontinuance of Service by Carriers.

     Part 64—Miscellaneous Rules Relating to Common Carriers.

     Part 78—Cable Television Relay Service.

     Part 79—Closed Captioning of Video Programming.

     Part 91—Industrial Radio Services.

[65 FR 53614, Sept. 5, 2000]

§ 76.5 Definitions.
     (a) Cable system or cable television system. A facility consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and
         associated signal generation, reception, and control equipment that is designed to provide cable service
         which includes video programming and which is provided to multiple subscribers within a community, but
         such term does not include:

           (1) A facility that services only to retransmit the television signals of one or more television broadcast
               stations;

           (2) A facility that serves subscribers without using any public right-of-way;

           (3) A facility of a common carrier which is subject, in whole or in part, to the provisions of Title II of the
               Communications Act of 1934, as amended, except that such facility shall be considered a cable
               system to the extent such facility is used in the transmission of video programming directly to
               subscribers, unless the extent of such use is solely to provide interactive on-demand services;

           (4) An open video system that complies with Section 653 of the Communications Act; or

           (5) Any facilities of any electric utility used solely for operating its electric utility systems.

                 Note to paragraph (a): The provisions of subparts D and F of this part shall also apply to all
                 facilities defined previously as cable systems on or before April 28, 1985, except those that
                 serve subscribers without using any public right-of-way.

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     (b) Television station; television broadcast station. Any television broadcast station operating on a channel
         regularly assigned to its community by § 73.606 or § 73.622 of this chapter, and any television broadcast
         station licensed by a foreign government: Provided, however, That a television broadcast station licensed
         by a foreign government shall not be entitled to assert a claim to carriage, program exclusivity, or
         retransmission consent authorization pursuant to subpart D or F of this part, but may otherwise be carried
         if consistent with the rules on any service tier. Further provided that a television broadcast station
         operating on channels regularly assigned to its community by both §§ 73.606 and 73.622 of this chapter
         may assert a claim for carriage pursuant to subpart D of this part only for a channel assigned pursuant to
         § 73.606.

     (c) Television translator station. A television broadcast translator station as defined in § 74.701 of this
         chapter.

     (d) Grade A and Grade B contours. The field intensity contours defined in § 73.683(a) of this chapter.

     (e) Specified zone of a television broadcast station. The area extending 56.3 air km (35 air miles) from the
         reference point in the community to which that station is licensed or authorized by the Commission. A list
         of reference points is contained in § 76.53. A television broadcast station that is authorized but not
         operating has a specified zone that terminates eighteen (18) months after the initial grant of its
         construction permit.

     (f) Major television market. The specified zone of a commercial television station licensed to a community
         listed in § 76.51, or a combination of such specified zones where more than one community is listed.

     (g) Designated community in a major television market. A community listed in § 76.51.

     (h) Smaller television market. The specified zone of a commercial television station licensed to a community
         that is not listed in § 76.51.

     (i)   Significantly viewed. Viewed in over-the-air households as follows:

           (1) For a full or partial network station—a share of viewing hours of at least 3 percent (total week hours),
               and a net weekly circulation of at least 25 percent; and

           (2) for an independent station—a share of viewing hours of at least 2 percent (total week hours), and a
               net weekly circulation of at least 5 percent. See § 76.54.

                Note: As used in this paragraph, “share of viewing hours” means the total hours that over-the-
                air television households viewed the subject station during the week, expressed as a
                percentage of the total hours these households viewed all stations during the period, and “net
                weekly circulation” means the number of over-the-air television households that viewed the
                station for 5 minutes or more during the entire week, expressed as a percentage of the total
                over-the-air television households in the survey area.

     (j)   Full network station. A commercial television broadcast station that generally carries in weekly prime time
           hours 85 percent of the hours of programing offered by one of the three major national television
           networks with which it has a primary affiliation (i.e., right of first refusal or first call).

     (k) Partial network station. A commercial television broadcast station that generally carries in prime time
         more than 10 hours of programming per week offered by the three major national television networks, but
         less than the amount specified in paragraph (j) of this section.

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     (l)   Independent station. A commercial television broadcast station that generally carries in prime time not
           more than 10 hours of programing per week offered by the three major national television networks.

     (m) A network program is any program delivered simultaneously to more than one broadcast station regional
         or national, commercial or noncommercial.

     (n) Prime time. The 5-hour period from 6 to 11 p.m., local time, except that in the central time zone the
         relevant period shall be between the hours of 5 and 10 p.m., and in the mountain time zone each station
         shall elect whether the period shall be 6 to 11 p.m. or 5 to 10 p.m.

           Note: Unless the Commission is notified to the contrary, a station in the mountain time zone shall
           be presumed to have elected the 6 to 11 p.m. period.

     (o) Cablecasting. Programming (exclusive of broadcast signals) carried on a cable television system. See
         paragraphs (y), (z) and (aa) (Classes II, III, and IV cable television channels) of this section.

     (p) Origination cablecasting. Programing (exclusive of broadcast signals) carried on a cable television system
         over one or more channels and subject to the exclusive control of the cable operator.

     (q) Legally qualified candidate.

           (1) Any person who:

                (i)   Has publicly announced his or her intention to run for nomination or office;

                (ii) Is qualified under the applicable local, State or Federal law to hold the office for which he or she
                     is a candidate; and

                (iii) Has met the qualifications set forth in either paragraphs (q)(2), (3) or (4) of this section.

           (2) A person seeking election to any public office including that of President or Vice President of the
               United States, or nomination for any public office except that of President or Vice President, by
               means of a primary, general or special election, shall be considered a legally qualified candidate if, in
               addition to meeting the criteria set forth in paragraph (q)(1) of this section, that person:

                (i)   Has qualified for a place on the ballot, or

                (ii) Has publicly committed himself or herself to seeking election by the write-in method and is
                     eligible under applicable law to be voted for by sticker, by writing in his or her name on the
                     ballot or by other method, and makes a substantial showing that he or she is a bona fide
                     candidate for nomination or office.

                Persons seeking election to the office of President or Vice President of the United States shall, for
                the purposes of the Communications Act and the rules thereunder, be considered legally qualified
                candidates only in those States or territories (or the District of Columbia) in which they have met the
                requirements set forth in paragraphs (q) (1) and (2) of this rule; except that any such person who has
                met the requirements set forth in paragraphs (q) (1) and (2) in at least 10 States (or nine and the
                District of Columbia) shall be considered a legally qualified candidate for election in all States,
                territories and the District of Columbia for purposes of this Act.

           (3) A person seeking nomination to any public office except that of President or Vice President of the
               United States, by means of a convention, caucus or similar procedure, shall be considered a legally
               qualified candidate if, in addition to meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (q)(1) of this

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                section, that person makes a substantial showing that he or she is a bona fide candidate for such
                nomination; except that no person shall be considered a legally qualified candidate for nomination
                by the means set forth in this paragraph prior to 90 days before the beginning of the convention,
                caucus or similar procedure in which he or she seeks nomination.

          (4) A person seeking nomination for the office of President or Vice President of the United States shall,
              for the purposes of the Communications Act and the rules thereunder, be considered a legally
              qualified candidate only in those States or territories (or the District of Columbia) in which, in
              addition meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (q)(1) of this section.

                (i)   He or she, or proposed delegates on his or her behalf, have qualified for the primary of
                      Presidential preference ballot in that State, territory or the District of Columbia, or

                (ii) He or she has made a substantial showing of bona fide candidacy for such nomination in that
                     State, territory of the District of Columbia; except that such person meeting the requirements
                     set forth in paragraph (q) (1) and (4) in at least 10 States (or nine and the District of Columbia)
                     shall be considered a legally qualified candidate for nomination in all States, territories and the
                     District of Columbia for purposes of the Act.

          (5) The term “substantial showing” of a bona fide candidacy as used in paragraphs (q)(2) through (4) of
              this section means evidence that the person claiming to be a candidate has:

                (i)   Satisfied the requirements under applicable law to run as a write-in (such as registering,
                      collecting signatures, paying fees, etc.); and

                (ii) Has engaged to a substantial degree in activities commonly associated with political
                     campaigning. Such activities normally would include making campaign speeches, distributing
                     campaign literature, issuing press releases, maintaining a campaign committee, establishing
                     campaign headquarters (even though the headquarters in some instances might be the
                     residence of the candidate or his or her campaign manager), creating a campaign website, and
                     using social media for the purpose of promoting or furthering a campaign for public office. Not
                     all of the listed activities are necessarily required in each case to demonstrate a substantial
                     showing, and there may be activities not listed herein which would contribute to such a
                     showing. The creation of a campaign website and the use of social media shall be additional
                     indicators of a bona fide candidacy, not determinative factors, and such digital activities must
                     be combined with other activities commonly associated with political campaigning that are
                     conducted in substantial portions of the relevant geographic area.

     (r) Class I cable television channel. A signaling path provided by a cable television system to relay to
         subscriber terminals television broadcast programs that are received off-the-air or are obtained by
         microwave or by direct connection to a television broadcast station.

     (s) Class II cable television channel. A signaling path provided by a cable television system to deliver to
         subscriber terminals television signals that are intended for reception by a television broadcast receiver
         without the use of an auxilliary decoding device and which signals are not involved in a broadcast
         transmission path.

     (t) Class III cable television channel. A signaling path provided by a cable television system to deliver to
         subscriber terminals signals that are intended for reception by equipment other than a television
         broadcast receiver or by a television broadcast receiver only when used with auxiliary decoding
         equipment.

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                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.5(u)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (u) Class IV cable television channel. A signaling path provided by a cable television system to transmit
         signals of any type from a subscriber terminal to another point in the cable television system.

     (v) Subscriber terminal. The cable television system terminal to which a subscriber's equipment is connected.
         Separate terminals may be provided for delivery of signals of various classes. Terminal devices
         interconnected to subscriber terminals of a cable system must comply with the provisions of part 15 of
         this Chapter for TV interface devices.

     (w) System noise. That combination of undesired and fluctuating disturbances within a cable television
         channel that degrades the transmission of the desired signal and that is due to modulation processes or
         thermal or other noise-producing effects, but does not include hum and other undesired signals of
         discrete frequency. System noise is specified in terms of its rms voltage or its mean power level as
         measured in the 4 MHz bandwidth between 1.25 and 5.25 MHz above the lower channel boundary of a
         cable television channel.

     (x) Terminal isolation. The attenuation, at any subscriber terminal, between that terminal and any other
         subscriber terminal in the cable television system.

     (y) Visual signal level. The rms voltage produced by the visual signal during the transmission of synchronizing
         pulses.

     (z) Affiliate. When used in relation to any person, another person who owns or controls, is owned or
         controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with, such person.

    (aa) Person. An individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, corporation, or governmental
         entity.

    (bb) Significant interest. A cognizable interest for attributing interests in broadcast, cable, and newspaper
         properties pursuant to §§ 73.3555, 73.3615, and 76.501.

    (cc) Cable system operator. Any person or group of persons

          (1) who provides cable service over a cable system and directly or through one or more affiliates owns a
              significant interest in such cable system; or

          (2) who otherwise controls or is responsible for, through any arrangement, the management and
              operation of such a cable system.

    (dd) System community unit: Community unit. A cable television system, or portion of a cable television
         system, that operates or will operate within a separate and distinct community or municipal entity
         (including unincorporated communities within unincorporated areas and including single, discrete
         unincorporated areas).

    (ee) Subscribers.

          (1) As used in the context of cable service, subscriber or cable subscriber means a member of the
              general public who receives broadcast programming distributed by a cable television system and
              does not further distribute it.

          (2) As used in the context of satellite service, subscriber or satellite subscriber means a person who
              receives a secondary transmission service from a satellite carrier and pays a fee for the service,
              directly or indirectly, to the satellite carrier or to a distributor.

47 CFR 76.5(ee)(2) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 14 of 268
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                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.5(ff)
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     (ff) Cable service. The one-way transmission to subscribers of video programming, or other programming
          service; and, subscriber interaction, if any, which is required for the selection or use of such video
          programming or other programming service. For the purposes of this definition, “video programming” is
          programming provided by, or generally considered comparable to programming provided by, a television
          broadcast station; and, “other programming service” is information that a cable operator makes available
          to all subscribers generally.

    (gg) Satellite community.

          (1) For purposes of the significantly viewed rules (see § 76.54), a separate and distinct community or
              municipal entity (including unincorporated communities within unincorporated areas and including
              single, discrete unincorporated areas). The boundaries of any such unincorporated community may
              be defined by one or more adjacent five-digit zip code areas. Satellite communities apply only in
              areas in which there is no pre-existing cable community, as defined in paragraph (dd) of this section.

          (2) For purposes of the market modification rules (see § 76.59), a county.

    (hh) Input selector switch. Any device that enables a viewer to select between cable service and off-the-air
         television signals. Such a device may be more sophisticated than a mere two-sided switch, may utilize
         other cable interface equipment, and may be built into consumer television receivers.

     (ii) A syndicated program is any program sold, licensed, distributed or offered to television station licensees in
          more than one market within the United States other than as network programming as defined in §
          76.5(m).

     (jj) Rural area. A community unit with a density of less than 19 households per route kilometer or thirty
          households per route mile of coaxial and/or fiber optic cable trunk and feeder line.

    (kk) Technically integrated. Having 75% or more of the video channels received from a common headend.

     (ll) Cable home wiring. The internal wiring contained within the premises of a subscriber which begins at the
          demarcation point. Cable home wiring includes passive splitters on the subscriber's side of the
          demarcation point, but does not include any active elements such as amplifiers, converter or decoder
          boxes, or remote control units.

   (mm) Demarcation point.

          (1) For new and existing single unit installations, the demarcation point shall be a point at (or about)
              twelve inches outside of where the cable wire enters the subscriber's premises.

          (2) For new and existing multiple dwelling unit installations with non-loop-through wiring configurations,
              the demarcation point shall be a point at (or about) twelve inches outside of where the cable wire
              enters the subscriber's dwelling unit, or, where the wire is physically inaccessible at such point, the
              closest practicable point thereto that does not require access to the individual subscriber's dwelling
              unit.

          (3) For new and existing multiple dwelling unit installations with loop-through wiring configurations, the
              demarcation points shall be at (or about) twelve inches outside of where the cable wire enters or
              exits the first and last individual dwelling units on the loop, or, where the wire is physically
              inaccessible at such point(s), the closest practicable point thereto that does not require access to an
              individual subscriber's dwelling unit.

          (4) As used in this paragraph (mm)(3), the term “physically inaccessible” describes a location that:

47 CFR 76.5(mm)(4) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 15 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.5(mm)(4)(i)
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                 (i)   Would require significant modification of, or significant damage to, preexisting structural
                       elements, and

                 (ii) Would add significantly to the physical difficulty and/or cost of accessing the subscriber's home
                      wiring.

                       Note to § 76.5 paragraph (mm)(4): For example, wiring embedded in brick, metal
                       conduit, cinder blocks, or sheet rock with limited or without access openings would likely
                       be physically inaccessible; wiring enclosed within hallway molding would not.

    (nn) Activated channels. Those channels engineered at the headend of a cable system for the provision of
         services generally available to residential subscribers of the cable system, regardless of whether such
         services actually are provided, including any channel designated for public, educational or governmental
         use.

    (oo) Usable activated channels. Those activated channels of a cable system, except those channels whose use
         for the distribution of broadcast signals would conflict with technical and safety regulations. See part 76,
         subpart K.

    (pp) Principal headend.

           (1) The headend, in the case of a cable system with a single headend or,

           (2) In the case of a cable system with more than one headend, the principal headend designated by the
               cable operator, except that such designation shall not undermine or evade the requirements of
               subpart D of this part. Each cable system must provide information regarding the designation and
               location of the principal headend to the Commission promptly upon request. Except for good cause,
               an operator may not change its choice of principal headend. Cable systems may elect voluntarily to
               provide the location of the principal headend in the Commission's online public inspection file
               database and may choose whether to make this information accessible only by the Commission or
               to also make it publicly available. Systems that elect not to provide this information in the online file,
               or to protect this information in the online file from public view, must make it available to broadcast
               television stations and local franchisors upon request. If a request is submitted by a television
               station or franchisor in writing by certified mail, cable systems must respond in writing by certified
               mail within 15 calendar days. Cable systems may in addition elect to respond to requests from these
               entities submitted by telephone or email, but must respond in writing by certified mail if requested to
               do so by the station or franchisor.

    (qq) Emergency Alert System (EAS). The EAS is composed of broadcast networks; cable networks and
         program suppliers; AM, FM and TV broadcast stations; Low Power TV (LPTV) stations; cable systems and
         wireless cable systems; and other entities and industries operating on an organized basis during
         emergencies at the National, State, or local levels.

     (rr) Channel Slates. A written notice that appears on screen in place of a dropped video feed.

[37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972]

Editorial Note: For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 76.5, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which
appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.6
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§ 76.6 General pleading requirements.
     (a) General pleading requirements. All written submissions, both substantive and procedural, must conform to
         the following standards:

           (1) A pleading must be clear, concise, and explicit. All matters concerning a claim, defense or requested
               remedy, should be pleaded fully and with specificity.

           (2) Pleadings must contain facts which, if true, are sufficient to warrant a grant of the relief requested.

           (3) Facts must be supported by relevant documentation or affidavit.

           (4) The original of all pleadings and submissions by any party shall be signed by that party, or by the
               party's attorney. Complaints must be signed by the complainant. The signing party shall state his or
               her address and telephone number and the date on which the document was signed. Copies should
               be conformed to the original. Each submission must contain a written verification that the signatory
               has read the submission and to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief formed after
               reasonable inquiry, it is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith
               argument for the extension, modification or reversal of existing law; and that it is not interposed for
               any improper purpose. If any pleading or other submission is signed in violation of this provision, the
               Commission shall upon motion or upon its own initiative impose appropriate sanctions.

           (5) Legal arguments must be supported by appropriate judicial, Commission, or statutory authority.
               Opposing authorities must be distinguished. Copies must be provided of all non-Commission
               authorities relied upon which are not routinely available in national reporting systems, such as
               unpublished decisions or slip opinions of courts or administrative agencies.

           (6) Parties are responsible for the continuing accuracy and completeness of all information and
               supporting authority furnished in a pending complaint proceeding. Information submitted, as well as
               relevant legal authorities, must be current and updated as necessary and in a timely manner at any
               time before a decision is rendered on the merits of the complaint.

     (b) Copies to be Filed. Unless otherwise directed by specific regulation or the Commission, an original and
         two (2) copies of all pleadings shall be filed in accordance with § 0.401(a) of this chapter, except that
         petitions requiring fees as set forth at part 1, subpart G of this chapter must be filed in accordance with §
         0.401(b) of this chapter.

     (c) Frivolous pleadings. It shall be unlawful for any party to file a frivolous pleading with the Commission. Any
         violation of this paragraph shall constitute an abuse of process subject to appropriate sanctions.

[64 FR 6569, Feb. 10, 1999]

§ 76.7 General special relief, waiver, enforcement, complaint, show cause, forfeiture, and
declaratory ruling procedures.
     (a) Initiating pleadings. In addition to the general pleading requirements, initiating pleadings must adhere to
         the following requirements:

           (1) Petitions. On petition by any interested party, cable television system operator, a multichannel video
               programming distributor, local franchising authority, or an applicant, permittee, or licensee of a
               television broadcast or translator station, the Commission may waive any provision of this part 76,

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.7(a)(2)
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                 impose additional or different requirements, issue a ruling on a complaint or disputed question, issue
                 a show cause order, revoke the certification of the local franchising authority, or initiate a forfeiture
                 proceeding. Petitions may be submitted informally by letter.

           (2) Complaints. Complaints shall conform to the relevant rule section under which the complaint is being
               filed.

           (3) Certificate of service. Petitions and Complaints shall be accompanied by a certificate of service on
               any cable television system operator, multichannel video programming distributor, franchising
               authority, station licensee, permittee, or applicant, or other interested person who is likely to be
               directly affected if the relief requested is granted.

           (4) Statement of relief requested.

                 (i)   The petition or complaint shall state the relief requested. It shall state fully and precisely all
                       pertinent facts and considerations relied on to demonstrate the need for the relief requested
                       and to support a determination that a grant of such relief would serve the public interest.

                 (ii) The petition or complaint shall set forth all steps taken by the parties to resolve the problem,
                      except where the only relief sought is a clarification or interpretation of the rules.

                (iii) A petition or complaint may, on request of the filing party, be dismissed without prejudice as a
                      matter of right prior to the adoption date of any final action taken by the Commission with
                      respect to the petition or complaint. A request for the return of an initiating document will be
                      regarded as a request for dismissal.

           (5) Failure to prosecute. Failure to prosecute petition or complaint, or failure to respond to official
               correspondence or request for additional information, will be cause for dismissal. Such dismissal
               will be without prejudice if it occurs prior to the adoption date of any final action taken by the
               Commission with respect to the initiating pleading.

     (b) Responsive pleadings. In addition to the general pleading requirements, responsive pleadings must adhere
         to the following requirements:

           (1) Comments/oppositions to petitions. Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, interested
               persons may submit comments or oppositions within twenty (20) days after the date of public notice
               of the filing of such petition. Comments or oppositions shall be served on the petitioner and on all
               persons listed in petitioner's certificate of service, and shall contain a detailed full showing,
               supported by affidavit, of any facts or considerations relied on.

           (2) Answers to complaints.

                 (i)   Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, any party who is served with a complaint shall
                       file an answer in accordance with the following, and the relevant rule section under which the
                       complaint is being filed.

                 (ii) The answer shall be filed within 20 days of service of the complaint, unless another period is set
                      forth in the relevant rule section.

                (iii) The answer shall advise the parties and the Commission fully and completely of the nature of
                      any and all defenses, and shall respond specifically to all material allegations of the complaint.
                      Collateral or immaterial issues shall be avoided in answers and every effort should be made to
                      narrow the issues. Any party against whom a complaint is filed failing to file and serve an

47 CFR 76.7(b)(2)(iii) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 18 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                      47 CFR 76.7(b)(2)(iv)
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                       answer within the time and in the manner prescribed by these rules may be deemed in default
                       and an order may be entered against defendant in accordance with the allegations contained in
                       the complaint.

                (iv) The answer shall admit or deny the averments on which the adverse party relies. If the
                     defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of an
                     averment, the defendant shall so state and this has the effect of a denial. When a defendant
                     intends in good faith to deny only part of an averment, the answer shall specify so much of it as
                     is true and shall deny only the remainder. The defendant may make its denials as specific
                     denials of designated averments or paragraphs, or may generally deny all the averments except
                     such designated averments or paragraphs as the defendant expressly admits. When the
                     defendant intends to controvert all averments, the defendant may do so by general denial.

                 (v) Averments in a complaint are deemed to be admitted when not denied in the answer.

     (c) Reply. In addition to the general pleading requirements, reply comments and replies must adhere to the
         following requirements:

           (1) The petitioner or complainant may file a reply to a responsive pleading which shall be served on all
               persons who have filed pleadings and shall also contain a detailed full showing, supported by
               affidavit, of any additional facts or considerations relied on. Unless expressly permitted by the
               Commission, reply comments and replies to an answer shall not contain new matters.

           (2) Failure to reply will not be deemed an admission of any allegations contained in the responsive
               pleading, except with respect to any affirmative defense set forth therein.

           (3) Unless otherwise directed by the Commission or the relevant rule section, comments and replies to
               answers must be filed within ten (10) days after submission of the responsive pleading.

     (d) Motions. Except as provided in this section, or upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances, additional
         motions or pleadings by any party will not be accepted.

     (e) Additional procedures and written submissions.

           (1) The Commission may specify other procedures, such as oral argument or evidentiary hearing
               directed to particular aspects, as it deems appropriate. In the event that an evidentiary hearing is
               required, the Commission will determine, on the basis of the pleadings and such other procedures as
               it may specify, whether temporary relief should be afforded any party pending the hearing and the
               nature of any such temporary relief.

           (2) The Commission may require the parties to submit any additional information it deems appropriate
               for a full, fair, and expeditious resolution of the proceeding, including copies of all contracts and
               documents reflecting arrangements and understandings alleged to violate the requirements set forth
               in the Communications Act and in this part, as well as affidavits and exhibits.

           (3) The Commission may, in its discretion, require the parties to file briefs summarizing the facts and
               issues presented in the pleadings and other record evidence.

                 (i)   These briefs shall contain the findings of fact and conclusions of law which that party is urging
                       the Commission to adopt, with specific citations to the record, and supported by relevant
                       authority and analysis.

                 (ii) Any briefs submitted shall be filed concurrently by both the complainant and defendant at such
                      time as is designated by the staff. Such briefs shall not exceed fifty (50) pages.

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                (iii) Reply briefs may be submitted by either party within twenty (20) days from the date initial briefs
                      are due. Reply briefs shall not exceed thirty (30) pages.

     (f) Discovery.

           (1) The Commission staff may in its discretion order discovery limited to the issues specified by the
               Commission. Such discovery may include answers to written interrogatories, depositions or
               document production.

           (2) The Commission staff may in its discretion direct the parties to submit discovery proposals, together
               with a memorandum in support of the discovery requested. Such discovery requests may include
               answers to written interrogatories, document production or depositions. The Commission staff may
               hold a status conference with the parties, pursuant to § 76.8 of this part, to determine the scope of
               discovery, or direct the parties regarding the scope of discovery. If the Commission staff determines
               that extensive discovery is required or that depositions are warranted, the staff may advise the
               parties that the proceeding will be referred to an administrative law judge in accordance with
               paragraph (g) of this section.

     (g) Referral to administrative law judge.

           (1) After reviewing the pleadings, and at any stage of the proceeding thereafter, the Commission staff
               may, in its discretion, designate any proceeding or discrete issues arising out of any proceeding for
               an adjudicatory hearing before an administrative law judge.

           (2) Before designation for hearing, the staff shall notify, either orally or in writing, the parties to the
               proceeding of its intent to so designate, and the parties shall be given a period of ten (10) days to
               elect to resolve the dispute through alternative dispute resolution procedures, or to proceed with an
               adjudicatory hearing. Such election shall be submitted in writing to the Commission.

           (3) Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, or upon motion by the Media Bureau Chief, the Media
               Bureau Chief shall not be deemed to be a party to a proceeding designated for a hearing before an
               administrative law judge pursuant to this paragraph (g).

     (h) System community units outside the Contiguous States. On a finding that the public interest so requires,
         the Commission may determine that a system community unit operating or proposing to operate in a
         community located outside of the 48 contiguous states shall comply with provisions of subparts D, F, and
         G of this part in addition to the provisions thereof otherwise applicable.

     (i)   Commission ruling. The Commission, after consideration of the pleadings, may determine whether the
           public interest would be served by the grant, in whole or in part, or denial of the request, or may issue a
           ruling on the complaint or dispute, issue an order to show cause, or initiate a forfeiture proceeding.

           Note 1 to § 76.7: After issuance of an order to show cause pursuant to this section, the rules of
           procedure in Title 47, part 1, subpart A, §§ 1.91–1.95 of this chapter shall apply.

           Note 2 to § 76.7: Nothing in this section is intended to prevent the Commission from initiating
           show cause or forfeiture proceedings on its own motion; Provided, however, that show cause
           proceedings and forfeiture proceedings pursuant to § 1.80(g) of this chapter will not be initiated
           by such motion until the affected parties are given an opportunity to respond to the Commission's

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.8
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           charges.

           Note 3 to § 76.7: Forfeiture proceedings are generally nonhearing matters conducted pursuant to
           the provisions of § 1.80(f) of this chapter (Notice of Apparent Liability). Petitioners who contend
           that the alternative hearing procedures of § 1.80(g) of this chapter should be followed in a
           particular case must support this contention with a specific showing of the facts and
           considerations relied on.

           Note 4 to § 76.7: To the extent a conflict is perceived between the general pleading requirements
           of this section, and the procedural requirements of a specific section, the procedural requirements
           of the specific section should be followed.

[64 FR 6569, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 13234, Mar. 21, 2002; 76 FR 60673, Sept. 29, 2011; 80 FR 59663, Oct. 2, 2015;
85 FR 63184, Oct. 6, 2020]

§ 76.8 Status conference.
     (a) In any proceeding subject to the part 76 rules, the Commission staff may in its discretion direct the
         attorneys and/or the parties to appear for a conference to consider:

           (1) Simplification or narrowing of the issues;

           (2) The necessity for or desirability of amendments to the pleadings, additional pleadings, or other
               evidentiary submissions;

           (3) Obtaining admissions of fact or stipulations between the parties as to any or all of the matters in
               controversy;

           (4) Settlement of the matters in controversy by agreement of the parties;

           (5) The necessity for and extent of discovery, including objections to interrogatories or requests for
               written documents;

           (6) The need and schedule for filing briefs, and the date for any further conferences; and

           (7) Such other matters that may aid in the disposition of the proceeding.

     (b) Any party may request that a conference be held at any time after an initiating document has been filed.

     (c) Conferences will be scheduled by the Commission at such time and place as it may designate, to be
         conducted in person or by telephone conference call.

     (d) The failure of any attorney or party, following advance notice with an opportunity to be present, to appear
         at a scheduled conference will be deemed a waiver and will not preclude the Commission from conferring
         with those parties or counsel present.

     (e) During a status conference, the Commission staff may issue oral rulings pertaining to a variety of matters
         relevant to the conduct of the proceeding including, inter alia, procedural matters, discovery, and the
         submission of briefs or other evidentiary materials. These rulings will be promptly memorialized in writing

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                             47 CFR 76.9
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           and served on the parties. When such rulings require a party to take affirmative action not subject to
           deadlines established by another provision of this subpart, such action will be required within ten (10)
           days from the date of the written memorialization unless otherwise directed by the staff.

[64 FR 6571, Feb. 10, 1999]

§ 76.9 Confidentiality of proprietary information.
     (a) Any materials filed in the course of a proceeding under this provision may be designated as proprietary by
         that party if the party believes in good faith that the materials fall within an exemption to disclosure
         contained in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(b). Any party asserting confidentiality
         for such materials shall so indicate by clearly marking each page, or portion thereof, for which a
         proprietary designation is claimed. If a proprietary designation is challenged, the party claiming
         confidentiality will have the burden of demonstrating, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the
         material designated as proprietary falls under the standards for nondisclosure enunciated in FOIA.

     (b) Submissions containing information claimed to be proprietary under this section shall be submitted to the
         Commission in confidence pursuant to the requirements of § 0.459 of this chapter and clearly marked
         “Not for Public Inspection.” An edited version removing all proprietary data shall be filed with the
         Commission for inclusion in the public file within five (5) days from the date the unedited reply is
         submitted, and shall be served on the opposing parties.

     (c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, materials marked as proprietary may be disclosed
         solely to the following persons, only for use in the proceeding, and only to the extent necessary to assist
         in the prosecution or defense of the case:

           (i)   Counsel of record representing the parties in the proceeding and any support personnel employed by
                 such attorneys;

           (ii) Officers or employees of the parties in the proceeding who are named by another party as being
                directly involved in the proceeding;

           (iii) Consultants or expert witnesses retained by the parties;

           (iv) The Commission and its staff; and

           (v) Court reporters and stenographers in accordance with the terms and conditions of this section.

     (d) The Commission will entertain, subject to a proper showing, a party's request to further restrict access to
         proprietary information as specified by the party. The other parties will have an opportunity to respond to
         such requests.

     (e) The persons designated in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section shall not disclose information
         designated as proprietary to any person who is not authorized under this section to receive such
         information, and shall not use the information in any activity or function other than the prosecution or
         defense of the case before the Commission. Each individual who is provided access to the information by
         the opposing party shall sign a notarized statement affirmatively stating, or shall certify under penalty of
         perjury, that the individual has personally reviewed the Commission's rules and understands the
         limitations they impose on the signing party.

     (f) No copies of materials marked proprietary may be made except copies to be used by persons designated
         in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. Each party shall maintain a log recording the number of copies
         made of all proprietary material and the persons to whom the copies have been provided.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                               47 CFR 76.9(g)
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     (g) Upon termination of the complaint proceeding, including all appeals and petitions, all originals and
         reproductions of any proprietary materials, along with the log recording persons who received copies of
         such materials, shall be provided to the producing party. In addition, upon final termination of the
         proceeding, any notes or other work product derived in whole or in part from the proprietary materials of
         an opposing or third party shall be destroyed.

[64 FR 6571, Feb. 10, 1999]

§ 76.10 Review.
     (a) Interlocutory review.

           (1) Except as provided below, no party may seek review of interlocutory rulings until a decision on the
               merits has been issued by the staff or administrative law judge.

           (2) Rulings listed in this paragraph are reviewable as a matter of right. An application for review of such
               ruling may not be deferred and raised as an exception to a decision on the merits.

                 (i)   If the staff's ruling denies or terminates the right of any person to participate as a party to the
                       proceeding, such person, as a matter of right, may file an application for review of that ruling.

                 (ii) If the staff's ruling requires production of documents or other written evidence, over objection
                      based on a claim of privilege, the ruling on the claim of privilege is reviewable as a matter of
                      right.

                (iii) If the staff's ruling denies a motion to disqualify a staff person from participating in the
                      proceeding, the ruling is reviewable as a matter of right.

     (b) Petitions for reconsideration. Petitions for reconsideration of interlocutory actions by the Commission's
         staff or by an administrative law judge will not be entertained. Petitions for reconsideration of a decision
         on the merits made by the Commission's staff should be filed in accordance with §§ 1.104 through 1.106
         of this chapter.

     (c) Application for review.

           (1) Any party to a part 76 proceeding aggrieved by any decision on the merits issued by the staff
               pursuant to delegated authority may file an application for review by the Commission in accordance
               with § 1.115 of this chapter.

           (2) Any party to a proceeding under this part aggrieved by any decision on the merits by an
               administrative law judge may file an appeal of the decision directly with the Commission, in
               accordance with §§ 1.276(a) and 1.277(a) through (c) of this chapter.

[64 FR 6571, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 85 FR 81812, Dec. 17, 2020]

§ 76.11 Lockbox enforcement.
Any party aggrieved by the failure or refusal of a cable operator to provided a lockbox as provided for in Title VI of
the Communications Act may petition the Commission for relief in accordance with the provisions and procedures
set forth in § 76.7 for petitions for special relief.

[50 FR 18661, May 2, 1985]

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.29
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Subpart B—Registration Statements
§ 76.29 Special temporary authority.
     (a) In circumstances requiring the temporary use of community units for operations not authorized by the
         Commission's rules, a cable television system may request special temporary authority to operate. The
         Commission may grant special temporary authority, upon a finding that the public interest would be
         served thereby, for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days, and may extend such authority, upon a like
         finding, for one additional period, not to exceed ninety (90) days.

     (b) Requests for special temporary authority may be submitted informally, by letter, and shall contain the
         following:

           (1) Name and address of the applicant cable system.

           (2) Community in which the community unit is located.

           (3) Type of operation to be conducted.

           (4) Date of commencement of proposed operations.

           (5) Duration of time for which temporary authority is required.

           (6) All pertinent facts and considerations relied on to demonstrate the need for special temporary
               authority and to support a determination that a grant of such authority would serve the public
               interest.

           (7) A certificate of service on all interested parties.

     (c) A request for special temporary authority shall be filed at least ten (10) days prior to the date of
         commencement of the proposed operations, or shall be accompanied by a statement of reasons for the
         delay in submitting such request.

     (d) A grant of special temporary authority may be rescinded by the Commission at any time upon a finding of
         facts which warrant such action.

[39 FR 35166, Sept. 30, 1974; 42 FR 19346, Apr. 13, 1977, as amended at 43 FR 49008, Oct. 20, 1978]

Subpart C—Cable Franchising
§ 76.41 Franchise application process.
     (a) Definition. Competitive franchise applicant. For the purpose of this section, an applicant for a cable
         franchise in an area currently served by another cable operator or cable operators in accordance with 47
         U.S.C. 541(a)(1).

     (b) A competitive franchise applicant must include the following information in writing in its franchise
         application, in addition to any information required by applicable State and local laws:

           (1) The applicant's name;

           (2) The names of the applicant's officers and directors;

           (3) The business address of the applicant;

           (4) The name and contact information of a designated contact for the applicant;

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           (5) A description of the geographic area that the applicant proposes to serve;

           (6) The PEG channel capacity and capital support proposed by the applicant;

           (7) The term of the agreement proposed by the applicant;

           (8) Whether the applicant holds an existing authorization to access the public rights-of-way in the
               subject franchise service area as described under paragraph (b)(5) of this section;

           (9) The amount of the franchise fee the applicant offers to pay; and

          (10) Any additional information required by applicable State or local laws.

     (c) A franchising authority may not require a competitive franchise applicant to negotiate or engage in any
         regulatory or administrative processes prior to the filing of the application.

     (d) When a competitive franchise applicant files a franchise application with a franchising authority and the
         applicant has existing authority to access public rights-of-way in the geographic area that the applicant
         proposes to serve, the franchising authority must grant or deny the application within 90 days of the date
         the application is received by the franchising authority. If a competitive franchise applicant does not have
         existing authority to access public rights-of-way in the geographic area that the applicant proposes to
         serve, the franchising authority must grant or deny the application within 180 days of the date the
         application is received by the franchising authority. A franchising authority and a competitive franchise
         applicant may agree in writing to extend the 90-day or 180-day deadline, whichever is applicable.

     (e) If a franchising authority does not grant or deny an application within the time limit specified in paragraph
         (d) of this section, the competitive franchise applicant will be authorized to offer service pursuant to an
         interim franchise in accordance with the terms of the application submitted under paragraph (b) of this
         section.

     (f) If after expiration of the time limit specified in paragraph (d) of this section a franchising authority denies
         an application, the competitive franchise applicant must discontinue operating under the interim franchise
         specified in paragraph (e) of this section unless the franchising authority provides consent for the interim
         franchise to continue for a limited period of time, such as during the period when judicial review of the
         franchising authority's decision is pending. The competitive franchise applicant may seek judicial review
         of the denial under 47 U.S.C. 555.

     (g) If after expiration of the time limit specified in paragraph (d) of this section a franchising authority and a
         competitive franchise applicant agree on the terms of a franchise, upon the effective date of that
         franchise, that franchise will govern and the interim franchise will expire.

[72 FR 13215, Mar. 21, 2007]

§ 76.42 In-kind contributions.
     (a) In-kind, cable-related contributions are “franchise fees” subject to the five percent cap set forth in 47
         U.S.C. 542(b). Such contributions, which count toward the five percent cap at their fair market value,
         include any non-monetary contributions related to the provision of cable service by a cable operator as a
         condition or requirement of a local franchise, including but not limited to:

           (1) Costs attributable to the provision of free or discounted cable service to public buildings, including
               buildings leased by or under control of the franchising authority;

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           (2) Costs in support of public, educational, or governmental access facilities, with the exception of
               capital costs; and

           (3) Costs attributable to the construction of institutional networks.

     (b) In-kind, cable-related contributions do not include the costs of complying with build-out and customer
         service requirements.

[84 FR 44750, Aug. 27, 2019]

§ 76.43 Mixed-use rule.
A franchising authority may not regulate the provision of any services other than cable services offered over the
cable system of a cable operator, with the exception of channel capacity on institutional networks.

[84 FR 44750, Aug. 27, 2019]

Subpart D—Carriage of Television Broadcast Signals
§ 76.51 Major television markets.
For purposes of the cable television rules, the following is a list of the major television markets and their designated
communities:

     (a) First 50 major television markets:

           (1) New York, New York-Linden-Paterson-Newark, New Jersey.

           (2) Los Angeles-San Bernardino-Corona-Riverside-Anaheim, Calif.

           (3) Chicago, Ill.

           (4) Philadelphia, Pa.-Burlington, N.J.

           (5) Detroit, Mich.

           (6) Boston-Cambridge-Worcester-Lawrence, Mass.

           (7) San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif.

           (8) Cleveland-Lorain-Akron, Ohio.

           (9) Washington, DC.

          (10) Pittsburgh, Pa.

          (11) St. Louis, Mo.

          (12) Dallas-Fort Worth, Tex.

          (13) Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

          (14) Baltimore, Md.

          (15) Houston, Tex.

          (16) Indianapolis-Bloomington, Ind.

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          (17) Cincinnati, Ohio-Newport, Ky.

          (18) Atlanta-Rome, Ga.

          (19) Hartford-New Haven-New Britain-Waterbury-New London, Ct.

          (20) Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.

          (21) Miami, Fla.

          (22) Kansas City, Mo.

          (23) Milwaukee, Wis.

          (24) Buffalo, N.Y.

          (25) Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto, Calif.

          (26) Memphis, Tenn.

          (27) Columbus-Chillicothe, Ohio.

          (28) Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida.

          (29) Portland, Oreg.

          (30) Nashville, Tenn.

          (31) New Orleans, La.

          (32) Denver-Castle Rock, Colorado.

          (33) Providence, R.I.-New Bedford, Mass.

          (34) Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y.

          (35) Syracuse, N.Y.

          (36) Charleston-Huntington, W. Va.

          (37) Kalamazoo-Grand Rapids-Battle Creek, Mich.

          (38) Louisville, Ky.

          (39) Oklahoma City, Okla.

          (40) Birmingham, Ala.

          (41) Dayton-Kettering, Ohio.

          (42) Charlotte, N.C.

          (43) Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.

          (44) Norfolk-Newport News-Portsmouth-Hampton, Va.

          (45) San Antonio, Tex.

          (46) Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, S.C.-Asheville, N.C.

          (47) Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.

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          (48) Salt Lake City, Utah.

          (49) Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pa.

          (50) Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

                (b) Second 50 major television markets:

          (51) San Diego, Calif.

          (52) Toledo, Ohio.

          (53) Omaha, Nebr.

          (54) Tulsa, Okla.

          (55) Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne-Cocoa-Clermont, Florida.

          (56) Rochester, N.Y.

          (57) Harrisburg-Lancaster-York, Pa.

          (58) Texarkana, Tex.-Shreveport, La.

          (59) Mobile, Ala.-Pensacola, Fla.

          (60) Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island-Moline, Ill.

          (61) Flint-Bay City-Saginaw, Mich.

          (62) Green Bay, Wis.

          (63) Richmond-Petersburg, Va.

          (64) Springfield-Decatur-Champaign, Illinois.

          (65) Cedar Rapids-Waterloo, Iowa.

          (66) Des Moines-Ames, Iowa.

          (67) Wichita-Hutchinson, Kans.

          (68) Jacksonville, Fla.

          (69) Cape Girardeau, Mo.-Paducah, Ky.-Harrisburg, Ill.

          (70) Roanoke-Lynchburg, Va.

          (71) Knoxville, Tenn.

          (72) Fresno-Visalia-Hanford-Clovis-Merced-Porterville, California.

          (73) Raleigh-Durham-Goldsboro-Fayetteville, North Carolina.

          (74) Johnstown-Altoona, Pa.

          (75) Portland-Poland Spring, Maine.

          (76) Spokane, Wash.

          (77) Jackson, Miss.

47 CFR 76.51(a)(77) (enhanced display)                                             page 28 of 268
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          (78) Chattanooga, Tenn.

          (79) Youngstown, Ohio.

          (80) South Bend-Elkhart, Ind.

          (81) Albuquerque, N. Mex.

          (82) Fort Wayne-Roanoke, Ind.

          (83) Peoria, Ill.

          (84) Greenville-Washington-New Bern, N.C.

          (85) Sioux Falls-Mitchell, S. Dak.

          (86) Evansville, Ind.

          (87) Baton Rouge, La.

          (88) Beaumont-Port Arthur, Tex.

          (89) Duluth, Minn.-Superior, Minn.

          (90) Wheeling, W. Va.-Steubenville, Ohio.

          (91) Lincoln-Hastings-Kearney, Nebr.

          (92) Lansing-Onondaga, Mich.

          (93) Madison, Wis.

          (94) Columbus, Ga.

          (95) Amarillo, Tex.

          (96) Huntsville-Decatur, Ala.

          (97) Rockford-Freeport, Ill.

          (98) Fargo-Valley City, N.D.

          (99) Monroe, La.-El Dorado, Ark.

         (100) Columbia, S.C.

           Note: Requests for changes to this list shall be made in the form of a petition for rulemaking
           pursuant to § 1.401 of this chapter, except that such petitions shall not be subject to the public
           notice provisions of § 1.403 of this chapter.

[37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972]

Editorial Note: For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 76.51, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which
appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

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§ 76.53 Reference points.
The following list of reference points shall be used to identify the boundaries of the major and smaller television
markets (defined in § 76.5). Where a community's reference point is not given, the geographic coordinates of the
main post office in the community shall be used.

                 State and community                          Latitude              Longitude
 Alabama:
  Anniston                                                         33°39′49″               85°49′47″
  Birmingham                                                       33°31′01″               86°48′36″
  Decatur                                                          34°36′35″               86°58′45″
  Demopolis                                                        32°30′56″               87°50′07″
  Dothan                                                           31°13′27″               85°23′35″
  Dozier                                                           31°29′30″               86°21′59″
  Florence                                                         34°48′05″               87°40′31″
  Huntsville                                                       34°44′18″               86°35′19″
  Louisville                                                       31°47′00″               85°33′09″
  Mobile                                                           30°41′36″               88°02′33″
  Montgomery                                                       32°22′33″               86°18′31″
  Mount Cheaha State Park                                          33°29′26″               85°48′30″
  Selma                                                            24°24′26″               87°01′15″
  Tuscaloosa                                                       33°12′05″               87°33′44″
 Alaska:
  Anchorage                                                        61°13′09″              149°53′29″
  College                                                          64°51′22″              147°48′38″
  Fairbanks                                                        64°50′35″              147°41′51″
  Juneau                                                           58°18′06″              134°25′09″
  Sitka                                                            57°02′58″              135°20′12″
 Arizona:
  Flagstaff                                                        35°11′54″              111°39′02″
  Mesa                                                             33°24′54″              111°49′41″
  Nogales                                                          31°20′14″              110°56′12″
  Phoenix                                                          33°27′12″              112°04′28″
  Tucson                                                           32°13′15″              110°58′08″
  Yuma                                                             32°43′16″              114°37′01″
 Arkansas:
  El Dorado                                                        33°12′39″               92°39′40″
  Fayetteville                                                     36°03′41″               94°09′38″
  Fort Smith                                                       35°23′10″               94°25′36″
  Jonesboro                                                        35°50′14″               90°42′11″
  Little Rock                                                      34°44′42″               92°16′37″
 California:

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                    State and community           Latitude         Longitude
  Bakersfield                                          35°22′31″        119°01′16″
  Chico                                                39°44′07″        121°49′57″
  Concord                                              37°58′46″        122°01′51″
  Corona                                               33°52′35″        117°33′56″
  El Centro                                            32°47′25″        115°32′45″
  Eureka                                               40°48′08″        124°09′46″
  Fontana                                              34°05′45″        117°26′29″
  Fresno                                               36°44′12″        119°47′11″
  Guasti                                               34°03′48″        117°35′10″
  Hanford                                              36°19′51″        119°38′48″
  Los Angeles                                          34°03′15″        118°14′28″
  Modesto                                              37°38′26″        120°59′44″
  Monterey                                             36°35′44″        121°53′39″
  Oakland                                              37°48′03″        122°15′54″
  Palm Springs                                         33°49′22″        116°32′46″
  Redding                                              40°34′57″        122°23′34″
  Sacramento                                           38°34′57″        121°29′41″
  Salinas                                              36°40′24″        121°39′25″
  San Bernardino                                       34°06′30″        117°17′28″
  San Diego                                            32°42′53″        117°09′21″
  San Francisco                                        37°46′39″        122°24′40″
  San Jose                                             37°20′16″        121°53′24″
  San Luis Obispo                                      35°16′49″        120°39′34″
  San Mateo                                            37°34′08″        122°19′16″
  Santa Barbara                                        34°25′18″        119°41′55″
  Santa Maria                                          34°57′02″        120°26′10″
  Stockton                                             37°57′30″        121°17′16″
  Tulare                                               36°12′31″        119°20′35″
  Ventura                                              34°16′47″        119°17′22″
  Visalia                                              36°19′46″        119°17′30″
 Colorado:
  Colorado Springs                                     38°50′07″        104°49′16″
  Denver                                               39°44′58″        104°59′22″
  Durango                                              37°16′29″        107°52′25″
  Grand Junction                                       39°04′06″        108°33′54″
  Montrose                                             38°28′44″        107°52′31″
  Pueblo                                               38°16′17″        104°36′33″
  Sterling                                             40°37′29″        103°12′25″
 Connecticut:
  Bridgeport                                           41°10′49″         73°11′22″

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                    State and community           Latitude         Longitude
  Hartford                                             41°46′12″         72°40′49″
  New Britain                                          41°40′02″         72°47′08″
  New Haven                                            41°18′25″         72°55′30″
  Norwich                                              41°31′36″         72°04′31″
  Waterbury                                            41°33′13″         73°02′31″
 Delaware:
  Wilmington                                           39°44′46″         75°32′51″
 District of Columbia:
  Washington                                           38°53′51″         77°00′33″
 Florida:
  Clearwater                                           27°57′56″         82°47′51″
  Daytona Beach                                        29°12′44″         81°01′10″
  Fort Lauderdale                                      26°07′11″         80°08′34″
  Fort Myers                                           26°38′42″         81°52′06″
  Fort Pierce                                          27°26′48″         80°19′38″
  Gainesville                                          29°38′56″         82°19′19″
  Jacksonville                                         30°19′44″         81°39′42″
  Largo                                                27°54′54″         82°47′32″
  Leesburg                                             28°48′43″         81°52′30″
  Melbourne                                            28°04′41″         80°36′29″
  Miami                                                25°46′37″         80°11′32″
  Ocala                                                29°11′34″         82°08′14″
  Orlando                                              28°32′42″         81°22′38″
  Panama City                                          30°09′24″         85°39′47″
  Pensacola                                            30°24′51″         87°12′56″
  St. Petersburg                                       27°46′18″         82°38′16″
  Sarasota                                             27°20′05″         82°32′29″
  Tallahassee                                          30°26′30″         84°16′50″
  Tampa                                                27°56′58″         82°27′26″
  West Palm Beach                                      26°42′36″         80°03′05″
 Georgia:
  Albany                                               31°34′36″         84°09′22″
  Athens                                               33°57′34″         83°22′39″
  Atlanta                                              33°45′10″         84°23′37″
  Augusta                                              33°28′20″         81°58′00″
  Chatsworth                                           34°46′08″         84°46′10″
  Cochran                                              32°23′18″         83°21′18″
  Columbus                                             32°28′07″         84°59′24″
  Dawson                                               31°46′33″         84°26′20″
  Macon                                                32°50′12″         83°37′36″

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                 State and community              Latitude         Longitude
  Pelham                                               31°07′42″         84°09′02″
  Savannah                                             32°04′42″         81°05′37″
  Thomasville                                          30°50′25″         83°58′59″
  Waycross                                             31°12′19″         82°21′47″
  Wrens                                                33°12′21″         82°23′23″
 Guam:
  Agana                                                13°28′23″        144°45′00″
 Hawaii:
  Hilo                                                 19°43′42″        155°05′30″
  Honolulu                                             21°18′36″        157°51′48″
  Wailuku                                              20°53′21″        156°30′27″
 Idaho:
  Boise                                                43°37′07″        116°11′58″
  Idaho Falls                                          43°29′39″        112°02′28″
  Lewiston                                             46°25′05″        117°01′10″
  Moscow                                               46°43′58″        116°59′54″
  Pocatello                                            42°51′38″        112°27′01″
  Twin Falls                                           42°33′25″        114°28′21″
 Illinois:
  Aurora                                               41°45′22″         88°18′56″
  Bloomington                                          40°28′58″         88°59′32″
  Carbondale                                           37°43′38″         89°13′00″
  Champaign                                            40°07′05″         88°14′48″
  Chicago                                              41°52′28″         87°38′22″
  Decatur                                              39°50′37″         88°57′11″
  Elgin                                                42°02′14″         88°16′53″
  Freeport                                             42°17′57″         89°37′07″
  Harrisburg                                           37°44′20″         88°32′25″
  Jacksonville                                         39°44′03″         90°13′44″
  Joliet                                               41°31′37″         88°04′52″
  La Salle                                             41°19′49″         89°05′44″
  Moline                                               41°30′31″         90°30′49″
  Mount Vernon                                         38°18′29″         88°54′26″
  Olney                                                38°43′47″         88°05′00″
  Peoria                                               40°41′42″         89°35′33″
  Quincy                                               39°55′59″         91°24′12″
  Rockford                                             42°16′07″         89°05′48″
  Rock Island                                          41°30′40″         90°34′24″
  Springfield                                          39°47′58″         89°38′51″
  Urbana                                               40°06′41″         88°13′13″

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                 State and community              Latitude         Longitude
 Indiana:
  Bloomington                                          39°09′56″         86°31′52″
  Elkhart                                              41°40′56″         85°58′15″
  Evansville                                           37°58′20″         87°34′21″
  Fort Wayne                                           41°04′21″         85°08′26″
  Gary                                                 41°35′59″         87°20′07″
  Hammond                                              41°35′13″         87°27′43″
  Indianapolis                                         39°46′07″         86°09′46″
  Lafayette                                            40°25′11″         86°53′39″
  Marion                                               40°33′17″         85°39′49″
  Muncie                                               40°11′28″         85°23′16″
  Richmond                                             39°49′49″         84°53′26″
  Roanoke                                              40°57′50″         85°22′30″
  St. John                                             41°27′00″         87°28′13″
  South Bend                                           41°40′33″         86°15′01″
  Terre Haute                                          39°28′03″         87°24′26″
  Vincennes                                            38°40′52″         87°31′12″
 Iowa:
  Ames                                                 42°01′36″         93°36′44″
  Cedar Rapids                                         41°58′48″         91°39′48″
  Davenport                                            41°31′24″         90°34′21″
  Des Moines                                           41°35′14″         93°37′00″
  Dubuque                                              42°29′55″         90°40′08″
  Fort Dodge                                           42°30′12″         94°11′05″
  Iowa City                                            41°39′37″         91°31′52″
  Mason City                                           43°09′15″         93°12′00″
  Sioux City                                           42°29′46″         96°24′30″
  Waterloo                                             42°29′40″         92°20′20″
 Kansas:
  Ensign                                               37°38′48″        100°14′00″
  Garden City                                          37°57′54″        100°52′20″
  Goodland                                             39°20′53″        101°42′35″
  Great Bend                                           38°22′04″         98°45′58″
  Hays                                                 38°52′16″         99°19′57″
  Hutchinson                                           38°03′11″         97°55′20″
  Pittsburg                                            37°24′50″         94°42′11″
  Salina                                               38°50′36″         97°36′46″
  Topeka                                               39°03′16″         95°40′23″
  Wichita                                              37°41′30″         97°20′16″
 Kentucky:

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                  State and community             Latitude         Longitude
  Ashland                                              38°28′36″         82°38′23″
  Bowling Green                                        36°59′41″         86°26′33″
  Covington                                            39°05′00″         84°30′29″
  Elizabethtown                                        37°41′38″         85°51′35″
  Hazard                                               37°14′54″         83°11′31″
  Lexington                                            38°02′50″         84°29′46″
  Louisville                                           38°14′47″         85°45′49″
  Madisonville                                         37°19′45″         87°29′54″
  Morehead                                             38°10′53″         83°26′08″
  Murray                                               36°36′35″         88°18′39″
  Newport                                              39°05′28″         84°29′20″
  Owensboro                                            37°46′27″         87°06′46″
  Owenton                                              38°32′11″         84°50′16″
  Paducah                                              37°05′13″         88°35′56″
  Pikesville                                           37°28′49″         82°31′09″
  Somerset                                             37°05′35″         84°36′17″
 Louisiana:
  Alexandria                                           31°18′33″         92°26′47″
  Baton Rouge                                          30°26′58″         91°11′00″
  Houma                                                29°35′34″         90°43′09″
  Lafayette                                            30°13′24″         92°01′06″
  Lake Charles                                         30°13′45″         93°12′52″
  Monroe                                               32°30′02″         92°06′55″
  New Orleans                                          29°56′53″         90°04′10″
  Shreveport                                           32°30′46″         93°44′58″
  West Monroe                                          32°30′51″         92°08′13″
 Maine:
  Augusta                                              44°18′53″         69°46′29″
  Bangor                                               44°48′13″         68°46′18″
  Calais                                               45°11′04″         67°16′43″
  Orono                                                44°53′15″         68°40′12″
  Poland Spring                                        44°01′42″         70°21′40″
  Portland                                             43°39′33″         70°15′19″
  Presque Isle                                         46°40′57″         68°00′52″
 Maryland:
  Baltimore                                            39°17′26″         76°36′45″
  Cumberland                                           39°39′01″         78°45′45″
  Hagerstown                                           39°38′39″         77°43′15″
  Salisbury                                            38°21′56″         75°35′56″
 Massachusetts:

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 35 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                      47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                     State and community          Latitude         Longitude
  Adams                                                42°37′30″         73°07′05″
  Boston                                               42°21′24″         71°03′25″
  Cambridge                                            42°21′58″         71°06′24″
  Greenfield                                           42°35′15″         72°35′54″
  New Bedford                                          41°38′13″         70°55′41″
  Springfield                                          42°06′21″         72°35′32″
  Worcester                                            42°15′37″         71°48′17″
 Michigan:
  Allen Park                                           42°15′12″         83°12′57″
  Battle Creek                                         42°18′58″         85°10′48″
  Bay City                                             43°36′04″         83°53′15″
  Cadillac                                             44°15′10″         85°23′52″
  Cheboygan                                            45°38′38″         84°28′38″
  Detroit                                              42°19′48″         83°02′57″
  Escanaba                                             45°44′45″         87°03′18″
  Flint                                                43°00′50″         83°41′33″
  Grand Rapids                                         42°58′03″         85°40′13″
  Jackson                                              42°14′43″         84°24′22″
  Kalamazoo                                            42°17′29″         85°35′14″
  Lansing                                              42°44′01″         84°33′15″
  Marquette                                            46°32′37″         87°23′43″
  Mount Pleasant                                       43°16′12″         84°46′31″
  Muskegon                                             43°14′17″         86°15′02″
  Onondaga                                             42°26′41″         84°33′43″
  Saginaw                                              43°25′52″         83°56′05″
  Sault Ste. Marie                                     46°29′58″         84°20′37″
  Traverse City                                        44°45′47″         85°37′25″
  University Center                                    43°33′31″         83°59′09″
 Minnesota:
  Alexandria                                           45°53′06″         95°22′39″
  Appleton                                             45°12′00″         96°01′02″
  Austin                                               43°39′57″         92°58′20″
  Duluth                                               46°46′56″         92°06′24″
  Hibbing                                              47°25′43″         92°56′21″
  Mankato                                              44°09′49″         94°00′09″
  Minneapolis                                          44°58′57″         93°15′43″
  Rochester                                            44°01′21″         92°28′03″
  St. Cloud                                            45°33′35″         94°09′38″
  St. Paul                                             44°56′50″         93°05′11″
  Walker                                               47°05′57″         94°35′12″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 36 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                      47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                   State and community            Latitude         Longitude
 Mississippi:
  Biloxi                                               30°23′43″         88°53′08″
  Bude                                                 31°27′46″         90°50′34″
  Columbus                                             33°29′40″         88°25′33″
  Greenwood                                            33°31′05″         90°10′55″
  Gulfport                                             30°22′04″         89°05′36″
  Jackson                                              32°17′56″         90°11′06″
  Laurel                                               31°41′40″         89°07′48″
  Meridian                                             32°21′57″         88°42′02″
  Oxford                                               34°22′00″         89°31′07″
  State College                                        33°27′18″         88°47′13″
  Tupelo                                               34°15′26″         88°42′30″
 Missouri:
  Cape Girardeau                                       37°18′29″         89°31′29″
  Columbia                                             38°57′03″         92°19′46″
  Hannibal                                             39°42′24″         91°22′45″
  Jefferson City                                       38°34′40″         92°10′24″
  Joplin                                               37°05′26″         94°30′50″
  Kansas City                                          39°04′56″         94°35′20″
  Kirksville                                           40°11′37″         92°34′58″
  Poplar Bluff                                         36°45′20″         90°23′38″
  St. Joseph                                           39°45′57″         94°51′02″
  St. Louis                                            38°37′45″         90°12′22″
  Sedalia                                              38°42′08″         93°13′26″
  Springfield                                          37°13′03″         93°17′32″
 Montana:
  Anaconda                                             46°07′40″        112°57′12″
  Billings                                             45°47′00″        108°30′04″
  Butte                                                46°01′06″        112°32′11″
  Glendive                                             47°06′42″        104°43′02″
  Great Falls                                          47°29′33″        111°18′23″
  Helena                                               46°35′33″        112°02′24″
  Kalispell                                            48°11′45″        114°18′44″
  Miles City                                           46°24′34″        105°50′30″
  Missoula                                             46°52′23″        113°59′29″
 Nebraska:
  Albion                                               41°41′23″         97°59′53″
  Alliance                                             42°06′04″        102°52′08″
  Bassett                                              42°35′00″         99°32′10″
  Grand Island                                         40°55′33″         98°20′23″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 37 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                      47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                  State and community             Latitude         Longitude
  Hastings                                             40°35′21″         98°23′20″
  Hayes Center                                         40°30′36″        101°01′18″
  Hay Springs                                          42°41′03″        102°41′22″
  Kearney                                              40°41′58″         99°04′53″
  Lexington                                            40°46′30″         99°44′41″
  Lincoln                                              40°48′59″         96°42′15″
  McCook                                               40°12′02″        100°37′32″
  Merriman                                             42°55′07″        101°42′02″
  Norfolk                                              42°01′56″         97°24′42″
  North Platte                                         41°08′14″        100°45′43″
  Omaha                                                41°15′42″         95°56′14″
  Scottsbluff                                          41°51′40″        103°39′00″
  Superior                                             40°01′12″         98°04′00″
 Nevada:
  Elko                                                 40°50′00″        115°45′41″
  Henderson                                            36°02′00″        114°58′57″
  Las Vegas                                            36°10′20″        115°08′37″
  Reno                                                 39°31′27″        119°48′40″
 New Hampshire:
  Berlin                                               44°28′20″         71°10′43″
  Durham                                               43°08′02″         70°55′35″
  Hanover                                              43°42′03″         72°17′24″
  Keene                                                42°56′02″         72°16′44″
  Lebanon                                              43°38′34″         72°15′12″
  Littleton                                            44°18′22″         71°46′13″
  Manchester                                           42°59′28″         71°27′41″
 New Jersey:
  Atlantic City                                        39°21′32″         74°25′53″
  Burlington                                           40°04′21″         74°51′47″
  Camden                                               39°56′45″         75°07′20″
  Glen Ridge                                           40°48′16″         74°12′14″
  Linden                                               40°37′57″         74°15′22″
  Newark                                               40°44′14″         74°10′19″
  New Brunswick                                        40°29′38″         74°26′49″
  Paterson                                             40°54′51″         74°09′51″
  Trenton                                              40°13′16″         74°45′28″
  Vineland                                             39°29′13″         75°01′17″
  Wildwood                                             38°59′18″         74°48′43″
 New Mexico:
  Albuquerque                                          35°05′01″        106°39′05″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 38 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                      47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                   State and community            Latitude         Longitude
  Carlsbad                                             32°25′09″        104°13′47″
  Clovis                                               34°24′11″        103°12′08″
  Portales                                             34°10′58″        103°20′10″
  Roswell                                              33°23′47″        104°31′26″
 New York:
  Albany                                               42°39′01″         73°45′01″
  Binghamton                                           42°06′03″         75°54′47″
  Buffalo                                              42°52′52″         78°52′21″
  Carthage                                             43°58′50″         75°36′26″
  Elmira                                               42°05′26″         76°48′22″
  Garden City                                          40°43′26″         73°38′03″
  Ithaca                                               42°26′33″         76°29′42″
  Jamestown                                            42°05′45″         79°14′40″
  New York                                             40°45′06″         73°59′39″
  North Pole                                           44°23′59″         73°51′00″
  Norwood                                              44°45′00″         75°59′39″
  Oneonta                                              42°27′21″         75°03′42″
  Patchogue                                            40°45′56″         73°00′42″
  Plattsburgh                                          44°42′03″         73°27′07″
  Riverhead                                            40°55′06″         72°39′51″
  Rochester                                            43°09′41″         77°36′21″
  Schenectady                                          42°48′52″         73°56′24″
  Syracuse                                             43°03′04″         76°09′14″
  Utica                                                43°06′12″         75°13′33″
  Watertown                                            43°58′30″         75°54′48″
 North Carolina:
  Asheville                                            35°35′42″         82°33′26″
  Chapel Hill                                          35°54′51″         79°03′11″
  Charlotte                                            35°13′44″         80°50′45″
  Columbia                                             35°55′06″         76°15′04″
  Concord                                              35°24′29″         80°34′45″
  Durham                                               35°59′48″         78°54′00″
  Fayetteville                                         35°03′12″         78°52′54″
  Greensboro                                           36°04′17″         79°47′25″
  Greenville                                           35°36′49″         77°22′22″
  Hickory                                              35°43′54″         81°20′20″
  High Point                                           35°57′14″         80°00′15″
  Jacksonville                                         34°45′00″         77°25′54″
  Linville                                             36°04′06″         81°52′16″
  New Bern                                             35°06′33″         77°02′23″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 39 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                       47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                  State and community             Latitude         Longitude
  Raleigh                                              35°46′38″         78°38′21″
  Washington                                           35°32′35″         77°03′16″
  Wilmington                                           34°14′14″         77°56′58″
  Winston-Salem                                        36°05′52″         80°14′42″
 North Dakota:
  Bismark                                              46°48′23″        100°47′17″
  Devils Lake                                          48°06′42″         98°51′29″
  Dickinson                                            46°52′55″        102°47′06″
  Fargo                                                46°52′30″         96°47′18″
  Minot                                                48°14′09″        101°17′38″
  Pembina                                              48°58′00″         97°14′37″
  Valley City                                          46°55′31″         98°00′04″
  Williston                                            48°08′47″        103°36′59″
 Ohio:
  Akron                                                41°05′00″         81°30′44″
  Athens                                               39°19′38″         82°06′09″
  Bowling Green                                        41°22′37″         83°39′03″
  Canton                                               40°47′50″         81°22′37″
  Cincinnati                                           39°06′07″         84°30′35″
  Cleveland                                            41°29′51″         81°41′50″
  Columbus                                             39°57′47″         83°00′17″
  Dayton                                               39°45′32″         84°11′43″
  Kettering                                            39°41′22″         84°10′07″
  Lima                                                 40°44′29″         84°06′34″
  Lorain                                               41°27′48″         82°10′23″
  Marion                                               40°35′14″         83°07′36″
  Newark                                               40°03′35″         82°24′15″
  Oxford                                               39°30′28″         84°44′26″
  Portsmouth                                           38°44′06″         82°59′39″
  Springfield                                          39°55′38″         83°48′29″
  Steubenville                                         40°21′42″         80°36′53″
  Toledo                                               41°39′14″         83°32′39″
  Youngstown                                           41°05′57″         80°39′02″
  Zanesville                                           39°56′59″         82°00′56″
 Oklahoma:
  Ada                                                  34°46′24″         96°40′36″
  Ardmore                                              34°10′18″         97°07′50″
  Lawton                                               34°36′27″         98°23′41″
  Oklahoma City                                        35°28′26″         97°31′04″
  Sayre                                                35°17′34″         99°38′23″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 40 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                      47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                   State and community            Latitude         Longitude
  Tulsa                                                36°09′12″         95°59′34″
 Oregon:
  Coos Bay                                             43°22′02″        124°13′09″
  Corvallis                                            44°34′10″        123°16′12″
  Eugene                                               44°03′16″        123°05′30″
  Klamath Falls                                        42°13′32″        121°46′32″
  La Grande                                            45°19′47″        118°05′45″
  Medford                                              42°19′33″        122°52′31″
  Portland                                             45°31′06″        122°40′35″
  Roseburg                                             43°12′34″        123°20′26″
  Salem                                                44°56′21″        123°01′59″
 Pennsylvania:
  Allentown                                            40°36′11″         75°28′06″
  Altoona                                              40°30′55″         78°24′03″
  Bethlehem                                            40°37′57″         75°21′36″
  Clearfield                                           41°01′20″         78°26′10″
  Erie                                                 42°07′15″         80°04′57″
  Harrisburg                                           40°15′43″         76°52′59″
  Hershey                                              40°17′04″         76°39′01″
  Johnstown                                            40°19′35″         78°55′03″
  Lancaster                                            40°02′25″         76°18′29″
  Philadelphia                                         39°56′58″         75°09′21″
  Pittsburgh                                           40°26′19″         80°00′00″
  Reading                                              40°20′09″         75°55′40″
  Scranton                                             41°24′32″         75°39′46″
  Wilkes-Barre                                         41°14′32″         75°53′17″
  York                                                 39°57′35″         76°43′36″
 Puerto Rico:
  Aguadilla                                            18°25′53″         67°09′18″
  Arecibo                                              18°28′26″         66°43′39″
  Caguas                                               18°13′59″         66°02′06″
  Fajardo                                              18°19′35″         65°39′21″
  Mayaguez                                             18°12′16″         67°08′36″
  Ponce                                                18°00′51″         66°36′58″
  San Juan                                             18°26′55″         66°03′55″
 Rhode Island:
  Providence                                           41°49′32″         71°24′41″
 South Carolina:
  Allendale                                            33°00′30″         81°18′26″
  Anderson                                             34°30′06″         82°38′54″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 41 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                      47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                    State and community           Latitude         Longitude
  Charleston                                           32°46′35″         79°55′53″
  Columbia                                             34°00′02″         81°02′00″
  Florence                                             34°11′49″         79°46′06″
  Greenville                                           34°50′50″         82°24′01″
  Spartanburg                                          34°57′03″         81°56′06″
 South Dakota:
  Aberdeen                                             45°27′31″         98°29′03″
  Brookings                                            44°18′38″         96°47′53″
  Florence                                             45°03′14″         97°19′35″
  Lead                                                 44°21′07″        103°46′03″
  Mitchell                                             43°42′48″         98°01′36″
  Pierre                                               44°22′06″        100°20′57″
  Rapid City                                           44°04′52″        103°13′11″
  Reliance                                             43°52′45″         99°36′18″
  Sioux Falls                                          43°32′35″         96°43′35″
  Vermillion                                           42°46′52″         96°55′35″
 Tennessee:
  Chattanooga                                          35°02′41″         85°18′32″
  Jackson                                              35°36′48″         88°49′15″
  Johnson City                                         36°19′04″         82°20′56″
  Kingsport                                            36°32′57″         82°33′44″
  Knoxville                                            35°57′39″         83°55′07″
  Lexington                                            35°38′58″         88°23′31″
  Memphis                                              35°08′46″         90°03′13″
  Nashville                                            36°09′33″         86°46′55″
  Sneedville                                           36°31′46″         83°13′04″
 Texas:
  Abilene                                              32°27′05″         99°43′51″
  Amarillo                                             35°12′27″        101°50′04″
  Austin                                               30°16′09″         97°44′37″
  Beaumont                                             30°05′20″         94°06′09″
  Belton                                               31°03′31″         97°27′39″
  Big Spring                                           32°15′03″        101°28′38″
  Bryan                                                30°38′48″         96°21′31″
  College Station                                      30°37′05″         96°20′41″
  Corpus Christi                                       27°47′51″         97°23′45″
  Dallas                                               32°47′09″         96°47′37″
  El Paso                                              31°45′36″        106°29′11″
  Fort Worth                                           32°44′55″         97°19′44″
  Galveston                                            29°18′10″         94°47′43″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 42 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                      47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                    State and community           Latitude         Longitude
  Harlingen                                            26°11′29″         97°41′35″
  Houston                                              29°45′26″         95°21′37″
  Laredo                                               27°30′22″         99°30′30″
  Longview                                             32°28′24″         94°43′45″
  Lubbock                                              33°35′05″        101°50′33″
  Lufkin                                               31°20′14″         94°43′21″
  Midland                                              31°59′54″        102°04′31″
  Monahans                                             31°35′16″        102°53′26″
  Nacogdoches                                          31°36′13″         94°39′20″
  Odessa                                               31°50′49″        102°22′01″
  Port Arthur                                          29°52′09″         93°56′01″
  Richardson                                           32°57′06″         96°44′05″
  Rosenberg                                            29°33′30″         95°48′15″
  San Angelo                                           31°27′39″        100°26′03″
  San Antonio                                          29°25′37″         98°29′06″
  Sweetwater                                           32°28′24″        100°24′18″
  Temple                                               31°06′02″         97°20′22″
  Texarkana                                            33°25′29″         94°02′34″
  Tyler                                                32°21′21″         95°17′52″
  Victoria                                             28°48′01″         97°00′06″
  Waco                                                 31°33′12″         97°08′00″
  Weslaco                                              26°09′24″         97°59′33″
  Wichita Falls                                        33°54′34″         98°29′28″
 Utah:
  Logan                                                41°44′03″        111°50′11″
  Ogden                                                41°13′31″        111°58′21″
  Provo                                                40°14′07″        111°39′34″
  Salt Lake City                                       40°45′23″        111°53′26″
 Vermont:
  Burlington                                           44°28′34″         73°12′46″
  Rutland                                              43°36′29″         72°58′56″
  St. Johnsbury                                        44°25′16″         72°01′13″
  Windsor                                              43°28′38″         72°23′32″
 Virginia:
  Bristol                                              36°35′48″         82°11′04″
  Charlottesville                                      38°01′52″         78°28′50″
  Goldvein                                             38°26′54″         77°39′19″
  Hampton                                              37°01′32″         76°20′32″
  Harrisonburg                                         38°27′01″         78°52′07″
  Lynchburg                                            37°24′51″         79°08′37″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 43 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                       47 CFR 76.53
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                   State and community            Latitude         Longitude
  Norfolk                                              36°51′10″         76°17′21″
  Norton                                               36°56′05″         82°37′31″
  Petersburg                                           37°13′40″         77°24′15″
  Portsmouth                                           36°50′12″         76°17′54″
  Richmond                                             37°32′15″         77°26′09″
  Roanoke                                              37°16′13″         79°56′44″
  Staunton                                             38°09′02″         79°04′34″
 Virgin Islands:
  Charlotte Amalie                                     18°20′36″         64°55′53″
  Christiansted                                        17°44′44″         64°42′21″
 Washington:
  Bellingham                                           48°45′02″        122°28′36″
  Kennewick                                            46°12′28″        119°08′32″
  Lakewood Center                                      47°07′37″        122°31′15″
  Pasco                                                46°13′50″        119°05′27″
  Pullman                                              46°43′42″        117°10′46″
  Richland                                             46°16′36″        119°16′21″
  Seattle                                              47°36′32″        122°20′12″
  Spokane                                              47°39′32″        117°25′33″
  Tacoma                                               47°14′59″        122°26′15″
  Yakima                                               46°36′09″        120°30′39″
 West Virginia:
  Bluefield                                            37°15′29″         81°13′20″
  Charleston                                           38°21′01″         81°37′52″
  Clarksburg                                           39°16′50″         80°20′38″
  Grandview                                            37°49′28″         81°04′20″
  Huntington                                           38°25′12″         82°26′33″
  Morgantown                                           39°37′41″         79°57′28″
  Oak Hill                                             37°58′31″         81°08′45″
  Parkersburg                                          39°15′57″         81°33′46″
  Weston                                               39°02′19″         80°28′05″
  Wheeling                                             40°04′03″         80°43′20″
 Wisconsin:
  Eau Claire                                           44°48′31″         91°29′49″
  Fond Du Lac                                          43°46′35″         88°26′52″
  Green Bay                                            44°30′48″         88°00′50″
  Janesville                                           42°40′52″         89°01′39″
  Kenosha                                              42°35′04″         87°49′14″
  La Crosse                                            43°48′48″         91°15′02″
  Madison                                              43°04′23″         89°22′55″

47 CFR 76.53 (enhanced display)                                                      page 44 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                 47 CFR 76.54
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                  State and community                             Latitude                Longitude
  Milwaukee                                                            43°02′19″                 87°54′15″
  Rhinelander                                                          45°38′09″                 89°24′50″
  Superior                                                             46°43′14″                 92°06′07″
  Wausau                                                               44°57′30″                 89°37′40″
 Wyoming:
  Casper                                                               42°51′00″                106°19′22″
  Cheyenne                                                             41°08′09″                104°49′07″
  Rawlins                                                              41°47′23″                107°14′37″
  Riverton                                                             43°01′29″                108°23′03″

[37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972, as amended at 37 FR 13866, July 14, 1972; 51 FR 18451, May 20, 1986; 51 FR 44608, Dec. 11, 1986;
54 FR 25716, June 19, 1989; 56 FR 49707, Oct. 1, 1991]

§ 76.54 Significantly viewed signals; method to be followed for special showings.
     (a) Signals that are significantly viewed in a county (and thus are deemed to be significantly viewed within all
         communities within the county) are those that are listed in Appendix B of the memorandum opinion and
         order on reconsideration of the Cable Television Report and Order (Docket 18397 et al.), FCC 72–530, and
         those communities listed in the Significantly Viewed List as it appears on the official website of the
         Federal Communications Commission.

     (b) Significant viewing in a cable television or satellite community for signals not shown as significantly
         viewed under paragraphs (a) or (d) of this section may be demonstrated by an independent professional
         audience survey of over-the-air television homes that covers at least two weekly periods separated by at
         least thirty (30) days but no more than one of which shall be a week between the months of April and
         September. If two surveys are taken, they shall include samples sufficient to assure that the combined
         surveys result in an average figure at least one standard error above the required viewing level. If surveys
         are taken for more than 2-weekly periods in any 12 months, all such surveys must result in an average
         figure at least one standard error above the required viewing level. If a cable television system serves
         more than one community, a single survey may be taken, provided that the sample includes over-the-air
         television homes from each community that are proportional to the population. A satellite carrier may
         demonstrate significant viewing in more than one community or satellite community through a single
         survey, provided that the sample includes over-the-air television homes from each community that are
         proportional to the population.

     (c) Notice of a survey to be made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section shall be served on all licensees or
         permittees of television broadcast stations within whose predicted noise limited service contour, as
         defined in § 73.622(e) of this chapter, the cable or satellite community or communities are located, in
         whole or in part, and on all other system community units, franchisees, and franchise applicants in the
         cable community or communities at least (30) days prior to the initial survey period. Such notice shall
         include the name of the survey organization and a description of the procedures to be used. Objections to
         survey organizations or procedures shall be served on the party sponsoring the survey within twenty (20)
         days after receipt of such notice.

     (d) Signals of television broadcast stations not encompassed by the surveys (for the periods May 1970,
         November 1970 and February/March 1971) used in establishing appendix B of the Memorandum Opinion
         and Order on Reconsideration of Cable Television Report and Order, FCC 72–530, 36 FCC 2d 326 (1972),

47 CFR 76.54(d) (enhanced display)                                                                             page 45 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.54(e)
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           may be demonstrated as significantly viewed on a county-wide basis by independent professional
           audience surveys which cover three separate, consecutive four-week periods and are otherwise
           comparable to the surveys used in compiling the above-referenced appendix B: Provided, however, That
           such demonstration shall be based upon audience survey data for the first three years of the subject
           station's broadcast operations.

     (e) Satellite carriers that intend to retransmit the signal of a significantly viewed television broadcast station
         to a subscriber located outside such station's local market, as defined by § 76.55(e), must provide written
         notice to all television broadcast stations that are assigned to the same local market as the intended
         subscriber at least 60 days before commencing retransmission of the significantly viewed station. Such
         satellite carriers must also provide the notifications described in § 76.66(d)(5)(i). Except as provided in
         this paragraph (e), such written notice must be sent via certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
         address for such station(s) as listed in the consolidated database maintained by the Federal
         Communications Commission. After July 31, 2020, such written notice must be delivered to stations
         electronically in accordance with § 76.66(d)(2)(ii).

     (f) Satellite carriers that retransmit the signal of a significantly viewed television broadcast station to a
         subscriber located outside such station's local market must list all such stations and the communities to
         which they are retransmitted on their website.

     (g) Limitations on satellite subscriber eligibility. A satellite carrier may retransmit a significantly viewed
         network station to a subscriber, provided the conditions in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this section are
         satisfied or one of the two exceptions to these conditions provided in paragraphs (g)(3) and (g)(4) of this
         section apply.

           (1) Local service requirement. A satellite carrier may retransmit to a subscriber the signal of a
               significantly viewed station if:

                 (i)   Such subscriber receives local-into-local service pursuant to § 76.66; and

                 (ii) Such satellite carrier is in compliance with § 76.65 with respect to the stations located in the
                      local market into which the significantly viewed station will be retransmitted.

           (2) HD format requirement. Subject to the conditions in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through (iv) of this section, a
               satellite carrier may retransmit to a subscriber in high definition (HD) format the signal of a
               significantly viewed station only if such carrier also retransmits in HD format the signal of a station
               located in the local market of such subscriber and affiliated with the same network whenever such
               format is available from such station, including when the HD signal is broadcast on a multicast
               stream.

                 (i)   The requirement in paragraph (g)(2) of this section applies only where a satellite carrier
                       retransmits to a subscriber the significantly viewed station in HD format, and does not restrict a
                       satellite carrier from retransmitting to a subscriber a significantly viewed station in standard
                       definition (SD) format.

                 (ii) For purposes of paragraph (g)(2) of this section, the term “HD format” refers to a picture quality
                      resolution of 720p, 1080i, or higher.

                (iii) For purposes of paragraph (g)(2) of this section, the local station's HD signal will be considered
                      “available” to the satellite carrier when the station:

                       (A) Elects mandatory carriage or grants retransmission consent;

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.54(g)(2)(iii)(B)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                        (B) Provides a good quality HD signal to the satellite carrier's local receive facility (LRF); and

                        (C) Complies with the requirements of §§ 76.65 and 76.66.

                  (iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this section, if the local station is
                       willing to grant retransmission consent and make its HD signal available to the satellite carrier,
                       but the satellite carrier does not negotiate with the local station in good faith, as required by §
                       76.65, then the local station's HD signal will be deemed “available” for purposes of paragraph
                       (g)(2) of this section.

            (3) Exception if no network affiliate in local market. The limitations in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this
                section will not prohibit a satellite carrier from retransmitting a significantly viewed network station
                to a subscriber located in a local market in which there are no network stations affiliated with the
                same television network as the significantly viewed station.

            (4) Exception if waiver granted by local station. The limitations in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this
                section will not apply if, and to the extent that, the local network station affiliated with the same
                television network as the significantly viewed station has granted a waiver in accordance with 47
                U.S.C. 340(b)(4).

     (h) [Reserved]

      (i)   For purposes of paragraph (g) of this section, television network and network station are as defined in 47
            U.S.C. 339(d).

      (j)   Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, the signal of a television broadcast station will be
            deemed to be significantly viewed if such station is shown to qualify for such status pursuant to 47 U.S.C.
            341(a).

     (k) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, a satellite carrier may not retransmit as significantly
         viewed the signal of a television broadcast station into the Designated Market Areas identified in 47
         U.S.C. 341(b).

[37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972, as amended at 37 FR 13866, July 14, 1972; 40 FR 48930, Oct. 20, 1975; 41 FR 32429, Aug. 3, 1976; 42
FR 19346, Apr. 13, 1977; 53 FR 17051, May 13, 1988; 56 FR 33392, July 22, 1991; 70 FR 76529, Dec. 27, 2005; 75 FR 72986, Nov.
29, 2010; 85 FR 16004, Mar. 20, 2020]

§ 76.55 Definitions applicable to the must-carry rules.
For purposes of the must-carry rules set forth in this subpart, the following definitions apply:

     (a) Qualified noncommercial educational (NCE) television station. A qualified NCE television station is any
         television broadcast station which

            (1)

                  (i)   Under the rules and regulations of the Commission in effect on March 29, 1990, is licensed by
                        the Commission as an NCE television broadcast station and which is owned and operated by a
                        public agency, nonprofit foundation, corporation, or association; and

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.55(a)(1)(ii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (ii) Has as its licensee an entity which is eligible to receive a community service grant, or any
                     successor grant thereto, from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, or any successor
                     organization thereto, on the basis of the formula set forth in section 396(k)(6)(B) of the
                     Communications Act of 1934, as amended; or

          (2) Is owned and operated by a municipality and transmits noncommercial programs for educational
              programs for educational purposes, as defined in § 73.621 of this chapter, for at least 50 percent of
              its broadcast week.

          (3) This definition includes:

                (i)   The translator of any NCE television station with five watts or higher power serving the
                      franchise area,

                (ii) A full-service station or translator if such station or translator is licensed to a channel reserved
                     for NCE use pursuant to § 73.606 of this chapter, or any successor regulations thereto, and

                (iii) Such stations and translators operating on channels not so reserved but otherwise qualified as
                      NCE stations.

                      Note to paragraph (a): For the purposes of § 76.55(a), “serving the franchise area” will be
                      based on the predicted protected contour of the NCE translator.

     (b) Qualified local noncommercial educational (NCE) television station. A qualified local NCE television station
         is a qualified NCE television station:

          (1) That is licensed to a community whose reference point, as defined in § 76.53 is within 80.45 km (50
              miles) of the principal headend, as defined in § 76.5(pp), of the cable system; or

          (2) Whose Grade B service contour encompasses the principal headend, as defined in § 76.5(pp), of the
              cable system.

          (3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a cable operator shall not be required to add the
              signal of a qualified local noncommercial educational television station not already carried under the
              provision of § 76.56(a)(5), where such signal would be considered a distant signal for copyright
              purposes unless such station agrees to indemnify the cable operator for any increased copyright
              liability resulting from carriage of such signal on the cable system.

     (c) Local commercial television station. A local commercial television station is any full power television
         broadcast station, other than a qualified NCE television station as defined in paragraph (a) of this section,
         licensed and operating on a channel regularly assigned to its community by the Commission that, with
         respect to a particular cable system, is within the same television market, as defined below in paragraph
         (e) of this section, as the cable system, except that the term local commercial television station does not
         include:

          (1) Low power television stations, television translator stations, and passive repeaters with operate
              pursuant to part 74 of this chapter.

          (2) A television broadcast station that would be considered a distant signal under the capable
              compulsory copyright license, 17 U.S.C. 111, if such station does not agree to indemnify the cable
              operator for any increased copyright liability resulting from carriage on the cable system; or

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                      47 CFR 76.55(c)(3)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (3) A television broadcast station that does not deliver to the principal headend, as defined in § 76.5(pp),
               of a cable system a signal level of −45dBm for analog UHF signals, −49dBm for analog VHF signals,
               or −61dBm for digital signals at the input terminals of the signal processing equipment, i.e., the input
               to the first active component of the signal processing equipment relevant to the signal at issue, if
               such station does not agree to be responsible for the costs of delivering to the cable system a signal
               of good quality or a baseband video signal.

     (d) Qualified low power station. A qualified low power station is any television broadcast station conforming
         to the low power television rules contained in part 74 of this chapter, only if:

           (1) Such station broadcasts for at least the minimum number of hours of operation required by the
               Commission for full power television broadcast stations under part 73 of this chapter;

           (2) Such station meets all obligations and requirements applicable to full power television broadcast
               stations under part 73 of this chapter, with respect to the broadcast of nonentertainment
               programming; programming and rates involving political candidates, election issues, controversial
               issues of public importance, editorials, and personal attacks; programming for children; and equal
               employment opportunity; and the Commission determines that the provision of such programming
               by such station would address local news and informational needs which are not being adequately
               served by full power television broadcast stations because of the geographic distance of such full
               power stations from the low power station's community of license;

           (3) Such station complies with interference regulations consistent with its secondary status pursuant to
               part 74 of this chapter;

           (4) Such station is located no more than 56.32 km (35 miles) from the cable system's principal headend,
               as defined in § 76.5(pp), and delivers to that headend an over-the-air signal of good quality;

           (5) The community of license of such station and the franchise area of the cable system are both
               located outside of the largest 160 Metropolitan Statistical Areas, ranked by population, as
               determined by the Office of Management and Budget on June 30, 1990, and the population of such
               community of license on such date did not exceed 35,000; and

           (6) There is no full power television broadcast station licensed to any community within the county or
               other equivalent political subdivision (of a State) served by the cable system.

                Note to paragraph (d): For the purposes of this section, for over-the-air broadcast, a good
                quality signal shall mean a signal level of either −45 dBm for analog VHF signals, −49 dBm for
                analog UHF signals, or −61 dBm for digital signals (at all channels) at the input terminals of
                the signal processing equipment.

     (e) Television market.

           (1) Until January 1, 2000, a commercial broadcast television station's market, unless amended pursuant
               to § 76.59, shall be defined as its Area of Dominant Influence (ADI) as determined by Arbitron and
               published in the Arbitron 1991–1992 Television ADI Market Guide, as noted below, except that for
               areas outside the contiguous 48 states, the market of a station shall be defined using Nielsen's
               Designated Market Area (DMA), where applicable, as published in the Nielsen 1991–92 DMA Market
               and Demographic Rank Report, and that Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam will each be
               considered a single market.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                               47 CFR 76.55(e)(2)
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           (2) A commercial broadcast station's market, unless amended pursuant to § 76.59, shall be defined as
               its Designated Market Area (DMA) as determined by Nielsen Media Research and published in its
               Nielsen Local TV Station Information Report or any successor publications.

                 (i)   The applicable DMA list for the 2023 election pursuant to § 76.64(f) will be the DMA
                       assignments specified in the Nielsen October 2021 Local TV Station Information Report, and so
                       forth using the publications for the October two years prior to each triennial election pursuant
                       to § 76.64(f).

                 (ii) The applicable DMA list for the 2002 election pursuant to § 76.64(f) will be the DMA
                      assignments specified in the 2000–2001 list, and so forth for each triennial election pursuant
                      to § 76.64(f).

           (3) In addition, the county in which a station's community of license is located will be considered within
               its market.

           (4) A cable system's television market(s) shall be the one or more ADI markets in which the
               communities it serves are located until January 1, 2000, and the one or more DMA markets in which
               the communities it serves are located thereafter.

           (5) In the absence of any mandatory carriage complaint or market modification petition, cable operators
               in communities that shift from one market to another, due to the change in 1999–2000 from ADI to
               DMA, will be permitted to treat their systems as either in the new DMA market, or with respect to the
               specific stations carried prior to the market change from ADI to DMA, as in both the old ADI market
               and the new DMA market.

           (6) If the change from the ADI market definition to the DMA market definition in 1999–2000 results in
               the filing of a mandatory carriage complaint, any affected party may respond to that complaint by
               filing a market modification request pursuant to § 76.59, and these two actions may be jointly
               decided by the Commission.

                 Note to paragraph (e): For the 1996 must-carry/retransimission consent election, the ADI
                 assignments specified in the 1991–1992 Television ADI Market Guide, available from the
                 Arbitron Ratings Co., 9705 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD, will apply. For the 1999
                 election, which becomes effective on January 1, 2000, DMA assignments specified in the
                 1997–98 DMA Market and Demographic Rank Report, available from Nielsen Media Research,
                 299 Park Avenue, New York, NY, shall be used. The applicable DMA list for the 2002 election
                 will be the 2000–2001 list, etc.

     (f) Network. For purposes of the must-carry rules, a commercial television network is an entity that offers
         programming on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to at least 25 affiliates in 10 or more
         states.

[58 FR 17359, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 44951, Aug. 25, 1993; 59 FR 62344, Dec. 5, 1994; 61 FR 29313, June 10, 1996;
64 FR 42617, Aug. 5, 1999; 68 FR 17312, Apr. 9, 2003; 73 FR 5685, Jan. 30, 2008; 83 FR 7626, Feb. 22, 2018; 87 FR 74988, Dec. 7,
2022]

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.56
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.56 Signal carriage obligations.
     (a) Carriage of qualified noncommercial educational stations. A cable television system shall carry qualified
         NCE television stations in accordance with the following provisions:

          (1) Each cable operator shall carry on its cable television system any qualified local NCE television
              station requesting carriage, except that

                (i)   Systems with 12 or fewer usable activated channels, as defined in § 76.5(oo), shall be required
                      to carry the signal of one such station;

                (ii) Systems with 13 to 36 usable activated channels, as defined in § 76.5(oo), shall be required to
                     carry at least one qualified local NCE station, but not more than three such stations; and

                (iii) Systems with more than 36 usable activated channels shall be required to carry the signals of
                      all qualified local NCE television stations requesting carriage, but in any event at least three
                      such signals; however a cable system with more than 36 channels shall not be required to carry
                      an additional qualified local NCE station whose programming substantially duplicates the
                      programming of another qualified local NCE station being carried on the system.

                      Note: For purposes of this paragraph, a station will be deemed to “substantially
                      duplicate” the programming of another station if it broadcasts the same programming,
                      simultaneous or non-simultaneous, for more than 50 percent of prime time, as defined in
                      § 76.5(n), and more than 50 percent outside of prime time over a three-month period.

          (2)

                (i)   In the case of a cable system with 12 or fewer channels that operates beyond the presence of
                      any qualified local NCE stations, the cable operator shall import one qualified NCE television
                      station.

                (ii) A cable system with between 13 and 36 channels that operates beyond the presence of any
                     qualified local NCE stations, the cable operator shall import at least one qualified NCE
                     television station.

          (3) A cable system with 12 or fewer usable activated channels shall not be required to remove any
              programming service provided to subscribers as of March 29, 1990, to satisfy these requirements,
              except that the first available channel must be used to satisfy these requirements.

          (4) A cable system with 13 to 36 usable activated channels which carries the signal of a qualified local
              NCE station affiliated with a State public television network shall not be required to carry more than
              one qualified local NCE station affiliated with such network, if the programming of such additional
              stations substantially duplicates, as defined in the note in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the
              programming of a qualified local NCE television station receiving carriage.

          (5) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, all cable operators shall
              continue to provide carriage to all qualified local NCE television stations whose signals were carried
              on their systems as of March 29, 1990. In the case of a cable system that is required to import a
              distance qualified NCE signal, and such system imported the signal of a qualified NCE station as of
              March 29, 1990, such cable system shall continue to import such signal until such time as a qualified

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.56(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                local NCE signal is available to the cable system. This requirements may be waived with respect to a
                particular cable operator and a particular NCE station, upon the written consent of the cable operator
                and the station.

     (b) Carriage of local commercial television stations. A cable television system shall carry local commercial
         broadcast television stations in accordance with the following provisions:

          (1) A cable system with 12 or fewer usable activated channels, as defined in § 76.5(oo), shall carry the
              signals of at least three qualified local commercial television stations, except that if such system
              serves 300 or fewer subscribers it shall not be subject to these requirements as long as it does not
              delete from carriage the signal of a broadcast television station which was carried on that system on
              October 5, 1992.

          (2) A cable system with more than 12 usable activated channels, as defined in § 76.5(oo), shall carry
              local commercial television stations up to one-third of the aggregate number of usable activated
              channels of such system.

          (3) If there are not enough local commercial television stations to fill the channels set aside under
              paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section, a cable operator of a system with 35 or fewer usable
              activated channels, as defined in § 76.5(oo), shall, if such stations exist, carry one qualified low
              power television station and a cable system with more than 35 usable activated channels shall carry
              two qualified low power stations.

          (4) Whenever the number of local commercial television stations exceeds the maximum number of
              signals a cable system is required to carry under paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, the cable
              operator shall have discretion in selecting which such stations shall be carried on its cable system,
              except that

                (i)   Under no circumstances shall a cable operator carry a qualified low power station in lieu of a
                      local commercial television station; and

                (ii) If the cable operator elects to carry an affiliate of a broadcast network, as defined in § 76.55(f),
                     such cable operator shall carry the affiliate of such broadcast network whose community of
                     license reference point, as defined in § 76.53, is closest to the principal headend, as defined in
                     § 76.5(pp), of the cable system.

          (5) A cable operator is not required to carry the signal of any local commercial television station that
              substantially duplicates the signal of another local commercial television station that is carried on
              its cable system, or to carry the signals of more than one local commercial television station
              affiliated with a particular broadcast network, as defined in § 76.55(f). However, if a cable operator
              declines to carry duplicating signals, such cable operator shall carry the station whose community of
              license reference point, as defined in § 76.53, is closest to the principal headend of the cable
              system. For purposes of this paragraph, substantially duplicates means that a station regularly
              simultaneously broadcasts the identical programming as another station for more than 50 percent
              of the broadcast week. For purposes of this definition, only identical episodes of a television series
              are considered duplicative and commercial inserts are excluded from the comparison. When the
              stations being compared are licensed to communities in different time zones, programming aired by
              a station within one hour of the identical program being broadcast by another station will be
              considered duplicative.

          (6) [Reserved]

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.56(b)(7)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (7) A local commercial television station carried to fulfill the requirements of this paragraph, which
               subsequently elects retransmission consent pursuant to § 76.64, shall continue to be carried by the
               cable system until the effective date of such retransmission consent election.

     (c) Use of public, educational, or governmental (PEG) channels. A cable operator required to carry more than
         one signal of a qualified low power station or to add qualified local NCE stations in fulfillment of these
         must-carry obligations may do so, subject to approval by the franchising authority pursuant to Section 611
         of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, by placing such additional station on public,
         educational, or governmental channels not in use for their designated purposes.

     (d) Availability of signals.

           (1) Local commercial television stations carried in fulfillment of the requirements of this section shall be
               provided to every subscriber of a cable system. Such signals shall be viewable via cable on all
               television receivers of a subscriber which are connected to a cable system by a cable operator or for
               which a cable operator provides a connection.

           (2) Qualified local NCE television stations carried in fulfillment of the carriage obligations of a cable
               operator under this section shall be available to every subscriber as part of the cable system's lowest
               priced service tier that includes the retransmission of local commercial television broadcast signals.

     (e) Carriage of additional broadcast television signals on such system shall be at the discretion of the cable
         operator, subject to the retransmission consent rules, § 76.64. A cable system may also carry any
         ancillary or other transmission contained in the broadcast television signal.

     (f) Calculation of broadcast signals carried. When calculating the portion of a cable system devoted to
         carriage of local commercial television stations under paragraph (b) of this section, a cable operator may
         count the primary video and program-related signals of all such stations, and any alternative-format
         versions of those signals, that they carry.

     (g) Channel sharing carriage rights. A broadcast television station that voluntarily relinquishes spectrum
         usage rights under 73.3700 of this chapter in order to share a television channel and that possessed
         carriage rights under section 338, 614, or 615 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 338; 534;
         535) on November 30, 2010, shall have, at its shared location, the carriage rights under such section that
         would apply to such station at such location if it were not sharing a channel.

     (h) Next Gen TV carriage rights.

           (1) A broadcast television station that chooses to deploy Next Gen TV service, see § 73.682(f) of this
               chapter, may assert mandatory carriage rights under this section only with respect to its ATSC 1.0
               signal and may not assert mandatory carriage rights with respect to its ATSC 3.0 signal.

           (2) With respect to a Next Gen TV station that moves its 1.0 simulcast signal to a host station's (i.e., a
               station whose facilities are being used to transmit programming originated by another station)
               facilities, the station may assert mandatory carriage rights under this section only if it:

                 (i)   Qualified for, and has been exercising, mandatory carriage rights at its original location; and

                (ii) Continues to qualify for mandatory carriage at the host station's facilities, including (but not
                     limited to) delivering a good quality 1.0 signal to the cable system principal headend, or
                     agreeing to be responsible for the costs of delivering such 1.0 signal to the cable system.

           Note 1 to § 76.56: Section 76.1620 provides notification requirements for a cable operator who

47 CFR 76.56(h)(2)(ii) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 53 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.57
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           authorizes subscribers to install additional receiver connections, but does not provide the
           subscriber with such connections, or with the equipment and materials for such connections.

           Note 2 to § 76.56: Section 76.1614 provides response requirements for a cable operator who
           receives a written request to identify its must-carry signals.

           Note 3 to § 76.56: Section 76.1709 provides recordkeeping requirements with regard to a cable
           operator's list of must-carry signals.

[58 FR 17360, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 39161, July 22, 1993; 58 FR 40368, July 28, 1993; 59 FR 62344, Dec. 5, 1994; 65
FR 53614, Sept. 5, 2000; 66 FR 16553, Mar. 26, 2001; 73 FR 6054, Feb. 1, 2008; 77 FR 30426, May 23, 2012; 77 FR 36192, June 18,
2012; 83 FR 5028, Feb. 2, 2018; 83 FR 7626, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.57 Channel positioning.
     (a) At the election of the licensee of a local commercial broadcast television station, and for the purpose of
         this section, a qualified low power television station, carried in fulfillment of the must-carry obligations, a
         cable operator shall carry such signal on the cable system channel number on which the local commercial
         television station is broadcast over the air, or on the channel on which it was carried on July 19, 1985, or
         on the channel on which it was carried on January 1, 1992.

     (b) At the election of the licensee of a qualified local NCE broadcast television station carried in fulfillment of
         the must-carry obligations, a cable operator shall carry such signal on the cable system channel number
         on which the qualified NCE television station is broadcast over the air, or on the channel on which it was
         carried on July 19, 1985.

     (c) With respect to digital signals of a television station carried in fulfillment of the must-carry obligations, a
         cable operator shall carry the information necessary to identify and tune to the broadcast television
         signal.

     (d) Any signal carried in fulfillment of the must-carry obligations may be carried on such other channel
         number as is mutually agreed upon by the station and the cable operator.

     (e) At the time a local commercial station elects must-carry status pursuant to § 76.64, such station shall
         notify the cable system of its choice of channel position as specified in paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of this
         section. A qualified NCE station shall notify the cable system of its choice of channel position when it
         requests carriage.

     (f) Pursuant to § 76.64(f)(3), a local commercial broadcast television station that fails to make an election is
         deemed a must-carry station. A cable operator shall carry such a television station on the cable system
         channel number on which the local commercial television station is broadcast over the air, or on the
         channel on which it was carried on July 19, 1985, or on the channel on which it was carried on January 1,
         1992. In the event that none of these specified channel positions is available due to a channel positioning
         request from a commercial television station affirmatively asserting its must-carry rights or such a
         request from a qualified local noncommercial educational station, the cable operator shall place the
         signal of such a television station on a channel of the cable system's choice, so long as that channel is
         included on the basic service tier.

47 CFR 76.57(f) (enhanced display)                                                                              page 54 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.59
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           Note to § 76.57: Any existing agreement for channel position between a local commercial station
           entitled to must-carry status and a cable operator entered into prior to June 26, 1990, may
           continue through the expiration of such agreement.

[58 FR 17361, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 40368, July 28, 1993; 59 FR 62345, Dec. 5, 1994; 66 FR 16553, Mar. 26, 2001; 83
FR 7626, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.59 Modification of television markets.
     (a) The Commission, following a written request from a broadcast station, cable system, satellite carrier or
         county government (only with respect to satellite modifications), may deem that the television market, as
         defined either by § 76.55(e) or § 76.66(e), of a particular commercial television broadcast station should
         include additional communities within its television market or exclude communities from such station's
         television market. In this respect, communities may be considered part of more than one television
         market.

     (b) Such requests for modification of a television market shall be submitted in accordance with § 76.7,
         petitions for special relief, and shall include the following evidence:

           (1) A map or maps illustrating the relevant community locations and geographic features, station
               transmitter sites, cable system headend or satellite carrier local receive facility locations, terrain
               features that would affect station reception, mileage between the community and the television
               station transmitter site, transportation routes and any other evidence contributing to the scope of the
               market.

           (2) Noise-limited service contour maps (for full-power digital stations) or protected contour maps (for
               Class A and low power television stations) delineating the station's technical service area and
               showing the location of the cable system headends or satellite carrier local receive facilities and
               communities in relation to the service areas.

                 Note to paragraph (b)(2): Service area maps using Longley-Rice (version 1.2.2) propagation
                 curves may also be included to support a technical service exhibit.

           (3) Available data on shopping and labor patterns in the local market.

           (4) Television station programming information derived from station logs or the local edition of the
               television guide.

           (5) Cable system or satellite carrier channel line-up cards or other exhibits establishing historic carriage,
               such as television guide listings.

           (6) Published audience data for the relevant station showing its average all day audience (i.e., the
               reported audience averaged over Sunday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–1 a.m., or an equivalent time period) for
               both multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) and non-MVPD households or other
               specific audience indicia, such as station advertising and sales data or viewer contribution records.

           (7) If applicable, a statement that the station is licensed to a community within the same state as the
               relevant community.

47 CFR 76.59(b)(7) (enhanced display)                                                                            page 55 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                               47 CFR 76.59(c)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (c) Petitions for Special Relief to modify television markets that do not include such evidence shall be
         dismissed without prejudice and may be refiled at a later date with the appropriate filing fee.

     (d) A cable operator or satellite carrier shall not delete from carriage the signal of a commercial television
         station during the pendency of any proceeding pursuant to this section.

     (e) A market determination under this section shall not create additional carriage obligations for a satellite
         carrier if it is not technically and economically feasible for such carrier to accomplish such carriage by
         means of its satellites in operation at the time of the determination.

     (f) No modification of a commercial television broadcast station's local market pursuant to this section shall
         have any effect on the eligibility of households in the community affected by such modification to receive
         distant signals from a satellite carrier pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 339.

[58 FR 17361, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 33796, June 24, 1999; 67 FR 53892, Aug. 22, 2002; 80 FR 59663, Oct. 2, 2015]

§ 76.60 Compensation for carriage.
A cable operator is prohibited from accepting or requesting monetary payment or other valuable consideration in
exchange either for carriage or channel positioning of any broadcast television station carried in fulfillment of the
must-carry requirements, except that

     (a) Any such station may be required to bear the costs associated with delivering a good quality signal or a
         baseband video signal to the principal headend of the cable system; or

     (b) A cable operator may accept payments from stations which would be considered distant signals under
         the cable compulsory copyright license, 17 U.S.C. 111, as indemnification for any increased copyright
         liability resulting from carriage of such signal.

           Note: A cable operator may continue to accept monetary payment or other valuable consideration
           in exchange for carriage or channel positioning of the signal of any local commercial television
           station carried in fulfillment of the must-carry requirements, through, but not beyond, the date of
           expiration of an agreement between a cable operator and a local commercial television station
           entered into prior to June 26, 1990.

     (c) A cable operator may accept payments from stations pursuant to a retransmission consent agreement,
         even if such station will be counted towards the must-carry complement, as long as all other applicable
         rules are adhered to.

[58 FR 17362, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 62345, Dec. 5, 1994]

§ 76.61 Disputes concerning carriage.
     (a) Complaints regarding carriage of local commercial television stations.

47 CFR 76.61(a) (enhanced display)                                                                              page 56 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.61(a)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (1) Whenever a local commercial television station or a qualified low power television station believes
              that a cable operator has failed to meet its carriage or channel positioning obligations, pursuant to
              §§ 76.56 and 76.57, such station shall notify the operator, in writing, of the alleged failure and
              identify its reasons for believing that the cable operator is obligated to carry the signal of such
              station or position such signal on a particular channel.

          (2) The cable operator shall, within 30 days of receipt of such written notification, respond in writing to
              such notification and either commence to carry the signal of such station in accordance with the
              terms requested or state its reasons for believing that it is not obligated to carry such signal or is in
              compliance with the channel positioning and repositioning and other requirements of the must-carry
              rules. If a refusal for carriage is based on the station's distance from the cable system's principal
              headend, the operator's response shall include the location of such headend. If a cable operator
              denies carriage on the basis of the failure of the station to deliver a good quality signal at the cable
              system's principal headend, the cable operator must provide a list of equipment used to make the
              measurements, the point of measurement and a list and detailed description of the reception and
              over-the-air signal processing equipment used, including sketches such as block diagrams and a
              description of the methodology used for processing the signal at issue, in its response.

          (3) A local commercial television station or qualified low power television station that is denied carriage
              or channel positioning or repositioning in accordance with the must-carry rules by a cable operator
              may file a complaint with the Commission in accordance with the procedures set forth in § 76.7 of
              this part. In addition to the requirements of § 76.7 of this part, such complaint shall specifically:

                (i)   Allege the manner in which such cable operator has failed to meet its obligations and the basis
                      for such allegations.

                (ii) Be accompanied by the notice from the complainant to the cable television system operator,
                     and the cable television system operator's response, if any. If no timely response was received,
                     the complaint shall so state.

                (iii) Establish the complaint is being filed within the sixty-day deadline stated in paragraph (a)(5) of
                      this section.

          (4) If the Commission determines that a cable operator has failed to meet its must-carry obligations, the
              Commission shall order that, within 45 days of such order or such other time period as the
              Commission may specify, the cable operator reposition the complaining station or, in the case of an
              obligation to carry a station, commence or resume carriage of the station and continue such
              carriage for at least 12 months. If the Commission determines that the cable operator has fully met
              the must-carry requirements, it shall dismiss the complaint.

          (5) No must-carry complaint filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section will be accepted by the
              Commission if filed more than sixty (60) days after—

                (i)   The denial by a cable television system operator of request for carriage or channel position
                      contained in the notice required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, or

                (ii) The failure to respond to such notice within the time period allowed by paragraph (a)(2) of this
                     section.

     (b) Complaints regarding carriage of qualified local NCE television stations.

47 CFR 76.61(b) (enhanced display)                                                                         page 57 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.61(b)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) Whenever a qualified local NCE television station believes that a cable operator has failed to comply
               with the signal carriage or channel positioning requirements, pursuant to §§ 76.56 through 76.57 of
               this part, the station may file a complaint with the Commission in accordance with the procedures
               set forth in § 76.7 of this part. In addition to the requirements of § 76.7 of this part, such complaint
               shall specifically:

                 (i)   Allege the manner in which such cable operator has failed to comply with such requirements
                       and state the basis for such allegations.

                (ii) Be accompanied by any relevant correspondence between the complainant and the cable
                     television system operator.

           (2) If the Commission determines that a cable operator has failed to meet its must-carry obligations, the
               Commission shall order that, within 45 days of such order or such other period as the Commission
               may specify, the cable operator reposition the complaining station or, in the case of an obligation to
               carry a station, commence or resume carriage of the station and continue such carriage for a period
               of time the Commission deems appropriate for the specific case under consideration. If the
               Commission determines that the cable operator has fully met the must-carry requirements, it shall
               dismiss the complaint.

           (3) With respect to must-carry complaints filed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, such
               complaints may be filed at any time the complainant believes that the cable television system
               operator has failed to comply with the applicable provisions of subpart D of this part.

[58 FR 17362, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 6572, Feb. 10, 1999]

§ 76.62 Manner of carriage.
     (a) Cable operators shall carry the entirety of the program schedule of any television station (including low
         power television stations) carried by the system unless carriage of specific programming is prohibited,
         and other programming authorized to be substituted, under § 76.67 or subpart F of part 76, or unless
         carriage is pursuant to a valid retransmission consent agreement for the entire signal or any portion
         thereof as provided in § 76.64.

     (b) Each digital television broadcast signal carried shall be carried without material degradation. Each analog
         television broadcast signal carried shall be carried without material degradation and in compliance with
         technical standards set forth in subpart K of this part.

     (c) Each local commercial television station whose signal is carried shall, to the extent technically feasible
         and consistent with good engineering practice, be provided no less than the same quality of signal
         processing and carriage provided for carriage of any other type of standard television signal.

     (d) Each qualified local noncommercial educational television station whose signal is carried shall be
         provided with bandwidth and technical capacity equivalent to that provided to commercial television
         broadcast stations carried.

     (e) Each commercial broadcast television station carried pursuant to § 76.56 shall include in its entirety the
         primary video, accompanying audio, and closed captioning data contained in line 21 of the vertical
         blanking interval and, to the extent technically feasible, program-related material carried in the vertical
         blanking interval or on subcarriers. Where appropriate and feasible, operators may delete signal
         enhancements, such as ghost-canceling, from the broadcast signal and employ such enhancements at
         the system headend or headends.

47 CFR 76.62(e) (enhanced display)                                                                        page 58 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                47 CFR 76.62(f)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (f) Each qualified local NCE television station carried pursuant to § 76.56 shall include in its entirety the
         primary video, accompanying audio, and closed captioning data contained in line 21 of the vertical
         blanking interval and, to the extent technically feasible, program-related material carried in the vertical
         blanking interval or on subcarriers, that may be necessary for receipt of programming by handicapped
         persons or for educational or language purposes.

     (g) With respect to carriage of digital signals, operators are not required to carry ancillary or supplementary
         transmissions or non-program related video material.

     (h) If a digital television broadcast signal is carried in accordance with § 76.62(b) and either (c) or (d), the
         carriage of that signal in additional formats does not constitute material degradation.

[58 FR 17362, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 62345, Dec. 5, 1994; 66 FR 16553, Mar. 26, 2001; 73 FR 6054, Feb. 1, 2008]

§ 76.64 Retransmission consent.
     (a) No multichannel video programming distributor shall retransmit the signal of any commercial
         broadcasting station without the express authority of the originating station, except as provided in
         paragraph (b) of this section.

     (b) A commercial broadcast signal may be retransmitted without express authority of the originating station
         if—

           (1) The distributor is a cable system and the signal is that of a commercial television station (including a
               low-power television station) that is being carried pursuant to the Commission's must-carry rules set
               forth in § 76.56;

           (2) The multichannel video programming distributor obtains the signal of a superstation that is
               distributed by a satellite carrier and the originating station was a superstation on May 1, 1991, and
               the distribution is made only to areas outside the local market of the originating station; or

           (3) The distributor is a satellite carrier and the signal is transmitted directly to a home satellite antenna,
               provided that:

                 (i)   The broadcast station is not owned or operated by, or affiliated with, a broadcasting network
                       and its signal was retransmitted by a satellite carrier on May 1, 1991, or

                (ii) The broadcast station is owned or operated by, or affiliated with a broadcasting network, and
                     the household receiving the signal is an unserved household. This paragraph shall terminate at
                     midnight on December 31, 2019, provided that if Congress further extends this date, the rules
                     remain in effect until the statutory authorization expires.

     (c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

           (1) A satellite carrier is an entity that uses the facilities of a satellite or satellite service licensed by the
               Federal Communications Commission, to establish and operate a channel of communications for
               point-to-multipoint distribution of television station signals, and that owns or leases a capacity or
               service on a satellite in order to provide such point-to-multipoint distribution, except to the extent
               that such entity provides such distribution pursuant to tariff under the Communications Act of 1934,
               other than for private home viewing;

           (2) A superstation is a television broadcast station other than a network station, licensed by the Federal
               Communications Commission that is secondarily transmitted by a satellite carrier;

47 CFR 76.64(c)(2) (enhanced display)                                                                            page 59 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.64(c)(3)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (3) An unserved household with respect to a television network is a household that

                (i)   Cannot receive, through the use of a conventional outdoor rooftop receiving antenna, an over-
                      the-air signal of grade B intensity of a primary network station affiliated with that network, and

                (ii) Has not, within 90 days before the date on which that household subscribes, either initially or on
                     renewal, received secondary transmissions by a satellite carrier of a network station affiliated
                     with that network, subscribed to a cable system that provides the signal of a primary network
                     station affiliated with the network.

          (4) A primary network station is a network station that broadcasts or rebroadcasts the basic
              programming service of a particular national network;

          (5) The terms “network station,” and “secondary transmission” have the meanings given them in 17
              U.S.C. 111(f).

     (d) A multichannel video program distributor is an entity such as, but not limited to, a cable operator, a BRS/
         EBS provider, a direct broadcast satellite service, a television receive-only satellite program distributor, or
         a satellite master antenna television system operator, that makes available for purchase, by subscribers
         or customers, multiple channels of video programming.

     (e) The retransmission consent requirements of this section are not applicable to broadcast signals received
         by master antenna television facilities or by direct over-the-air reception in conjunction with the provision
         of service by a multichannel video program distributor provided that the multichannel video program
         distributor makes reception of such signals available without charge and at the subscribers option and
         provided further that the antenna facility used for the reception of such signals is either owned by the
         subscriber or the building owner; or under the control and available for purchase by the subscriber or the
         building owner upon termination of service.

     (f) Commercial television stations are required to make elections between retransmission consent and must-
         carry status according to the following schedule:

          (1) The initial election must be made by June 17, 1993.

          (2) Subsequent elections must be made at three year intervals; the second election must be made by
              October 1, 1996 and will take effect on January 1, 1997; the third election must be made by October
              1, 1999 and will take effect on January 1, 2000, etc.

          (3) Television stations that fail to make an election by the specified deadline will be deemed to have
              elected must carry status for the relevant three-year period.

          (4) New television stations and stations that return their analog spectrum allocation and broadcast in
              digital only shall make their initial election any time between 60 days prior to commencing broadcast
              and 30 days after commencing broadcast or commencing broadcasting in digital only; such initial
              election shall take effect 90 days after it is made.

          (5) Television broadcast stations that become eligible for must carry status with respect to a cable
              system or systems due to a change in the market definition may, within 30 days of the effective date
              of the new definition, elect must-carry status with respect to such system or systems. Such elections
              shall take effect 90 days after they are made.

     (g) If one or more franchise areas served by a cable system overlaps with one or more franchise areas served
         by another cable system, television broadcast stations are required to make the same election for both
         cable systems.

47 CFR 76.64(g) (enhanced display)                                                                          page 60 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.64(h)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (h)

           (1) On or before each must carry/retransmission consent election deadline, each television broadcast
               station shall place a copy of its election statement, and copies of any election change notices
               applying to the upcoming carriage cycle, in the station's public file if the station is required to
               maintain a public file.

           (2) Each cable operator shall, no later than July 31, 2020, provide an up-to-date email address for
               carriage election notice submissions with respect to its systems and an up-to-date phone number
               for carriage-related questions. Each cable operator is responsible for the continuing accuracy and
               completeness of the information furnished. It must respond to questions from broadcasters as soon
               as is reasonably possible.

           (3) A station shall send a notice of its election to a cable operator only if changing its election with
               respect to one or more of that operator's systems. Such notice shall be sent to the email address
               provided by the cable system and carbon copied to ElectionNotices@FCC.gov. A notice must include,
               with respect to each station referenced in the notice, the:

                 (i)   Call sign;

                (ii) Community of license;

                (iii) DMA where the station is located;

                (iv) Specific change being made in election status;

                (v) Email address for carriage-related questions;

                (vi) Phone number for carriage-related questions;

                (vii) Name of the appropriate station contact person; and,

                (viii) If the station changes its election for some systems of the cable operator but not all, the
                       specific cable systems for which a carriage election applies.

           (4) Cable operators must respond via email as soon as is reasonably possible, acknowledging receipt of
               a television station's election notice.

           (5) Low power television stations and non-commercial educational translator stations that are qualified
               under § 76.55 and retransmitted by a multichannel video programming distributor shall, beginning no
               later than July 31, 2020, respond as soon as is reasonably possible to messages or calls from
               multichannel video programming distributors that are received via the email address or phone
               number the station provides in the Commission's Licensing and Management System.

     (i)   Notwithstanding a television station's election of must-carry status, if a cable operator proposes to
           retransmit that station's signal without according the station must-carry rights (i.e., pursuant to §
           76.56(e)), the operator must obtain the station's express authority prior to retransmitting its signal.

     (j)   Retransmission consent agreements between a broadcast station and a multichannel video programming
           distributor shall be in writing and shall specify the extent of the consent being granted, whether for the
           entire signal or any portion of the signal. This rule applies for either the analog or the digital signal of a
           television station.

47 CFR 76.64(j) (enhanced display)                                                                          page 61 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                47 CFR 76.64(k)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (k) A cable system commencing new operation is required to notify all local commercial and noncommercial
         broadcast stations of its intent to commence service. The cable operator must send such notification, by
         certified mail except as provided in this paragraph (k), at least 60 days prior to commencing cable service.
         After July 31, 2020, the cable operator must send such notification by electronic delivery in accordance
         with § 76.1600. Commercial broadcast stations must notify the cable system within 30 days of the
         receipt of such notice of their election for either must-carry or retransmission consent with respect to
         such new cable system. If the commercial broadcast station elects must-carry, it must also indicate its
         channel position in its election statement to the cable system. Such election shall remain valid for the
         remainder of any three-year election interval, as established in paragraph (f)(2) of this section.
         Noncommercial educational broadcast stations should notify the cable operator of their request for
         carriage and their channel position. The new cable system must notify each station if its signal quality
         does not meet the standards for carriage and if any copyright liability would be incurred for the carriage of
         such signal. Pursuant to § 76.57(e), a commercial broadcast station which fails to respond to such a
         notice shall be deemed to be a must-carry station for the remainder of the current three-year election
         period.

     (l)   Exclusive retransmission consent agreements are prohibited. No television broadcast station shall make
           or negotiate any agreement with one multichannel video programming distributor for carriage to the
           exclusion of other multichannel video programming distributors.

     (m) A multichannel video programming distributor providing an all-band FM radio broadcast service (a service
         that does not involve the individual processing of specific broadcast signals) shall obtain retransmission
         consents from all FM radio broadcast stations that are included on the service that have transmitters
         located within 92 kilometers (57 miles) of the receiving antenna for such service. Stations outside of this
         92 kilometer (57 miles) radius shall be presumed not to be carried in an all-band reception mode but may
         affirmatively assert retransmission consent rights by providing 30 days advance notice to the distributor.

           Note 1 to § 76.64: Section 76.1608 provides notification requirements for a cable system that
           changes its technical configuration in such a way as to integrate two formerly separate cable
           systems.

[58 FR 17363, Apr. 2, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 62345, Dec. 5, 1994; 65 FR 15575, Mar. 23, 2000; 65 FR 53615, Sept. 5, 2000; 66
FR 16553, Mar. 26, 2001; 67 FR 17015, Apr. 9, 2002; 69 FR 72045, Dec. 10, 2004; 70 FR 40224, July 13, 2005; 74 FR 69286, Dec.
31, 2009; 80 FR 11330, Mar. 3, 2015; 83 FR 7626, Feb. 22, 2018; 84 FR 45669, Aug. 30, 2019; 85 FR 16005, Mar. 19, 2020; 85 FR
22651, Apr. 23, 2020; 85 FR 44217, July 22, 2020; 86 FR 26186, May 13, 2021]

§ 76.65 Good faith and exclusive retransmission consent complaints.
     (a) Duty to negotiate in good faith. Television broadcast stations and multichannel video programming
         distributors shall negotiate in good faith the terms and conditions of retransmission consent agreements
         to fulfill the duties established by section 325(b)(3)(C) of the Act; provided, however, that it shall not be a
         failure to negotiate in good faith if:

           (1) The television broadcast station proposes or enters into retransmission consent agreements
               containing different terms and conditions, including price terms, with different multichannel video
               programming distributors if such different terms and conditions are based on competitive
               marketplace considerations; or

47 CFR 76.65(a)(1) (enhanced display)                                                                            page 62 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.65(a)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (2) The multichannel video programming distributor enters into retransmission consent agreements
               containing different terms and conditions, including price terms, with different broadcast stations if
               such different terms and conditions are based on competitive marketplace considerations. If a
               television broadcast station or multichannel video programming distributor negotiates in accordance
               with the rules and procedures set forth in this section, failure to reach an agreement is not an
               indication of a failure to negotiate in good faith.

     (b) Good faith negotiation —

           (1) Standards. The following actions or practices violate a broadcast television station's or multichannel
               video programming distributor's (the “Negotiating Entity”) duty to negotiate retransmission consent
               agreements in good faith:

                 (i)   Refusal by a Negotiating Entity to negotiate retransmission consent;

                (ii) Refusal by a Negotiating Entity to designate a representative with authority to make binding
                     representations on retransmission consent;

                (iii) Refusal by a Negotiating Entity to meet and negotiate retransmission consent at reasonable
                      times and locations, or acting in a manner that unreasonably delays retransmission consent
                      negotiations;

                (iv) Refusal by a Negotiating Entity to put forth more than a single, unilateral proposal;

                (v) Failure of a Negotiating Entity to respond to a retransmission consent proposal of the other
                    party, including the reasons for the rejection of any such proposal;

                (vi) Execution by a Negotiating Entity of an agreement with any party, a term or condition of which,
                     requires that such Negotiating Entity not enter into a retransmission consent agreement with
                     any other television broadcast station or multichannel video programming distributor;

                (vii) Refusal by a Negotiating Entity to execute a written retransmission consent agreement that sets
                      forth the full understanding of the television broadcast station and the multichannel video
                      programming distributor; and

                (viii) Coordination of negotiations or negotiation on a joint basis by two or more television broadcast
                       stations in the same local market to grant retransmission consent to a multichannel video
                       programming distributor, unless such stations are directly or indirectly under common de jure
                       control permitted under the regulations of the Commission.

                (ix) The imposition by a television broadcast station of limitations on the ability of a multichannel
                     video programming distributor to carry into the local market of such station a television signal
                     that has been deemed significantly viewed, within the meaning of § 76.54 of this part, or any
                     successor regulation, or any other television broadcast signal such distributor is authorized to
                     carry under 47 U.S.C. 338, 339, 340 or 534, unless such stations are directly or indirectly under
                     common de jure control permitted by the Commission.

           (2) Negotiation of retransmission consent between qualified multichannel video programming distributor
               buying groups and large station groups.

                 (i)   A multichannel video programming distributor may satisfy its obligation to negotiate in good
                       faith for retransmission consent with a large station group by designating a qualified MVPD
                       buying group to negotiate on its behalf, so long as the qualified MVPD buying group itself
                       negotiates in good faith in accordance with this section.

47 CFR 76.65(b)(2)(i) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 63 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                      47 CFR 76.65(b)(2)(ii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (ii) It is a violation of the obligation to negotiate in good faith for a qualified MVPD buying group to
                     disclose the prices, terms, or conditions of an ongoing negotiation or the final terms of a
                     negotiation to a member of the qualified MVPD buying group that is not intending, or is unlikely,
                     to enter into the final terms negotiated by the qualified MVPD buying group.

                (iii) A large station group has an obligation to negotiate in good faith for retransmission consent
                      with a qualified MVPD buying group.

                      (A) “Qualified MVPD buying group” means an entity that, with respect to a negotiation with a
                          large station group for retransmission consent—

                           (1) Negotiates on behalf of two or more multichannel video programming distributors—

                                 (i)    None of which is a multichannel video programming distributor that serves
                                        more than 500,000 subscribers nationally; and

                                (ii) That do not collectively serve more than 25 percent of all households served by
                                     multichannel video programming distributors in any single local market in which
                                     the applicable large station group operates; and

                           (2) Negotiates agreements for such retransmission consent—

                                 (i)    That contain standardized contract provisions, including billing structures and
                                        technical quality standards, for each multichannel video programming
                                        distributor on behalf of which the entity negotiates; and

                                (ii) Under which the entity assumes liability to remit to the applicable large station
                                     group all fees received from the multichannel video programming distributors
                                     on behalf of which the entity negotiates.

                      (B) “Large station group” means a group of television broadcast stations that—

                           (1) Are directly or indirectly under common de jure control permitted by the regulations
                               of the Commission;

                           (2) Generally negotiate agreements for retransmission consent under this section as a
                               single entity; and

                           (3) Include only television broadcast stations that collectively have a national audience
                               reach of more than 20 percent;

          (3) Definitions. For purposes of this section and section 76.64 of this subpart, the following definitions
              apply:

                (i)   “Local market” has the meaning given such term in 17 U.S.C. 122(j); and

                (ii) “Multichannel video programming distributor” has the meaning given such term in 47 U.S.C.
                     522.

          (4) Totality of the circumstances. In addition to the standards set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of
              this section, a Negotiating Entity may demonstrate, based on the totality of the circumstances of a
              particular retransmission consent negotiation, that a television broadcast station or multichannel
              video programming distributor breached its duty to negotiate in good faith as set forth in paragraph
              (a) of this section.

47 CFR 76.65(b)(4) (enhanced display)                                                                       page 64 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                 47 CFR 76.65(c)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (c) Good faith negotiation and exclusivity complaints. Any television broadcast station or multichannel video
         programming distributor aggrieved by conduct that it believes constitutes a violation of the regulations
         set forth in this section or § 76.64(l) may commence an adjudicatory proceeding at the Commission to
         obtain enforcement of the rules through the filing of a complaint. The complaint shall be filed and
         responded to in accordance with the procedures specified in § 76.7.

     (d) Burden of proof. In any complaint proceeding brought under this section, the burden of proof as to the
         existence of a violation shall be on the complainant.

     (e) Time limit on filing of complaints. Any complaint filed pursuant to this subsection must be filed within one
         year of the date on which one of the following events occurs:

           (1) A complainant enters into a retransmission consent agreement with a television broadcast station or
               multichannel video programming distributor that the complainant alleges to violate one or more of
               the rules contained in this subpart; or

           (2) A television broadcast station or multichannel video programming distributor engages in
               retransmission consent negotiations with a complainant that the complainant alleges to violate one
               or more of the rules contained in this subpart, and such negotiation is unrelated to any existing
               contract between the complainant and the television broadcast station or multichannel video
               programming distributor; or

           (3) The television broadcast station or multichannel video programming distributor has denied,
               unreasonably delayed, or failed to acknowledge a request to negotiate retransmission consent in
               violation of one or more of the rules contained in this subpart.

[70 FR 40224, July 13, 2005, as amended at 74 FR 69286, Dec. 31, 2009; 79 FR 28630, May 19, 2014; 80 FR 11330, Mar. 3, 2015;
85 FR 36801, June 18, 2020; 85 FR 81812, Dec. 17, 2020; 86 FR 26186, May 13, 2021]

§ 76.66 Satellite broadcast signal carriage.
     (a) Definitions —

           (1) Satellite carrier. A satellite carrier is an entity that uses the facilities of a satellite or satellite service
               licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, and operates in the Fixed-Satellite Service
               under part 25 of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations or the Direct Broadcast Satellite Service
               under part 100 of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, to establish and operate a channel of
               communications for point-to-multipoint distribution of television station signals, and that owns or
               leases a capacity or a service on a satellite in order to provide such point-to-multipoint distribution,
               except to the extent that such entity provides such distribution pursuant to tariff under the
               Communications Act of 1934, other than for private home viewing.

           (2) Secondary transmission. A secondary transmission is the further transmitting of a primary
               transmission simultaneously with the primary transmission.

           (3) Subscriber. A subscriber is a person who receives a secondary transmission service from a satellite
               carrier and pays a fee for the service, directly or indirectly, to the satellite carrier or to a distributor.

           (4) Television broadcast station. A television broadcast station is an over-the-air commercial or
               noncommercial television broadcast station licensed by the Commission under subpart E of part 73
               of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, except that such term does not include a low-power or
               translator television station.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.66(a)(5)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (5) Television network. For purposes of this section, a television network is an entity which offers an
              interconnected program service on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to at least 25
              affiliated broadcast stations in 10 or more States.

          (6) Local-into-local television service. A satellite carrier is providing local-into-local service when it
              retransmits a local television station signal back into the local market of that television station for
              reception by subscribers.

     (b) Signal carriage obligations.

          (1) Each satellite carrier providing, under section 122 of title 17, United States Code, secondary
              transmissions to subscribers located within the local market of a television broadcast station of a
              primary transmission made by that station, shall carry upon request the signals of all television
              broadcast stations located within that local market, subject to section 325(b) of title 47, United
              States Code, and other paragraphs in this section. Satellite carriers are required to carry digital-only
              stations upon request in markets in which the satellite carrier is providing any local-into-local service
              pursuant to the statutory copyright license.

          (2) A satellite carrier that offers multichannel video programming distribution service in the United
              States to more than 5,000,000 subscribers shall, no later than December 8, 2005, carry upon request
              the signal originating as an analog signal of each television broadcast station that is located in a
              local market in Alaska or Hawaii; and shall, no later than June 8, 2007, carry upon request the signals
              originating as digital signals of each television broadcast station that is located in a local market in
              Alaska or Hawaii. Such satellite carrier is not required to carry the signal originating as analog after
              commencing carriage of digital signals on June 8, 2007. Carriage of signals originating as digital
              signals of each television broadcast station that is located in a local market in Alaska or Hawaii shall
              include the entire free over-the-air signal, including multicast and high definition digital signals.

     (c) Election cycle. In television markets where a satellite carrier is providing local-into-local service, a
         commercial television broadcast station may elect either retransmission consent, pursuant to section 325
         of title 47 United States Code, or mandatory carriage, pursuant to section 338, title 47 United States Code.

          (1) The first retransmission consent-mandatory carriage election cycle shall be for a four-year period
              commencing on January 1, 2002 and ending December 31, 2005.

          (2) The second retransmission consent-mandatory carriage election cycle, and all cycles thereafter, shall
              be for a period of three years (e.g. the second election cycle commences on January 1, 2006 and
              ends at midnight on December 31, 2008).

          (3) A commercial television station must notify a satellite carrier, by July 1, 2001, of its retransmission
              consent-mandatory carriage election for the first election cycle commencing January 1, 2002.

          (4) Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(6), (d)(2) and (d)(3) of this section, local commercial television
              broadcast stations shall make their retransmission consent-mandatory carriage election by October
              1st of the year preceding the new cycle for all election cycles after the first election cycle.

          (5) [Reserved]

          (6) A commercial television broadcast station located in a local market in Alaska or Hawaii shall make
              its retransmission consent-mandatory carriage election by October 1, 2005, for carriage of its signal
              that originates as an analog signal for carriage commencing on December 8, 2005, and by April 1,
              2007, for its signal that originates as a digital signal for carriage commencing on June 8, 2007 and
              ending on December 31, 2008. For analog and digital signal carriage cycles commencing after

47 CFR 76.66(c)(6) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 66 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.66(d)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                December 31, 2008, such stations shall follow the election cycle in paragraphs (c)(2) and (4). A
                noncommercial television broadcast station located in a local market in Alaska or Hawaii must
                request carriage by October 1, 2005, for carriage of its signal that originates as an analog signal for
                carriage commencing on December 8, 2005, and by April 1, 2007, for its signal that originates as a
                digital signal for carriage commencing on June 8, 2007 and ending on December 31, 2008.

     (d) Carriage procedures —

          (1) Carriage requests.

                (i)   An election for mandatory carriage made by a television broadcast station shall be treated as a
                      request for carriage. For purposes of this paragraph (d), the term election request includes an
                      election of retransmission consent or mandatory carriage.

                (ii) Each satellite carrier shall, no later than July 31, 2020, provide an up-to-date email address for
                     carriage election notice submissions and an up-to-date phone number for carriage-related
                     questions. Each satellite carrier is responsible for the continuing accuracy and completeness of
                     the information furnished. It must respond to questions from broadcasters as soon as is
                     reasonably possible.

                (iii) A station shall send a notice of its election to a satellite carrier only if changing its election with
                      respect to one or more of the markets served by that carrier. Such notice shall be sent to the
                      email address provided by the satellite carrier and carbon copied to ElectionNotices@FCC.gov.

                (iv) A television station's written notification shall include with respect to each station referenced in
                     the notice, the:

                      (A) Call sign;

                      (B) Community of license;

                      (C) DMA where the station is located;

                      (D) Specific change being made in election status;

                      (E) Email address for carriage-related questions;

                      (F) Phone number for carriage-related questions; and

                      (G) Name of the appropriate station contact person.

                (v) A satellite carrier must respond via email as soon as is reasonably possible, acknowledging
                    receipt of a television station's election notice.

                (vi) Within 30 days of receiving a television station's carriage request, and subject to paragraph
                     (d)(2)(ii) of this section, a satellite carrier shall notify in writing:

                      (A) Those local television stations it will not carry, along with the reasons for such a decision;
                          and

                      (B) Those local television stations it intends to carry.

               (vii) A satellite carrier is not required to carry a television station, for the duration of the election
                     cycle, if the station fails to assert its carriage rights by the deadlines established in this section.

          (2) New local-into-local service.

47 CFR 76.66(d)(2) (enhanced display)                                                                          page 67 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.66(d)(2)(i)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                 (i)   A new satellite carrier or a satellite carrier providing local service in a market for the first time
                       after July 1, 2001, shall inform each television broadcast station licensee within any local
                       market in which a satellite carrier proposes to commence carriage of signals of stations from
                       that market, not later than 60 days prior to the commencement of such carriage

                       (A) Of the carrier's intention to launch local-into-local service under this section in a local
                           market, the identity of that local market, and the location of the carrier's proposed local
                           receive facility for that local market;

                       (B) Of the right of such licensee to elect carriage under this section or grant retransmission
                           consent under section 325(b);

                       (C) That such licensee has 30 days from the date of the receipt of such notice to make such
                           election; and

                       (D) That failure to make such election will result in the loss of the right to demand carriage
                           under this section for the remainder of the 3-year cycle of carriage under section 325.

                (ii) Except as provided in this paragraph (d)(2)(ii), satellite carriers shall transmit the notices
                     required by paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section via certified mail to the address for such
                     television station licensee listed in the consolidated database system maintained by the
                     Commission. After July 31, 2020, the written notices required by paragraphs (d)(1)(vi), (d)(2)(i),
                     (v), and (vi), (d)(3)(iv), (d)(5)(i), (f)(3) and (4), and (h)(5) of this section shall be delivered
                     electronically via email to the email address for carriage-related questions that the station lists
                     in its public file in accordance with §§ 73.3526 and 73.3527 of this title.

                (iii) A satellite carrier with more than five million subscribers shall provide the notice as required by
                      paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section to each television broadcast station located in a
                      local market in Alaska or Hawaii, not later than March 1, 2007 with respect to carriage of digital
                      signals; provided, further, that the notice shall also describe the carriage requirements pursuant
                      to 47 U.S.C. 338(a)(4), and paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

                (iv) A satellite carrier shall commence carriage of a local station by the later of 90 days from receipt
                     of an election of mandatory carriage or upon commencing local-into-local service in the new
                     television market.

                (v) Within 30 days of receiving a local television station's election of mandatory carriage in a new
                    television market, a satellite carrier shall notify in writing those local television stations it will
                    not carry, along with the reasons for such decision, and those local television stations it intends
                    to carry. After July 31, 2020, the written notices required by this paragraph (d)(2)(v) shall be
                    delivered to stations electronically in accordance with paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

                (vi) Satellite carriers shall notify all local stations in a market of their intent to launch HD carry-one,
                     carry-all in that market at least 60 days before commencing such carriage. After July 31, 2020,
                     the written notices required by this paragraph (d)(2)(vi) shall be delivered to stations
                     electronically in accordance with paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

           (3) New television stations.

                 (i)   A television station providing over-the-air service in a market for the first time on or after July 1,
                       2001, shall be considered a new television station for satellite carriage purposes.

47 CFR 76.66(d)(3)(i) (enhanced display)                                                                        page 68 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.66(d)(3)(ii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (ii) A new television station shall make its election request, in writing, sent to the satellite carrier's
                     email address provided by the satellite carrier and carbon copied to ElectionNotices@FCC.gov,
                     between 60 days prior to commencing broadcasting and 30 days after commencing
                     broadcasting. This written notification shall include the information required by paragraph
                     (d)(1)(iv) of this section.

                (iii) A satellite carrier shall commence carriage within 90 days of receiving the request for carriage
                      from the television broadcast station or whenever the new television station provides over-the-
                      air service.

                (iv) Within 30 days of receiving a new television station's election of mandatory carriage, a satellite
                     carrier shall notify the station in writing that it will not carry the station, along with the reasons
                     for such decision, or that it intends to carry the station. After July 31, 2020, the written notices
                     required by this paragraph (d)(3)(iv) shall be delivered to stations electronically in accordance
                     with paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

           (4) Television broadcast stations must send election requests as provided in paragraphs (d)(1), (2), and
               (3) of this section on or before the relevant deadline.

           (5) Elections in markets in which significantly viewed signals are carried.

                 (i)   Beginning with the election cycle described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the
                       retransmission of significantly viewed signals pursuant to § 76.54 by a satellite carrier that
                       provides local-into-local service is subject to providing the notifications to stations in the
                       market pursuant to paragraphs (d)(5)(i)(A) and (B) of this section, unless the satellite carrier
                       was retransmitting such signals as of the date these notifications were due. After July 31, 2020,
                       the written notices required by this paragraph (d)(5)(i) shall be delivered to stations
                       electronically in accordance with paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

                       (A) In any local market in which a satellite carrier provided local-into-local service on
                           December 8, 2004, at least 60 days prior to any date on which a station must make an
                           election under paragraph (c) of this section, identify each affiliate of the same television
                           network that the carrier reserves the right to retransmit into that station's local market
                           during the next election cycle and the communities into which the satellite carrier reserves
                           the right to make such retransmissions;

                       (B) In any local market in which a satellite carrier commences local-into-local service after
                           December 8, 2004, at least 60 days prior to the commencement of service in that market,
                           and thereafter at least 60 days prior to any date on which the station must thereafter make
                           an election under § 76.66(c) or (d)(2), identify each affiliate of the same television network
                           that the carrier reserves the right to retransmit into that station's local market during the
                           next election cycle.

                (ii) A television broadcast station located in a market in which a satellite carrier provides local-into-
                     local television service may elect either retransmission consent or mandatory carriage for each
                     county within the station's local market if the satellite carrier provided notice to the station,
                     pursuant to paragraph (d)(5)(i) of this section, that it intends to carry during the next election
                     cycle, or has been carrying on the date notification was due, in the station's local market
                     another affiliate of the same network as a significantly viewed signal pursuant to § 76.54.

47 CFR 76.66(d)(5)(ii) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 69 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.66(d)(5)(iii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (iii) A television broadcast station that elects mandatory carriage for one or more counties in its
                      market and elects retransmission consent for one or more other counties in its market
                      pursuant to paragraph (d)(5)(ii) of this section shall conduct a unified negotiation for the entire
                      portion of its local market for which retransmission consent is elected.

                (iv) A television broadcast station that receives a notification from a satellite carrier pursuant to
                     paragraph (d)(5)(i) of this section with respect to an upcoming election cycle may choose
                     either retransmission consent or mandatory carriage for any portion of the 3-year election cycle
                     that is not covered by an existing retransmission consent agreement.

          (6) Carriage after a market modification. Television broadcast stations that become eligible for
              mandatory carriage with respect to a satellite carrier (pursuant to § 76.66) due to a change in the
              market definition (by operation of a market modification pursuant to § 76.59) may, within 30 days of
              the effective date of the new definition, elect retransmission consent or mandatory carriage with
              respect to such carrier. A satellite carrier shall commence carriage within 90 days of receiving the
              carriage election from the television broadcast station. The election must be made in accordance
              with the requirements in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.

     (e) Market definitions.

          (1) A local market, in the case of both commercial and noncommercial television broadcast stations, is
              the designated market area in which a station is located, unless such market is amended pursuant to
              § 76.59, and

                (i)   In the case of a commercial television broadcast station, all commercial television broadcast
                      stations licensed to a community within the same designated market area within the same
                      local market; and

                (ii) In the case of a noncommercial educational television broadcast station, the market includes
                     any station that is licensed to a community within the same designated market area as the
                     noncommercial educational television broadcast station.

          (2) A designated market area is the market area, as determined by Nielsen Media Research and
              published in the 1999–2000 Nielsen Station Index Directory and Nielsen Station Index United States
              Television Household Estimates, the October 2021 Nielsen Local TV Station Information Report, or
              any successor publication. In the case of areas outside of any designated market area, any census
              area, borough, or other area in the State of Alaska that is outside of a designated market area, as
              determined by Nielsen Media Research, shall be deemed to be part of one of the local markets in the
              State of Alaska.

          (3) A satellite carrier shall use the October 2021 Nielsen Local TV Station Information for the
              retransmission consent-mandatory carriage election cycle commencing on January 1, 2024, and
              ending on December 31, 2026. The October 2024 Nielsen Local TV Station Information Report shall
              be used for the retransmission consent-mandatory carriage election cycle commencing January 1,
              2027, and ending December 31, 2029, and so forth using the publications for the October two years
              prior to each triennial election pursuant to this section. Provided, however, that a county deleted from
              a market by Nielsen need not be subtracted from a market in which a satellite carrier provides local-
              into-local service, if that county is assigned to that market in the 1999–2000 Nielsen Station Index
              Directory or any subsequent issue of that publication, or the Local TV Station Information Report
              commencing with October 2021, and every three years thereafter (i.e., October 2024, October 2027,

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.66(e)(4)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                etc.). A satellite carrier may determine which local market in the State of Alaska will be deemed to be
                the relevant local market in connection with each subscriber in an area in the State of Alaska that is
                outside of a designated market, as described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.

          (4) A local market includes all counties to which stations assigned to that market are licensed.

     (f) Receive facilities.

          (1) A local receive facility is the reception point in each local market which a satellite carrier designates
              for delivery of the signal of the station for purposes of retransmission.

          (2) A satellite carrier may establish another receive facility to serve a market if the location of such a
              facility is acceptable to at least one-half the stations with carriage rights in that market.

          (3) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, a satellite carrier providing local-into-local
              service must notify local television stations of the location of the receive facility by June 1, 2001 for
              the first election cycle and at least 120 days prior to the commencement of all election cycles
              thereafter. After July 31, 2020, the written notices required by this paragraph (f)(3) shall be delivered
              to stations electronically in accordance with paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

          (4) A satellite carrier may relocate its local receive facility at the commencement of each election cycle.
              A satellite carrier is also permitted to relocate its local receive facility during the course of an
              election cycle, if it bears the signal delivery costs of the television stations affected by such a move.
              A satellite carrier relocating its local receive facility must provide 60 days notice to all local television
              stations carried in the affected television market. After July 31, 2020, the written notices required by
              this paragraph (f)(4) shall be delivered to stations electronically in accordance with paragraph
              (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

     (g) Good quality signal.

          (1) A television station asserting its right to carriage shall be required to bear the costs associated with
              delivering a good quality signal to the designated local receive facility of the satellite carrier or to
              another facility that is acceptable to at least one-half the stations asserting the right to carriage in
              the local market.

          (2) To be considered a good quality signal for satellite carriage purposes, a television station shall
              deliver to the local receive facility of a satellite carrier either a signal level of −45dBm for UHF signals
              or −49dBm for VHF signals at the input terminals of the signal processing equipment.

          (3) A satellite carrier is not required to carry a television station that does not agree to be responsible for
              the costs of delivering a good quality signal to the receive facility.

     (h) Duplicating signals.

          (1) A satellite carrier shall not be required to carry upon request the signal of any local television
              broadcast station that substantially duplicates the signal of another local television broadcast
              station which is secondarily transmitted by the satellite carrier within the same local market, or the
              signals of more than one local commercial television broadcast station in a single local market that
              is affiliated with a particular television network unless such stations are licensed to communities in
              different States.

          (2) A satellite carrier may select which duplicating signal in a market it shall carry.

          (3) A satellite carrier may select which network affiliate in a market it shall carry.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.66(h)(4)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (4) A satellite carrier is permitted to drop a local television station whenever that station meets the
               substantial duplication criteria set forth in this paragraph. A satellite carrier must add a television
               station to its channel line-up if such station no longer duplicates the programming of another local
               television station.

           (5) A satellite carrier shall provide notice to its subscribers, and to the affected television station,
               whenever it adds or deletes a station's signal in a particular local market pursuant to this paragraph
               (h)(5). After July 31, 2020, the required notice to the affected television station shall be delivered to
               the station electronically in accordance with paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.

           (6) A commercial television station substantially duplicates the programming of another commercial
               television station if it simultaneously broadcasts the identical programming of another station for
               more than 50 percent of the broadcast week.

           (7) A noncommercial television station substantially duplicates the programming of another
               noncommercial station if it simultaneously broadcasts the same programming as another
               noncommercial station for more than 50 percent of prime time, as defined by § 76.5(n), and more
               than 50 percent outside of prime time over a three month period, Provided, however, that after three
               noncommercial television stations are carried, the test of duplication shall be whether more than 50
               percent of prime time programming and more than 50 percent outside of prime time programming is
               duplicative on a non-simultaneous basis.

     (i)   Channel positioning.

           (1) No satellite carrier shall be required to provide the signal of a local television broadcast station to
               subscribers in that station's local market on any particular channel number or to provide the signals
               in any particular order, except that the satellite carrier shall retransmit the signal of the local
               television broadcast stations to subscribers in the stations' local market on contiguous channels.

           (2) The television stations subject to this paragraph include those carried under retransmission consent.

           (3) All local television stations carried under mandatory carriage in a particular television market must
               be offered to subscribers at rates comparable to local television stations carried under
               retransmission consent in that same market.

           (4) Within a market, no satellite carrier shall provide local-into-local service in a manner that requires
               subscribers to obtain additional equipment at their own expense or for an additional carrier charge in
               order to obtain one or more local television broadcast signals if such equipment is not required for
               the receipt of other local television broadcast signals.

           (5) All television stations carried under mandatory carriage, in a particular market, shall be presented to
               subscribers in the same manner as television stations that elected retransmission consent, in that
               same market, on any navigational device, on-screen program guide, or menu provided by the satellite
               carrier.

     (j)   Manner of carriage.

           (1) Each television station carried by a satellite carrier, pursuant to this section, shall include in its
               entirety the primary video, accompanying audio, and closed captioning data contained in line 21 of
               the vertical blanking interval and, to the extent technically feasible, program-related material carried
               in the vertical blanking interval or on subcarriers. For noncommercial educational television stations,
               a satellite carrier must also carry any program-related material that may be necessary for receipt of
               programming by persons with disabilities or for educational or language purposes. Secondary audio

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.66(j)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                programming must also be carried. Where appropriate and feasible, satellite carriers may delete
                signal enhancements, such as ghost-canceling, from the broadcast signal and employ such
                enhancements at the local receive facility.

           (2) A satellite carrier, at its discretion, may carry any ancillary service transmission on the vertical
               blanking interval or the aural baseband of any television broadcast signal, including, but not limited
               to, multichannel television sound and teletext.

     (k) Material degradation.

           (1) Each local television station whose signal is carried under mandatory carriage shall, to the extent
               technically feasible and consistent with good engineering practice, be provided with the same quality
               of signal processing provided to television stations electing retransmission consent, including
               carriage of HD signals in HD if any local station in the same market is carried in HD. A satellite carrier
               is permitted to use reasonable digital compression techniques in the carriage of local television
               stations.

           (2) Satellite carriers must provide carriage of local stations' HD signals if any local station in the same
               market is carried in HD, pursuant to the following schedule:

                (i)   In at least 15% of the markets in which they carry any station pursuant to the statutory copyright
                      license in HD by February 17, 2010;

                (ii) In at least 30% of the markets in which they carry any station pursuant to the statutory copyright
                     license in HD no later than February 17, 2011;

                (iii) In at least 60% of the markets in which they carry any station pursuant to the statutory copyright
                      license in HD no later than February 17, 2012; and

                (iv) In 100% of the markets in which they carry any station pursuant to the statutory copyright
                     license in HD by February 17, 2013.

     (l)   Compensation for carriage.

           (1) A satellite carrier shall not accept or request monetary payment or other valuable consideration in
               exchange either for carriage of local television broadcast stations in fulfillment of the mandatory
               carriage requirements of this section or for channel positioning rights provided to such stations
               under this section, except that any such station may be required to bear the costs associated with
               delivering a good quality signal to the receive facility of the satellite carrier.

           (2) A satellite carrier may accept payments from a station pursuant to a retransmission consent
               agreement.

    (m) Remedies.

           (1) Whenever a local television broadcast station believes that a satellite carrier has failed to meet its
               obligations under this section, such station shall notify the carrier, in writing, of the alleged failure
               and identify its reasons for believing that the satellite carrier failed to comply with such obligations.

           (2) The satellite carrier shall, within 30 days after such written notification, respond in writing to such
               notification and comply with such obligations or state its reasons for believing that it is in
               compliance with such obligations.

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                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.66(m)(3)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (3) A local television broadcast station that disputes a response by a satellite carrier that it is in
               compliance with such obligations may obtain review of such denial or response by filing a complaint
               with the Commission, in accordance with § 76.7 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations. Such
               complaint shall allege the manner in which such satellite carrier has failed to meet its obligations
               and the basis for such allegations.

           (4) The satellite carrier against which a complaint is filed is permitted to present data and arguments to
               establish that there has been no failure to meet its obligations under this section.

           (5) The Commission shall determine whether the satellite carrier has met its obligations under this
               section. If the Commission determines that the satellite carrier has failed to meet such obligations,
               the Commission shall order the satellite carrier to take appropriate remedial action. If the
               Commission determines that the satellite carrier has fully met the requirements of this section, it
               shall dismiss the complaint.

           (6) The Commission will not accept any complaint filed later than 60 days after a satellite carrier, either
               implicitly or explicitly, denies a television station's carriage request.

     (n) Channel sharing carriage rights. A broadcast television station that voluntarily relinquishes spectrum
         usage rights under § 73.3700 of this chapter in order to share a television channel and that possessed
         carriage rights under section 338, 614, or 615 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 338; 534;
         535) on November 30, 2010, shall have, at its shared location, the carriage rights under such section that
         would apply to such station at such location if it were not sharing a channel.

     (o) Next Gen TV carriage rights.

           (1) A broadcast television station that chooses to deploy Next Gen TV service, see § 73.682(f) of this
               chapter, may assert mandatory carriage rights under this section only with respect to its ATSC 1.0
               signal and may not assert mandatory carriage rights with respect to its ATSC 3.0 signal.

           (2) With respect to a Next Gen TV station that moves its 1.0 simulcast signal to a host station's (i.e., a
               station whose facilities are being used to transmit programming originated by another station)
               facilities, the station may assert mandatory carriage rights under this section only if it:

                 (i)   Qualified for, and has been exercising, mandatory carriage rights at its original location; and

                (ii) Continues to qualify for mandatory carriage at the host station's facilities, including (but not
                     limited to) delivering a good quality 1.0 signal to the satellite carrier local receive facility, or
                     agreeing to be responsible for the costs of delivering such 1.0 signal to the satellite carrier.

[66 FR 7430, Jan. 23, 2001, as amended at 66 FR 49135, Sept. 26, 2001; 70 FR 21670, Apr. 27, 2005; 70 FR 51668, Aug. 31, 2005;
70 FR 53079, Sept. 7, 2005; 73 FR 24508, May 5, 2008; 77 FR 30426, May 23, 2012; 80 FR 59664, Oct. 2, 2015; 83 FR 5028, Feb. 2,
2018; 84 FR 45669, Aug. 30, 2019; 85 FR 16005, Mar. 20, 2020; 87 FR 74988, Dec. 7, 2022; 88 FR 62472, Sept. 12, 2023]

§ 76.70 Exemption from input selector switch rules.
     (a) In any case of cable systems serving communities where no portion of the community is covered by the
         predicted Grade B contour of at least one full service broadcast television station, or non-commercial
         educational television translator station operating with 5 or more watts output power and where the
         signals of no such broadcast stations are “significantly viewed” in the county where such a cable system
         is located, the cable system shall be exempt from the provisions of § 76.66. Cable systems may be

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                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.70(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          eligible for this exemption where they demonstrate with engineering studies prepared in accordance with
          § 73.686 of this chapter or other showings that broadcast signals meeting the above criteria are not
          actually viewable within the community.

     (b) Where a new full service broadcast television station, or new non-commercial educational television
         translator station with 5 or more watts, or an existing such station of either type with newly upgraded
         facilities provides predicted Grade B service to a community served by a cable system previously exempt
         under paragraph (a) of this section, or the signal of any such broadcast station is newly determined to be
         “significantly viewed” in the county where such a cable system is located, the cable system at that time is
         required to comply fully with the provisions of § 76.66. Cable systems may retain their exemption under
         paragraph (a) of this section where they demonstrate with engineering studies prepared in accordance
         with § 73.686 of this chapter or other showings that broadcast signals meeting the above criteria are not
         actually viewable within the community.

[54 FR 25716, June 19, 1989]

Subpart E—Equal Employment Opportunity Requirements

Source: 50 FR 40855, Oct. 7, 1985, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.71 Scope of application.
     (a) The provisions of this subpart shall apply to any corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock
         company, or trust engaged primarily in the management or operation of any cable system. Cable entities
         subject to these provisions include those systems defined in § 76.5(a), all satellite master antenna
         television systems serving 50 or more subscribers, and any multichannel video programming distributor.
         For purposes of the provisions of this subpart, a multichannel video programming distributor is an entity
         such as, but not limited to, a cable operator, a BRS/EBS provider, a direct broadcast satellite service, a
         television receive-only satellite program distributor, or a video dialtone program service provider, who
         makes available for purchase, by subscribers or customers, multiple channels of video programming,
         whether or not a licensee. Multichannel video programming distributors do not include any entity which
         lacks control over the video programming distributed. For purposes of this subpart, an entity has control
         over the video programming it distributes, if it selects video programming channels or programs and
         determines how they are presented for sale to consumers. Nothwithstanding the foregoing, the
         regulations in this subpart are not applicable to the owners or originators (of programs or channels of
         programming) that distribute six or fewer channels of commonly-owned video programming over a leased
         transport facility. For purposes of this subpart, programming services are “commonly-owned” if the same
         entity holds a majority of the stock (or is a general partner) of each program service.

     (b) Employment units. The provisions of this subpart shall apply to cable entities as employment units. Each
         cable entity may be considered a separate employment unit; however, where two or more cable entities
         are under common ownership or control and are interrelated in their local management, operation, and
         utilization of employees, they shall constitute a single employment unit.

     (c) Headquarters office. A multiple cable operator shall treat as a separate employment unit each
         headquarters office to the extent the work of that office is primarily related to the operation of more than
         one employment unit as described in paragraph (b) of this section.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.73
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

[50 FR 40855, Oct. 7, 1985, as amended at 58 FR 42250, Aug. 9, 1993; 69 FR 72045, Dec. 10, 2004]

§ 76.73 General EEO policy.
     (a) Equal opportunity in employment shall be afforded by each cable entity to all qualified persons, and no
         person shall be discriminated against in employment by such entity because of race, color, religion,
         national origin, age or sex.

     (b) Each employment unit shall establish, maintain, and carry out a positive continuing program of specific
         practices designed to assure equal opportunity to every aspect of cable system employment policy and
         practice. Under the terms of its program, an employment unit shall:

           (1) Define the responsibility of each level of management to ensure a positive application and vigorous
               enforcement of its policy of equal opportunity, and establish a procedure to review and control
               managerial and supervisory performance;

           (2) Inform its employees and recognized employee organizations of the positive equal employment
               opportunity policy and program and enlist their cooperation;

           (3) Communicate its equal employment opportunity policy and progam and its employment needs to
               sources of qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age or sex, and
               solicit their recruitment assistance on a continuing basis;

           (4) Conduct a continuing program to exclude every form of prejudice or discrimination based upon race,
               color, religion, national origin, age or sex from its personnel policies and practices and working
               conditions; and

           (5) Conduct a continuing review of job structure and employment practices and adopt positive
               recruitment, training, job design, and other measures needed to ensure genuine equality of
               opportunity to participate fully in all organizational units, occupations, and levels of responsibility.

§ 76.75 Specific EEO program requirements.
Under the terms of its program, an employment unit must:

     (a) Disseminate its equal employment opportunity program to job applicants, employees, and those with
         whom it regularly does business. For example, this requirement may be met by:

           (1) Posting notices in the employment unit's office and places of employment informing employees, and
               applicants for employment, of their equal employment opportunity rights, and their right to notify the
               Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, or other
               appropriate agency, if they believe they have been discriminated against. Where a significant
               percentage of employees, employment applicants, or residents of the community of a cable
               television system of the relevant labor area are Hispanic, such notices should be posted in Spanish
               and English. Similar use should be made of other languages in such posted equal employment
               opportunity notices, where appropriate;

           (2) Placing a notice in bold type on the employment application informing prospective employees that
               discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, age or sex is prohibited and that they
               may notify the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Communications
               Commission, or other appropriate agency if they believe they have been discriminated against.

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                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.75(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (b) Establish, maintain and carry out a positive continuing program of outreach activities designed to ensure
         equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in employment. The following activities shall be undertaken by
         each employment unit:

           (1) Recruit for every full-time job vacancy in its operation. A job filled by an internal promotion is not
               considered a vacancy for which recruitment is necessary. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted
               to require a multichannel video programming distributor to grant preferential treatment to any
               individual or group based on race, national origin, color, religion, age, or gender.

                 (i)   An employment unit shall use recruitment sources for each vacancy sufficient in its reasonable,
                       good faith judgment to widely disseminate information concerning the vacancy.

                (ii) In addition to using such recruitment sources, a multichannel video programming distributor
                     employment unit shall provide notification of each full-time vacancy to any organization that
                     distributes information about employment opportunities to job seekers or refers job seekers to
                     employers, upon request by such organization. To be entitled to notice of vacancies, the
                     requesting organization must provide the multichannel video programming distributor
                     employment unit with its name, mailing address, e-mail address (if applicable), telephone
                     number, and contact person, and identify the category or categories of vacancies of which it
                     requests notice. (An organization may request notice of all vacancies).

           (2) Engage in at least two (if the unit has more than ten full-time employees and is not located in a
               smaller market) or one (if the unit has six to ten full-time employees and/or is located, in whole or in
               part, in a smaller market) of the following initiatives during each twelve-month period preceding the
               filing of an EEO program annual report:

                 (i)   Participation in at least two job fairs by unit personnel who have substantial responsibility in the
                       making of hiring decisions;

                (ii) Hosting of at least one job fair;

                (iii) Co-sponsoring at least one job fair with organizations in the business and professional
                      community whose membership includes substantial participation of women and minorities;

                (iv) Participation in at least two events sponsored by organizations representing groups present in
                     the community interested in multichannel video programming distributor employment issues,
                     including conventions, career days, workshops, and similar activities;

                (v) Establishment of an internship program designed to assist members of the community in
                    acquiring skills needed for multichannel video programming distributor employment;

                (vi) Participation in job banks, Internet programs, and other programs designed to promote
                     outreach generally (i.e., that are not primarily directed to providing notification of specific job
                     vacancies);

                (vii) Participation in a scholarship program designed to assist students interested in pursuing a
                      career in multichannel video programming communications;

               (viii) Establishment of training programs designed to enable unit personnel to acquire skills that
                      could qualify them for higher level positions;

                (ix) Establishment of a mentoring program for unit personnel;

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.75(b)(2)(x)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (x) Participation in at least two events or programs sponsored by educational institutions relating
                    to career opportunities in multichannel video programming communications;

                (xi) Sponsorship of at least one event in the community designed to inform and educate members
                     of the public as to employment opportunities in multichannel video programming
                     communications;

                (xii) Listing of each upper-level category opening in a job bank or newsletter of media trade groups
                      whose membership includes substantial participation of women and minorities;

               (xiii) Provision of assistance to unaffiliated non-profit entities in the maintenance of web sites that
                      provide counseling on the process of searching for multichannel video programming
                      employment and/or other career development assistance pertinent to multichannel video
                      programming communications;

               (xiv) Provision of training to management level personnel as to methods of ensuring equal
                     employment opportunity and preventing discrimination;

                (xv) Provision of training to personnel of unaffiliated non-profit organizations interested in
                     multichannel video programming employment opportunities that would enable them to better
                     refer job candidates for multichannel video programming positions;

               (xvi) Participation in other activities reasonably calculated by the unit to further the goal of
                     disseminating information as to employment opportunities in multichannel video programming
                     to job candidates who might otherwise be unaware of such opportunities.

     (c) Retain records sufficient to document that it has satisfied the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) and
         (b)(2) of this section. Such records, which may be maintained in an electronic format, shall be retained for
         a period of seven years. Such records need not be submitted to the Commission unless specifically
         requested. The following records shall be maintained:

           (1) Listings of all full-time job vacancies filled by the cable employment unit, identified by job title;

           (2) For each such vacancy, the recruitment sources utilized to fill the vacancy (including, if applicable,
               organizations entitled to notification pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, which should be
               separately identified), identified by name, address, contact person, and telephone number;

           (3) Dated copies of all advertisements, bulletins, letters, faxes, e-mails, or other communications
               announcing job vacancies;

           (4) Documentation necessary to demonstrate performance of the initiatives required by paragraph (b)(2)
               of this section, if applicable, including information sufficient to fully disclose the nature of the
               initiative and the scope of the unit's participation, including the unit personnel involved;

           (5) The total number of interviewees for each vacancy and the referral sources for each interviewee; and

           (6) The date each vacancy was filled and the recruitment source that referred the hiree.

     (d) Undertake to offer promotions of minorities and women in a non-discriminatory fashion to positions of
         greater responsibility. For example, this requirement may be met by:

           (1) Instructing those who make decisions on placement and promotion that minority employees and
               females are to be considered without discrimination, and that job areas in which there is little or no
               minority or female representation should be reviewed to determine whether this results from
               discrimination;

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                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.75(d)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (2) Giving minority groups and female employees equal opportunity for positions which lead to higher
               positions. Inquiring as to the interest and skills of all lower paid employees with respect to any of the
               higher paid positions, followed by assistance, counselling, and effective measures to enable
               employees with interest and potential to qualify themselves for such positions;

           (3) Providing opportunity to perform overtime work on a basis that does not discriminate against
               qualified minority group or female employees.

     (e) Encourage minority and female entrepreneurs to conduct business with all parts of its operation. For
         example, this requirement may be met by:

           (1) Recruiting as wide as possible a pool of qualified entrepreneurs from sources such as employee
               referrals, community groups, contractors, associations, and other sources likely to be representative
               of minority and female interests.

     (f) A multichannel video programming distributor shall analyze its recruitment program on an ongoing basis
         to ensure that it is effective in achieving broad outreach, and address any problems found as a result of
         its analysis.

     (g) Analyze on an ongoing basis its efforts to recruit, hire, promote and use services without discrimination
         on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, age, or sex and explain any difficulties encountered in
         implementing its equal employment opportunity program. For example, this requirement may be met by:

           (1) Where union agreements exist, cooperating with the union or unions in the development of programs
               to ensure all persons equal opportunity for employment, and including an effective
               nondiscrimination clause in new or renegotiated union agreements;

           (2) Reviewing seniority practices to ensure that such practices are nondiscriminatory;

           (3) Examining rates of pay and fringe benefits for employees having the same duties, and eliminating
               any inequities based upon race, national origin, color, religion, age, or sex discrimination;

           (4) Evaluating the recruitment program to ensure that it is effective in achieving a broad outreach to
               potential applicants.

           (5) Utilizing media for recruitment purposes in a manner that will contain no indication, either explicit or
               implicit, of a preference for one race, national origin, color, religion, age, or sex over another; and

           (6) Avoiding the use of selection techniques or tests that have the effect of discriminating against
               qualified minority groups or women.

     (h) A full-time employee is a permanent employee whose regular work schedule is 30 hours per week or
         more.

     (i)   The provisions of paragraphs (b)(1)(ii), (b)(2), (c), and (f) of this section shall not apply to multichannel
           video programming distributor employment units that have fewer than six full-time employees.

     (j)   For the purposes of this rule, a smaller market includes metropolitan areas as defined by the Office of
           Management and Budget with a population of fewer than 250,000 persons and areas outside of all
           metropolitan areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget.

[50 FR 40855, Oct. 7, 1985, as amended at 65 FR 7457, Feb. 15, 2000; 68 FR 691, Jan. 7, 2003]

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.77
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.77 Reporting requirements and enforcement.
     (a) EEO program annual reports. Information concerning a unit's compliance with the EEO recruitment
         requirements shall be filed by each employment unit with six or more full-time employees on FCC Form
         396–C on or before September 30 of each year. If a multichannel video programming distributor acquires
         a unit during the twelve months covered by the EEO program annual report, the recruitment activity in the
         report shall cover the period starting with the date the entity acquired the unit.

     (b) Certification of Compliance. The Commission will use the recruitment information submitted on a unit's
         EEO program annual report to determine whether the unit is in compliance with the provisions of this
         subpart. Units found to be in compliance with these rules will receive a Certificate of Compliance. Units
         found not to be in compliance will receive notice that they are not certified for a given year.

     (c) Investigations. The Commission will investigate each unit at least once every five years. Employment units
         are required to submit supplemental investigation information with their regular EEO program annual
         reports in the years they are investigated. If an entity acquires a unit during the period covered by the
         supplemental investigation, the information submitted by the unit as part of the investigation shall cover
         the period starting with the date the operator acquired the unit. The supplemental investigation
         information shall include a copy of the unit's EEO public file report for the preceding year.

     (d) Records and inquiries. Employment units subject to this subpart shall maintain records of their
         recruitment activity in accordance with § 76.75 to demonstrate whether they are in compliance with the
         EEO rules. Units shall ensure that they maintain records sufficient to verify the accuracy of information
         provided in their EEO program annual reports and the supplemental investigation responses required by §
         76.1702 to be kept in a unit's public file. To determine compliance with the EEO rules, the Commission
         may conduct inquiries of employment units at random or if the Commission has evidence of a possible
         violation of the EEO rules. Upon request, employment units shall make records available to the
         Commission for its review.

     (e) Public complaints. The public may file complaints based on EEO program annual reports, supplemental
         investigation information, or the contents of a unit's public file.

     (f) Sanctions and remedies. The Commission may issue appropriate sanctions and remedies for any violation
         of the EEO rules.

[68 FR 692, Jan. 7, 2003]

§ 76.79 Records available for public inspection.
A copy of every annual employment report, and any other employment report filed with the Commission, and
complaint report that has been filed with the Commission, and copies of all exhibits, letters, and other documents
filed as part thereof, all amendments thereto, all correspondence between the cable entity and the Commission
pertaining to the reports after they have been filed in all documents incorporated therein by reference, unless
specifically exempted from the requirement, are open for public inspection at the offices of the Commission in
Washington, DC.

           Note to § 76.59: Cable operators must also comply with the public file requirements § 76.1702.

[65 FR 7459, Feb. 15, 2000]

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.92
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

Subpart F—Network Non-duplication Protection, Syndicated Exclusivity and Sports Blackout

Source: 65 FR 68101, Nov. 14, 2000, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.92 Cable network non-duplication; extent of protection.
     (a) Upon receiving notification pursuant to § 76.94, a cable community unit located in whole or in part within
         the geographic zone for a network program, the network non-duplication rights to which are held by a
         commercial television station licensed by the Commission, shall not carry that program as broadcast by
         any other television signal, except as otherwise provided below.

     (b) For purposes of this section, the order of nonduplication priority of television signals carried by a
         community unit is as follows:

          (1) First, all television broadcast stations within whose specified zone the community of the community
              unit is located, in whole or in part;

          (2) Second, all smaller market television broadcast stations within whose secondary zone the
              community of the community unit is located, in whole or in part.

     (c) For purposes of this section, all noncommercial educational television broadcast stations licensed to a
         community located in whole or in part within a major television market as specified in § 76.51 shall be
         treated in the same manner as a major market commercial television broadcast station, and all
         noncommercial educational television broadcast stations not licensed to a community located in whole
         or in part within a major television market shall be treated in the same manner as a smaller market
         television broadcast station.

     (d) Any community unit operating in a community to which a 100-watt or higher power translator is located
         within the predicted Grade B signal contour of the television broadcast station that the translator station
         retransmits, and which translator is carried by the community unit shall, upon request of such translator
         station licensee or permittee, delete the duplicating network programming of any television broadcast
         station whose reference point (See § 76.53) is more than 88.5 km (55 miles) from the community of the
         community unit.

     (e) Any community unit which operates in a community located in whole or in part within the secondary zone
         of a smaller market television broadcast station is not required to delete the duplicating network
         programming of any major market television broadcast station whose reference point (See § 76.53) is
         also within 88.5 km (55 miles) of the community of the community unit.

     (f) A community unit is not required to delete the duplicating network programming of any television
         broadcast station which is significantly viewed in the cable television community pursuant to § 76.54.

     (g) A community unit is not required to delete the duplicating network programming of any qualified NCE
         television broadcast station that is carried in fulfillment of the cable television system's mandatory signal
         carriage obligations, pursuant to § 76.56.

           Note: With respect to network programming, the geographic zone within which the television
           station is entitled to enforce network non-duplication protection and priority of shall be that
           geographic area agreed upon between the network and the television station. In no event shall

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.93
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           such rights exceed the area within which the television station may acquire broadcast territorial
           exclusivity rights as defined in § 73.658(m) of this Chapter, except that small market television
           stations shall be entitled to a secondary protection zone of 32.2 additional kilometers (20
           additional miles). To the extent rights are obtained for any hyphenated market named in § 76.51,
           such rights shall not exceed those permitted under § 73.658(m) of this Chapter for each named
           community in that market.

§ 76.93 Parties entitled to network non-duplication protection.
Television broadcast station licensees shall be entitled to exercise non-duplication rights pursuant to § 76.92 in
accordance with the contractual provisions of the network-affiliate agreement.

§ 76.94 Notification.
     (a) In order to exercise non-duplication rights pursuant to § 76.92, television stations shall notify each cable
         television system operator of the non-duplication sought in accordance with the requirements of this
         section. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this section, non-duplication protection notices
         shall include the following information:

          (1) The name and address of the party requesting non-duplication protection and the television
              broadcast station holding the non-duplication right;

          (2) The name of the program or series (including specific episodes where necessary) for which
              protection is sought; and

          (3) The dates on which protection is to begin and end.

     (b) Broadcasters entering into contracts providing for network non-duplication protection shall notify affected
         cable systems within 60 calendar days of the signing of such a contract. In the event the broadcaster is
         unable based on the information contained in the contract, to furnish all the information required by
         paragraph (a) of this section at that time, the broadcaster must provide modified notices that contain the
         following information:

          (1) The name of the network (or networks) which has (or have) extended non-duplication protection to
              the broadcaster;

          (2) The time periods by time of day (local time) and by network (if more than one) for each day of the
              week that the broadcaster will be broadcasting programs from that network (or networks) and for
              which non-duplication protection is requested; and

          (3) The duration and extent (e.g., simultaneous, same-day, seven-day, etc.) of the non-duplication
              protection which has been agreed upon by the network (or networks) and the broadcaster.

     (c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d) of this section, a broadcaster shall be entitled to non-
         duplication protection beginning on the later of:

          (1) The date specified in its notice (as described in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, whichever is
              applicable) to the cable television system; or

          (2) The first day of the calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that begins 60 days after the cable
              television system receives notice from the broadcaster.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.94(d)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (d) A broadcaster shall provide the following information to the cable television system under the following
         circumstances:

          (1) In the event the protection specified in the notices described in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section
              has been limited or ended prior to the time specified in the notice, or in the event a time period, as
              identified to the cable system in a notice pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, for which a
              broadcaster has obtained protection is shifted to another time of day or another day (but not
              expanded), the broadcaster shall, as soon as possible, inform each cable television system operator
              that has previously received the notice of all changes from the original notice. Notice to be furnished
              “as soon as possible” under this paragraph shall be furnished by telephone, telegraph, facsimile,
              overnight mail or other similar expedient means.

          (2) In the event the protection specified in the modified notices described in paragraph (b) of this section
              has been expanded, the broadcaster shall, at least 60 calendar days prior to broadcast of a protected
              program entitled to such expanded protection, notify each cable system operator that has previously
              received notice of all changes from the original notice.

     (e) In determining which programs must be deleted from a television signal, a cable television system
         operator may rely on information from any of the following sources published or otherwise made
         available:

          (1) Newspapers or magazines of general circulation.

          (2) A television station whose programs may be subject to deletion. If a cable television system asks a
              television station for information about its program schedule, the television station shall answer the
              request:

                (i)   Within ten business days following the television station's receipt of the request; or

                (ii) Sixty days before the program or programs mentioned in the request for information will be
                     broadcast; whichever comes later.

          (3) The broadcaster requesting exclusivity.

     (f) A broadcaster exercising exclusivity pursuant to § 76.92 shall provide to the cable system, upon request,
         an exact copy of those portions of the contracts, such portions to be signed by both the network and the
         broadcaster, setting forth in full the provisions pertinent to the duration, nature, and extent of the non-
         duplication terms concerning broadcast signal exhibition to which the parties have agreed.

§ 76.95 Exceptions.
     (a) The provisions of §§ 76.92 through 76.94 shall not apply to a cable system serving fewer than 1,000
         subscribers. Within 60 days following the provision of service to 1,000 subscribers, the operator of each
         such system shall file a notice to that effect with the Commission, and serve a copy of that notice on
         every television station that would be entitled to exercise network non-duplication protection against it.

     (b) Network non-duplication protection need not be extended to a higher priority station for one hour
         following the scheduled time of completion of the broadcast of a live sports event by that station or by a
         lower priority station against which a cable community unit would otherwise be required to provide non-
         duplication protection following the scheduled time of completion.

47 CFR 76.95(b) (enhanced display)                                                                             page 83 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                             47 CFR 76.101
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.101 Cable syndicated program exclusivity: extent of protection.
Upon receiving notification pursuant to § 76.105, a cable community unit located in whole or in part within the
geographic zone for a syndicated program, the syndicated exclusivity rights to which are held by a commercial
television station licensed by the Commission, shall not carry that program as broadcast by any other television
signal, except as otherwise provided below.

           Note: With respect to each syndicated program, the geographic zone within which the television
           station is entitled to enforce syndicated exclusivity rights shall be that geographic area agreed
           upon between the non-network program supplier, producer or distributor and the television station.
           In no event shall such zone exceed the area within which the television station has acquired
           broadcast territorial exclusivity rights as defined in § 73.658(m) of this Chapter. To the extent
           rights are obtained for any hyphenated market named in § 76.51, such rights shall not exceed
           those permitted under § 73.658(m) of this Chapter for each named community in that market.

§ 76.103 Parties entitled to syndicated exclusivity.
     (a) Television broadcast station licensees shall be entitled to exercise exclusivity rights pursuant to § 76.101
         in accordance with the contractual provisions of their syndicated program license agreements, consistent
         with § 76.109.

     (b) Distributors of syndicated programming shall be entitled to exercise exclusive rights pursuant to § 76.101
         for a period of one year from the initial broadcast syndication licensing of such programming anywhere in
         the United States; provided, however, that distributors shall not be entitled to exercise such rights in areas
         in which the programming has already been licensed.

§ 76.105 Notification.
     (a) In order to exercise exclusivity rights pursuant to § 76.101, distributors or television stations shall notify
         each cable television system operator of the exclusivity sought in accordance with the requirements of
         this section. Syndicated program exclusivity notices shall include the following information:

          (1) The name and address of the party requesting exclusivity and the television broadcast station or
              other party holding the exclusive right;

          (2) The name of the program or series (including specific episodes where necessary) for which
              exclusivity is sought;

          (3) The dates on which exclusivity is to begin and end.

     (b) : Broadcasters entering into contracts which contain syndicated exclusivity protection shall notify affected
         cable systems within sixty calendar days of the signing of such a contract. A broadcaster shall be entitled
         to exclusivity protection beginning on the later of:

          (1) The date specified in its notice to the cable television system; or

          (2) The first day of the calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that begins 60 days after the cable
              television system receives notice from the broadcaster;

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                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.105(c)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (c) In determining which programs must be deleted from a television broadcast signal, a cable television
         system operator may rely on information from any of the following sources published or otherwise made
         available.

           (1) Newspapers or magazines of general circulation;

           (2) A television station whose programs may be subject to deletion. If a cable television system asks a
               television station for information about its program schedule, the television station shall answer the
               request:

                 (i)   Within ten business days following the television station's receipt of the request; or

                (ii) Sixty days before the program or programs mentioned in the request for information will be
                     broadcast; whichever comes later.

           (3) The distributor or television station requesting exclusivity.

     (d) In the event the exclusivity specified in paragraph (a) of this section has been limited or has ended prior to
         the time specified in the notice, the distributor or broadcaster who has supplied the original notice shall,
         as soon as possible, inform each cable television system operator that has previously received the notice
         of all changes from the original notice. In the event the original notice specified contingent dates on which
         exclusivity is to begin and/or end, the distributor or broadcaster shall, as soon as possible, notify the cable
         television system operator of the occurrence of the relevant contingency. Notice to be furnished “as soon
         as possible” under this paragraph shall be furnished by telephone, telegraph, facsimile, overnight mail or
         other similar expedient means.

[65 FR 68101, Nov. 14, 2000, as amended at 83 FR 7627, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.106 Exceptions.
     (a) Notwithstanding the requirements of §§ 76.101 through 76.105, a broadcast signal is not required to be
         deleted from a cable community unit when that cable community unit falls, in whole or in part, within that
         signal's grade B contour, or when the signal is significantly viewed pursuant to § 76.54 in the cable
         community.

     (b) The provisions of §§ 76.101 through 76.105 shall not apply to a cable system serving fewer than 1,000
         subscribers. Within 60 days following the provision of service to 1,000 subscribers, the operator of each
         such system shall file a notice to that effect with the Commission, and serve a copy of that notice on
         every television station that would be entitled to exercise syndicated exclusivity protection against it.

§ 76.107 Exclusivity contracts.
A distributor or television station exercising exclusivity pursuant to § 76.101 shall provide to the cable system, upon
request, an exact copy of those portions of the exclusivity contracts, such portions to be signed by both the
distributor and the television station, setting forth in full the provisions pertinent to the duration, nature, and extent
of the exclusivity terms concerning broadcast signal exhibition to which the parties have agreed.

§ 76.108 Indemnification contracts.
No licensee shall enter into any contract to indemnify a cable system for liability resulting from failure to delete
programming in accordance with the provisions of this subpart unless the licensee has a reasonable basis for
concluding that such program deletion is not required by this subpart.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                47 CFR 76.109
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.109 Requirements for invocation of protection.
For a station licensee to be eligible to invoke the provisions of § 76.101, it must have a contract or other written
indicia that it holds syndicated exclusivity rights for the exhibition of the program in question. Contracts entered on
or after August 18, 1988, must contain the following words: “the licensee [or substitute name] shall, by the terms of
this contract, be entitled to invoke the protection against duplication of programming imported under the
Compulsory Copyright License, as provided in § 76.101 of the FCC rules [or ‘as provided in the FCC's syndicated
exclusivity rules’].” Contracts entered into prior to August 18, 1988, must contain either the foregoing language or a
clear and specific reference to the licensee's authority to exercise exclusivity rights as to the specific programming
against cable television broadcast signal carriage by the cable system in question upon the contingency that the
government reimposed syndicated exclusivity protection. In the absence of such a specific reference in contracts
entered into prior to August 18, 1988, the provisions of these rules may be invoked only if the contract is amended
to include the specific language referenced in this section or a specific written acknowledgment is obtained from
the party from whom the broadcast exhibition rights were obtained that the existing contract was intended, or
should now be construed by agreement of the parties, to include such rights. A general acknowledgment by a
supplier of exhibition rights that specific contract language was intended to convey rights under these rules will be
accepted with respect to all contracts containing that specific language. Nothing in this section shall be construed
as a grant of exclusive rights to a broadcaster where such rights are not agreed to by the parties.

§ 76.110 Substitutions.
Whenever, pursuant to the requirements of the syndicated exclusivity rules, a community unit is required to delete a
television program on a broadcast signal that is permitted to be carried under the Commission's rules, such
community unit may, consistent with these rules, substitute a program from any other television broadcast station.
Programs substituted pursuant to this section may be carried to their completion.

[65 FR 68101, Nov. 14, 2000, as amended at 79 FR 63562, Oct. 24, 2014]

§ 76.120 Network non-duplication protection and syndicated exclusivity rules for satellite
carriers: Definitions.
For purposes of §§ 76.122–76.130, the following definitions apply:

     (a) Satellite carrier. The term “satellite carrier” means an entity that uses the facilities of a satellite or satellite
         service licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and operates in the Fixed-Satellite Service
         under part 25 of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations or the Direct Broadcast Satellite Service under
         part 100 of title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, to establish and operate a channel of
         communications for point-to-multipoint distribution of television station signals, and that owns or leases
         a capacity or service on a satellite in order to provide such point-to-multipoint distribution, except to the
         extent that such entity provides such distribution pursuant to tariff under the Communications Act of
         1934, other than for private home viewing.

     (b) Nationally distributed superstation. The term “nationally distributed superstation” means a television
         broadcast station, licensed by the Commission, that—

           (1) Is not owned or operated by or affiliated with a television network that, as of January 1, 1995, offered
               interconnected program service on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to at least 25
               affiliated television licensees in 10 or more States;

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           (2) On May 1, 1991, was retransmitted by a satellite carrier and was not a network station at that time;
               and

           (3) Was, as of July 1, 1998, retransmitted by a satellite carrier under the statutory license of Section 119
               of title 17, United States Code.

     (c) Television network. The term “television network” means a television network in the United States which
         offers an interconnected program service on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to at least 25
         affiliated broadcast stations in 10 or more States.

     (d) Network station. The term “network station” means—

           (1) A television broadcast station, including any translator station or terrestrial satellite station that
               rebroadcasts all or substantially all of the programming broadcast by a network station, that is
               owned or operated by, or affiliated with, one or more of the television networks in the United States
               which offer an interconnected program service on a regular basis for 15 or more hours per week to
               at least 25 of its affiliated television licensees in 10 or more States; or

           (2) A noncommercial educational broadcast station (as defined in Section 397 of the Communications
               Act of 1934); except that the term does not include the signal of the Alaska Rural Communications
               Service, or any successor entity to that service.

     (e) Zone of protection. The term “zone of protection” means—

           (1) With respect to network non-duplication, the zone of protection within which the television station is
               entitled to enforce network non-duplication protection shall be that geographic area agreed upon
               between the network and the television station. In no event shall such rights exceed the area within
               which the television station may acquire broadcast territorial exclusivity rights as defined in §
               73.658(m) of this Chapter, except that small market television stations shall be entitled to a
               secondary protection zone of 32.2 additional kilometers (20 additional miles). To the extent rights
               are obtained for any hyphenated market named in § 76.51, such rights shall not exceed those
               permitted under § 73.658(m) of this Chapter for each named community in that market.

           (2) With respect to each syndicated program, the zone of protection within which the television station is
               entitled to enforce syndicated exclusivity rights shall be that geographic area agreed upon between
               the non-network program supplier, producer or distributor and the television station. In no event shall
               such zone exceed the area within which the television station has acquired broadcast territorial
               exclusivity rights as defined in § 73.658(m) of this Chapter. To the extent rights are obtained for any
               hyphenated market named in § 76.51, such rights shall not exceed those permitted under §
               73.658(m) of this chapter for each named community in that market.

[65 FR 68101, Nov. 14, 2000, as amended at 79 FR 63562, Oct. 24, 2014]

§ 76.122 Satellite network non-duplication.
     (a) Upon receiving notification pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, a satellite carrier shall not deliver, to
         subscribers within zip code areas located in whole or in part within the zone of protection of a
         commercial television station licensed by the Commission, a program carried on a nationally distributed
         superstation or on a station carried pursuant to § 76.54 of this chapter when the network non-duplication
         rights to such program are held by the commercial television station providing notice, except as provided
         in paragraphs (j), (k) or (l) of this section.

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                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.122(b)
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     (b) Television broadcast station licensees shall be entitled to exercise non-duplication rights pursuant to §
         76.122 in accordance with the contractual provisions of the network-affiliate agreement, and as provided
         in § 76.124.

     (c) In order to exercise non-duplication rights pursuant to § 76.122, television stations shall notify each
         satellite carrier of the non-duplication sought in accordance with the requirements of this section. Non-
         duplication protection notices shall include the following information:

           (1) The name and address of the party requesting non-duplication protection and the television
               broadcast station holding the non-duplication right;

           (2) Where the agreement between network and affiliate so identifies, the name of the program or series
               (including specific episodes where necessary) for which protection is sought;

           (3) The dates on which protection is to begin and end;

           (4) The name of the network (or networks) which has (or have) extended non-duplication protection to
               the broadcaster;

           (5) The time periods by time of day (local time) and by network (if more than one) for each day of the
               week that the broadcaster will be broadcasting programs from that network (or networks) and for
               which non-duplication protection is requested;

           (6) The duration and extent (e.g., simultaneous, same-day, seven-day, etc.) of the non-duplication
               protection which has been agreed upon by the network (or networks) and the broadcaster; and

           (7) A list of the U.S. postal zip code(s) that encompass the zone of protection under these rules.

     (d) Broadcasters entering into contracts providing for network non-duplication protection shall notify affected
         satellite carriers within 60 calendar days of the signing of such a contract; provided, however, that for
         such contracts signed before November 29, 2000, the broadcaster may provide notice on or before
         January 31, 2001, or with respect to pre-November 29, 2000 contracts that require amendment in order to
         invoke the provisions of these rules, notification may be given within sixty calendar days of the signing of
         such amendment.

     (e) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a broadcaster shall be entitled to non-duplication protection
         beginning on the later of:

           (1) The date specified in its notice to the satellite carrier; or

           (2) The first day of the calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that begins 60 days after the satellite
               carrier receives notice from the broadcaster; Provided, however, that with respect to notifications
               given pursuant to this section prior to June 1, 2001, a satellite carrier is not required to provide non-
               duplication protection until 120 days after the satellite carrier receives such notification.

     (f) A broadcaster shall provide the following information to the satellite carrier under the following
         circumstances:

           (1) In the event the protection specified in the notices described in paragraph (c) of this section has
               been limited or ended prior to the time specified in the notice, or in the event a time period, as
               identified to the satellite carrier in a notice pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, for which a
               broadcaster has obtained protection is shifted to another time of day or another day (but not
               expanded), the broadcaster shall, as soon as possible, inform each satellite carrier that has

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.122(f)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                previously received the notice of all changes from the original notice. Notice to be furnished “as soon
                as possible” under this paragraph shall be furnished by telephone, telegraph, facsimile, e-mail,
                overnight mail or other similar expedient means.

           (2) In the event the protection specified in the notices described in paragraph (c) of this section has
               been expanded, the broadcaster shall, at least 60 calendar days prior to broadcast of a protected
               program entitled to such expanded protection, notify each satellite carrier that has previously
               received notice of all changes from the original notice.

     (g) In determining which programs must be deleted from a television signal, a satellite carrier may rely on
         information from newspapers or magazines of general circulation, the broadcaster requesting exclusivity
         protection, or the nationally distributed superstation.

     (h) If a satellite carrier asks a nationally distributed superstation for information about its program schedule,
         the nationally distributed superstation shall answer the request:

     (i)   Within ten business days following its receipt of the request; or

           (ii) Sixty days before the program or programs mentioned in the request for information will be broadcast,
           whichever comes later.

     (i)   A broadcaster exercising exclusivity pursuant to this section shall provide to the satellite carrier, upon
           request, an exact copy of those portions of the contracts, such portions to be signed by both the network
           and the broadcaster, setting forth in full the provisions pertinent to the duration, nature, and extent of the
           non-duplication terms concerning broadcast signal exhibition to which the parties have agreed.

     (j)   A satellite carrier is not required to delete the duplicating programming of any nationally distributed
           superstation that is carried by the satellite carrier as a local station pursuant to § 76.66 of this chapter or
           as a significantly viewed station pursuant to § 76.54 of this chapter

           (1) Within the station's local market;

           (2) If the station is “significantly viewed,” pursuant to § 76.54 of this chapter, in zip code areas included
               within the zone of protection unless a waiver of the significantly viewed exception is granted
               pursuant to § 76.7 of this chapter; or

           (3) If the zone of protection falls, in whole or in part, within that signal's grade B contour or noise limited
               service contour.

     (k) A satellite carrier is not required to delete the duplicating programming of any nationally distributed
         superstation from an individual subscriber who is located outside the zone of protection, notwithstanding
         that the subscriber lives within a zip code provided by the broadcaster pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
         section.

     (l)   A satellite carrier is not required to delete programming if it has fewer than 1,000 subscribers within the
           relevant protected zone who subscribe to the nationally distributed superstation carrying the
           programming for which deletion is requested pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.

[65 FR 68101, Nov. 14, 2000, as amended at 67 FR 68951, Nov. 14, 2002; 70 FR 76530, Dec. 27, 2005]

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                                                                                                             47 CFR 76.123
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.123 Satellite syndicated program exclusivity.
     (a) Upon receiving notification pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, a satellite carrier shall not deliver, to
         subscribers located within zip code areas in whole or in part within the zone of protection of a
         commercial television station licensed by the Commission, a program carried on a nationally distributed
         superstation or on a station carried pursuant to § 76.54 of this chapter when the syndicated program
         exclusivity rights to such program are held by the commercial television station providing notice, except
         as provided in paragraphs (k), (l) and (m) of this section.

     (b) Television broadcast station licensees shall be entitled to exercise exclusivity rights pursuant to this
         Section in accordance with the contractual provisions of their syndicated program license agreements,
         consistent with § 76.124.

     (c) Distributors of syndicated programming shall be entitled to exercise exclusive rights pursuant to this
         Section for a period of one year from the initial broadcast syndication licensing of such programming
         anywhere in the United States; provided, however, that distributors shall not be entitled to exercise such
         rights in areas in which the programming has already been licensed.

     (d) In order to exercise exclusivity rights pursuant to this Section, distributors of syndicated programming or
         television broadcast stations shall notify each satellite carrier of the exclusivity sought in accordance with
         the requirements of this paragraph. Syndicated program exclusivity notices shall include the following
         information:

           (1) The name and address of the party requesting exclusivity and the television broadcast station or
               other party holding the exclusive right;

           (2) The name of the program or series (including specific episodes where necessary) for which
               exclusivity is sought;

           (3) The dates on which exclusivity is to begin and end; and

           (4) A list of the U.S. postal zip code(s) that encompass the zone of protection under these rules.

     (e) A distributor or television station exercising exclusivity pursuant to this Section shall provide to the
         satellite carrier, upon request, an exact copy of those portions of the exclusivity contracts, such portions
         to be signed by both the distributor and the television station, setting forth in full the provisions pertinent
         to the duration, nature, and extent of the exclusivity terms concerning broadcast signal exhibition to which
         the parties have agreed.

     (f) Television broadcast stations or distributors entering into contracts on or after November 29, 2000, which
         contain syndicated exclusivity protection with respect to satellite retransmission of programming, shall
         notify affected satellite carriers within sixty calendar days of the signing of such a contract. Television
         broadcast stations or distributors who have entered into contracts prior to November 29, 2000, and who
         comply with the requirements specified in § 76.124 shall notify affected satellite carriers on or before
         January 31, 2001; provided, however, that with respect to pre-November 29, 2000 contracts that require
         amendment in order to invoke the provisions of these rules, notification may be given within sixty calendar
         days of the signing of such amendment.

     (g) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a television broadcast station shall be entitled to exclusivity
         protection beginning on the later of:

           (1) The date specified in its notice to the satellite carrier; or

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           (2) The first day of the calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that begins 60 days after the satellite
               carrier receives notice from the broadcaster.

                Provided, however, that with respect to notifications given pursuant to this section prior to June 1,
                2001, a satellite carrier is not required to provide syndicated exclusivity protection until 120 days
                after the satellite carrier receives such notification.

     (h) In determining which programs must be deleted from a television broadcast signal, a satellite carrier may
         rely on information from the distributor or television broadcast station requesting exclusivity; newspapers
         or magazines of general circulation; or the nationally distributed superstation whose programs may be
         subject to deletion.

     (i)   If a satellite carrier asks a nationally distributed superstation for information about its program schedule,
           the nationally distributed superstation shall answer the request:

           (1) Within ten business days following the its receipt of the request; or

           (2) Sixty days before the program or programs mentioned in the request for information will be
               broadcast; whichever comes later.

     (j)   In the event the exclusivity specified in paragraph (a) of this section has been limited or has ended prior to
           the time specified in the notice, the distributor or broadcaster who has supplied the original notice shall,
           as soon as possible, inform each satellite carrier that has previously received the notice of all changes
           from the original notice. In the event the original notice specified contingent dates on which exclusivity is
           to begin and/or end, the distributor or broadcaster shall, as soon as possible, notify the satellite carrier of
           the occurrence of the relevant contingency. Notice to be furnished “as soon as possible” under this
           Subsection shall be furnished by telephone, telegraph, facsimile, e-mail, overnight mail or other similar
           expedient means.

     (k) A satellite carrier is not required to delete the programming of any nationally distributed superstation that
         is carried by the satellite carrier as a local station pursuant to § 76.66 of this chapter or as a significantly
         viewed station pursuant to § 76.54 of this chapter:

           (1) Within the station's local market;

           (2) If the station is “significantly viewed,” pursuant to § 76.54 of this chapter, in zip code areas included
               within the zone of protection unless a waiver of the significantly viewed exception is granted
               pursuant to § 76.7 of this chapter; or

           (3) If the zone of protection falls, in whole or in part, within that signal's grade B contour or noise limited
               service contour.

     (l)   A satellite carrier is not required to delete the duplicating programming of any nationally distributed
           superstation from an individual subscriber who is located outside the zone of protection, notwithstanding
           that the subscriber lives within a zip code provided by the broadcaster pursuant to paragraph (d) of this
           section.

    (m) A satellite carrier is not required to delete programming if it has fewer than 1,000 subscribers within the
        relevant protected zone who subscribe to the nationally distributed superstation carrying the
        programming for which deletion is requested pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section.

[65 FR 68101, Nov. 14, 2000, as amended at 70 FR 76530, Dec. 27, 2005]

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                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.124
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.124 Requirements for invocation of protection.
For a television broadcast station licensee or distributor of syndicated programming to be eligible to invoke the
provisions of § 76.122 or § 76.123 of this subpart, it must have a contract or other written indicia that it holds
network program non-duplication or syndicated exclusivity rights for the exhibition of the program in question.
Contracts entered on or after November 29, 2000, must contain the following words: “the licensee [or substitute
name] shall, by the terms of this contract, be entitled to invoke the protection against duplication of programming
imported under the Statutory Copyright License, as provided in § 76.122 or § 76.123 of the FCC rules [or 'as
provided in the FCC's satellite network non-duplication or syndicated exclusivity rules'].” Contracts entered into prior
to November 29, 2000, must contain the foregoing language plus a clear and specific reference to the licensee's
authority to exercise exclusivity rights as to the specific programming against signal carriage by the satellite carrier
in question, or by satellite carriage in general in a protected, geographic or specified zone. In the absence of such a
specific reference in contracts entered into prior to November 29, 2000, the provisions of these rules may be
invoked only if the contract is amended to include the specific language referenced in this section or a specific
written acknowledgment is obtained from the party from whom the broadcast exhibition rights were obtained that
the existing contract was intended, or should now be construed by agreement of the parties, to include such rights.
A general acknowledgment by a supplier of exhibition rights that specific contract language was intended to convey
rights under these rules will be accepted with respect to all contracts containing that specific language. Nothing in
this section shall be construed as a grant of exclusive rights to a broadcaster where such rights are not agreed to by
the parties.

§ 76.125 Indemnification contracts.
No television broadcast station licensee shall enter into any contract to indemnify a satellite carrier for liability
resulting from failure to delete programming in accordance with the provisions of this subpart unless the licensee
has a reasonable basis for concluding that such program deletion is not required by this Subpart.

§ 76.130 Substitutions.
Whenever, pursuant to the requirements of the network program non-duplication or syndicated program exclusivity
rules, a satellite carrier is required to delete a television program from retransmission to satellite subscribers within
a zip code area, such satellite carrier may, consistent with this subpart, substitute a program from any other
television broadcast station for which the satellite carrier has obtained the necessary legal rights and permissions,
including but not limited to copyright and retransmission consent. Programs substituted pursuant to this section
may be carried to their completion.

[65 FR 68101, Nov. 14, 2000, as amended at 79 FR 63562, Oct. 24, 2014]

Subpart G—Cablecasting
§ 76.205 Origination cablecasts by legally qualified candidates for public office; equal
opportunities.
     (a) General requirements. No cable television system is required to permit the use of its facilities by any
         legally qualified candidate for public office, but if any system shall permit any such candidate to use its
         facilities, it shall afford equal opportunities to all other candidates for that office to use such facilities.
         Such system shall have no power of censorship over the material broadcast by any such candidate.
         Appearance by a legally qualified candidate on any:

           (1) Bona fide newscast;
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           (2) Bona fide news interview;

           (3) Bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is incidental to the presentation of
               the subject or subjects covered by the news documentary); or

           (4) On-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events (including, but not limited to political conventions
               and activities incidental thereto) shall not be deemed to be use of a system. (section 315(a) of the
               Communications Act.)

     (b) Uses. As used in this section and § 76.206, the term “use” means a candidate appearance (including by
         voice or picture) that is not exempt under paragraphs 76.205 (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section.

     (c) Timing of request. A request for equal opportunities must be submitted to the system within 1 week of the
         day on which the first prior use giving rise to the right of equal opportunities occurred: Provided, however,
         That where the person was not a candidate at the time of such first prior use, he or she shall submit his or
         her request within 1 week of the first subsequent use after he or she has become a legally qualified
         candidate for the office in question.

     (d) Burden of proof. A candidate requesting equal opportunities of the system or complaining of
         noncompliance to the Commission shall have the burden of proving that he or she and his or her
         opponent are legally qualified candidates for the same public office.

     (e) Discrimination between candidates. In making time available to candidates for public office, no system
         shall make any discrimination between candidates in practices, regulations, facilities, or services for or in
         connection with the service rendered pursuant to this part, or make or give any preference to any
         candidate for public office or subject any such candidate to any prejudice or disadvantage; nor shall any
         system make any contract or other agreement which shall have the effect of permitting any legally
         qualified candidate for any public office to cablecast to the exclusion of other legally qualified candidates
         for the same public office.

[57 FR 210, Jan. 3, 1992, as amended at 59 FR 14568, Mar. 29, 1994]

§ 76.206 Candidate rates.
     (a) Charges for use of cable television systems. The charges, if any, made for the use of any system by any
         person who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office in connection with his or her campaign for
         nomination for election, or election, to such office shall not exceed:

           (1) During the 45 days preceding the date of a primary or primary runoff election and during the 60 days
               preceding the date of a general or special election in which such person is a candidate, the lowest
               unit charge of the system for the same class and amount of time for the same period.

                 (i)   A candidate shall be charged no more per unit than the system charges its most favored
                       commercial advertisers for the same classes and amounts of time for the same periods. Any
                       system practices offered to commercial advertisers that enhance the value of advertising spots
                       must be disclosed and made available to candidates upon equal terms. Such practices include
                       but are not limited to any discount privileges that affect the value of advertising, such as bonus
                       spots, time-sensitive make goods, preemption priorities, or any other factors that enhance the
                       value of the announcement.

                (ii) The Commission recognizes non-preemptible, preemptible with notice, immediately preemptible
                     and run-of-schedule as distinct classes of time.

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                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.206(a)(1)(iii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (iii) Systems may establish and define their own reasonable classes of immediately preemptible
                      time so long as the differences between such classes are based on one or more demonstrable
                      benefits associated with each class and are not based solely upon price or identity of the
                      advertiser. Such demonstrable benefits include, but are not limited to, varying levels of
                      preemption protection, scheduling flexibility, or associated privileges, such as guaranteed time-
                      sensitive make goods. Systems may not use class distinctions to defeat the purpose of the
                      lowest unit charge requirement. All classes must be fully disclosed and made available to
                      candidates.

                (iv) Systems may establish reasonable classes of preemptible with notice time so long as they
                     clearly define all such classes, fully disclose them and make them available to candidates.

                (v) Systems may treat non-preemptible and fixed position as distinct classes of time provided that
                    systems articulate clearly the differences between such classes, fully disclose them, and make
                    them available to candidates.

                (vi) Systems shall not establish a separate, premium-priced class of time sold only to candidates.
                     Systems may sell higher-priced non-preemptible or fixed time to candidates if such a class of
                     time is made available on a bona fide basis to both candidates and commercial advertisers, and
                     provided such class is not functionally equivalent to any lower-priced class of time sold to
                     commercial advertisers.

                (vii) [Reserved]

               (viii) Lowest unit charge may be calculated on a weekly basis with respect to time that is sold on a
                      weekly basis, such as rotations through particular programs or dayparts. Systems electing to
                      calculate the lowest unit charge by such a method must include in that calculation all rates for
                      all announcements scheduled in the rotation, including announcements aired under long-term
                      advertising contracts. Systems may implement rate increases during election periods only to
                      the extent that such increases constitute “ordinary business practices,” such as seasonal
                      program changes or changes in audience ratings.

                (ix) Systems shall review their advertising records periodically throughout the election period to
                     determine whether compliance with this section requires that candidates receive rebates or
                     credits. Where necessary, systems shall issue such rebates or credits promptly.

                (x) Unit rates charged as part of any package, whether individually negotiated or generally available
                    to all advertisers, must be included in the lowest unit charge calculation for the same class and
                    length of time in the same time period. A candidate cannot be required to purchase advertising
                    in every program or daypart in a package as a condition for obtaining package unit rates.

                (xi) Systems are not required to include non-cash promotional merchandising incentives in lowest
                     unit charge calculations; provided, however, that all such incentives must be offered to
                     candidates as part of any purchases permitted by the system. Bonus spots, however, must be
                     included in the calculation of the lowest unit charge calculation.

                (xii) Make goods, defined as the rescheduling of preempted advertising, shall be provided to
                      candidates prior to election day if a system has provided a time-sensitive make good during the
                      year preceding the pre-election periods, respectively set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section,
                      to any commercial advertiser who purchased time in the same class.

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               (xiii) Systems must disclose and make available to candidates any make good policies provided to
                      commercial advertisers. If a system places a make good for any commercial advertiser or other
                      candidate in a more valuable program or daypart, the value of such make good must be
                      included in the calculation of the lowest unit charge for that program or daypart.

           (2) At any time other than the respective periods set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, systems
               may charge legally qualified candidates for public office no more than the charges made for
               comparable use of the system by commercial advertisers. The rates, if any, charged all such
               candidates for the same office shall be uniform and shall not be rebated by any means, direct or
               indirect. A candidate shall be charged no more than the rate the system would charge for
               comparable commercial advertising. All discount privileges otherwise offered by a system to
               commercial advertisers must be disclosed and made available upon equal terms to all candidates
               for public office.

     (b) If a system permits a candidate to use its cablecast facilities, the system shall make all discount
         privileges offered to commercial advertisers, including the lowest unit charges for each class and length
         of time in the same time period and all corresponding discount privileges, available on equal terms to all
         candidates. This duty includes an affirmative duty to disclose to candidates information about rates,
         terms, conditions and all value-enhancing discount privileges offered to commercial advertisers, as
         provided in § 76.1611. Systems may use reasonable discretion in making the disclosure; provided,
         however, that the disclosure includes, at a minimum, the following information:

           (1) A description and definition of each class of time available to commercial advertisers sufficiently
               complete enough to allow candidates to identify and understand what specific attributes
               differentiate each class;

           (2) A description of the lowest unit charge and related privileges (such as priorities against preemption
               and make goods prior to specific deadlines) for each class of time offered to commercial
               advertisers;

           (3) A description of the system's method of selling preemptible time based upon advertiser demand,
               commonly known as the “current selling level,” with the stipulation that candidates will be able to
               purchase at these demand-generated rates in the same manner as commercial advertisers;

           (4) An approximation of the likelihood of preemption for each kind of preemptible time; and

           (5) An explanation of the system's sales practices, if any, that are based on audience delivery, with the
               stipulation that candidates will be able to purchase this kind of time, if available to commercial
               advertisers.

     (c) Once disclosure is made, systems shall negotiate in good faith to actually sell time to candidates in
         accordance with the disclosure.

[57 FR 210, Jan. 3, 1992, as amended at 57 FR 27709, June 22, 1992; 65 FR 53615, Sept. 5, 2000]

§ 76.213 Lotteries.
     (a) No cable television system operator, except as in paragraph (c), when engaged in origination cablecasting
         shall transmit or permit to be transmitted on the origination cablecasting channel or channels any
         advertisement of or information concerning any lottery, gift, enterprise, or similar scheme, offering prizes
         dependent in whole or in part upon lot or chance, or any list of prizes drawn or awarded by means of any
         such lottery, gift enterprise, or scheme, whether said list contains any part or all of such prizes.

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                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.213(b)
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     (b) The determination whether a particular program comes within the provisions of paragraph (a) of this
         section depends on the facts of each case. However, the Commission will in any event consider that a
         program comes within the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section if in connection with such program a
         prize consisting of money or thing of value is awarded to any person whose selection is dependent in
         whole or in part upon lot or chance, if as a condition of winning or competing for such prize, such winner
         or winners are required to furnish any money or thing of value or are required to have in their possession
         any product sold, manufactured, furnished, or distributed by a sponsor of a program cablecast on the
         system in question.

     (c) The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to advertisements or lists of prizes
         or information concerning:

           (1) A lottery conducted by a State acting under authority of State law which is transmitted:

                 (i)   By a cable system located in that State;

                (ii) By a cable system located in another State which conducts such a lottery; or

                (iii) By a cable system located in another State which is integrated with a cable system described in
                      paragraphs (c)(1)(i) or (c)(1)(ii) of this section, if termination of the receipt of such
                      transmission by the cable systems in such other State would be technically infeasible.

           (2) Any gaming conducted by an Indian Tribe pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. (25 U.S.C.
               2701 et seq.).

           (3) A lottery, gift enterprise or similar scheme, other than one described in paragraph (c)(1) of this
               section, that is authorized or not otherwise prohibited by the State in which it is conducted and which
               is:

                 (i)   Conducted by a not-for-profit organization or a governmental organization; or

                (ii) Conducted as a promotional activity by a commercial organization and is clearly occasional and
                     ancillary to the primary business of that organization.

     (d) For the purposes of paragraph (c) lottery means the pooling of proceeds derived from the sale of tickets
         or chances and allotting those proceeds or parts thereof by chance to one or more chance takers or ticket
         purchasers. It does not include the placing or accepting of bets or wagers on sporting events or contests.

     (e) For purposes of paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section, the term “not-for-profit organization” means any
         organization that would qualify as tax exempt under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

[37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972, as amended at 40 FR 6210, Feb. 10, 1975; 42 FR 13947, Apr. 13, 1977; 54 FR 20856, May 15, 1989; 55
FR 18888, May 7, 1990]

§ 76.225 Commercial limits in children's programs.
     (a) No cable operator shall air more than 10.5 minutes of commercial matter per hour during children's
         programming on weekends, or more than 12 minutes of commercial matter per hour on weekdays.

     (b) The display of Internet Web site addresses during program material or promotional material not counted
         as commercial time is permitted only if the Web site:

           (1) Offers a substantial amount of bona fide program-related or other noncommercial content;

           (2) Is not primarily intended for commercial purposes, including either e-commerce or advertising;

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                                                                                                             47 CFR 76.225(b)(3)
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           (3) The Web site's home page and other menu pages are clearly labeled to distinguish the
               noncommercial from the commercial sections; and

           (4) The page of the Web site to which viewers are directed by the Web site address is not used for e-
               commerce, advertising, or other commercial purposes (e.g., contains no links labeled “store” and no
               links to another page with commercial material).

     (c) If an Internet address for a Web site that does not meet the test in paragraph (b) of this section is
         displayed during a promotion in a children's program, in addition to counting against the commercial time
         limits in paragraph (a) of this section the promotion must be clearly separated from program material.

     (d)

           (1) Entities subject to commercial time limits under the Children's Television Act shall not display a Web
               site address during or adjacent to a program if, at that time, on pages that are primarily devoted to
               free noncommercial content regarding that specific program or a character appearing in that
               program:

                 (i)   Products are sold that feature a character appearing in that program; or

                 (ii) A character appearing in that program is used to actively sell products.

           (2) The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to:

                 (i)   Third-party sites linked from the companies' Web pages;

                 (ii) On-air third-party advertisements with Web site references to third-party Web sites; or

                (iii) Pages that are primarily devoted to multiple characters from multiple programs.

     (e) The requirements of this section shall not apply to programs aired on a broadcast television channel
         which the cable operator passively carries, or to access channels over which the cable operator may not
         exercise editorial control, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 531(e) and 532(c)(2).

           Note 1 to § 76.225: Commercial matter means air time sold for purposes of selling a product or
           service and promotions of television programs or video programming services other than
           children's or other age-appropriate programming appearing on the same channel or promotions for
           children's educational and informational programming on any channel.

           Note 2 to § 76.225: For purposes of this section, children's programming refers to programs
           originally produced and broadcast primarily for an audience of children 12 years old and younger.

           Note 3 to § 76.225: Section 76.1703 contains recordkeeping requirements for cable operators with
           regard to children's programming.

[56 FR 19616, Apr. 29, 1991, as amended at 65 FR 53615, Sept. 5, 2000; 70 FR 38, Jan. 3, 2005; 71 FR 64165, Nov. 1, 2006]

§ 76.227 [Reserved]

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                                                                                                             47 CFR 76.309
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

Subpart H—General Operating Requirements
§ 76.309 Customer service obligations.
     (a) A cable franchise authority may enforce the customer service standards set forth in paragraph (c) of this
         section against cable operators. The franchise authority must provide affected cable operators ninety (90)
         days written notice of its intent to enforce the standards.

     (b) Nothing in this rule should be construed to prevent or prohibit:

           (1) A franchising authority and a cable operator from agreeing to customer service requirements that
               exceed the standards set forth in paragraph (c) of this section;

           (2) A franchising authority from enforcing, through the end of the franchise term, pre-existing customer
               service requirements that exceed the standards set forth in paragraph (c) of this section and are
               contained in current franchise agreements;

           (3) Any State or any franchising authority from enacting or enforcing any consumer protection law, to the
               extent not specifically preempted herein; or

           (4) The establishment or enforcement of any State or municipal law or regulation concerning customer
               service that imposes customer service requirements that exceed, or address matters not addressed
               by the standards set forth in paragraph (c) of this section.

     (c) Cable operators are subject to the following customer service standards:

           (1) Cable system office hours and telephone availability—

                (i)   The cable operator will maintain a local, toll-free or collect call telephone access line which will
                      be available to its subscribers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

                      (A) Trained company representatives will be available to respond to customer telephone
                          inquiries during normal business hours.

                      (B) After normal business hours, the access line may be answered by a service or an
                          automated response system, including an answering machine. Inquiries received after
                          normal business hours must be responded to by a trained company representative on the
                          next business day.

                (ii) Under normal operating conditions, telephone answer time by a customer representative,
                     including wait time, shall not exceed thirty (30) seconds when the connection is made. If the
                     call needs to be transferred, transfer time shall not exceed thirty (30) seconds. These standards
                     shall be met no less than ninety (90) percent of the time under normal operating conditions,
                     measured on a quarterly basis.

                (iii) The operator will not be required to acquire equipment or perform surveys to measure
                      compliance with the telephone answering standards above unless an historical record of
                      complaints indicates a clear failure to comply.

                (iv) Under normal operating conditions, the customer will receive a busy signal less than three (3)
                     percent of the time.

                (v) Customer service center and bill payment locations will be open at least during normal
                    business hours and will be conveniently located.

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                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.309(c)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (2) Installations, outages and service calls. Under normal operating conditions, each of the following
               four standards will be met no less than ninety five (95) percent of the time measured on a quarterly
               basis:

                 (i)   Standard installations will be performed within seven (7) business days after an order has been
                       placed. “Standard” installations are those that are located up to 125 feet from the existing
                       distribution system.

                (ii) Excluding conditions beyond the control of the operator, the cable operator will begin working
                     on “service interruptions” promptly and in no event later than 24 hours after the interruption
                     becomes known. The cable operator must begin actions to correct other service problems the
                     next business day after notification of the service problem.

                (iii) The “appointment window” alternatives for installations, service calls, and other installation
                      activities will be either a specific time or, at maximum, a four-hour time block during normal
                      business hours. (The operator may schedule service calls and other installation activities
                      outside of normal business hours for the express convenience of the customer.)

                (iv) An operator may not cancel an appointment with a customer after the close of business on the
                     business day prior to the scheduled appointment.

                (v) If a cable operator representative is running late for an appointment with a customer and will
                    not be able to keep the appointment as scheduled, the customer will be contacted. The
                    appointment will be rescheduled, as necessary, at a time which is convenient for the customer.

           (3) Communications between cable operators and cable subscribers—

                 (i)   Refunds—Refund checks will be issued promptly, but no later than either—

                       (A) The customer's next billing cycle following resolution of the request or thirty (30) days,
                           whichever is earlier, or

                       (B) The return of the equipment supplied by the cable operator if service is terminated.

                (ii) Credits—Credits for service will be issued no later than the customer's next billing cycle
                     following the determination that a credit is warranted.

           (4) Definitions—

                 (i)   Normal business hours —The term “normal business hours” means those hours during which
                       most similar businesses in the community are open to serve customers. In all cases, “normal
                       business hours” must include some evening hours at least one night per week and/or some
                       weekend hours.

                (ii) Normal operating conditions —The term “normal operating conditions” means those service
                     conditions which are within the control of the cable operator. Those conditions which are not
                     within the control of the cable operator include, but are not limited to, natural disasters, civil
                     disturbances, power outages, telephone network outages, and severe or unusual weather
                     conditions. Those conditions which are ordinarily within the control of the cable operator
                     include, but are not limited to, special promotions, pay-per-view events, rate increases, regular
                     peak or seasonal demand periods, and maintenance or upgrade of the cable system.

                (iii) Service interruption —The term “service interruption” means the loss of picture or sound on one
                      or more cable channels.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.501
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           Note to § 76.309: Section 76.1602 contains notification requirements for cable operators with
           regard to operator obligations to subscribers and general information to be provided to customers
           regarding service. Section 76.1603 contains subscriber notification requirements governing rate
           and service changes. Section 76.1619 contains notification requirements for cable operators with
           regard to subscriber bill information and operator response procedures pertaining to bill disputes.

[58 FR 21109, Apr. 19, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 18977, Apr. 30, 1996; 65 FR 53615, Sept. 5, 2000; 67 FR 1650, Jan. 14, 2002; 83
FR 7627, Feb. 22, 2018]

Subpart I [Reserved]

Subpart J—Ownership of Cable Systems
§ 76.501 Cross-ownership.
    (a)–(c) [Reserved]

     (d) No cable operator shall offer satellite master antenna television service (“SMATV”), as that service is
         defined in § 76.5(a)(2), separate and apart from any franchised cable service in any portion of the
         franchise area served by that cable operator's cable system, either directly or indirectly through an affiliate
         owned, operated, controlled, or under common control with the cable operator.

     (e)

           (1) A cable operator may directly or indirectly, through an affiliate owned, operated, controlled by, or
               under common control with the cable operator, offer SMATV service within its franchise area if the
               cable operator's SMATV system was owned, operated, controlled by or under common control with
               the cable operator as of October 5, 1992.

           (2) A cable operator may directly or indirectly, through an affiliate owned, operated, controlled by, or
               under common control with the cable operator, offer service within its franchise area through SMATV
               facilities, provided such service is offered in accordance with the terms and conditions of a cable
               franchise agreement.

     (f) The restrictions in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section shall not apply to any cable operator in any
         franchise area in which a cable operator is subject to effective competition as determined under section
         623(l) of the Communications Act.

           Note 1 to § 76.501: Actual working control, in whatever manner exercised, shall be deemed a
           cognizable interest.

           Note 2 to § 76.501: In applying the provisions of this section, ownership and other interests in an
           entity or entities covered by this rule will be attributed to their holders and deemed cognizable
           pursuant to the following criteria:

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                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.501(f)
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           (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, partnership and direct ownership interests and any voting
           stock interest amounting to 5% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation will be
           cognizable;

           (b) Investment companies, as defined in 15 U.S.C. 80a–3, insurance companies and banks holding
           stock through their trust departments in trust accounts will be considered to have a cognizable
           interest only if they hold 20% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation, or if any of
           the officers or directors of the corporation are representatives of the investment company,
           insurance company or bank concerned. Holdings by a bank or insurance company will be
           aggregated if the bank or insurance company has any right to determine how the stock will be
           voted. Holdings by investment companies will be aggregated if under common management.

           (c) Attribution of ownership interests in an entity covered by this rule that are held indirectly by any
           party through one or more intervening corporations will be determined by successive
           multiplication of the ownership percentages for each link in the vertical ownership chain and
           application of the relevant attribution benchmark to the resulting product, except that wherever the
           ownership percentage for any link in the chain exceeds 50%, it shall not be included for purposes
           of this multiplication. [For example, if A owns 10% of company X, which owns 60% of company Y,
           which owns 25% of “Licensee,” then X's interest in “Licensee” would be 25% (the same as Y's
           interest since X's interest in Y exceeds 50%), and A's interest in “Licensee” would be 2.5% (0.1 ×
           0.25). Under the 5% attribution benchmark, X's interest in “Licensee” would be cognizable, while A's
           interest would not be cognizable.]

           (d) Voting stock interests held in trust shall be attributed to any person who holds or shares the
           power to vote such stock, to any person who has the sole power to sell such stock, and to any
           person who has the right to revoke the trust at will or to replace the trustee at will. If the trustee
           has a familial, personal or extra-trust business relationship to the grantor or the beneficiary, the
           grantor or beneficiary, as appropriate, will be attributed with the stock interests held in trust. An
           otherwise qualified trust will be ineffective to insulate the grantor or beneficiary from attribution
           with the trust's assets unless all voting stock interests held by the grantor or beneficiary in the
           relevant entity covered by this rule are subject to said trust.

           (e) Subject to paragraph (i) of this Note, holders of non-voting stock shall not be attributed an
           interest in the issuing entity. Subject to paragraph (i) of this Note, holders of debt and instruments
           such as warrants, convertible debentures, options or other non-voting interests with rights of
           conversion to voting interests shall not be attributed unless and until conversion is effected.

           (f)(1) Subject to paragraph (i) of this Note, a limited partnership interest shall be attributed to a
           limited partner unless that partner is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the
           management or operation of the media-related activities of the partnership and the relevant entity
           so certifies. An interest in a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) or Registered Limited Liability

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                                                                                                      47 CFR 76.501(f)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           Partnership (“RLLP”) shall be attributed to the interest holder unless that interest holder is not
           materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media-related
           activities of the partnership and the relevant entity so certifies.

           (2) In the case of a limited partnership, in order for an entity to make the certification set forth in
           paragraph (g)(1) of this section, it must verify that the partnership agreement or certificate of
           limited partnership, with respect to the particular limited partner exempt from attribution,
           establishes that the exempt limited partner has no material involvement, directly or indirectly, in
           the management or operation of the media activities of the partnership. In the case of an LLC or
           RLLP, in order for an entity to make the certification set forth in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, it
           must verify that the organizational document, with respect to the particular interest holder exempt
           from attribution, establishes that the exempt interest holder has no material involvement, directly
           or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media activities of the LLC or RLLP. The
           criteria which would assume adequate insulation for purposes of these certifications are
           described in the Memorandum Opinion and Order in MM Docket No. 83–46, FCC 85–252 (released
           June 24, 1985), as modified on reconsideration in the Memorandum Opinion and Order in MM
           Docket No. 83–46, FCC 86–410 (released November 28, 1986). Irrespective of the terms of the
           certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement, or other organizational document in
           the case of an LLC or RLLP, however, no such certification shall be made if the individual or entity
           making the certification has actual knowledge of any material involvement of the limited partners,
           or other interest holders in the case of an LLC or RLLP, in the management or operation of the
           media businesses of the partnership or LLC or RLLP.

           (3) In the case of an LLC or RLLP, the entity seeking insulation shall certify, in addition, that the
           relevant state statute authorizing LLCs permits an LLC member to insulate itself as required by our
           criteria.

           (g) Officers and directors of an entity covered by this rule are considered to have a cognizable
           interest in the entity with which they are so associated. If any such entity engages in businesses in
           addition to its primary media business, it may request the Commission to waive attribution for any
           officer or director whose duties and responsibilities are wholly unrelated to its primary business.
           The officers and directors of a parent company of a media entity, with an attributable interest in
           any such subsidiary entity, shall be deemed to have a cognizable interest in the subsidiary unless
           the duties and responsibilities of the officer or director involved are wholly unrelated to the media
           subsidiary, and a certification properly documenting this fact is submitted to the Commission. The
           officers and directors of a sister corporation of a media entity shall not be attributed with
           ownership of that entity by virtue of such status.

           (h) Discrete ownership interests held by the same individual or entity will be aggregated in
           determining whether or not an interest is cognizable under this section. An individual or entity will
           be deemed to have a cognizable investment if:

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                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.501(f)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) The sum of the interests held by or through “passive investors” is equal to or exceeds 20
           percent; or

           (2) The sum of the interests other than those held by or through “passive investors” is equal to or
           exceeds 5 percent; or

           (3) The sum of the interests computed under paragraph (i)(1) of this section plus the sum of the
           interests computed under paragraph (i)(2) of this section is equal to or exceeds 20 percent.

           (i) Notwithstanding paragraphs (e) and (f) of this Note, the holder of an equity or debt interest or
           interests in an entity covered by this rule shall have that interest attributed if the equity (including
           all stockholdings, whether voting or nonvoting, common or preferred, and partnership interests)
           and debt interest or interests, in the aggregate, exceed 33 percent of the total asset value (all
           equity plus all debt) of that entity, provided however that:

           (1) in applying the provisions of paragraph (i) of this note to §§ 76.501, 76.505 and 76.905(b)(2),
           the holder of an equity or debt interest or interests in a broadcast station, cable system, SMATV or
           multiple video distribution provider subject to § 76.501, § 76.505, or § 76.905(b)(2) (“interest
           holder”) shall have that interest attributed if the equity (including all stockholdings, whether voting
           or nonvoting, common or preferred, and partnership interests) and debt interest or interests, in the
           aggregate, exceed 33 percent of the total asset value (defined as the aggregate of all equity plus
           all debt) of that entity; and

           (i) the interest holder also holds an interest in a broadcast station, cable system, SMATV, or
           multiple video distribution provider that operates in the same market, is subject to § 76.501, §
           76.505, or § 76.905(b)(2) and is attributable without reference to this paragraph (i); or

           (ii) the interest holder supplies over fifteen percent of the total weekly broadcast programming
           hours of the station in which the interest is held.

           (2) For purposes of applying subparagraph (i)(1), the term “market” will be defined as it is defined
           under the rule that is being applied.

           Note 3 to § 76.501: In cases where record and beneficial ownership of voting stock is not identical
           (e.g., bank nominees holding stock as record owners for the benefit of mutual funds, brokerage
           houses holding stock in street names for benefit of customers, investment advisors holding stock
           in their own names for the benefit of clients, and insurance companies holding stock), the party
           having the right to determine how the stock will be voted will be considered to own it for purposes
           of this subpart.

           Note 4 to § 76.501: Paragraph (a) of this section will not be applied so as to require the divestiture

47 CFR 76.501(f) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 103 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                 47 CFR 76.502
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           of ownership interests proscribed herein solely because of the transfer of such interests to heirs or
           legatees by will or intestacy, provided that the degree or extent of the proscribed cross-ownership
           is not increased by such transfer.

           Note 5 to § 76.501: Certifications pursuant to this section and these notes shall be sent to the
           attention of the Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, located at the address of
           the FCC's main office indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a).

           Note 6 to § 76.501: In applying paragraph (a) of § 76.501, for purposes of paragraph note 2(i) of
           this section, attribution of ownership interests in an entity covered by this rule that are held
           indirectly by any party through one or more intervening organizations will be determined by
           successive multiplication of the ownership percentages for each link in the vertical ownership
           chain and application of the relevant attribution benchmark to the resulting product. The
           ownership percentage for any link in the chain that exceeds 50% shall be included. [For example, if
           A owns 10% of company X, which owns 60% of company Y, which owns 25% of “Licensee,” then X's
           interest in “Licensee” would 15% (0.6 × 0.25), and A's interest in “Licensee” would be 1.5% (0.1 ×
           0.6 × 0.25).]

[58 FR 27677, May 11, 1993, as amended at 60 FR 37834, July 24, 1995; 61 FR 15388, Apr. 8, 1996; 64 FR 50646, Sept. 17, 1999;
64 FR 67194, Dec. 1, 1999; 66 FR 9973, Feb. 13, 2001; 67 FR 13234, Mar. 21, 2002; 68 FR 13237, Mar. 19, 2003; 85 FR 64409, Oct.
13, 2020]

§ 76.502 Time limits applicable to franchise authority consideration of transfer applications.
     (a) A franchise authority shall have 120 days from the date of submission of a completed FCC Form 394,
         together with all exhibits, and any additional information required by the terms of the franchise agreement
         or applicable state or local law to act upon an application to sell, assign, or otherwise transfer controlling
         ownership of a cable system.

     (b) A franchise authority that questions the accuracy of the information provided under paragraph (a) must
         notify the cable operator within 30 days of the filing of such information, or such information shall be
         deemed accepted, unless the cable operator has failed to provide any additional information reasonably
         requested by the franchise authority within 10 days of such request.

     (c) If the franchise authority fails to act upon such transfer request within 120 days, such request shall be
         deemed granted unless the franchise authority and the requesting party otherwise agree to an extension
         of time.

[61 FR 15388, Apr. 8, 1996]

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                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.503
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.503 National subscriber limits.
     (a) No cable operator shall serve more than 30 percent of all multichannel-video programming subscribers
         nationwide through multichannel video programming distributors owned by such operator or in which
         such cable operator holds an attributable interest.

    (b)–(d) [Reserved]

     (e) “Multichannel video-programming subscribers” means subscribers who receive multichannel video-
         programming from cable systems, direct broadcast satellite services, direct-to-home satellite services,
         BRS/EBS, local multipoint distribution services, satellite master antenna television services (as defined in
         § 76.5(a)(2)), and open video systems.

     (f) “Cable operator” means any person or entity that owns or has an attributable interest in an incumbent
         cable franchise.

     (g) Prior to acquiring additional multichannel video-programming providers, any cable operator that serves
         20% or more of multichannel video-programming subscribers nationwide shall certify to the Commission,
         concurrent with its applications to the Commission for transfer of licenses at issue in the acquisition, that
         no violation of the national subscriber limits prescribed in this section will occur as a result of such
         acquisition.

           Note 1 to § 76.503: Certifications made under this section shall be sent to the attention of the
           Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, located at the address of the FCC's main
           office indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a).

           Note 2 to § 76.503: Attributable Interest shall be defined by reference to the criteria set forth in
           Notes 1 through 5 to § 76.501 provided however, that:
           (a) Notes 2(f) and 2(g) to § 76.501 to shall not apply;

           (b)(1) Subject to Note 2(i) to § 76.501, a limited partnership interest shall be attributed to a limited
           partner unless that partner is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or
           operation of the video programming-related activities of the partnership and the relevant entity so
           certifies. An interest in a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) or Registered Limited Liability
           Partnership (“RLLP”) shall be attributed to the interest holder unless that interest holder is not
           materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the video
           programming-related activities of the partnership and the relevant entity so certifies.

           (2) In the case of a limited partnership, in order for an entity to make the certification set forth in
           paragraph (b)(1) of this section, it must verify that the partnership agreement or certificate of
           limited partnership, with respect to the particular limited partner exempt from attribution,
           establishes that the exempt limited partner has no material involvement, directly or indirectly, in
           the management or operation of the video programming activities of the partnership. In the case
           of an LLC or RLLP, in order for an entity to make the certification set forth in paragraph (g)(1) of
           this section, it must verify that the organizational document, with respect to the particular interest
           holder exempt from attribution, establishes that the exempt interest holder has no material

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                47 CFR 76.504
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           involvement, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the video programming
           activities of the LLC or RLLP. The criteria which would assume adequate insulation for purposes of
           these certifications are described in the Report and Order, FCC No. 99–288, CS Docket No. 98–82
           (released October 20, 1999). In order for the Commission to accept the certification, the
           certification must be accompanied by facts, e.g. in the form of documents, affidavits or
           declarations, that demonstrate that these insulation criteria are met. Irrespective of the terms of
           the certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement, or other organizational document
           in the case of an LLC or RLLP, however, no such certification shall be made if the individual or
           entity making the certification has actual knowledge of any material involvement of the limited
           partners, or other interest holders in the case of an LLC or RLLP, in the management or operation
           of the video-programming activities of the partnership or LLC or RLLP.

           (3) In the case of an LLC or RLLP, the entity seeking insulation shall certify, in addition, that the
           relevant state statute authorizing LLCs permits an LLC member to insulate itself as required by our
           criteria.

           (c) Officers and directors of an entity covered by this rule are considered to have a cognizable
           interest in the entity with which they are so associated. If any such entity engages in activities
           other than video-programming activities, it may request the Commission to waive attribution for
           any officer or director whose duties and responsibilities are wholly unrelated to the entity's video-
           programming activities. In the case of common or appointed directors and officers, if common or
           appointed directors or officers have duties and responsibilities that are wholly unrelated to video-
           programming activities for both entities, the relevant entity may request the Commission to waive
           attribution of the director or officer. The officers and directors of a parent company of a video-
           programming business, with an attributable interest in any such subsidiary entity, shall be deemed
           to have a cognizable interest in the subsidiary unless the duties and responsibilities of the officer
           or director involved are wholly unrelated to the video-programming subsidiary, and a certification
           properly documenting this fact is submitted to the Commission. The officers and directors of a
           sister corporation of a cable system shall not be attributed with ownership of that entity by virtue
           of such status.

[64 FR 67195, 67199, Dec. 1, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 13234, Mar. 21, 2002; 69 FR 72046, Dec. 10, 2004; 73 FR 11050, Feb. 29,
2008; 85 FR 64409, Oct. 13, 2020]

§ 76.504 Limits on carriage of vertically integrated programming.
     (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section no cable operator shall devote more than 40 percent of its
         activated channels to the carriage of national video programming services owned by the cable operator or
         in which the cable operator has an attributable interest.

     (b) The channel occupancy limits set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall apply only to channel capacity
         up to 75 channels.

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                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.504(c)
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     (c) A cable operator may devote two additional channels or up to 45 percent of its channel capacity,
         whichever is greater, to the carriage of video programming services owned by the cable operator or in
         which the cable operator has an attributable interest provided such video programming services are
         minority-controlled.

     (d) Cable operators carrying video programming services owned by the cable operator or in which the cable
         operator holds an attributable interest in excess of limits set forth in paragraph (a) of this section as of
         December 4, 1992, shall not be precluded by the restrictions in this section.

     (e) Minority-controlled means more than 50 percent owned by one or more members of a minority group.

     (f) Minority means Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian and Pacific Islander.

           Note 1: Attributable interest shall be defined by reference to the criteria set forth in Notes 1
           through 5 to § 76.501 provided however, that:
           (a) Notes 2(f) and 2(g) to § 76.501 to shall not apply;

           (b)(1) Subject to Note 2(i) to § 76.501, a limited partnership interest shall be attributed to a limited
           partner unless that partner is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or
           operation of the video programming-related activities of the partnership and the relevant entity so
           certifies. An interest in a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) or Registered Limited Liability
           Partnership (“RLLP”) shall be attributed to the interest holder unless that interest holder is not
           materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the video
           programming-related activities of the partnership and the relevant entity so certifies.

           (2) In the case of a limited partnership, in order for an entity to make the certification set forth in
           paragraph (b)(1) of this section, it must verify that the partnership agreement or certificate of
           limited partnership, with respect to the particular limited partner exempt from attribution,
           establishes that the exempt limited partner has no material involvement, directly or indirectly, in
           the management or operation of the video programming activities of the partnership. In the case
           of an LLC or RLLP, in order for an entity to make the certification set forth in paragraph (g)(1) of
           this section, it must verify that the organizational document, with respect to the particular interest
           holder exempt from attribution, establishes that the exempt interest holder has no material
           involvement, directly or indirectly, in the management or operation of the video programming
           activities of the LLC or RLLP. The criteria which would assume adequate insulation for purposes of
           these certifications are described in the Report and Order, FCC No. 99–288, CS Docket No. 98–82
           (released October 20, 1999). In order for the Commission to accept the certification, the
           certification must be accompanied by facts, e.g. in the form of documents, affidavits or
           declarations, that demonstrate that these insulation criteria are met. Irrespective of the terms of
           the certificate of limited partnership or partnership agreement, or other organizational document
           in the case of an LLC or RLLP, however, no such certification shall be made if the individual or
           entity making the certification has actual knowledge of any material involvement of the limited
           partners, or other interest holders in the case of an LLC or RLLP, in the management or operation
           of the video-programming activities of the partnership or LLC or RLLP.

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                                                                                                                 47 CFR 76.505
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (3) In the case of an LLC or RLLP, the entity seeking insulation shall certify, in addition, that the
           relevant state statute authorizing LLCs permits an LLC member to insulate itself as required by our
           criteria.

           (c) Officers and directors of an entity covered by this rule are considered to have a cognizable
           interest in the entity with which they are so associated. If any such entity engages in activities
           other than video-programming activities, it may request the Commission to waive attribution for
           any officer or director whose duties and responsibilities are wholly unrelated to the entity's video-
           programming activities. In the case of common or appointed directors and officers, if common or
           appointed directors or officers have duties and responsibilities that are wholly unrelated to video-
           programming activities for both entities, the relevant entity may request the Commission to waive
           attribution of the director or officer. The officers and directors of a parent company of a video-
           programming business, with an attributable interest in any such subsidiary entity, shall be deemed
           to have a cognizable interest in the subsidiary unless the duties and responsibilities of the officer
           or director involved are wholly unrelated to the video-programming subsidiary, and a certification
           properly documenting this fact is submitted to the Commission. The officers and directors of a
           sister corporation of a cable system shall not be attributed with ownership of that entity by virtue
           of such status.

[58 FR 60141, Nov. 15, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 67196, Dec. 1, 1999; 65 FR 53615, Sept. 5, 2000; 85 FR 73429, Nov. 18, 2020]

§ 76.505 Prohibition on buy outs.
     (a) No local exchange carrier or any affiliate of such carrier owned by, operated by, controlled by, or under
         common control with such carrier may purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly more than a 10
         percent financial interest, or any management interest, in any cable operator providing cable service
         within the local exchange carrier's telephone service area.

     (b) No cable operator or affiliate of a cable operator that is owned by, operated by, controlled by, or under
         common ownership with such cable operator may purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly,
         more than a 10 percent financial interest, or any management interest, in any local exchange carrier
         providing telephone exchange service within such cable operator's franchise area.

     (c) A local exchange carrier and a cable operator whose telephone service area and cable franchise area,
         respectively, are in the same market may not enter into any joint venture or partnership to provide video
         programming directly to subscribers or to provide telecommunications services within such market.

     (d) Exceptions:

           (1) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, a local exchange carrier (with respect to
               a cable system located in its telephone service area) and a cable operator (with respect to the
               facilities of a local exchange carrier used to provide telephone exchange service in its cable
               franchise area) may obtain a controlling interest in, management interest in, or enter into a joint
               venture or partnership with the operator of such system or facilities for the use of such system or
               facilities to the extent that:

                 (i)   Such system or facilities only serve incorporated or unincorporated :

47 CFR 76.505(d)(1)(i) (enhanced display)                                                                      page 108 of 268
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                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.505(d)(1)(i)(A)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                      (A) Places or territories that have fewer than 35,000 inhabitants; and

                      (B) Are outside an urbanized area, as defined by the Bureau of the Census; and

                (ii) In the case of a local exchange carrier, such system, in the aggregate with any other system in
                     which such carrier has an interest, serves less than 10 percent of the households in the
                     telephone service area of such carrier.

          (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of this section, a local exchange carrier may obtain, with the
              concurrence of the cable operator on the rates, terms, and conditions, the use of that part of the
              transmission facilities of a cable system extending from the last multi-user terminal to the premises
              of the end user, if such use is reasonably limited in scope and duration, as determined by the
              Commission.

          (3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section, a local exchange carrier may obtain a
              controlling interest in, or form a joint venture or other partnership with, or provide financing to, a
              cable system (hereinafter in this paragraph referred to as “the subject cable system”) if:

                (i)   The subject cable system operates in a television market that is not in the top 25 markets, and
                      such market has more than 1 cable system operator, and the subject cable system is not the
                      cable system with the most subscribers in such television market;

                (ii) The subject cable system and the cable system with the most subscribers in such television
                     market held on May 1, 1995, cable television franchises from the largest municipality in the
                     television market and the boundaries of such franchises were identical on such date;

                (iii) The subject cable system is not owned by or under common ownership or control of any one of
                      the 50 cable system operators with the most subscribers as such operators existed on May 1,
                      1995; and

                (iv) The system with the most subscribers in the television market is owned by or under common
                     ownership or control of any one of the 10 largest cable system operators as such operators
                     existed on May 1, 1995.

          (4) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to any cable system if:

                (i)   The cable system serves no more than 17,000 cable subscribers, of which no less than 8,000
                      live within an urban area, and no less than 6,000 live within a nonurbanized area as of June 1,
                      1995;

                (ii) The cable system is not owned by, or under common ownership or control with, any of the 50
                     largest cable system operators in existence on June 1, 1995; and

                (iii) The cable system operates in a television market that was not in the top 100 television markets
                      as of June 1, 1995.

          (5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section, a local exchange carrier with less than
              $100,000,000 in annual operating revenues (or any affiliate of such carrier owned by, operated by,
              controlled by, or under common control with such carrier) may purchase or otherwise acquire more
              than a 10 percent financial interest in, or any management interest in, or enter into a joint venture or
              partnership with, any cable system within the local exchange carrier's telephone service area that
              serves no more than 20,000 cable subscribers, if no more than 12,000 of those subscribers live
              within an urbanized area, as defined by the Bureau of the Census.

47 CFR 76.505(d)(5) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 109 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.505(d)(6)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (6) The Commission may waive the restrictions of paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section only if:

                 (i)   The Commission determines that, because of the nature of the market served by the affected
                       cable system or facilities used to provide telephone exchange service:

                       (A) The affected cable operator or local exchange carrier would be subjected to undue
                           economic distress by the enforcement of such provisions;

                       (B) The system or facilities would not be economically viable if such provisions were
                           enforced; or

                       (C) The anticompetitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed in the
                           public interest by the probable effect of the transaction in meeting the convenience and
                           needs of the community to be served; and

                (ii) The local franchising authority approves of such waiver.

     (e) For purposes of this section, the term “telephone service area” when used in connection with a common
         carrier subject in whole or in part to title II of the Communications Act means the area within which such
         carrier provided telephone exchange service as of January 1, 1993, but if any common carrier after such
         date transfers its telephone exchange service facilities to another common carrier, the area to which such
         facilities provide telephone exchange service shall be treated as part of the telephone service area of the
         acquiring common carrier and not of the selling common carrier.

     (f) For purposes of this section, entities are affiliated if either entity has an attributable interest in the other or
         if a third party has an attributable interest in both entities.

     (g) Attributable interest shall be defined by reference to the criteria set forth in Notes 1 through 5 to § 76.501.

[61 FR 18977, Apr. 30, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 67196, Dec. 1, 1999]

Subpart K—Technical Standards
§ 76.601 Performance tests.
     (a) The operator of each cable television system shall be responsible for insuring that each such system is
         designed, installed, and operated in a manner that fully complies with the provisions of this subpart.

     (b) The operator of each cable television system that operates NTSC or similar channels shall conduct
         performance tests of the analog channels on that system at least twice each calendar year (at intervals
         not to exceed seven months), unless otherwise noted below. The performance tests shall be directed at
         determining the extent to which the system complies with all the technical standards set forth in § 76.605
         and shall be as follows:

           (1) For cable television systems with 1,000 or more subscribers but with 12,500 or fewer subscribers,
               proof-of-performance tests conducted pursuant to this section shall include measurements taken at
               six (6) widely separated points. However, within each cable system, one additional test point shall be
               added for every additional 12,500 subscribers or fraction thereof (e.g., 7 test points if 12,501 to
               25,000 subscribers; 8 test points if 25,001 to 37,500 subscribers, etc.). In addition, for technically
               integrated portions of cable systems that are not mechanically continuous (e.g., employing
               microwave connections), at least one test point will be required for each portion of the cable system
               served by a technically integrated hub. The proof-of-performance test points chosen shall be
               balanced to represent all geographic areas served by the cable system. At least one-third of the test

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.601(b)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                points shall be representative of subscriber terminals most distant from the system input and from
                each microwave receiver (if microwave transmissions are employed), in terms of cable length. The
                measurements may be taken at convenient monitoring points in the cable network provided that
                data shall be included to relate the measured performance of the system as would be viewed from a
                nearby subscriber terminal. An identification of the instruments, including the makes, model
                numbers, and the most recent date of calibration, a description of the procedures utilized, and a
                statement of the qualifications of the person performing the tests shall also be included.

          (2) Proof-of-performance tests to determine the extent to which a cable television system complies with
              the standards set forth in § 76.605(b)(3), (4), and (5) shall be made on each of the NTSC or similar
              video channels of that system. Unless otherwise noted, proof-of-performance tests for all other
              standards in § 76.605(b) shall be made on a minimum of five (5) channels for systems operating a
              total activated channel capacity of less than 550 MHz, and ten (10) channels for systems operating
              a total activated channel capacity of 550 MHz or greater. The channels selected for testing must be
              representative of all the channels within the cable television system.

                (i)   The operator of each cable television system that operates NTSC or similar channels shall
                      conduct semi-annual proof-of-performance tests of that system, to determine the extent to
                      which the system complies with the technical standards set forth in § 76.605(b)(4) as follows.
                      The visual signal level on each channel shall be measured and recorded, along with the date
                      and time of the measurement, once every six hours (at intervals of not less than five hours or
                      no more than seven hours after the previous measurement), to include the warmest and the
                      coldest times, during a 24-hour period in January or February and in July or August.

                (ii) The operator of each cable television system that operates NTSC or similar channels shall
                     conduct triennial proof-of-performance tests of its system to determine the extent to which the
                     system complies with the technical standards set forth in § 76.605(b)(11).

     (c) Successful completion of the performance tests required by paragraph (b) of this section does not relieve
         the system of the obligation to comply with all pertinent technical standards at all subscriber terminals.
         Additional tests, repeat tests, or tests involving specified subscriber terminals may be required by the
         Commission or the local franchiser to secure compliance with the technical standards.

     (d) The provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section shall not apply to any cable television system
         having fewer than 1,000 subscribers: Provided, however, that any cable television system using any
         frequency spectrum other than that allocated to over-the-air television and FM broadcasting (as described
         in §§ 73.603 and 73.210 of this chapter) is required to conduct all tests, measurements and monitoring of
         signal leakage that are required by this subpart. A cable television system operator complying with the
         monitoring, logging and the leakage repair requirements of § 76.614, shall be considered to have met the
         requirements of this paragraph. However, the leakage log shall be retained for five years rather than the
         two years prescribed in § 76.1706.

           Note 1 to § 76.601: Prior to requiring any additional testing pursuant to § 76.601(c), the local
           franchising authority shall notify the cable operator who will be allowed thirty days to come into
           compliance with any perceived signal quality problems which need to be corrected. The
           Commission may request cable operators to test their systems at any time.

           Note 2 to § 76.601: Section 76.1717 contains recordkeeping requirements for each system

47 CFR 76.601(d) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 111 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.602
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           operator in order to show compliance with the technical rules of this subpart.

           Note 3 to § 76.601: Section 76.1704 contains recordkeeping requirements for proof of
           performance tests.

[65 FR 53615, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 83 FR 7627, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.602 Incorporation by reference.
     (a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal
         Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that specified in this
         section, the FCC must publish a document in the FEDERAL REGISTER and the material must be available to
         the public. All approved incorporation by reference (IBR) material is available for inspection at the FCC
         and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact the FCC through the Federal
         Communications Commission's Reference Information Center, phone: (202) 418–0270. For information
         on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html or
         email fr.inspection@nara.gov. The material may be obtained from the sources in the following paragraphs
         of this section.

     (b) The following materials are available from Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), 1776 K
         Street NW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20006; phone: 202–872–9160; or online at http://www.atsc.org/
         standards.html.

           (1) ATSC A/65B: “ATSC Standard: Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial Broadcast
               and Cable (Revision B),” March 18, 2003, IBR approved for § 76.640.

           (2) ATSC A/85:2013 “ATSC Recommended Practice: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio
               Loudness for Digital Television,” (March 12, 2013) (“ATSC A/85 RP”), IBR approved for § 76.607.

     (c) The following materials are available from the Consumer Technology Association (formerly the Consumer
         Electronics Association), 1919 S Eads St., Arlington, VA 22202; phone: 703–907–7600; web:
         standards.cta.tech/kwspub/published_docs/.

           (1) CTA–542–D, “Cable Television Channel Identification Plan,” June 2013, IBR approved for § 76.605.

           (2) CEA–931–A, “Remote Control Command Pass-through Standard for Home Networking,” 2003, IBR
               approved for § 76.640. (CEA–931–A is available through the document history of “CTA–931” from
               the reseller in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.)

     (d) The following materials are available from Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), 140
         Philips Road Exton, PA 19341–1318; phone: 800–542–5040; or online at http://www.scte.org/standards/
         Standards_Available.aspx.

           (1) ANSI/SCTE 26 2001 (formerly DVS 194): “Home Digital Network Interface Specification with Copy
               Protection,” 2001, IBR approved for § 76.640.

           (2) SCTE 28 2003 (formerly DVS 295): “Host-POD Interface Standard,” 2003, IBR approved for § 76.640.

           (3) ANSI/SCTE 40 2016, “Digital Cable Network Interface Standard,” copyright 2016, IBR approved for §§
               76.605, 76.640.

47 CFR 76.602(d)(3) (enhanced display)                                                                   page 112 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.602(d)(4)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (4) SCTE 41 2003 (formerly DVS 301): “POD Copy Protection System,” 2003, IBR approved for § 76.640.

           (5) ANSI/SCTE 54 2003 (formerly DVS 241), “Digital Video Service Multiplex and Transport System
               Standard for Cable Television,” 2003, IBR approved for § 76.640.

           (6) ANSI/SCTE 65 2002 (formerly DVS 234), “Service Information Delivered Out-of-Band for Digital Cable
               Television,” 2002, IBR approved for § 76.640.

     (e) Some standards listed above are also available for purchase from the following sources:

           (1) American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036;
               phone: 212–642–4980; or online at http://webstore.ansi.org/.

           (2) Global Engineering Documents (standards reseller), 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112;
               phone: 800–854–7179; or online at http://global.ihs.com.

[77 FR 40300, July 9, 2012, as amended at 79 FR 51113, Aug. 27, 2014; 83 FR 7627, Feb. 22, 2018; 85 FR 64409, Oct. 13, 2020; 88
FR 21448, Apr. 10, 2023]

§ 76.605 Technical standards.
     (a) The following requirements apply to the performance of a cable television system as measured at the
         input to any terminal device with a matched impedance at the termination point or at the output of the
         modulating or processing equipment (generally the headend) of the cable television system or otherwise
         noted here or in ANSI/SCTE 40 2016. The requirements of paragraph (b) of this section are applicable to
         each NTSC or similar video downstream cable television channel in the system. Each cable system that
         uses QAM modulation to transport video programming shall adhere to ANSI/SCTE 40 2016 (incorporated
         by reference, see § 76.602). Cable television systems utilizing other technologies to distribute
         programming must respond to consumer complaints under paragraph (d) of this section.

     (b) For each NTSC or similar video downstream cable television channel in the system:

           (1) The cable television channels delivered to the subscriber's terminal shall be capable of being
               received and displayed by TV broadcast receivers used for off-the-air reception of TV broadcast
               signals, as authorized under part 73 of this chapter; and cable television systems shall transmit
               signals to subscriber premises equipment on frequencies in accordance with the channel allocation
               plan set forth in CTA–542–D (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602).

           (2) The aural center frequency of the aural carrier must be 4.5 MHz ±5 kHz above the frequency of the
               visual carrier at the output of the modulating or processing equipment of a cable television system,
               and at the subscriber terminal.

           (3) The visual signal level, across a terminating impedance which correctly matches the internal
               impedance of the cable system as viewed from the subscriber terminal, shall not be less than 1
               millivolt across an internal impedance of 75 ohms (0 dBmV). Additionally, as measured at the end of
               a 30 meter (100 foot) cable drop that is connected to the subscriber tap, it shall not be less than 1.41
               millivolts across an internal impedance of 75 ohms (+3 dBmV). (At other impedance values, the
               minimum visual signal level, as viewed from the subscriber terminal, shall be the square root of
               0.0133 (Z) millivolts and, as measured at the end of a 30 meter (100 foot) cable drop that is
               connected to the subscriber tap, shall be 2 times the square root of 0.00662(Z) millivolts, where Z is
               the appropriate impedance value.)

47 CFR 76.605(b)(3) (enhanced display)                                                                          page 113 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.605(b)(4)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (4) The visual signal level on each channel, as measured at the end of a 30 meter cable drop that is
              connected to the subscriber tap, shall not vary more than 8 decibels within any six-month interval,
              which must include four tests performed in six-hour increments during a 24-hour period in July or
              August and during a 24-hour period in January or February, and shall be maintained within:

                (i)   3 decibels (dB) of the visual signal level of any visual carrier within a 6 MHz nominal frequency
                      separation;

                (ii) 10 dB of the visual signal level on any other channel on a cable television system of up to 300
                     MHz of cable distribution system upper frequency limit, with a 1 dB increase for each additional
                     100 MHz of cable distribution system upper frequency limit (e.g., 11 dB for a system at
                     301–400 MHz; 12 dB for a system at 401–500 MHz, etc.); and

                (iii) A maximum level such that signal degradation due to overload in the subscriber's receiver or
                      terminal does not occur.

          (5) The rms voltage of the aural signal shall be maintained between 10 and 17 decibels below the
              associated visual signal level. This requirement must be met both at the subscriber terminal and at
              the output of the modulating and processing equipment (generally the headend). For subscriber
              terminals that use equipment which modulate and remodulate the signal (e.g., baseband
              converters), the rms voltage of the aural signal shall be maintained between 6.5 and 17 decibels
              below the associated visual signal level at the subscriber terminal.

          (6) The amplitude characteristic shall be within a range of ±2 decibels from 0.75 MHz to 5.0 MHz above
              the lower boundary frequency of the cable television channel, referenced to the average of the
              highest and lowest amplitudes within these frequency boundaries. The amplitude characteristic shall
              be measured at the subscriber terminal.

          (7) The ratio of RF visual signal level to system noise shall not be less than 43 decibels. For class I cable
              television channels, the requirements of this section are applicable only to:

                (i)   Each signal which is delivered by a cable television system to subscribers within the predicted
                      Grade B or noise-limited service contour, as appropriate, for that signal;

                (ii) Each signal which is first picked up within its predicted Grade B or noise-limited service contour,
                     as appropriate;

                (iii) Each signal that is first received by the cable television system by direct video feed from a TV
                      broadcast station, a low power TV station, or a TV translator station.

          (8) The ratio of visual signal level to the rms amplitude of any coherent disturbances such as
              intermodulation products, second and third order distortions or discrete-frequency interfering signals
              not operating on proper offset assignments shall be as follows:

                (i)   The ratio of visual signal level to coherent disturbances shall not be less than 51 decibels for
                      noncoherent channel cable television systems, when measured with modulated carriers and
                      time averaged; and

                (ii) The ratio of visual signal level to coherent disturbances which are frequency-coincident with the
                     visual carrier shall not be less than 47 decibels for coherent channel cable systems, when
                     measured with modulated carriers and time averaged.

          (9) The terminal isolation provided to each subscriber terminal:

47 CFR 76.605(b)(9) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 114 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.605(b)(9)(i)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (i)   Shall not be less than 18 decibels. In lieu of periodic testing, the cable operator may use
                      specifications provided by the manufacturer for the terminal isolation equipment to meet this
                      standard; and

                (ii) Shall be sufficient to prevent reflections caused by open-circuited or short-circuited subscriber
                     terminals from producing visible picture impairments at any other subscriber terminal.

          (10) The peak-to-peak variation in visual signal level caused by undesired low frequency disturbances
               (hum or repetitive transients) generated within the system, or by inadequate low frequency response,
               shall not exceed 3 percent of the visual signal level. Measurements made on a single channel using
               a single unmodulated carrier may be used to demonstrate compliance with this parameter at each
               test location.

          (11) The following requirements apply to the performance of the cable television system as measured at
               the output of the modulating or processing equipment (generally the headend) of the system:

                (i)   The chrominance-luminance delay inequality (or chroma delay), which is the change in delay
                      time of the chrominance component of the signal relative to the luminance component, shall be
                      within 170 nanoseconds.

                (ii) The differential gain for the color subcarrier of the television signal, which is measured as the
                     difference in amplitude between the largest and smallest segments of the chrominance signal
                     (divided by the largest and expressed in percent), shall not exceed ±20%.

               (iii) The differential phase for the color subcarrier of the television signal which is measured as the
                     largest phase difference in degrees between each segment of the chrominance signal and
                     reference segment (the segment at the blanking level of 0 IRE), shall not exceed ±10 degrees.

     (c) As an exception to the general provision requiring measurements to be made at subscriber terminals, and
         without regard to the type of signals carried by the cable television system, signal leakage from a cable
         television system shall be measured in accordance with the procedures outlined in § 76.609(h) and shall
         be limited as shown in table 1 to paragraph (c):

                                              Table 1 to Paragraph (c)

                                                                                          Signal       Distance
                                           Frequencies                                   leakage      in meters
                                                                                           limit          (m)
           Analog signals less than and including 54 MHz, and over 216 MHz             15 µV/m               30
           Digital signals less than and including 54 MHz, and over 216 MHz            13.1 µV/m             30
           Analog signals over 54 MHz up to and including 216 MHz                      20 µV/m                 3
           Digital signals over 54 MHz up to and including 216 MHz                     17.4 µV/m               3

     (d) Cable television systems distributing signals by methods other than 6 MHz NTSC or similar analog
         channels or 6 MHz QAM or similar channels on conventional coaxial or hybrid fiber-coaxial cable systems
         and which, because of their basic design, cannot comply with one or more of the technical standards set
         forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, are permitted to operate without Commission approval,
         provided that the operators of those systems adhere to all other applicable Commission rules and
         respond to consumer and local franchising authorities regarding industry-standard technical operation as
         set forth in their local franchise agreements and consistent with § 76.1713.

47 CFR 76.605(d) (enhanced display)                                                                      page 115 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.606
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           Note 1: Local franchising authorities of systems serving fewer than 1,000 subscribers may adopt
           standards less stringent than those in § 76.605(a) and (b). Any such agreement shall be reduced
           to writing and be associated with the system's proof-of-performance records.

           Note 2: For systems serving rural areas as defined in § 76.5, the system may negotiate with its
           local franchising authority for standards less stringent than those in § 76.605(b)(3), (7), (8), (10)
           and (11). Any such agreement shall be reduced to writing and be associated with the system's
           proof-of-performance records.

           Note 3: The requirements of this section shall not apply to devices subject to the TV interface
           device rules under part 15 of this chapter.

           Note 4: Should subscriber complaints arise from a system failing to meet § 76.605(b)(10), the
           cable operator will be required to remedy the complaint and perform test measurements on §
           76.605(b)(10) containing the full number of channels as indicated in § 76.601(b)(2) at the
           complaining subscriber's terminal. Further, should the problem be found to be system-wide, the
           Commission may order that the full number of channels as indicated in § 76.601(b)(2) be tested at
           all required locations for future proof-of-performance tests.

           Note 5: No State or franchising authority may prohibit, condition, or restrict a cable system's use of
           any type of subscriber equipment or any transmission technology.

[83 FR 7627, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.606 Closed captioning.
     (a) The operator of each cable television system shall not take any action to remove or alter closed
         captioning data contained on line 21 of the vertical blanking interval.

     (b) The operator of each cable television system shall deliver intact closed captioning data contained on line
         21 of the vertical blanking interval, as it arrives at the headend or from another origination source, to
         subscriber terminals and (when so delivered to the cable system) in a format that can be recovered and
         displayed by decoders meeting § 79.101 of this chapter.

[83 FR 7629, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.607 Transmission of commercial advertisements.
     (a) Transmission of commercial advertisements by cable operator or other multichannel video programming
         distributor.

47 CFR 76.607(a) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 116 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                      47 CFR 76.607(a)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) Mandatory compliance with ATSC A/85 RP. Effective December 13, 2012, cable operators and other
               multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), as defined in 47 U.S.C. 522, must comply
               with ATSC A/85 RP (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602), insofar as it concerns the
               transmission of commercial advertisements.

           (2) Commercials inserted by cable operator or other MVPD. A cable operator or other multichannel video
               programming distributor that installs, utilizes, and maintains in a commercially reasonable manner
               the equipment and associated software to comply with ATSC A/85 RP shall be deemed in
               compliance with respect to locally inserted commercials, which for the purposes of this provision
               are commercial advertisements added to a programming stream by a cable operator or other MVPD
               prior to or at the time of transmission to viewers. In order to be considered to have installed, utilized
               and maintained the equipment and associated software in a commercially reasonable manner, a
               cable operator or other MVPD must:

                 (i)   Install, maintain and utilize equipment to properly measure the loudness of the content and to
                       ensure that the dialnorm metadata value correctly matches the loudness of the content when
                       encoding the audio into AC–3 for transmitting the content to the consumer;

                (ii) Provide records showing the consistent and ongoing use of this equipment in the regular
                     course of business and demonstrating that the equipment has undergone commercially
                     reasonable periodic maintenance and testing to ensure its continued proper operation;

                (iii) Certify that it either has no actual knowledge of a violation of the ATSC A/85 RP, or that any
                      violation of which it has become aware has been corrected promptly upon becoming aware of
                      such a violation; and

                (iv) Certify that its own transmission equipment is not at fault for any pattern or trend of
                     complaints.

           (3) Embedded commercials—safe harbor. With respect to embedded commercials, which, for the
               purposes of this provision, are those commercial advertisements placed into the programming
               stream by a third party (i.e., programmer) and passed through by the cable operator or other MVPD
               to viewers, a cable operator or other MVPD must certify that its own transmission equipment is not
               at fault for any pattern or trend of complaints, and may demonstrate compliance with the ATSC A/85
               RP through one of the following methods:

                 (i)   Relying on a network's or other programmer's certification of compliance with the ATSC A/85
                       RP with respect to commercial programming, provided that:

                       (A) The certification is widely available by Web site or other means to any television broadcast
                           station, cable operator, or multichannel video programming distributor that transmits that
                           programming; and

                       (B) The cable operator or other MVPD has no reason to believe that the certification is false;
                           and

                       (C) The cable operator or other MVPD performs a spot check, as defined in §
                           76.607(a)(3)(iv)(A), (B), (D), and (E), on the programming in response to an enforcement
                           inquiry concerning a pattern or trend of complaints regarding commercials contained in
                           that programming;

                (ii) If transmitting any programming that is not certified as described in § 76.607(a)(3)(i):

47 CFR 76.607(a)(3)(ii) (enhanced display)                                                                page 117 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                47 CFR 76.607(a)(3)(ii)(A)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                      (A) A cable operator or other MVPD that had 10,000,000 subscribers or more as of December
                          31, 2011 must perform annual spot checks, as defined in § 76.607(a)(3)(iv)(A), (B), (C),
                          and (E), of all the non-certified commercial programming it receives from a network or
                          other programmer that is carried by any system operated by the cable operator or other
                          MVPD, and perform a spot check, as defined in § 76.607(a)(3)(iv)(A), (B), (D), and (E), on
                          programming in response to an enforcement inquiry concerning a pattern or trend of
                          complaints regarding commercials contained in that programming; and

                      (B) A cable operator or other MVPD that had fewer than 10,000,000 but more than 400,000
                          subscribers as of December 31, 2011, must perform annual spot checks, as defined in §
                          76.607(a)(3)(iv)(A), (B), (C), and (E), of a randomly chosen 50 percent of the non-certified
                          commercial programming it receives from a network or other programmer that is carried
                          by any system operated by the cable operator or other MVPD, and perform a spot check,
                          as defined in § 76.607(a)(3)(iv)(A), (B), (D), and (E), on programming in response to an
                          enforcement inquiry concerning a pattern or trend of complaints regarding commercials
                          contained in that programming; or

                (iii) A cable operator or other MVPD that had fewer than 400,000 subscribers as of December 31,
                      2011, need not perform annual spot checks but must perform a spot check, as defined in §
                      76.607(a)(3)(iv)(A), (B), (D), and (E), on programming in response to an enforcement inquiry
                      concerning a pattern or trend of complaints regarding commercials contained in that
                      programming.

                (iv) For the purposes of this section, a “spot check” of embedded commercials requires monitoring
                     24 uninterrupted hours of programming with an audio loudness meter compliant with the ATSC
                     A/85 RP's measurement technique, and reviewing the records from that monitoring to detect
                     any commercials transmitted in violation of the ATSC A/85 RP. The cable operator or other
                     MVPD must not inform the network or programmer of the spot check prior to performing it.

                      (A) Spot-checking must be conducted after the signal has passed through the cable operator
                          or other MVPD's processing equipment (e.g., at the output of a set-top box). If a problem is
                          found, the cable operator or other MVPD must determine the source of the
                          noncompliance.

                      (B) To be considered valid, the cable operator or other MVPD must demonstrate appropriate
                          maintenance records for the audio loudness meter.

                      (C) With reference to the annual “safe harbor” spot check in § 76.607(a)(3)(ii):

                            (1) To be considered valid, the cable operator or other—MVPD must demonstrate, at the
                                time of any enforcement inquiry, that appropriate spot checks had been ongoing.

                            (2) If there is no single 24 hour period in which all programmers of a given channel are
                                represented, an annual spot check could consist of a series of loudness
                                measurements over the course of a 7 day period, totaling no fewer than 24 hours,
                                that measure at least one program, in its entirety, provided by each non-certified
                                programmer that supplies programming for that channel.

                            (3) If annual spot checks are performed for two consecutive years without finding
                                evidence of noncompliance with the ATSC A/85 RP, no further annual spot checks
                                are required to remain in the safe harbor for existing programming.

47 CFR 76.607(a)(3)(iv)(C)(3) (enhanced display)                                                          page 118 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                             47 CFR 76.607(a)(3)(iv)(C)(4)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                            (4) Newly-added (or newly de-certified) non-certified channels must be spot-checked
                                annually using the approach described in this section. If annual spot checks of the
                                channel are performed for two consecutive years without finding evidence of
                                noncompliance with the ATSC A/85 RP, no further annual spot checks are required to
                                remain in the safe harbor for that channel.

                            (5) Even after the two year period, if a spot check shows noncompliance on a non-
                                certified channel, the cable operator or other MVPD must once again perform annual
                                spot checks of that channel to be in the safe harbor for that programming. If these
                                renewed annual spot checks are performed for two consecutive years without finding
                                additional evidence of noncompliance with the ATSC A/85 RP, no further annual spot
                                checks are required to remain in the safe harbor for that channel.

                       (D) With reference to the spot checks in response to an enforcement inquiry pursuant to §
                           76.607(a)(3)(i)(C), (ii), or (iii):

                            (1) If notified of a pattern or trend of complaints, the cable operator or other MVPD must
                                perform the 24-hour spot check of the channel or programming at issue within 30
                                days or as otherwise specified by the Enforcement Bureau; and

                            (2) If the spot check reveals actual compliance, the cable operator or other MVPD must
                                notify the Commission in its response to the enforcement inquiry.

                       (E) If any spot check shows noncompliance with the ATSC A/85 RP, the cable operator or
                           other MVPD must notify the Commission and the network or programmer within 7 days,
                           direct the programmer's attention to any relevant complaints, and must perform a follow-
                           up spot check within 30 days of providing such notice. The cable operator or other MVPD
                           must notify the Commission and the network or programmer of the results of the follow-
                           up spot check. Notice to the Federal Communications Commission must be provided to
                           the Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, or as otherwise
                           directed in a Letter of Inquiry to which the cable operator or other MVPD is responding.

                            (1) If the follow-up spot check shows compliance with the ATSC A/85 RP, the cable
                                operator or other MVPD remains in the safe harbor for that channel or programming.

                            (2) If the follow-up spot check shows noncompliance with the ATSC A/85 RP, the cable
                                operator or other MVPD will not be in the safe harbor with respect to commercials
                                contained in programming for which the spot check showed noncompliance until a
                                subsequent spot check shows that the programming is in compliance.

           (4) Use of a real-time processor. A cable operator or other MVPD that installs, maintains and utilizes a
               real-time processor in a commercially reasonable manner will be deemed in compliance with the
               ATSC A/85 RP with regard to any commercial advertisements on which it uses such a processor, so
               long as it also:

                 (i)   Provides records showing the consistent and ongoing use of this equipment in the regular
                       course of business and demonstrating that the equipment has undergone commercially
                       reasonable periodic maintenance and testing to ensure its continued proper operation;

                (ii) Certifies that it either has no actual knowledge of a violation of the ATSC A/85 RP, or that any
                     violation of which it has become aware has been corrected promptly upon becoming aware of
                     such a violation; and

47 CFR 76.607(a)(4)(ii) (enhanced display)                                                                page 119 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.607(a)(4)(iii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (iii) Certifies that its own transmission equipment is not at fault for any pattern or trend of
                      complaints.

           (5) Commercials locally inserted by a cable operator or other MVPD's agent—safe harbor. With respect to
               commercials locally inserted, which for the purposes of this provision are commercial
               advertisements added to a programming stream for the cable operator or other MVPD by a third
               party after it has been received from the programmer but prior to or at the time of transmission to
               viewers, a cable operator or other MVPD may demonstrate compliance with the ATSC A/85 RP by
               relying on the third party local inserter's certification of compliance with the ATSC A/85 RP, provided
               that:

                 (i)   The cable operator or other MVPD has no reason to believe that the certification is false;

                 (ii) The cable operator or other MVPD certifies that its own transmission equipment is not at fault
                      for any pattern or trend of complaints; and

                (iii) The cable operator or other MVPD performs a spot check, as defined in § 76.607(a)(3)(iv)(A),
                      (B), (D), and (E), on the programming at issue in response to an enforcement inquiry concerning
                      a pattern or trend of complaints regarding commercials inserted by that third party.

           (6) Instead of demonstrating compliance pursuant to paragraphs (a)(2) through (5) of this section, a
               cable operator or other MVPD may demonstrate compliance with paragraph (a)(1) of this section in
               response to an enforcement inquiry prompted by a pattern or trend of complaints by demonstrating
               actual compliance with ATSC A/85 RP with regard to the commercial advertisements that are the
               subject of the inquiry, and certifying that its own transmission equipment is not at fault for any such
               pattern or trend of complaints.

                 Note to § 76.607(a): For additional information regarding this requirement, see
                 Implementation of the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, FCC
                 11–182.

     (b) [Reserved]

[77 FR 40300, July 9, 2012]

§ 76.609 Measurements.
     (a) Measurements made to demonstrate conformity with the performance requirements set forth in §§
         76.601 and 76.605 shall be made under conditions which reflect system performance during normal
         operations, including the effect of any microwave relay operated in the Cable Television Relay (CARS)
         Service intervening between pickup antenna and the cable distribution network. Amplifiers shall be
         operated at normal gains, either by the insertion of appropriate signals or by manual adjustment. Special
         signals inserted in a cable television channel for measurement purposes should be operated at levels
         approximating those used for normal operation. Pilot tones, auxiliary or substitute signals, and
         nontelevision signals normally carried on the cable television system should be operated at normal levels
         to the extent possible. Some exemplary, but not mandatory, measurement procedures are set forth in this
         section.

47 CFR 76.609(a) (enhanced display)                                                                       page 120 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.609(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (b) When it may be necessary to remove the television signal normally carried on a cable television channel in
         order to facilitate a performance measurement, it will be permissible to disconnect the antenna which
         serves the channel under measurement and to substitute therefor a matching resistance termination.
         Other antennas and inputs should remain connected and normal signal levels should be maintained on
         other channels.

     (c) As may be necessary to ensure satisfactory service to a subscriber, the Commission may require
         additional tests to demonstrate system performance or may specify the use of different test procedures.

     (d) The frequency response of a cable television channel may be determined by one of the following
         methods, as appropriate:

          (1) By using a swept frequency or a manually variable signal generator at the sending end and a
              calibrated attenuator and frequency-selective voltmeter at the subscriber terminal; or

          (2) By using either a multiburst generator or vertical interval test signals and either a modulator or
              processor at the sending end, and by using either a demodulator and either an oscilloscope display
              or a waveform monitor display at the subscriber terminal.

     (e) System noise may be measured using a frequency-selective voltmeter (field strength meter) which has
         been suitably calibrated to indicate rms noise or average power level and which has a known bandwidth.
         With the system operating at normal level and with a properly matched resistive termination substituted
         for the antenna, noise power indications at the subscriber terminal are taken in successive increments of
         frequency equal to the bandwidth of the frequency-selective voltmeter, summing the power indications to
         obtain the total noise power present over a 4 MHz band centered within the cable television channel. If it
         is established that the noise level is constant within this bandwidth, a single measurement may be taken
         which is corrected by an appropriate factor representing the ratio of 4 MHz to the noise bandwidth of the
         frequency-selective voltmeter. If an amplifier is inserted between the frequency-selective voltmeter and
         the subscriber terminal in order to facilitate this measurement, it should have a bandwidth of at least 4
         MHz and appropriate corrections must be made to account for its gain and noise figure. Alternatively,
         measurements made in accordance with the NCTA Recommended Practices for Measurements on Cable
         Television Systems, 2nd edition, November 1989, on noise measurement may be employed.

     (f) The amplitude of discrete frequency interfering signals within a cable television channel may be
         determined with either a spectrum analyzer or with a frequency-selective voltmeter (field strength meter),
         which instruments have been calibrated for adequate accuracy. If calibration accuracy is in doubt,
         measurements may be referenced to a calibrated signal generator, or a calibrated variable attenuator,
         substituted at the point of measurement. If an amplifier is used between the subscriber terminal and the
         measuring instrument, appropriate corrections must be made to account for its gain.

     (g) The terminal isolation between any two terminals in the cable television system may be measured by
         applying a signal of known amplitude to one terminal and measuring the amplitude of that signal at the
         other terminal. The frequency of the signal should be close to the midfrequency of the channel being
         tested. Measurements of terminal isolation are not required when either:

          (1) The manufacturer's specifications for subscriber tap isolation based on a representative sample of
              no less than 500 subscribers taps or

          (2) Laboratory tests performed by or for the operator of a cable television system on a representative
              sample of no less than 50 subscriber taps, indicates that the terminal isolation standard of §
              76.605(a)(9) is met.

47 CFR 76.609(g)(2) (enhanced display)                                                                page 121 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.609(h)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           To demonstrate compliance with § 76.605(a)(9), the operator of a cable television system shall attach
           either such manufacturer's specifications or laboratory measurements as an exhibit to each proof-of-
           performance record.

     (h) Measurements to determine the field strength of the signal leakage emanated by the cable television
         system shall be made in accordance with standard engineering procedures. Measurements made on
         frequencies above 25 MHz shall include the following:

           (1) A field strength meter of adequate accuracy using a horizontal dipole antenna shall be employed.

           (2) Field strength shall be expressed in terms of the rms value of synchronizing peak for each cable
               television channel for which signal leakage can be measured.

           (3) The resonant half wave dipole antenna shall be placed 3 meters from and positioned directly below
               the system components and at 3 meters above ground. Where such placement results in a
               separation of less than 3 meters between the center of the dipole antenna and the system
               components, or less than 3 meters between the dipole and ground level, the dipole shall be
               repositioned to provide a separation of 3 meters from the system components at a height of 3
               meters or more above ground.

           (4) The horizontal dipole antenna shall be rotated about a vertical axis and the maximum meter reading
               shall be used.

           (5) Measurements shall be made where other conductors are 3 or more meters (10 or more feet) away
               from the measuring antenna.

     (i)   For systems using cable traps and filters to control the delivery of specific channels to the subscriber
           terminal, measurements made to determine compliance with § 76.605(a) (5) and (6) may be performed at
           the location immediately prior to the trap or filter for the specific channel. The effects of these traps or
           filters, as certified by the system engineer or the equipment manufacturer, must be attached to each
           proof-of-performance record.

     (j)   Measurements made to determine the differential gain, differential phase and the chrominance-luminance
           delay inequality (chroma delay) shall be made in accordance with the NCTA Recommended Practices for
           Measurements on Cable Television Systems, 2nd edition, November 1989, on these parameters.

[37 FR 3278, Feb. 12, 1972, as amended at 37 FR 13867, July 14, 1972; 41 FR 10067, Mar. 9, 1976; 42 FR 21782, Apr. 29, 1977; 49
FR 45441, Nov. 16, 1984; 57 FR 11004, Apr. 1, 1992; 57 FR 61011, Dec. 23, 1992; 58 FR 44952, Aug. 25, 1993]

§ 76.610 Operation in the frequency bands 108–137 MHz and 225–400 MHz—scope of
application.
The provisions of §§ 76.605(d), 76.611, 76.612, 76.613, 76.614, 76.616, 76.617, 76.1803 and 76.1804 are applicable
to all MVPDs (cable and non-cable) transmitting analog carriers or other signal components carried at an average
power level equal to or greater than 100 microwatts across a 25 kHz bandwidth in any 160 microsecond period or
transmitting digital carriers or other signal components at an average power level of 75.85 microwatts across a 25
kHz bandwidth in any 160 microsecond period at any point in the cable distribution system in the frequency bands
108–137 and 225–400 MHz for any purpose. Exception: Non-cable MVPDs serving less than 1000 subscribers and
less than 1,000 units do not have to comply with § 76.1803.

[83 FR 7629, Feb. 22, 2018]

47 CFR 76.610 (enhanced display)                                                                                page 122 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.611
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.611 Cable television basic signal leakage performance criteria.
     (a) No cable television system shall commence or provide service in the frequency bands 108–137 and
         225–400 MHz unless such systems is in compliance with one of the following cable television basic
         signal leakage performance criteria:

           (1) Prior to carriage of signals in the aeronautical radio bands and at least once each calendar year, with
               no more than 12 months between successive tests thereafter, based on a sampling of at least 75%
               of the cable strand, and including any portion of the cable system which are known to have or can
               reasonably be expected to have less leakage integrity than the average of the system, the cable
               operator demonstrates compliance with a cumulative signal leakage index by showing that 10 log I∞
               is equal to or less than 64 using the following formula:

                θ is the fraction of the system cable length actually examined for leakage sources and is equal to the
                strand kilometers (strand miles) of plant tested divided by the total strand kilometers (strand miles)
                in the plant;

                Ei is the electric field strength in microvolts per meter (µV/m) measured 3 meters from the leak i; and

                n is the number of leaks found of field strength equal to or greater than 50 µV/m measured pursuant
                to § 76.609(h).

                The sum is carried over all leaks i detected in the cable examined; or

           (2) Prior to carriage of signals in the aeronautical radio bands and at least once each calendar year, with
               no more than 12 months between successive tests thereafter, the cable operator demonstrates by
               measurement in the airspace that at no point does the field strength generated by the cable system
               exceed 10 microvolts per meter (µV/m) RMS at an altitude of 450 meters above the average terrain
               of the cable system. The measurement system (including the receiving antenna) shall be calibrated
               against a known field of 10 µV/m RMS produced by a well characterized antenna consisting of
               orthogonal resonant dipoles, both parallel to and one quarter wavelength above the ground plane of
               a diameter of two meters or more at ground level. The dipoles shall have centers collocated and be
               excited 90 degrees apart. The half-power bandwidth of the detector shall be 25 kHz. If an
               aeronautical receiver is used for this purpose it shall meet the standards of the Radio Technical
               Commission for Aeronautics (RCTA) for aeronautical communications receivers. The aircraft
               antenna shall be horizontally polarized. Calibration shall be made in the community unit or, if more
               than one, in any of the community units of the physical system within a reasonable time period to
               performing the measurements. If data is recorded digitally the 90th percentile level of points
               recorded over the cable system shall not exceed 10 µV/m RMS as indicated above; if analog
               recordings is used the peak values of the curves, when smoothed according to good engineering
               practices, shall not exceed 10 µV/m RMS.

     (b) In paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section the unmodulated test signal used for analog leakage
         measurements on the cable plant shall—

           (1) Be within the VHF aeronautical band 108–137 MHz or any other frequency for which the results can
               be correlated to the VHF aeronautical band; and

           (2) Have an average power level equal to the greater of:

47 CFR 76.611(b)(2) (enhanced display)                                                                  page 123 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.611(b)(2)(i)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                 (i)   The peak envelope power level of the strongest NTSC or similar analog cable television signal
                       on the system, or

                 (ii) 1.2 dB greater than the average power level of the strongest QAM or similar digital cable
                      television signal on the system.

     (c) In paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, if a modulated test signal is used for analog leakage
         measurements, the test signal and detector technique must, when considered together, yield the same
         result as though an unmodulated test signal were used in conjunction with a detection technique which
         would yield the RMS value of said unmodulated carrier.

     (d) If a sampling of at least 75% of the cable strand (and including any portions of the cable system which are
         known to have or can reasonably be expected to have less leakage integrity than the average of the
         system) as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section cannot be obtained by the cable operator or is
         otherwise not reasonably feasible, the cable operator shall perform the airspace measurements described
         in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

     (e) Prior to providing service to any subscriber on a new section of cable plant, the operator shall show
         compliance with either:

           (1) The basic signal leakage criteria in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) or (2) of this section for the
               entire plant in operation or

           (2) a showing shall be made indicating that no individual leak in the new section of the plant exceeds 20
               µV/m at 3 meters in accordance with § 76.609 for analog signals or 17.4 µV/m at 3 meters for
               digital signals.

     (f) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, a cable operator shall be permitted to operate on any
         frequency which is offset pursuant to § 76.612 in the frequency band 108–137 MHz for the purpose of
         demonstrating compliance with the cable television basic signal leakage performance criteria.

[83 FR 7629, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.612 Cable television frequency separation standards.
All cable television systems which operate analog NTSC or similar channels in the frequency bands 108–137 MHZ
and 225–400 MHz shall comply with the following frequency separation standards for each NTSC or similar
channel:

     (a) In the aeronautical radiocommunication bands 118–137, 225–328.6 and 335.4–400 MHz, the frequency
         of all carrier signals or signal components carried at an average power level equal to or greater than 10−4
         watts in a 25 kHz bandwidth in any 160 microsecond period must operate at frequencies offset from
         certain frequencies which may be used by aeronautical radio services operated by Commission licensees
         or by the United States Government or its Agencies. The aeronautical frequencies from which offsets
         must be maintained are those frequencies which are within one of the aeronautical bands defined in this
         subparagraph, and when expressed in MHz and divided by 0.025 yield an integer. The offset must meet
         one of the following two criteria:

           (1) All such cable carriers or signal components shall be offset by 12.5 kHz with a frequency tolerance
               of ±5 kHz; or

47 CFR 76.612(a)(1) (enhanced display)                                                                  page 124 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.612(a)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (2) The fundamental frequency from which the visual carrier frequencies are derived by multiplication by
               an integer number which shall be 6.0003 MHz with a tolerance of ±1 Hz (Harmonically Related
               Carrier (HRC) comb generators only).

     (b) In the aeronautical radionavigation bands 108–118 and 328.6–335.4 MHz, the frequency of all carrier
         signals or signal components carrier at an average power level equal to or greater than 10−4 watts in a 25
         kHz bandwidth in any 160 microsecond period shall be offset by 25 kHz with a tolerance of ±5 kHz. The
         aeronautical radionavigation frequencies from which offsets must be maintained are defined as follows:

           (1) Within the aeronautical band 108–118 MHz when expressed in MHz and divided by 0.025 yield an
               even integer.

           (2) Within the band 328.6–335.4 MHz, the radionavigation glide path channels are listed in Section
               87.501 of the Rules.

           Note: The HRC system, as described above, will meet this requirement in the 328.6–335.4 MHz
           navigation glide path band. Those Incrementally Related Carriers (IRC) systems, with comb
           generator reference frequencies set at certain odd multiples equal to or greater than 3 times the
           0.0125 MHz aeronautical communications band offset, e.g. (6n + 1.250 ±0.0375) MHz, may also
           meet the 25 kHz offset requirement in the navigation glide path band.

[50 FR 29400, July 19, 1985, as amended at 83 FR 7630, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.613 Interference from a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD).
     (a) Harmful interference is any emission, radiation or induction which endangers the functioning of a
         radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly
         interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with this chapter.

     (b) An MVPD that causes harmful interference shall promptly take appropriate measures to eliminate the
         harmful interference.

     (c) If harmful interference to radio communications involving the safety of life and protection of property
         cannot be promptly eliminated by the application of suitable techniques, operation of the offending MVPD
         or appropriate elements thereof shall immediately be suspended upon notification by the Regional
         Director for the Commission's local field office, and shall not be resumed until the interference has been
         eliminated to the satisfaction of the Regional Director. When authorized by the Regional Director, short
         test operations may be made during the period of suspended operation to check the efficacy of remedial
         measures.

     (d) The MVPD may be required by the Regional Director to prepare and submit a report regarding the cause(s)
         of the interference, corrective measures planned or taken, and the efficacy of the remedial measures.

[42 FR 41296, Aug. 16, 1977, as amended at 62 FR 61031, Nov. 14, 1997; 80 FR 53751, Sept. 8, 2015]

47 CFR 76.613(d) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 125 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.614
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.614 Cable television system regular monitoring.
Cable television operators transmitting carriers in the frequency bands 108–137 and 225–400 MHz shall provide for
a program of regular monitoring for signal leakage by substantially covering the plant every three months. The
incorporation of this monitoring program into the daily activities of existing service personnel in the discharge of
their normal duties will generally cover all portions of the system and will therefore meet this requirement.
Monitoring equipment and procedures utilized by a cable operator shall be adequate to detect a leakage source
which produces a field strength in these bands of 20 uV/m or greater at a distance of 3 meters. During regular
monitoring, any leakage source which produces a field strength of 20 uV/m or greater at a distance of 3 meters in
the aeronautical radio frequency bands shall be noted and such leakage sources shall be repaired within a
reasonable period of time.

           Note 1 to § 76.614: Section 76.1706 contains signal leakage recordkeeping requirements
           applicable to cable operators.

[65 FR 53616, Sept. 5, 2000]

§ 76.616 Operation near certain aeronautical and marine emergency radio frequencies.
     (a) The transmission of carriers or other signal components capable of delivering peak power levels equal to
         or greater than 10−5 watts at any point in a cable television system is prohibited within 100 kHz of the
         frequency 121.5 MHz, and is prohibited within 50 kHz of the two frequencies 156.8 MHz and 243.0 MHz.

     (b) At any point on a cable system from 405.925 MHz to 406.176 MHz analog transmissions are prohibited
         from delivering peak power levels equal to or greater than 10−5 watts. The transmission of digital signals
         in this range is limited to power levels measured using a root-mean-square detector of less than 10−5
         watts in any 30 kHz bandwidth over any 2.5 millisecond interval.

[69 FR 57862, Sept. 28, 2004]

§ 76.617 Responsibility for interference.
Interference resulting from the use of cable system terminal equipment (including subscriber terminal, input
selector switch and any other accessories) shall be the responsibility of the cable system terminal equipment
operator in accordance with the provisions of part 15 of this chapter: provided, however, that the operator of a cable
system to which the cable system terminal equipment is connected shall be responsible for detecting and
eliminating any signal leakage where that leakage would cause interference outside the subscriber's premises and/
or would cause the cable system to exceed the Part 76 signal leakage requirements. In cases where excessive
signal leakage occurs, the cable operator shall be required only to discontinue service to the subscriber until the
problem is corrected.

[53 FR 46619, Nov. 18, 1989]

§§ 76.618-76.620 [Reserved]

47 CFR 76.618-76.620 (enhanced display)                                                                 page 126 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.630
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.630 Compatibility with consumer electronics equipment.
     (a) Cable system operators shall not scramble or otherwise encrypt signals delivered to a subscriber on the
         basic service tier.

           (1) This prohibition shall not apply in systems in which:

                (i)   No encrypted signals are carried using the NTSC system; and

                (ii) The cable system operator offers to its existing subscribers who subscribe only to the basic
                     service tier without use of a set-top box or CableCARD at the time of encryption the equipment
                     necessary to descramble or decrypt the basic service tier signals (the subscriber's choice of a
                     set-top box or CableCARD) on up to two television sets without charge or service fee for two
                     years from the date encryption of the basic service tier commences; and

                (iii) The cable system operator offers to its existing subscribers who subscribe to a level of service
                      above “basic only” but use a digital television or other device with a clear-QAM tuner to receive
                      only the basic service tier without use of a set-top box or CableCARD at the time of encryption,
                      the equipment necessary to descramble or decrypt the basic service tier signals (the
                      subscriber's choice of a set-top box or CableCARD) on one television set without charge or
                      service fee for one year from the date encryption of the basic service tier commences; and

                (iv) The cable system operator offers to its existing subscribers who receive Medicaid and also
                     subscribe only to the basic service tier without use of a set-top box or CableCARD at the time of
                     encryption the equipment necessary to descramble or decrypt the basic service tier signals (the
                     subscriber's choice of a set-top box or CableCARD) on up to two television sets without charge
                     or service fee for five years from the date encryption of the basic service tier commences;

                (v) The cable system operator notifies its existing subscribers of the availability of the offers
                    described in paragraphs (ii) through (iv) of this section at least 30 days prior to the date
                    encryption of the basic service tier commences and makes the offers available for at least 30
                    days prior to and 120 days after the date encryption of the basic service tier commences. The
                    notification to subscribers must state:

                On (DATE), (NAME OF CABLE OPERATOR) will start encrypting (INSERT NAME OF CABLE BASIC
                SERVICE TIER OFFERING) on your cable system. If you have a set-top box, digital transport adapter
                (DTA), or a retail CableCARD device connected to each of your TVs, you will be unaffected by this
                change. However, if you are currently receiving (INSERT NAME OF CABLE BASIC SERVICE TIER
                OFFERING) on any TV without equipment supplied by (NAME OF CABLE OPERATOR), you will lose
                the ability to view any channels on that TV.

                If you are affected, you should contact (NAME OF CABLE OPERATOR) to arrange for the equipment
                you need to continue receiving your services. In such case, you are entitled to receive equipment at
                no additional charge or service fee for a limited period of time. The number and type of devices you
                are entitled to receive and for how long will vary depending on your situation. If you are a (INSERT
                NAME OF CABLE BASIC SERVICE TIER OFFERING) customer and receive the service on your TV
                without (NAME OF CABLE OPERATOR)-supplied equipment, you are entitled to up to two devices for
                two years (five years if you also receive Medicaid). If you subscribe to a higher level of service and
                receive (INSERT NAME OF CABLE BASIC SERVICE TIER OFFERING) on a secondary TV without
                (NAME OF CABLE OPERATOR)-supplied equipment, you are entitled to one device for one year.

47 CFR 76.630(a)(1)(v) (enhanced display)                                                                page 127 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.630(a)(1)(vi)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

               You can learn more about this equipment offer and eligibility at (WEBPAGE ADDRESS) or by calling
               (PHONE NUMBER). To qualify for any equipment at no additional charge or service fee, you must
               request the equipment between (DATE THAT IS 30 DAYS BEFORE ENCRYPTION) and (DATE THAT IS
               120 DAYS AFTER ENCRYPTION) and satisfy all other eligibility requirements.

               (vi) The cable system operator notifies its subscribers who have received equipment described in
                    paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) through (iv) of this section at least 30 days, but no more than 60 days,
                    before the end of the free device transitional period that the transitional period will end. This
                    notification must state:

               You currently receive equipment necessary to descramble or decrypt the basic service tier signals
               (either a set-top box or CableCARD) free of charge. Effective with the (MONTH/YEAR) billing cycle,
               (NAME OF CABLE OPERATOR) will begin charging you for the equipment you received to access
               (INSERT NAME OF CABLE BASIC SERVICE TIER OFFERING) when (NAME OF CABLE OPERATOR)
               started encrypting those channels on your cable system. The monthly charge for the (TYPE OF
               DEVICE) will be (AMOUNT OF CHARGE).

          (2) Requests for waivers of this prohibition must demonstrate either a substantial problem with theft of
              basic tier service or a strong need to scramble basic signals for other reasons. As part of this
              showing, cable operators are required to notify subscribers by mail of waiver requests. The notice to
              subscribers must be mailed no later than 30 calendar days from the date the request for waiver was
              filed with the Commission, and cable operators must inform the Commission in writing, as soon as
              possible, of that notification date. The notification to subscribers must state:

          On (date of waiver request was filed with the Commission), (cable operator's name) filed with the Federal
          Communications Commission a request for waiver of the rule prohibiting scrambling of channels on the
          basic tier of service. 47 CFR 76.630(a). The request for waiver states (a brief summary of the waiver
          request). A copy of the request for waiver shall be available for public inspection at www.fcc.gov.

          Individuals who wish to comment on this request for waiver should mail comments to the Federal
          Communications Commission by no later than 30 days from (the date the notification was mailed to
          subscribers). Those comments should be addressed to the: Federal Communications Commission, Media
          Bureau, Washington, DC 20554, and should include the name of the cable operator to whom the
          comments are applicable. Individuals should also send a copy of their comments to (the cable operator at
          its local place of business).

          Cable operators may file comments in reply no later than 7 days from the date subscriber comments must
          be filed.

     (b) Cable system operators that provide their subscribers with cable system terminal devices and other
         customer premises equipment that incorporates remote control capability shall permit the remote
         operation of such devices with commercially available remote control units or otherwise take no action
         that would prevent the devices from being operated by a commercially available remote control unit.
         Cable system operators are advised that this requirement obliges them to actively enable the remote
         control functions of customer premises equipment where those functions do not operate without a
         special activation procedure. Cable system operators may, however, disable the remote control functions
         of a subscriber's customer premises equipment where requested by the subscriber.

47 CFR 76.630(b) (enhanced display)                                                                      page 128 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                                47 CFR 76.640
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

[59 FR 25342, May 16, 1994, as amended at 61 FR 18510, Apr. 26, 1996; 65 FR 53616, Sept. 5, 2000; 67 FR 1650, Jan. 14, 2002; 67
FR 13235, Mar. 21, 2002; 77 FR 67301, Dec. 10, 2012; 81 FR 10125, Feb. 29, 2016; 83 FR 66157, Dec. 26, 2018]

§ 76.640 Support for unidirectional digital cable products on digital cable systems.
     (a) The requirements of this section shall apply to digital cable systems. For purposes of this section, digital
         cable systems shall be defined as a cable system with one or more channels utilizing QAM modulation for
         transporting programs and services from its headend to receiving devices. Cable systems that only pass
         through 8 VSB broadcast signals shall not be considered digital cable systems.

     (b) No later than July 1, 2004, cable operators shall support unidirectional digital cable products, as defined in
         § 15.123 of this chapter, through the provisioning of Point of Deployment modules (PODs) and services,
         as follows:

           (1) Digital cable systems with an activated channel capacity of 750 MHz or greater shall comply with the
               following technical standards and requirements:

                 (i)   ANSI/SCTE 40 2016 (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602), provided however that the
                       “transit delay for most distant customer” requirement in Table 4.3 is not mandatory.

                (ii) ANSI/SCTE 65 2002 (formerly DVS 234): “Service Information Delivered Out-of-Band for Digital
                     Cable Television” (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602), provided however that the
                     referenced Source Name Subtable shall be provided for Profiles 1, 2, and 3.

                (iii) ANSI/SCTE 54 2003 (formerly DVS 241): “Digital Video Service Multiplex and Transport System
                      Standard for Cable Television” (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602).

                (iv) For each digital transport stream that includes one or more services carried in-the-clear, such
                     transport stream shall include virtual channel data in-band in the form of ATSC A/65B: “ATSC
                     Standard: Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial Broadcast and Cable
                     (Revision B)” (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602), when available from the content
                     provider. With respect to in-band transport:

                       (A) The data shall, at minimum, describe services carried within the transport stream carrying
                           the PSIP data itself;

                       (B) PSIP data describing a twelve-hour time period shall be carried for each service in the
                           transport stream. This twelve-hour period corresponds to delivery of the following event
                           information tables: EIT–0, –1, –2 and –3;

                       (C) The format of event information data format shall conform to ATSC A/65B: “ATSC
                           Standard: Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial Broadcast and Cable
                           (Revision B)” (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602);

                       (D) Each channel shall be identified by a one- or two-part channel number and a textual
                           channel name; and

                       (E) The total bandwidth for PSIP data may be limited by the cable system to 80 kbps for a 27
                           Mbits multiplex and 115 kbps for a 38.8 Mbits multiplex.

                (v) When service information tables are transmitted out-of-band for scrambled services:

                       (A) The data shall, at minimum, describe services carried within the transport stream carrying
                           the PSIP data itself;

47 CFR 76.640(b)(1)(v)(A) (enhanced display)                                                                   page 129 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.640(b)(1)(v)(B)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                       (B) A virtual channel table shall be provided via the extended channel interface from the POD
                           module. Tables to be included shall conform to ANSI/SCTE 65 2002 (formerly DVS 234):
                           “Service Information Delivered Out-of-Band for Digital Cable Television” (incorporated by
                           reference, see § 76.602).

                       (C) Event information data when present shall conform to ANSI/SCTE 65 2002 (formerly DVS
                           234): “Service Information Delivered Out-of-Band for Digital Cable Television”
                           (incorporated by reference, see § 76.602) (profiles 4 or higher).

                       (D) Each channel shall be identified by a one-or two-part channel number and a textual
                           channel name; and

                       (E) The channel number identified with out-of-band signaling information data should match
                           the channel identified with in-band PSIP data for all unscrambled in-the-clear services.

           (2) All digital cable systems shall comply with:

                 (i)   SCTE 28 2003 (formerly DVS 295): “Host-POD Interface Standard” (incorporated by reference,
                       see § 76.602).

                (ii) SCTE 41 2003 (formerly DVS 301): “POD Copy Protection System” (incorporated by reference,
                     see § 76.602).

           (3) Cable operators shall ensure, as to all digital cable systems, an adequate supply of PODs that comply
               with the standards specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section to ensure convenient access to such
               PODS by customers. Without limiting the foregoing, cable operators may provide more advanced
               PODs (i.e., PODs that are based on successor standards to those specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this
               section) to customers whose unidirectional digital cable products are compatible with the more
               advanced PODs.

           (4) Cable operators shall:

                 (i)   Effective April 1, 2004, upon request of a customer, replace any leased high definition set-top
                       box, which does not include a functional IEEE 1394 interface, with one that includes a
                       functional IEEE 1394 interface or upgrade the customer's set-top box by download or other
                       means to ensure that the IEEE 1394 interface is functional.

                (ii) Effective July 1, 2011, include both:

                       (A) A DVI or HDMI interface and

                       (B) A connection capable of delivering recordable high definition video and closed captioning
                           data in an industry standard format on all high definition set-top boxes, except
                           unidirectional set-top boxes without recording functionality, acquired by a cable operator
                           for distribution to customers.

                (iii) Effective December 1, 2012, ensure that the cable-operator-provided high definition set-top
                      boxes, except unidirectional set-top boxes without recording functionality, shall comply with an
                      open industry standard that provides for audiovisual communications including service
                      discovery, video transport, and remote control command pass-through standards for home
                      networking.

[68 FR 66734, Nov. 28, 2003, as amended at 76 FR 40279, July 8, 2011; 83 FR 7630, Feb. 22, 2018]

47 CFR 76.640(b)(4)(iii) (enhanced display)                                                                 page 130 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.701
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

Subpart L—Cable Television Access
§ 76.701 Leased access channels.
     (a) Notwithstanding 47 U.S.C. 532(b)(2) (Communications Act of 1934, as amended, section 612), a cable
         operator, in accordance with 47 U.S.C. 532(h) (Cable Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992,
         section 10(a)), may adopt and enforce prospectively a written and published policy of prohibiting
         programming which, it reasonably believes, describes or depicts sexual or excretory activities or organs in
         a patently offensive manner as measured by contemporary community standards.

     (b) A cable operator may refuse to transmit any leased access program or portion of a leased access
         program that the operator reasonably believes contains obscenity, indecency or nudity.

           Note to paragraph (b): “Nudity” in paragraph (b) is interpreted to mean nudity that is obscene or
           indecent.

[62 FR 28373, May 23, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 35950, July 2, 1999]

§ 76.702 Public access.
A cable operator may refuse to transmit any public access program or portion of a public access program that the
operator reasonably believes contains obscenity.

[62 FR 28373, May 23, 1997]

Subpart M—Cable Inside Wiring
§ 76.800 Definitions.
     (a) MDU. A multiple dwelling unit building (e.g., an apartment building, condominium building or cooperative).

     (b) MDU owner. The entity that owns or controls the common areas of a multiple dwelling unit building.

     (c) MVPD. A multichannel video programming distributor, as that term is defined in Section 602(13) of the
         Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 522(13).

     (d) Home run wiring. The wiring from the demarcation point to the point at which the MVPD's wiring becomes
         devoted to an individual subscriber or individual loop.

[62 FR 61031, Nov. 14, 1997]

§ 76.801 Scope.
The provisions of this subpart set forth rules and regulations for the disposition, after a subscriber voluntarily
terminates cable service, of that cable home wiring installed by the cable system operator or its contractor within
the premises of the subscriber. The provisions do not apply where the cable home wiring belongs to the subscriber,
such as where the operator has transferred ownership to the subscriber, the operator has been treating the wiring as
belonging to the subscriber for tax purposes, or the wiring is considered to be a fixture by state or local law in the

47 CFR 76.801 (enhanced display)                                                                       page 131 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.802
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

subscriber's jurisdiction. Nothing in this subpart shall affect the cable system operator's rights and responsibilities
under § 76.617 to prevent excessive signal leakage while providing cable service, or the cable operator's right to
access the subscriber's property or premises.

[58 FR 11971, Mar. 2, 1993]

§ 76.802 Disposition of cable home wiring.
     (a)

           (1) Upon voluntary termination of cable service by a subscriber in a single unit installation, a cable
               operator shall not remove the cable home wiring unless it gives the subscriber the opportunity to
               purchase the wiring at the replacement cost, and the subscriber declines. If the subscriber declines
               to purchase the cable home wiring, the cable system operator must then remove the cable home
               wiring within seven days of the subscriber's decision, under normal operating conditions, or make no
               subsequent attempt to remove it or to restrict its use.

           (2) Upon voluntary termination of cable service by an individual subscriber in a multiple-unit installation,
               a cable operator shall not be entitled to remove the cable home wiring unless: it gives the subscriber
               the opportunity to purchase the wiring at the replacement cost; the subscriber declines, and neither
               the MDU owner nor an alternative MVPD, where permitted by the MDU owner, has provided
               reasonable advance notice to the incumbent provider that it would purchase the cable home wiring
               pursuant to this section if and when a subscriber declines. If the cable system operator is entitled to
               remove the cable home wiring, it must then remove the wiring within seven days of the subscriber's
               decision, under normal operating conditions, or make no subsequent attempt to remove it or to
               restrict its use.

           (3) The cost of the cable home wiring is to be based on the replacement cost per foot of the wiring on
               the subscriber's side of the demarcation point multiplied by the length in feet of such wiring, and the
               replacement cost of any passive splitters located on the subscriber's side of the demarcation point.

     (b) During the initial telephone call in which a subscriber contacts a cable operator to voluntarily terminate
         cable service, the cable operator—if it owns and intends to remove the home wiring—must inform the
         subscriber:

           (1) That the cable operator owns the home wiring;

           (2) That the cable operator intends to remove the home wiring;

           (3) That the subscriber has the right to purchase the home wiring; and

           (4) What the per-foot replacement cost and total charge for the wiring would be (the total charge may be
               based on either the actual length of cable wiring and the actual number of passive splitters on the
               customer's side of the demarcation point, or a reasonable approximation thereof; in either event, the
               information necessary for calculating the total charge must be available for use during the initial
               phone call).

     (c) If the subscriber voluntarily terminates cable service in person, the procedures set forth in paragraph (b)
         of this section apply.

     (d) If the subscriber requests termination of cable service in writing, it is the operator's responsibility—if it
         wishes to remove the wiring—to make reasonable efforts to contact the subscriber prior to the date of
         service termination and follow the procedures set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.

47 CFR 76.802(d) (enhanced display)                                                                        page 132 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.802(e)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (e) If the cable operator fails to adhere to the procedures described in paragraph (b) of this section, it will be
         deemed to have relinquished immediately any and all ownership interests in the home wiring; thus, the
         operator will not be entitled to compensation for the wiring and shall make no subsequent attempt to
         remove it or restrict its use.

     (f) If the cable operator adheres to the procedures described in paragraph (b) of this section, and, at that
         point, the subscriber agrees to purchase the wiring, constructive ownership over the home wiring will
         transfer to the subscriber immediately, and the subscriber will be permitted to authorize a competing
         service provider to connect with and use the home wiring.

     (g) If the cable operator adheres to the procedures described in paragraph (b) of this section, and the
         subscriber asks for more time to make a decision regarding whether to purchase the home wiring, the
         seven (7) day period described in paragraph (b) of this section will not begin running until the subscriber
         declines to purchase the wiring; in addition, the subscriber may not use the wiring to connect to an
         alternative service provider until the subscriber notifies the operator whether or not the subscriber wishes
         to purchase the wiring.

     (h) If an alternative video programming service provider connects its wiring to the home wiring before the
         incumbent cable operator has terminated service and has capped off its line to prevent signal leakage, the
         alternative video programming service provider shall be responsible for ensuring that the incumbent's
         wiring is properly capped off in accordance with the Commission's signal leakage requirements. See
         Subpart K (technical standards) of the Commission's Cable Television Service rules (47 CFR
         76.605(a)(13) and 76.610 through 76.617).

     (i)   Where the subscriber terminates cable service but will not be using the home wiring to receive another
           alternative video programming service, the cable operator shall properly cap off its own line in accordance
           with the Commission's signal leakage requirements. See subpart K (technical standards) of the
           Commission's Cable Television Service rules (47 CFR 76.605(a)(13) and 76.610 through 76.617).

     (j)   Cable operators are prohibited from using any ownership interests they may have in property located on
           the subscriber's side of the demarcation point, such as molding or conduit, to prevent, impede, or in any
           way interfere with, a subscriber's right to use his or her home wiring to receive an alternative service. In
           addition, incumbent cable operators must take reasonable steps within their control to ensure that an
           alternative service provider has access to the home wiring at the demarcation point. Cable operators and
           alternative multichannel video programming delivery service providers are required to minimize the
           potential for signal leakage in accordance with the guidelines set forth in 47 CFR 76.605(a)(13) and
           76.610 through 76.617, theft of service and unnecessary disruption of the consumer's premises.

     (k) Definitions—Normal operating conditions—The term “normal operating conditions” shall have the same
         meaning as at 47 CFR 76.309(c)(4)(ii).

     (l)   The provisions of § 76.802 shall apply to all MVPDs in the same manner that they apply to cable
           operators.

[61 FR 6137, Feb. 16, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 61031, Nov. 14, 1997; 68 FR 13855, Mar. 21, 2003]

§ 76.804 Disposition of home run wiring.
     (a) Building-by-building disposition of home run wiring.

47 CFR 76.804(a) (enhanced display)                                                                       page 133 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.804(a)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (1) Where an MVPD owns the home run wiring in an MDU and does not (or will not at the conclusion of
              the notice period) have a legally enforceable right to remain on the premises against the wishes of
              the MDU owner, the MDU owner may give the MVPD a minimum of 90 days' written notice that its
              access to the entire building will be terminated to invoke the procedures in this section. The MVPD
              will then have 30 days to notify the MDU owner in writing of its election for all the home run wiring
              inside the MDU building: to remove the wiring and restore the MDU building consistent with state law
              within 30 days of the end of the 90-day notice period or within 30 days of actual service termination,
              whichever occurs first; to abandon and not disable the wiring at the end of the 90-day notice period;
              or to sell the wiring to the MDU building owner. If the incumbent provider elects to remove or
              abandon the wiring, and it intends to terminate service before the end of the 90-day notice period,
              the incumbent provider shall notify the MDU owner at the time of this election of the date on which it
              intends to terminate service. If the incumbent provider elects to remove its wiring and restore the
              building consistent with state law, it must do so within 30 days of the end of the 90-day notice period
              or within 30 days of actual service termination, which ever occurs first. For purposes of
              abandonment, passive devices, including splitters, shall be considered part of the home run wiring.
              The incumbent provider that has elected to abandon its home run wiring may remove its amplifiers
              or other active devices used in the wiring if an equivalent replacement can easily be reattached. In
              addition, an incumbent provider removing any active elements shall comply with the notice
              requirements and other rules regarding the removal of home run wiring. If the MDU owner declines to
              purchase the home run wiring, the MDU owner may permit an alternative provider that has been
              authorized to provide service to the MDU to negotiate to purchase the wiring.

          (2) If the incumbent provider elects to sell the home run wiring under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the
              incumbent and the MDU owner or alternative provider shall have 30 days from the date of election to
              negotiate a price. If the parties are unable to agree on a price within that 30-day time period, the
              incumbent must elect: to abandon without disabling the wiring; to remove the wiring and restore the
              MDU consistent with state law; or to submit the price determination to binding arbitration by an
              independent expert. If the incumbent provider chooses to abandon or remove its wiring, it must
              notify the MDU owner at the time of this election if and when it intends to terminate service before
              the end of the 90-day notice period. If the incumbent service provider elects to abandon its wiring at
              this point, the abandonment shall become effective at the end of the 90-day notice period or upon
              service termination, whichever occurs first. If the incumbent elects at this point to remove its wiring
              and restore the building consistent with state law, it must do so within 30 days of the end of the
              90-day notice period or within 30 days of actual service termination, which ever occurs first.

          (3) If the incumbent elects to submit to binding arbitration, the parties shall have seven days to agree on
              an independent expert or to each designate an expert who will pick a third expert within an additional
              seven days. The independent expert chosen will be required to assess a reasonable price for the
              home run wiring by the end of the 90-day notice period. If the incumbent elects to submit the matter
              to binding arbitration and the MDU owner (or the alternative provider) refuses to participate, the
              incumbent shall have no further obligations under the Commission's home run wiring disposition
              procedures. If the incumbent fails to comply with any of the deadlines established herein, it shall be
              deemed to have elected to abandon its home run wiring at the end of the 90-day notice period.

          (4) The MDU owner shall be permitted to exercise the rights of individual subscribers under this
              subsection for purposes of the disposition of the cable home wiring under § 76.802. When an MDU
              owner notifies an incumbent provider under this section that the incumbent provider's access to the
              entire building will be terminated and that the MDU owner seeks to use the home run wiring for
              another service, the incumbent provider shall, in accordance with our current home wiring rules: offer

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.804(a)(5)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                to sell to the MDU owner any home wiring within the individual dwelling units that the incumbent
                provider owns and intends to remove; and provide the MDU owner with the total per-foot
                replacement cost of such home wiring. This information must be provided to the MDU owner within
                30 days of the initial notice that the incumbent's access to the building will be terminated. If the MDU
                owner declines to purchase the cable home wiring, the MDU owner may allow the alternative
                provider to purchase the home wiring upon service termination under the terms and conditions of §
                76.802. If the MDU owner or the alternative provider elects to purchase the home wiring under these
                rules, it must so notify the incumbent MVPD provider not later than 30 days before the incumbent's
                termination of access to the building will become effective. If the MDU owner and the alternative
                provider fail to elect to purchase the home wiring, the incumbent provider must then remove the
                cable home wiring, under normal operating conditions, within 30 days of actual service termination,
                or make no subsequent attempt to remove it or to restrict its use.

          (5) The parties shall cooperate to avoid disruption in service to subscribers to the extent possible.

     (b) Unit-by-unit disposition of home run wiring:

          (1) Where an MVPD owns the home run wiring in an MDU and does not (or will not at the conclusion of
              the notice period) have a legally enforceable right to maintain any particular home run wire dedicated
              to a particular unit on the premises against the MDU owner's wishes, the MDU owner may permit
              multiple MVPDs to compete for the right to use the individual home run wires dedicated to each unit
              in the MDU. The MDU owner must provide at least 60 days' written notice to the incumbent MVPD of
              the MDU owner's intention to invoke this procedure. The incumbent MVPD will then have 30 days to
              provide a single written election to the MDU owner as to whether, for each and every one of its home
              run wires dedicated to a subscriber who chooses an alternative provider's service, the incumbent
              MVPD will: remove the wiring and restore the MDU building consistent with state law; abandon the
              wiring without disabling it; or sell the wiring to the MDU owner. If the MDU owner refuses to purchase
              the home run wiring, the MDU owner may permit the alternative provider to purchase it. If the
              alternative provider is permitted to purchase the wiring, it will be required to make a similar election
              within this 30-day period for each home run wire solely dedicated to a subscriber who switches back
              from the alternative provider to the incumbent MVPD.

          (2) If the incumbent provider elects to sell the home run wiring under paragraph (b)(1), the incumbent
              and the MDU owner or alternative provider shall have 30 days from the date of election to negotiate a
              price. During this 30-day negotiation period, the parties may arrange for an up-front lump sum
              payment in lieu of a unit-by-unit payment. If the parties are unable to agree on a price during this
              30-day time period, the incumbent must elect: to abandon without disabling the wiring; to remove the
              wiring and restore the MDU consistent with state law; or to submit the price determination to binding
              arbitration by an independent expert. If the incumbent elects to submit to binding arbitration, the
              parties shall have seven days to agree on an independent expert or to each designate an expert who
              will pick a third expert within an additional seven days. The independent expert chosen will be
              required to assess a reasonable price for the home run wiring within 14 days. If subscribers wish to
              switch service providers after the expiration of the 60-day notice period but before the expert issues
              its price determination, the procedures set forth in paragraph (b)(3) of this section shall be followed,
              subject to the price established by the arbitrator. If the incumbent elects to submit the matter to
              binding arbitration and the MDU owner (or the alternative provider) refuses to participate, the
              incumbent shall have no further obligations under the Commission's home run wiring disposition
              procedures.

47 CFR 76.804(b)(2) (enhanced display)                                                                   page 135 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.804(b)(3)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (3) When an MVPD that is currently providing service to a subscriber is notified either orally or in writing
              that that subscriber wishes to terminate service and that another service provider intends to use the
              existing home run wire to provide service to that particular subscriber, a provider that has elected to
              remove its home run wiring pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section will have seven
              days to remove its home run wiring and restore the building consistent with state law. If the
              subscriber has requested service termination more than seven days in the future, the seven-day
              removal period shall begin on the date of actual service termination (and, in any event, shall end no
              later than seven days after the requested date of termination). If the provider has elected to abandon
              or sell the wiring pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section, the abandonment or sale will
              become effective upon actual service termination or upon the requested date of termination,
              whichever occurs first. For purposes of abandonment, passive devices, including splitters, shall be
              considered part of the home run wiring. The incumbent provider may remove its amplifiers or other
              active devices used in the wiring if an equivalent replacement can easily be reattached. In addition,
              an incumbent provider removing any active elements shall comply with the notice requirements and
              other rules regarding the removal of home run wiring. If the incumbent provider intends to terminate
              service prior to the end of the seven-day period, the incumbent shall inform the party requesting
              service termination, at the time of such request, of the date on which service will be terminated. The
              incumbent provider shall make the home run wiring accessible to the alternative provider within the
              24-hour period prior to actual service termination.

          (4) If the incumbent provider fails to comply with any of the deadlines established herein, the home run
              wiring shall be considered abandoned, and the incumbent may not prevent the alternative provider
              from using the home run wiring immediately to provide service. The alternative provider or the MDU
              owner may act as the subscriber's agent in providing notice of a subscriber's desire to change
              services, consistent with state law. If a subscriber's service is terminated without notification that
              another service provider intends to use the existing home run wiring to provide service to that
              particular subscriber, the incumbent provider will not be required to carry out its election to sell,
              remove or abandon the home run wiring; the incumbent provider will be required to carry out its
              election, however, if and when it receives notice that a subscriber wishes to use the home run wiring
              to receive an alternative service. Section 76.802 of the Commission's rules regarding the disposition
              of cable home wiring will apply where a subscriber's service is terminated without notifying the
              incumbent provider that the subscriber wishes to use the home run wiring to receive an alternative
              service.

          (5) The parties shall cooperate to avoid disruption in service to subscribers to the extent possible.

          (6) Section 76.802 of the Commission's rules regarding the disposition of cable home wiring will
              continue to apply to the wiring on the subscriber's side of the cable demarcation point.

     (c) The procedures set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section shall apply unless and until the
         incumbent provider obtains a court ruling or an injunction within forty-five (45) days following the initial
         notice enjoining its displacement.

     (d) After the effective date of this rule, MVPDs shall include a provision in all service contracts entered into
         with MDU owners setting forth the disposition of any home run wiring in the MDU upon the termination of
         the contract.

     (e) Incumbents are prohibited from using any ownership interest they may have in property located on or near
         the home run wiring, such as molding or conduit, to prevent, impede, or in any way interfere with, the
         ability of an alternative MVPD to use the home run wiring pursuant to this section.

47 CFR 76.804(e) (enhanced display)                                                                      page 136 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                      47 CFR 76.804(f)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (f) Section 76.804 shall apply to all MVPDs.

[62 FR 61032, Nov. 14, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 13855, Mar. 21, 2003]

§ 76.805 Access to molding.
     (a) An MVPD shall be permitted to install one or more home run wires within the existing molding of an MDU
         where the MDU owner finds that there is sufficient space to permit the installation of the additional wiring
         without interfering with the ability of an existing MVPD to provide service, and gives its affirmative
         consent to such installation. This paragraph shall not apply where the incumbent provider has an
         exclusive contractual right to occupy the molding.

     (b) If an MDU owner finds that there is insufficient space in existing molding to permit the installation of the
         new wiring without interfering with the ability of an existing MVPD to provide service, but gives its
         affirmative consent to the installation of larger molding and additional wiring, the MDU owner (with or
         without the assistance of the incumbent and/or the alternative provider) shall be permitted to remove the
         existing molding, return such molding to the incumbent, if appropriate, and install additional wiring and
         larger molding in order to contain the additional wiring. This paragraph shall not apply where the
         incumbent provider possesses a contractual right to maintain its molding on the premises without
         alteration by the MDU owner.

     (c) The alternative provider shall be required to pay any and all installation costs associated with the
         implementation of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, including the costs of restoring the MDU owner's
         property to its original condition, and the costs of repairing any damage to the incumbent provider's wiring
         or other property.

[62 FR 61033, Nov. 14, 1997]

§ 76.806 Pre-termination access to cable home wiring.
     (a) Prior to termination of service, a customer may: install or provide for the installation of their own cable
         home wiring; or connect additional home wiring, splitters or other equipment within their premises to the
         wiring owned by the cable operator, so long as no electronic or physical harm is caused to the cable
         system and the physical integrity of the cable operator's wiring remains intact.

     (b) Cable operators may require that home wiring (including passive splitters, connectors and other
         equipment used in the installation of home wiring) meets reasonable technical specifications, not to
         exceed the technical specifications of such equipment installed by the cable operator; provided however,
         that if electronic or physical harm is caused to the cable system, the cable operator may impose
         additional technical specifications to eliminate such harm. To the extent a customer's installations or
         rearrangements of wiring degrade the signal quality of or interfere with other customers' signals, or cause
         electronic or physical harm to the cable system, the cable operator may discontinue service to that
         subscriber until the degradation or interference is resolved.

     (c) Customers shall not physically cut, substantially alter, improperly terminate or otherwise destroy cable
         operator-owned home wiring.

     (d) Section 76.806 shall apply to all MVPDs.

[62 FR 61034, Nov. 14, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 13855, Mar. 21, 2003]

47 CFR 76.806(d) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 137 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.901
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

Subpart N—Cable Rate Regulation

Source: 58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, unless otherwise noted.

Effective Date Note: The effective date of the amendments to part 76, published at 58 FR 29737 (May 21,
1993), extended to October 1, 1993, by an order published at 58 FR 33560 (June 18, 1993), and moved to September
1, 1993, by an order published at 58 FR 41042 (August 2, 1993), is temporarily stayed for those cable systems that
have 1,000 or fewer subscribers. This limited, temporary stay is effective September 1, 1993, and will remain in
effect until the Commission terminates the stay and establishes a new effective date in an order on reconsideration
addressing the administrative burdens and costs of compliance for small cable systems. The Commission will
publish in the FEDERAL REGISTER the new effective date of the rules with respect to small cable systems at that time.

§ 76.901 Definitions.
     (a) Basic service. The basic service tier shall, at a minimum, include all signals of domestic television
         broadcast stations provided to any subscriber (except a signal secondarily transmitted by satellite carrier
         beyond the local service area of such station, regardless of how such signal is ultimately received by the
         cable system) any public, educational, and governmental programming required by the franchise to be
         carried on the basic tier, and any additional video programming signals a service added to the basic tier by
         the cable operator.

     (b) Cable programming service. Cable programming service includes any video programming provided over a
         cable system, regardless of service tier, including installation or rental of equipment used for the receipt
         of such video programming, other than:

          (1) Video programming carried on the basic service tier as defined in this section;

          (2) Video programming offered on a pay-per-channel or pay-per-program basis; or

          (3) A combination of multiple channels of pay-per-channel or pay-per-program video programming
              offered on a multiplexed or time-shifted basis so long as the combined service:

                (i)   Consists of commonly-identified video programming; and

                (ii) Is not bundled with any regulated tier of service.

     (c) Small system. A small system is a cable television system that serves 15,000 or fewer subscribers. The
         service area of a small system shall be determined by the number of subscribers that are served by the
         system's principal headend, including any other headends or microwave receive sites that are technically
         integrated to the principal headend.

     (d) Small cable company. A small cable company is a cable television operator that serves a total of 400,000
         or fewer subscribers over one or more cable systems.

     (e) Small cable operator. A small cable operator is an operator that, directly or through an affiliate, serves in
         the aggregate fewer than 1 percent of all subscribers in the United States and is not affiliated with any
         entity or entities whose gross annual revenues in the aggregate exceed $250,000,000. For purposes of
         this definition, an operator shall be deemed affiliated with another entity if that entity holds a 20 percent or
         greater equity interest (not including truly passive investment) in the operator or exercises de jure or de
         facto control over the operator.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.901(e)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) Using the most reliable sources publicly available, the Commission periodically will determine and
               give public notice of the subscriber count that will serve as the 1 percent threshold until a new
               number is calculated.

           (2) For a discussion of passive interests with respect to small cable operators, see Implementation of
               Cable Act Reform Provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Report and Order in CS Docket
               No. 96–85, FCC 99–57 (released March 29, 1999).

           (3) If two or more entities unaffiliated with each other each hold an equity interest in the small cable
               operator, the equity interests of the unaffiliated entities will not be aggregated with each other for the
               purpose of determining whether an entity meets or passes the 20 percent affiliation threshold.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 62623, Dec. 6, 1994; 60 FR 35864, July 12, 1995; 64 FR 35950, July 2, 1999; 83
FR 60775, Nov. 27, 2018]

§ 76.905 Standards for identification of cable systems subject to effective competition.
     (a) Only the rates of cable systems that are not subject to effective competition may be regulated.

     (b) A cable system is subject to effective competition when any one of the following conditions is met:

           (1) Fewer than 30 percent of the households in its franchise area subscribe to the cable service of a
               cable system.

           (2) The franchise area is:

                 (i)   Served by at least two unaffiliated multichannel video programming distributors each of which
                       offers comparable programming to at least 50 percent of the households in the franchise area;
                       and

                (ii) the number of households subscribing to multichannel video programming other than the
                     largest multichannel video programming distributor exceeds 15 percent of the households in
                     the franchise area.

           (3) A multichannel video programming distributor, operated by the franchising authority for that
               franchise area, offers video programming to at least 50 percent of the households in the franchise
               area.

           (4) A local exchange carrier or its affiliate (or any multichannel video programming distributor using the
               facilities of such carrier or its affiliate) offers video programming services directly to subscribers by
               any means (other than direct-to-home satellite services) in the franchise area of an unaffiliated cable
               operator which is providing cable service in that franchise area, but only if the video programming
               services so offered in that area are comparable to the video programming services provided by the
               unaffiliated cable operator in that area.

     (c) For purposes of paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section, each separately billed or billable
         customer will count as a household subscribing to or being offered video programming services, with the
         exception of multiple dwelling buildings billed as a single customer. Individual units of multiple dwelling
         buildings will count as separate households. The term “households” shall not include those dwellings that
         are used solely for seasonal, occasional, or recreational use.

47 CFR 76.905(c) (enhanced display)                                                                            page 139 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.905(d)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (d) A multichannel video program distributor, for purposes of this section, is an entity such as, but not limited
         to, a cable operator, a BRS/EBS provider, a direct broadcast satellite service, a television receive-only
         satellite program distributor, a video dialtone service provider, or a satellite master antenna television
         service provider that makes available for purchase, by subscribers or customers, multiple channels of
         video programming.

     (e) Service of a multichannel video programming distributor will be deemed offered:

           (1) When the multichannel video programming distributor is physically able to deliver service to potential
               subscribers, with the addition of no or only minimal additional investment by the distributor, in order
               for an individual subscriber to receive service; and

           (2) When no regulatory, technical or other impediments to households taking service exist, and potential
               subscribers in the franchise area are reasonably aware that they may purchase the services of the
               multichannel video programming distributor.

     (f) For purposes of determining the number of households subscribing to the services of a multichannel
         video programming distributor other than the largest multichannel video programming distributor, under
         paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, the number of subscribers of all multichannel video programming
         distributors that offer service in the franchise area will be aggregated.

     (g) In order to offer comparable programming as that term is used in this section, a competing multichannel
         video programming distributor must offer at least 12 channels of video programming, including at least
         one channel of nonbroadcast service programming.

     (h) For purposes of paragraph (b)(2) of this section, entities are affiliated if either entity has an attributable
         interest in the other or if a third party has an attributable interest in both entities. Attributable interest shall
         be defined by reference to the criteria set forth in Notes 1 through 5 to § 76.501.

     (i)   For purposes of paragraph (b)(4) of this section, entities are affiliated if either entity has an attributable
           interest in the other or if a third party has an attributable interest in both entities. Attributable interest shall
           be defined as follows:

           (1) A 10% partnership or voting equity interest in a corporation will be cognizable.

           (2) Subject to paragraph (i)(3), a limited partnership interest of 10% or more shall be attributed to a
               limited partner unless that partner is not materially involved, directly or indirectly, in the management
               or operation of the media-related activities of the partnership and the relevant entity so certifies. An
               interest in a Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) or Registered Limited Liability Partnership (“RLLP”)
               shall be attributed to the interest holder unless that interest holder is not materially involved, directly
               or indirectly, in the management or operation of the media-related activities of the partnership and
               the relevant entity so certifies. Certifications must be made pursuant to the guidelines set forth in
               Note 2(f) to § 76.501.

           (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (i)(2), the holder of an equity or debt interest or interests in an entity
               covered by this rule shall have that interest attributed if the equity (including all stockholdings,
               whether voting or nonvoting, common or preferred, and partnership interests) and debt interest or
               interests, in the aggregate, exceed 33 percent of the total asset value (all equity plus all debt) of that
               entity.

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                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.905(i)(4)
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           (4) Discrete ownership interests held by the same individual or entity will be aggregated in determining
               whether or not an interest is cognizable under this section. An individual or entity will be deemed to
               have a cognizable investment if the sum of the interests other than those held by or through “passive
               investors” is equal to or exceeds 10%.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17972, Apr. 15, 1994; 61 FR 18978, Apr. 30, 1996; 62 FR 6495, Feb. 12, 1997; 64
FR 35950, July 2, 1999; 64 FR 67196, Dec. 1, 1999; 69 FR 72046, Dec. 10, 2004]

§ 76.906 Presumption of effective competition.
In the absence of a demonstration to the contrary cable systems are presumed: (a) To be subject to effective
competition pursuant to section 76.905(b)(2); and (b) Not to be subject to effective competition pursuant to section
76.905(b)(1), (3) or (4).

[80 FR 38012, July 2, 2015]

§ 76.907 Petition for a determination of effective competition.
     (a) A cable operator (or other interested party) may file a petition for a determination of effective competition
         with the Commission pursuant to the Commission's procedural rules in § 76.7.

     (b) If the cable operator seeks to demonstrate that effective competition as defined in § 76.905(b)(1), (3), or
         (4) exists in the franchise area, it bears the burden of demonstrating the presence of such effective
         competition. Effective competition as defined in § 76.905(b)(2) is governed by the presumption in §
         76.906, except that where a franchising authority has rebutted the presumption of competing provider
         effective competition as defined in § 76.905(b)(2) and is certified, the cable operator must demonstrate
         that circumstances have changed and effective competition is present in the franchise area.

           Note to paragraph (b): The criteria for determining effective competition pursuant to §
           76.905(b)(4) are described in Implementation of Cable Act Reform Provisions of the
           Telecommunications Act of 1996, Report and Order in CS Docket No. 96–85, FCC 99–57 (released
           March 29, 1999).

     (c) If the evidence establishing effective competition is not otherwise available, cable operators may request
         from a competitor information regarding the competitor's reach and number of subscribers. A competitor
         must respond to such request within 15 days. Such responses may be limited to numerical totals. In
         addition, with respect to petitions filed seeking to demonstrate the presence of effective competition
         pursuant to § 76.905(b)(4), the Commission may issue an order directing one or more persons to produce
         information relevant to the petition's disposition.

[64 FR 35950, July 2, 1999, as amended at 80 FR 38013, July 2, 2015]

§ 76.910 Franchising authority certification.
     (a) A franchising authority must be certified by the Commission in order to regulate the basic service tier and
         associated equipment of a cable system within its jurisdiction.

     (b) To be certified, the franchising authority must file with the Commission a written certification that:

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                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.910(b)(1)
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          (1) The franchising authority will adopt and administer regulations with respect to the rates for the basic
              service tier that are consistent with the regulations prescribed by the Commission for regulation of
              the basic service tier;

          (2) The franchising authority has the legal authority to adopt, and the personnel to administer, such
              regulations;

          (3) Procedural laws and regulations applicable to rate regulation proceedings by such authority provide
              a reasonable opportunity for consideration of the views of interested parties; and

          (4) The cable system in question is not subject to effective competition. The franchising authority must
              submit specific evidence demonstrating its rebuttal of the presumption in § 76.906 that the cable
              operator is subject to effective competition pursuant to section 76.905(b)(2). Unless a franchising
              authority has actual knowledge to the contrary, the franchising authority may rely on the presumption
              in § 76.906 that the cable operator is not subject to effective competition pursuant to section
              76.905(b)(1), (3), or (4). The franchising authority bears the burden of submitting evidence rebutting
              the presumption that competing provider effective competition, as defined in § 76.905(b)(2), exists
              in the franchise area. If the evidence establishing the lack of effective competition is not otherwise
              available, franchising authorities may request from a multichannel video programming distributor
              information regarding the multichannel video programming distributor's reach and number of
              subscribers. A multichannel video programming distributor must respond to such request within 15
              days. Such responses may be limited to numerical totals.

     (c) The written certification described in paragraph (b) of this section shall be made by completing and filing
         FCC Form 328. FCC Form 328 can be obtained from the internet at http://www.fcc.gov/Forms/Form328/
         328.pdf or by calling the FCC Forms Distribution Center at 1–800–418–3676. The form must be filed by

          (1) Registered mail, return receipt requested, or

          (2) Hand-delivery to the Commission and a date-stamped copy obtained. The date on the return receipt
              or on the date-stamped copy is the date filed.

     (d) A copy of the certification form described in paragraph (c) of this section must be served on the cable
         operator before or on the same day it is filed with the Commission.

     (e) Unless the Commission notifies the franchising authority otherwise, the certification will become effective
         30 days after the date filed, provided, however, That the franchising authority may not regulate the rates of
         a cable system unless it:

          (1) Adopts regulations:

                (i)   Consistent with the Commission's regulations governing the basic tier; and

                (ii) Providing a reasonable opportunity for consideration of the views of interested parties, within
                     120 days of the effective date of certification; and

          (2) Notifies the cable operator that the authority has been certified and has adopted the regulations
              required by paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

     (f) If the Commission denies a franchising authority's certification, the Commission will notify the franchising
         authority of any revisions or modifications necessary to obtain approval.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 80 FR 38013, July 2, 2015; 83 FR 60776, Nov. 27, 2018]

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                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.911
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§ 76.911 Petition for reconsideration of certification.
     (a) A cable operator (or other interested party) may challenge a franchising authority's certification by filing a
         petition for reconsideration pursuant to § 1.106. The petition may allege either of the following:

           (1) The cable operator is not subject to rate regulation because effective competition exists as defined
               in § 76.905. Sections 76.907(b) and (c) apply to petitions filed under this section.

           (2) The franchising authority does not meet the certification standards set forth in 47 U.S.C. 543(a)(3).

     (b) Stay of rate regulation.

           (1) The filing of a petition for reconsideration pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section will
               automatically stay the imposition of rate regulation pending the outcome of the reconsideration
               proceeding.

           (2) A petitioner filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section may request a stay of rate regulation.

           (3) In any case in which a stay of rate regulation has been granted, if the petition for reconsideration is
               denied, the cable operator may be required to refund any rates or portion of rates above the
               permitted tier charge or permitted equipment charge which were collected from the date the
               operator implements a prospective rate reduction back in time to September 1, 1993, or one year,
               whichever is shorter.

     (c) The filing of a petition for reconsideration alleging the presence of effective competition based on
         frivolous grounds is prohibited, and may be subject to forfeitures.

     (d) If the Commission upholds a challenge to a certification filed pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section,
         the Commission will notify the franchising authority of the revisions necessary to secure approval and
         provide the authority an opportunity to amend its certification however necessary to secure approval.
         Provided, however, That pending approval of certification, the Commission will assume jurisdiction over
         basic cable service rates in that franchise area.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 46735, Sept. 2, 1993; 64 FR 35950, July 2, 1999]

§ 76.912 Joint certification.
     (a) Franchising authorities may apply for joint certification and may engage in joint regulation, including, but
         not limited to, joint hearings, data collection, and ratemaking. Franchising authorities jointly certified to
         regulate their cable system(s) may make independent rate decisions.

     (b) Franchising authorities may apply for joint certification regardless of whether the authorities are served by
         the same cable system or by different cable systems and regardless of whether the rates in each
         franchising area are uniform.

§ 76.913 Assumption of jurisdiction by the Commission.
     (a) Upon denial or revocation of the franchising authority's certification, the Commission will regulate rates
         for cable services and associated equipment of a cable system not subject to effective competition, as
         defined in § 76.905, in a franchise area. Such regulation by the Commission will continue until the
         franchising authority has obtained certification or recertification.

     (b) A franchising authority unable to meet certification standards may petition the Commission to regulate
         the rates for basic cable service and associated equipment of its franchisee when:

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           (1) The franchising authority lacks the resources to administer rate regulation.

           (2) The franchising authority lacks the legal authority to regulate basic service rates; Provided, however,
               That the authority must submit with its request a statement detailing the nature of the legal infirmity.

     (c) The Commission will regulate basic service rates pursuant to this Section until the franchising authority
         qualifies to exercise jurisdiction pursuant to § 76.916.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 62 FR 6495, Feb. 12, 1997]

§ 76.914 Revocation of certification.
     (a) A franchising authority's certification shall be revoked if:

           (1) After the franchising authority has been given a reasonable opportunity to comment and cure any
               minor nonconformance, it is determined that state and local laws and regulations are in substantial
               and material conflict with the Commission's regulations governing cable rates.

           (2) After being given an opportunity to cure the defect, a franchising authority fails to fulfill one of the
               three conditions for certification, set forth in 47 U.S.C. 543(a)(3), or any of the provisions of §
               76.910(b).

     (b) In all cases of revocation, the Commission will assume jurisdiction over basic service rates until an
         authority becomes recertified. The Commission will also notify the franchising authority regarding the
         corrective action that may be taken.

     (c) A cable operator may file a petition for special relief pursuant to § 76.7 of this part seeking revocation of a
         franchising authority's certification.

     (d) While a petition for revocation is pending, and absent grant of a stay, the franchising authority may
         continue to regulate the basic service rates of its franchisees.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17972, Apr. 15, 1994; 64 FR 6572, Feb. 10, 1999]

§ 76.916 Petition for recertification.
     (a) After its request for certification has been denied or its existing certification has been revoked, a
         franchising authority wishing to assume jurisdiction to regulate basic service and associated equipment
         rates must file a “Petition for Recertification” accompanied by a copy of the earlier decision denying or
         revoking certification.

     (b) The petition must:

           (1) Meet the requirements set forth in 47 U.S.C. 543(a)(3);

           (2) State that the cable system is not subject to effective competition; and

           (3) Contain a clear showing, supported by either objectively verifiable data such as a state statute, or by
               affidavit, that the reasons for the earlier denial or revocation no longer pertain.

     (c) The petition must be served on the cable operator and on any interested party that participated in the
         proceeding denying or revoking the original certification.

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     (d) Oppositions may be filed within 15 days after the petition is filed, and must be served on the petitioner.
         Replies may be filed within seven days of filing of oppositions, and must be served on the opposing
         party(ies).

§ 76.917 Notification of certification withdrawal.
A franchising authority that has been certified to regulate rates may, at any time, notify the Commission that it no
longer intends to regulate basic cable rates. Such notification shall include the franchising authority's determination
that rate regulation no longer serves the interests of cable subscribers served by the cable system within the
franchising authority's jurisdiction, and that it has received no consideration for its withdrawal of certification. Such
notification shall be served on the cable operator. The Commission retains the right to review such determinations
and to request the factual finding of the franchising authority underlying its decision to withdraw certification. The
franchising authority's withdrawal becomes effective upon notification to the Commission.

[59 FR 17972, Apr. 15, 1994]

§ 76.920 Composition of the basic tier.
Every subscriber of a cable system must subscribe to the basic tier in order to subscribe to any other tier of video
programming or to purchase any other video programming.

§ 76.921 Buy-through of other tiers prohibited.
     (a) No cable system operator, other than an operator subject to effective competition, may require the
         subscription to any tier other than the basic service tier as a condition of subscription to video
         programming offered on a per channel or per program charge basis. A cable operator may, however,
         require the subscription to one or more tiers of cable programming services as a condition of access to
         one or more tiers of cable programming services.

     (b) A cable operator not subject to effective competition may not discriminate between subscribers to the
         basic service tier and other subscribers with regard to the rates charged for video programming offered
         on a per-channel or per-program charge basis.

     (c) With respect to cable systems not subject to effective competition, prior to October 5, 2002, the provisions
         of paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to any cable system that lacks the capacity to offer basic
         service and all programming distributed on a per channel or per program basis without also providing
         other intermediate tiers of service:

           (1) By controlling subscriber access to nonbasic channels of service through addressable equipment
               electronically controlled from a central control point; or

           (2) Through the installation, noninstallation, or removal of frequency filters (traps) at the premises of
               subscribers without other alteration in system configuration or design and without causing
               degradation in the technical quality of service provided.

     (d) With respect to cable systems not subject to effective competition, any retiering of channels or services
         that is not undertaken in order to accomplish legitimate regulatory, technical, or customer service
         objectives and that is intended to frustrate or has the effect of frustrating compliance with paragraphs (a)
         through (c) of this section is prohibited.

[62 FR 6495, Feb. 12, 1997]

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                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.922
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.922 Rates for the basic service tier and cable programming services tiers.
     (a) Basic and cable programming service tier rates. Basic service tier and cable programming service rates
         shall be subject to regulation by the Commission and by state and local authorities, as is appropriate, in
         order to assure that they are in compliance with the requirements of 47 U.S.C. 543. Rates that are
         demonstrated, in accordance with this part, not to exceed the “Initial Permitted Per Channel Charge” or the
         “Subsequent Permitted Per Channel Charge” as described in this section, or the equipment charges as
         specified in § 76.923, will be accepted as in compliance. The maximum monthly charge per subscriber for
         a tier of regulated programming services offered by a cable system shall consist of a permitted per
         channel charge multiplied by the number of channels on the tier, plus a charge for franchise fees. The
         maximum monthly charges for regulated programming services shall not include any charges for
         equipment or installations. Charges for equipment and installations are to be calculated separately
         pursuant to § 76.923. The same rate-making methodology (either the benchmark methodology found in
         paragraph (b) of this section, or a cost-of-service showing) shall be used to set initial rates on all rate
         regulated tiers, and shall continue to provide the basis for subsequent permitted charges.

     (b) Permitted charge on May 15, 1994.

           (1) The permitted charge for a tier of regulated program service shall be, at the election of the cable
               system, either:

                 (i)   A rate determined pursuant to a cost-of-service showing;

                (ii) The full reduction rate;

                (iii) The transition rate, if the system is eligible for transition relief; or

                (iv) A rate based on a streamlined rate reduction, if the system is eligible to implement such a rate
                     reduction. Except where noted, the term “rate” in this subsection means a rate measured on an
                     average regulated revenue per subscriber basis.

           (2) Full reduction rate. The “full reduction rate” on May 15, 1994 is the system's September 30, 1992 rate,
               measured on an average regulated revenue per subscriber basis, reduced by 17 percent, and then
               adjusted for the following:

                 (i)   The establishment of permitted equipment rates as required by § 76.923;

                (ii) Inflation measured by the GNP-PI between October 1, 1992 and September 30, 1993;

                (iii) Changes in the number of program channels subject to regulation that are offered on the
                      system's program tiers between September 30, 1992 and the earlier of the initial date of
                      regulation for any tier or February 28, 1994; and

                (iv) Changes in external costs that have occurred between the earlier of the initial date of regulation
                     for any tier or February 28, 1994, and March 31, 1994.

           (3) March 31, 1994 benchmark rate. The “March 31, 1994 benchmark rate” is the rate so designated
               using the calculations in Form 1200.

           (4) Transition rates —

                 (i)   Termination of transition relief for systems other than low price systems. Systems other than
                       low-price systems that already have established a transition rate as of the effective date of this
                       rule may maintain their current rates, as adjusted under the price cap requirements of §

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                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.922(b)(4)(ii)
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                       76.922(d), until two years from the effective date of this rule. These systems must begin
                       charging reasonable rates in accordance with applicable rules, other than transition relief, no
                       later than that date.

                (ii) Low-price systems. Low price systems shall be eligible to establish a transition rate for a tier.

                       (A) A low-price system is a system:

                            (1) Whose March 31, 1994 rate is below its March 31, 1994 benchmark rate, or

                            (2) Whose March 31, 1994 rate is above its March 31, 1994 benchmark rate, but whose
                                March 31, 1994 full reduction rate is below its March 31, 1994 benchmark rate, as
                                defined in § 76.922(b)(2), above.

                       (B) The transition rate on May 15, 1994 for a system whose March 31, 1994 rate is below its
                           March 31, 1994 benchmark rate is the system's March 31, 1994 rate. The March 31, 1994
                           rate is in both cases adjusted:

                            (1) To establish permitted rates for equipment as required by § 76.923 if such rates have
                                not already been established; and

                            (2) For changes in external costs incurred between the earlier of initial date of regulation
                                of any tier or February 28, 1994, and March 31, 1994, to the extent changes in such
                                costs are not already reflected in the system's March 31, 1994 rate. The transition
                                rate on May 15, 1994 for a system whose March 31, 1994 adjusted rate is above its
                                March 31, 1994 benchmark rate, but whose March 31, 1994 full reduction rate is
                                below its March 31, 1994 benchmark rate, is the March 31, 1994 benchmark rate,
                                adjusted to establish permitted rates for equipment as required by § 76.923 if such
                                rates have not already been established.

                (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the transition rate for a tier shall be adjusted to reflect any
                      determination by a local franchising authority and/or the Commission that the rate in effect on
                      March 31, 1994 was higher (or lower) than that permitted under applicable Commission
                      regulations. A filing reflecting the adjusted rate shall be submitted to all relevant authorities
                      within 30 days after issuance of the local franchising authority and/or Commission
                      determination. A system whose March 31, 1994 rate is determined by a local franchising
                      authority or the Commission to be too high under the Commission's rate regulations in effect
                      before May 15, 1994 will be subject to any refund liability that may accrue under those rules. In
                      addition, the system will be liable for refund liability under the rules in effect on and after May
                      15, 1994. Such refund liability will be measured by the difference in the system's March 31,
                      1994 rate and its permitted March 31, 1994 rate as calculated under the Commission's rate
                      regulations in effect before May 15, 1994. The refund liability will accrue according to the time
                      periods set forth in §§ 76.942, and 76.961 of the Commission's rules.

           (5) Streamlined rate reductions.

                 (i)   Upon becoming subject to rate regulation, a small system owned by a small cable company
                       may make a streamlined rate reduction, subject to the following conditions, in lieu of
                       establishing initial rates pursuant to the other methods of rate regulation set forth in this
                       subpart:

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.922(b)(5)(i)(A)
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                      (A) Small systems that are owned by small cable companies and that have not already
                          restructured their rates to comply with the Commission's rules may establish rates for
                          regulated program services and equipment by making a streamlined rate reduction. Small
                          systems owned by small cable companies shall not be eligible for streamlined rate
                          reductions if they are owned or controlled by, or are under common control or affiliated
                          with, a cable operator that exceeds these subscriber limits. For purposes of this rule, a
                          small system will be considered “affiliated with” such an operator if the operator has a 20
                          percent or greater equity interest in the small system.

                      (B) The streamlined rate for a tier on May 15, 1994 shall be the system's March 31, 1994 rate
                          for the tier, reduced by 14 percent. A small system that elects to establish its rate for a tier
                          by implementing this streamlined rate reduction must also reduce, at the same time, each
                          billed item of regulated cable service, including equipment, by 14 percent. Regulated rates
                          established using the streamlined rate reduction process shall remain in effect until:

                            (1) Adoption of a further order by the Commission establishing a schedule of average
                                equipment costs;

                            (2) The system increases its rates using the calculations and time periods set forth in
                                FCC Form 1211; or

                            (3) The system elects to establish permitted rates under another available option set
                                forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

                      (C) Implementation and notification. An eligible small system that elects to use the
                          streamlined rate reduction process must implement the required rate reductions and
                          provide written notice of such reductions to subscribers, the local franchising authority
                          and the Commission according to the following schedule:

                            (1) Within 60 days from the date it receives the initial notice of regulation from the
                                franchising authority or the Commission, the small system must provide written
                                notice to subscribers and the franchising authority, or to the Commission if the
                                Commission is regulating the basic tier, that it is electing to set its regulated rates by
                                the streamlined rate reduction process. The system must then implement the
                                streamlined rate reductions within 30 days after the written notification has been
                                provided to subscribers and the local franchise authority or Commission.

                            (2) If a cable programming services complaint is filed against the system, the system
                                must provide the required written notice, described in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(C)(1) of
                                this section, to subscribers, the local franchising authority or the Commission within
                                60 days after the complaint is filed. The system must then implement the
                                streamlined rate reductions within 30 days after the written notification has been
                                provided.

                            (3) A small system is required to give written notice of, and to implement, the rates that
                                are produced by the streamlined rate reduction process only once. If a system has
                                already provided notice of, and implemented, the streamlined rate reductions when a
                                given tier becomes subject to regulation, it must report to the relevant regulator
                                (either the franchising authority or the Commission) in writing within 30 days of
                                becoming subject to regulation that it has already provided the required notice and
                                implemented the required rate reductions.

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                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.922(b)(5)(ii)
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                 (ii) The stremlined rate for a tier on May 15, 1994 shall be the system's March 31, 1994 rate for the
                      tier, reduced by 14 percent. A small system that elects to establish its rate for a tier by
                      implementing this streamlined rate reduction must also reduce, at the same time, each billed
                      item of regulated cable service, including equipment, by 14 percent. Regulated rates
                      established using the streamlined rate reduction process shall remain in effect until:

                      (A) Adoption of a further order by the Commission establishing a schedule of average
                          equipment costs;

                      (B) The system increases its rates using the calculations and time periods set forth in FCC
                          Form 1211; or

                      (C) The system elects to establish permitted rates under another available option set forth in
                          paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

                (iii) Implementation and notification. An eligible small system that elects to use the streamlined rate
                      reduction process must implement the required rate reductions and provide written notice of
                      such reductions to subscribers, the local franchising authority and the Commission according
                      to the following schedule:

                      (A) Where the franchising authority has been certified by the Commission to regulate the
                          small system's basic service tier rates as of May 15, 1994, the system must notify the
                          franchising authority and its subscribers in writing that it is electing to set its regulated
                          rates by the streamline rate reduction process. Such notice must be given by June 15,
                          1994, and must also describe the new rates that will result from the streamlined rate
                          reduction process. Those rates must then be implemented within 30 days after the written
                          notification has been provided to subscribers and the local franchising authority.

                      (B) Where the franchising authority has not been certified to regulate basic service tier rates
                          by May 15, 1994, the small system must provide the written notice to subscribers and the
                          franchising authority, described in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(A) of this section, within 30 days
                          from the date it receives the initial notice of regulation from the franchising authority. The
                          system must then implement the streamlined rate reductions within 30 days after the
                          written notification has been provided to subscribers and the local franchise authority.

                      (C) Where the Commission is regulating the small system's basic service tier rates as of May
                          15, 1994, the system must notify the Commission and its subscribers in writing that it is
                          electing to set its regulated rates by the streamlined rate reduction process. Such notice
                          must be given by June 15, 1994, and must also describe the new rates that will result from
                          the streamlined rate reduction process. Those rates must then be implemented within 30
                          days after the written notification has been provided to subscribers and the Commission.

                      (D) Where the Commission begins regulating basic service rates after May 15, 1994, the small
                          system must provide the written notice to subscribers and the Commission, described in
                          paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(C) of this section, within 30 days from the date it receives an initial
                          notice of regulation. The system must then implement the streamlined rate reductions
                          within 30 days after the written notification has been provided to subscribers and the
                          Commission.

                      (E) If a complaint about its cable programming service rates has been filed with the
                          Commission on or before May 15, 1994, the small system must provide the written notice
                          described in paragraph (b)(5)(iii)(A) of this section, to subscribers, the local franchising

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.922(b)(5)(iii)(F)
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                            authority and the Commission by June 15, 1994. If a cable programming services
                            complaint is filed against the system after May 15, 1994, the system must provide the
                            required written notice to subscribers, the local franchising authority or the Commission
                            within 30 days after the complaint is filed. The system must then implement the
                            streamlined rate reductions within 30 days after the written notification has been provided.

                       (F) A small system is required to give written notice of, and to implement, the rates that are
                           produced by the streamlined rate reduction process only once. If a system has already
                           provided notice of, and implemented, the streamlined rate reductions when a given tier
                           becomes subject to regulation, it must report to the relevant regulator (either the
                           franchising authority or the Commission) in writing within 30 days of becoming subject to
                           regulation that it has already provided the required notice and implemented the required
                           rate reductions.

           (6) Establishment of initial regulated rates.

                 (i)   Cable systems, other than those eligible for streamlined rate reductions, shall file FCC Forms
                       1200, 1205, and 1215 for a tier that is regulated on May 15, 1994 by June 15, 1994, or thirty
                       days after the initial date of regulation for the tier. A system that becomes subject to regulation
                       for the first time on or after July 1, 1994 shall also file FCC Form 1210 at the time it files FCC
                       Forms 1200, 1205 and 1215.

                (ii) A cable system will not incur refund liability under the Commission's rules governing regulated
                     cable rates on and after May 15, 1994 if:

                       (A) Between March 31, 1994 and July 14, 1994, the system does not change the rate for, or
                           restructure in any fashion, any program service or equipment offering that is subject to
                           regulation under the 1992 Cable Act; and

                       (B) The system establishes a permitted rate defined in paragraph (b) of this section by July 14,
                           1994. The deferral of refund liability permitted by this subsection will terminate if, after
                           March 31, 1994, the system changes any rate for, or restructures, any program service or
                           equipment offering subject to regulation, and in all events will expire on July 14, 1994.
                           Moreover, the deferral of refund liability permitted by this paragraph does not apply to
                           refund liability that occurs because the system's March 31, 1994 rates for program
                           services and equipment subject to regulation are higher than the levels permitted under
                           the Commission's rules in effect before May 15, 1994.

           (7) For purposes of this section, the initial date of regulation for the basic service tier shall be the date
               on which notice is given pursuant to § 76.910, that the provision of the basic service tier is subject to
               regulation. For a cable programming services tier, the initial date of regulation shall be the first date
               on which a complaint on the appropriate form is filed with the Commission concerning rates charged
               for the cable programming services tier.

           (8) For purposes of this section, rates in effect on the initial date of regulation or on September 30, 1992
               shall be the rates charged to subscribers for service received on that date.

           (9) Updating data calculations.

                 (i)   For purposes of this section, if:

                       (A) A cable operator, prior to becoming subject to regulation, revised its rates to comply with
                           the Commission's rules; and

47 CFR 76.922(b)(9)(i)(A) (enhanced display)                                                                page 150 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.922(b)(9)(i)(B)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                       (B) The data on which the cable operator relied was current and accurate at the time of
                           revision, and the rate is accurate and justified by the prior data; and

                       (C) Through no fault of the cable operator, the rates that resulted from using such data differ
                           from the rates that would result from using data current and accurate at the time the cable
                           operator's system becomes subject to regulation; then the cable operator is not required
                           to change its rates to reflect the data current at the time it becomes subject to regulation.

                (ii) Notwithstanding the above, any subsequent changes in a cable operator's rates must be made
                     from rate levels derived from data [that was current as of the date of the rate change].

                (iii) For purposes of this subsection, if the rates charged by a cable operator are not justified by an
                      analysis based on the data available at the time it initially adjusted its rates, the cable operator
                      must adjust its rates in accordance with the most accurate data available at the time of the
                      analysis.

     (c) Subsequent permitted charge.

           (1) The permitted charge for a tier after May 15, 1994 shall be, at the election of the cable system, either:

                 (i)   A rate determined pursuant to a cost-of-service showing,

                (ii) A rate determined by application of the Commission's price cap requirements set forth in
                     paragraph (d) of this section to a permitted rate determined in accordance with paragraph (b)
                     of this section, or

                (iii) A rate determined by application of the Commission's price cap requirements set forth in
                      paragraph (e) of this section to a permitted rate determined in accordance with paragraph (b)
                      of this section.

           (2) The Commission's price cap requirements allow a system to adjust its permitted charges for
               inflation, changes in the number of regulated channels on tiers, or changes in external costs. After
               May 15, 1994, adjustments for changes in external costs shall be calculated by subtracting external
               costs from the system's permitted charge and making changes to that “external cost component” as
               necessary. The remaining charge, referred to as the “residual component,” will be adjusted annually
               for inflation. Cable systems may adjust their rates by using the price cap rules contained in either
               paragraph (d) or (e) of this section. In addition, cable systems may further adjust their rates using
               the methodologies set forth in paragraph (n) of this section.

           (3) An operator may switch between the quarterly rate adjustment option contained in paragraph (d) of
               this section and the annual rate adjustment option contained in paragraph (e) of this section,
               provided that:

                 (i)   Whenever an operator switches from the current quarterly system to the annual system, the
                       operator may not file a Form 1240 earlier than 90 days after the operator proposed its last rate
                       adjustment on a Form 1210; and

                (ii) When an operator changes from the annual system to the quarterly system, the operator may
                     not return to a quarterly adjustment using a Form 1210 until a full quarter after it has filed a true
                     up of its annual rate on a Form 1240 for the preceding filing period.

47 CFR 76.922(c)(3)(ii) (enhanced display)                                                                   page 151 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                      47 CFR 76.922(c)(4)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (4) An operator that does not set its rates pursuant to a cost-of-service filing must use the quarterly rate
               adjustment methodology pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section or annual rate adjustment
               methodology pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section for both its basic service tier and its cable
               programming services tier(s).

     (d) Quarterly rate adjustment method —

           (1) Calendar year quarters. All systems using the quarterly rate adjustment methodology must use the
               following calendar year quarters when adjusting rates under the price cap requirements. The first
               quarter shall run from January 1 through March 31 of the relevant year; the second quarter shall run
               from April 1 through June 30; the third quarter shall run from July 1 through September 30; and the
               fourth quarter shall run from October 1 through December 31.

           (2) Inflation adjustments. The residual component of a system's permitted charge may be adjusted
               annually for inflation. The annual inflation adjustment shall be used on inflation occurring from June
               30 of the previous year to June 30 of the year in which the inflation adjustment is made, except that
               the first annual inflation adjustment shall cover inflation from September 30, 1993 until June 30 of
               the year in which the inflation adjustment is made. The adjustment may be made after September
               30, but no later than August 31, of the next calendar year. Adjustments shall be based on changes in
               the Gross National Product Price Index as published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the
               United States Department of Commerce. Cable systems that establish a transition rate pursuant to
               paragraph (b)(4) of this section may not begin adjusting rates on account of inflation before April 1,
               1995. Between April 1, 1995 and August 31, 1995 cable systems that established a transition rate
               may adjust their rates to reflect the net of a 5.21% inflation adjustment minus any inflation
               adjustments they have already received. Low price systems that had their March 31, 1994 rates
               above the benchmark, but their full reduction rate below the benchmark will be permitted to adjust
               their rates to reflect the full 5.21% inflation factor unless the rate reduction was less than the
               inflation adjustment received on an FCC Form 393 for rates established prior to May 15, 1994. If the
               rate reduction established by a low price system that reduced its rate to the benchmark was less
               than the inflation adjustment received on an FCC Form 393, the system will be permitted to receive
               the 5.21% inflation adjustment minus the difference between the rate reduction and the inflation
               adjustment the system made on its FCC Form 393. Cable systems that established a transition rate
               may make future inflation adjustments on an annual basis with all other cable operators, no earlier
               than October 1 of each year and no later than August 31 of the following year to reflect the final GNP-
               PI through June 30 of the applicable year.

           (3) External costs.

                 (i)   Permitted charges for a tier may be adjusted up to quarterly to reflect changes in external costs
                       experienced by the cable system as defined by paragraph (f) of this section. In all events, a
                       system must adjust its rates annually to reflect any decreases in external costs that have not
                       previously been accounted for in the system's rates. A system must also adjust its rates
                       annually to reflect any changes in external costs, inflation and the number of channels on
                       regulated tiers that occurred during the year if the system wishes to have such changes
                       reflected in its regulated rates. A system that does not adjust its permitted rates annually to
                       account for those changes will not be permitted to increase its rates subsequently to reflect the
                       changes.

                (ii) A system must adjust its rates in the next calendar year quarter for any decrease in
                     programming costs that results from the deletion of a channel or channels from a regulated
                     tier.
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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.922(d)(3)(iii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (iii) Any rate increase made to reflect an increase in external costs must also fully account for all
                      other changes in external costs, inflation and the number of channels on regulated tiers that
                      occurred during the same period. Rate adjustments made to reflect changes in external costs
                      shall be based on any changes in those external costs that occurred from the end of the last
                      quarter for which an adjustment was previously made through the end of the quarter that has
                      most recently closed preceding the filing of the FCC Form 1210 (or FCC Form 1211, where
                      applicable). A system may adjust its rates after the close of a quarter to reflect changes in
                      external costs that occurred during that quarter as soon as it has sufficient information to
                      calculate the rate change.

     (e) Annual rate adjustment method —

           (1) Generally. Except as provided for in paragraphs (e)(2)(iii)(B) and (e)(2)(iii)(C) of this section and
               Section 76.923(o), operators that elect the annual rate adjustment method may not adjust their rates
               more than annually to reflect inflation, changes in external costs, changes in the number of regulated
               channels, and changes in equipment costs. Operators that make rate adjustments using this method
               must file on the same date a Form 1240 for the purpose of making rate adjustments to reflect
               inflation, changes in external costs and changes in the number of regulated channels and a Form
               1205 for the purpose of adjusting rates for regulated equipment and installation. Operators may
               choose the annual filing date, but they must notify the franchising authority of their proposed filing
               date prior to their filing. Franchising authorities or their designees may reject the annual filing date
               chosen by the operator for good cause. If the franchising authority finds good cause to reject the
               proposed filing date, the franchising authority and the operator should work together in an effort to
               reach a mutually acceptable date. If no agreement can be reached, the franchising authority may set
               the filing date up to 60 days later than the date chosen by the operator. An operator may change its
               filing date from year-to-year, but except as described in paragraphs (e)(2)(iii)(B) and (e)(2)(iii)(C) of
               this section, at least twelve months must pass before the operator can implement its next annual
               adjustment.

           (2) Projecting inflation, changes in external costs, and changes in number of regulated channels. An
               operator that elects the annual rate adjustment method may adjust its rates to reflect inflation,
               changes in external costs and changes in the number of regulated channels that are projected for
               the 12 months following the date the operator is scheduled to make its rate adjustment pursuant to
               Section 76.933(g).

                 (i)   Inflation Adjustments. The residual component of a system's permitted charge may be adjusted
                       annually to project for the 12 months following the date the operator is scheduled to make a
                       rate adjustment. The annual inflation adjustment shall be based on inflation that occurred in the
                       most recently completed July 1 to June 30 period. Adjustments shall be based on changes in
                       the Gross National Product Price Index as published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the
                       United States Department of Commerce.

                (ii) External costs.

                       (A) Permitted charges for a tier may be adjusted annually to reflect changes in external costs
                           experienced but not yet accounted for by the cable system, as well as for projections in
                           these external costs for the 12-month period on which the filing is based. In order that
                           rates be adjusted for projections in external costs, the operator must demonstrate that
                           such projections are reasonably certain and reasonably quantifiable. Projections involving
                           copyright fees, retransmission consent fees, other programming costs, Commission
                           regulatory fees, and cable specific taxes are presumed to be reasonably certain and
47 CFR 76.922(e)(2)(ii)(A) (enhanced display)                                                            page 153 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                               47 CFR 76.922(e)(2)(ii)(B)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                           reasonably quantifiable. Operators may project for increases in franchise related costs to
                           the extent that they are reasonably certain and reasonably quantifiable, but such changes
                           are not presumed reasonably certain and reasonably quantifiable. Operators may pass
                           through increases in franchise fees pursuant to Section 76.933(g).

                     (B) In all events, a system must adjust its rates every twelve months to reflect any net
                         decreases in external costs that have not previously been accounted for in the system's
                         rates.

                     (C) Any rate increase made to reflect increases or projected increases in external costs must
                         also fully account for all other changes and projected changes in external costs, inflation
                         and the number of channels on regulated tiers that occurred or will occur during the same
                         period. Rate adjustments made to reflect changes in external costs shall be based on any
                         changes, plus projections, in those external costs that occurred or will occur in the
                         relevant time periods since the periods used in the operator's most recent previous FCC
                         Form 1240.

                (iii) Channel adjustments.

                     (A) Permitted charges for a tier may be adjusted annually to reflect changes not yet accounted
                         for in the number of regulated channels provided by the cable system, as well as for
                         projected changes in the number of regulated channels for the 12-month period on which
                         the filing is based. In order that rates be adjusted for projected changes to the number of
                         regulated channels, the operator must demonstrate that such projections are reasonably
                         certain and reasonably quantifiable.

                     (B) An operator may make rate adjustments for the addition of required channels to the basic
                         service tier that are required under federal or local law at any time such additions occur,
                         subject to the filing requirements of Section 76.933(g)(2), regardless of whether such
                         additions occur outside of the annual filing cycle. Required channels may include must-
                         carry, local origination, public, educational and governmental access and leased access
                         channels. Should the operator elect not to pass through the costs immediately, it may
                         accrue the costs of the additional channels plus interest, as described in paragraph (e)(3)
                         of this section.

                     (C) An operator may make one additional rate adjustment during the year to reflect channel
                         additions to the cable programming services tiers or, where the operator offers only one
                         regulated tier, the basic service tier. Operators may make this additional rate adjustment at
                         any time during the year, subject to the filing requirements of Section 76.933(g)(2),
                         regardless of whether the channel addition occurs outside of the annual filing cycle.
                         Should the operator elect not to pass through the costs immediately, it may accrue the
                         costs of the additional channels plus interest, as described in paragraph (e)(3) of this
                         section.

          (3) True-up and accrual of charges not projected. As part of the annual rate adjustment, an operator
              must “true up” its previously projected inflation, changes in external costs and changes in the
              number of regulated channels and adjust its rates for these actual cost changes. The operator must
              decrease its rates for overestimation of its projected cost changes, and may increase its rates to
              adjust for underestimation of its projected cost changes.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.922(e)(3)(i)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                 (i)   Where an operator has underestimated costs, future rates may be increased to permit recovery
                       of the accrued costs plus 11.25% interest between the date the costs are incurred and the date
                       the operator is entitled to make its rate adjustment.

                 (ii) Per channel adjustment. Operators may increase rates by a per channel adjustment of up to 20
                      cents per subscriber per month, exclusive of programming costs, for each channel added to a
                      CPST between May 15, 1994, and December 31, 1997, except that an operator may take the per
                      channel adjustment only for channel additions that result in an increase in the highest number
                      of channels offered on all CPSTs as compared to May 14, 1994, and each date thereafter. Any
                      revenues received from a programmer, or shared by a programmer and an operator in
                      connection with the addition of a channel to a CPST shall first be deducted from programming
                      costs for that channel pursuant to paragraph (d)(3)(x) of this section and then, to the extent
                      revenues received from the programmer are greater than the programming costs, shall be
                      deducted from the per channel adjustment. This deduction will apply on a channel by channel
                      basis. With respect to the per channel adjustment only, this deduction shall not apply to
                      revenues received by an operator from a programmer as commissions on sales of products or
                      services offered through home shopping services.

                (iii) If an operator has underestimated its cost changes and elects not to recover these accrued
                      costs with interest on the date the operator is entitled to make its annual rate adjustment, the
                      interest will cease to accrue as of the date the operator is entitled to make the annual rate
                      adjustment, but the operator will not lose its ability to recover such costs and interest. An
                      operator may recover accrued costs between the date such costs are incurred and the date the
                      operator actually implements its rate adjustment.

                (iv) Operators that use the annual methodology in their next filing after the release date of this
                     Order may accrue costs and interest incurred since July 1, 1995 in that filing. Operators that file
                     a Form 1210 in their next filing after the release date of this Order, and elect to use Form 1240
                     in a subsequent filing, may accrue costs incurred since the end of the last quarter to which a
                     Form 1210 applies.

           (4) Sunset provision. The Commission will review paragraph (e) of this section prior to December 31,
               1998 to determine whether the annual rate adjustment methodology should be kept, and whether the
               quarterly system should be eliminated and replaced with the annual rate adjustment method.

     (f) External costs.

           (1) External costs shall consist of costs in the following categories:

                 (i)   State and local taxes applicable to the provision of cable television service;

                 (ii) Franchise fees;

                (iii) Costs of complying with franchise requirements, including costs of providing public,
                      educational, and governmental access channels as required by the franchising authority;

                (iv) Retransmission consent fees and copyright fees incurred for the carriage of broadcast signals;

                 (v) Other programming costs; and

                (vi) Commission cable television system regulatory fees imposed pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 159.

                (vii) Headend equipment costs necessary for the carriage of digital broadcast signals.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.922(f)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (2) The permitted charge for a regulated tier shall be adjusted on account of programming costs,
              copyright fees and retransmission consent fees only for the program channels or broadcast signals
              offered on that tier.

          (3) The permitted charge shall not be adjusted for costs of retransmission consent fees or changes in
              those fees incurred prior to October 6, 1994.

          (4) The starting date for adjustments on account of external costs for a tier of regulated programming
              service shall be the earlier of the initial date of regulation for any basic or cable service tier or
              February 28, 1994. Except, for regulated FCC Form 1200 rates set on the basis of rates at September
              30, 1992 (using either March 31, 1994 rates initially determined from FCC Form 393 Worksheet 2 or
              using Form 1200 Full Reduction Rates from Line J6), the starting date shall be September 30, 1992.
              Operators in this latter group may make adjustment for changes in external costs for the period
              between September 30, 1992, and the initial date of regulation or February 28, 1994, whichever is
              applicable, based either on changes in the GNP-PI over that period or on the actual change in the
              external costs over that period. Thereafter, adjustment for external costs may be made on the basis
              of actual changes in external costs only.

          (5) Changes in franchise fees shall not result in an adjustment to permitted charges, but rather shall be
              calculated separately as part of the maximum monthly charge per subscriber for a tier of regulated
              programming service.

          (6) Adjustments to permitted charges to reflect changes in the costs of programming purchased from
              affiliated programmers, as defined in § 76.901, shall be permitted as long as the price charged to the
              affiliated system reflects either prevailing company prices offered in the marketplace to third parties
              (where the affiliated program supplier has established such prices) or the fair market value of the
              programming.

                (i)   For purposes of this section, entities are affiliated if either entity has an attributable interest in
                      the other or if a third party has an attributable interest in both entities.

                (ii) Attributable interest shall be defined by reference to the criteria set forth in Notes 1 through 5 to
                     § 76.501 provided, however, that:

                      (A) The limited partner and LLC/LLP/RLLP insulation provisions of Note 2(f) shall not apply;
                          and

                      (B) The provisions of Note 2(a) regarding five (5) percent interests shall include all voting or
                          nonvoting stock or limited partnership equity interests of five (5) percent or more.

          (7) Adjustments to permitted charges on account of increases in costs of programming shall be further
              adjusted to reflect any revenues received by the operator from the programmer. Such adjustments
              shall apply on a channel-by-channel basis.

          (8) In calculating programming expense, operators may add a mark-up of 7.5% for increases in
              programming costs occurring after March 31, 1994, except that operators may not file for or take the
              7.5% mark-up on programming costs for new channels added on or after May 15, 1994 for which the
              operator has used the methodology set forth in paragraph (g)(3) of this section for adjusting rates
              for channels added to cable programming service tiers. Operators shall reduce rates by decreases in
              programming expense plus an additional 7.5% for decreases occurring after May 15, 1994 except
              with respect to programming cost decreases on channels added after May 15, 1994 for which the
              rate adjustment methodology in paragraph (g)(3) of this section was used.

47 CFR 76.922(f)(8) (enhanced display)                                                                         page 156 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.922(g)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (g) Changes in the number of channels on regulated tiers —

          (1) Generally. A system may adjust the residual component of its permitted rate for a tier to reflect
              changes in the number of channels offered on the tier on a quarterly basis. Cable systems shall use
              FCC Form 1210 (or FCC Form 1211, where applicable) or FCC Form 1240 to justify rate changes
              made on account of changes in the number of channels on a basic service tier (“BST”) or a cable
              programming service tier (“CPST”). Such rate adjustments shall be based on any changes in the
              number of regulated channels that occurred from the end of the last quarter for which an adjustment
              was previously made through the end of the quarter that has most recently closed preceding the
              filing of the FCC Form 1210 (or FCC Form 1211, where applicable) or FCC Form 1240. However,
              when a system deletes channels in a calendar quarter, the system must adjust the residual
              component of the tier charge in the next calendar quarter to reflect that deletion. Operators must
              elect between the channel addition rules in paragraphs (g)(2) and (g)(3) of this section the first time
              they adjust rates after December 31, 1994, to reflect a channel addition to a CPST that occurred on
              or after May 15, 1994, and must use the elected methodology for all rate adjustments through
              December 31, 1997. A system that adjusted rates after May 15, 1994, but before January 1, 1995 on
              account of a change in the number of channels on a CPST that occurred after May 15, 1994, may
              elect to revise its rates to charge the rates permitted by paragraph (g)(3) of this section on or after
              January 1, 1995, but is not required to do so as a condition for using the methodology in paragraph
              (g)(3) of this section for rate adjustments after January 1, 1995. Rates for the BST will be governed
              exclusively by paragraph (g)(2) of this section, except that where a system offered only one tier on
              May 14, 1994, the cable operator will be allowed to elect between paragraphs (g)(2) and (g)(3) of this
              section as if the tier was a CPST.

          (2) Adjusting rates for increases in the number of channels offered between May 15, 1994, and December
              31, 1997, on a basic service tier and at the election of the operator on a cable programming service
              tier. The following table shall be used to adjust permitted rates for increases in the number of
              channels offered between May 15, 1994, and December 31, 1997, on a basic service tier and subject
              to the conditions in paragraph (g)(1) of this section at the election of the operator on a CPST. The
              entries in the table provide the cents per channel per subscriber per month by which cable operators
              will adjust the residual component using FCC Form 1210 (or FCC Form 1211, where applicable) or
              FCC Form 1240.

                          Average No. of regulated channels                  Per-channel adjustment factor
                 7                                                                                           $0.52
                 7.5                                                                                          0.45
                 8                                                                                            0.40
                 8.5                                                                                          0.36
                 9                                                                                            0.33
                 9.5                                                                                          0.29
                 10                                                                                           0.27
                 10.5                                                                                         0.24
                 11                                                                                           0.22
                 11.5                                                                                         0.20
                 12                                                                                           0.19
                 12.5                                                                                         0.17

47 CFR 76.922(g)(2) (enhanced display)                                                                page 157 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.922(g)(2)(i)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                             Average No. of regulated channels                     Per-channel adjustment factor
                 13                                                                                                   0.16
                 13.5                                                                                                 0.15
                 14                                                                                                   0.14
                 14.5                                                                                                 0.13
                 15–15.5                                                                                              0.12
                 16                                                                                                   0.11
                 16.5–17                                                                                              0.10
                 17.5–18                                                                                              0.09
                 18.5–19                                                                                              0.08
                 19.5–21.5                                                                                            0.07
                 22–23.5                                                                                              0.06
                 24–26                                                                                                0.05
                 26.5–29.5                                                                                            0.04
                 30–35.5                                                                                              0.03
                 36–46                                                                                                0.02
                 46.5–99.5                                                                                            0.01

                In order to adjust the residual component of the tier charge when there is an increase in the number
                of channels on a tier, the operator shall perform the following calculations:

                 (i)    Take the sum of the old total number of channels on tiers subject to regulation (i.e., tiers that
                        are, or could be, regulated but excluding New Product Tiers) and the new total number of
                        channels and divide the resulting number by two;

                (ii) Consult the above table to find the applicable per channel adjustment factor for the number of
                     channels produced by the calculations in step (1). For each tier for which there has been an
                     increase in the number of channels, multiply the per-channel adjustment factor times the
                     change in the number of channels on that tier. The result is the total adjustment for that tier.

           (3) Alternative methodology for adjusting rates for changes in the number of channels offered on a cable
               programming service tier or a single tier system between May 15, 1994, and December 31, 1997. This
               paragraph at the Operator's discretion as set forth in paragraph (g)(1) of this section shall be used to
               adjust permitted rates for a CPST after December 31, 1994, for changes in the number of channels
               offered on a CPST between May 15, 1994, and December 31, 1997. For purposes of paragraph (g)(3)
               of this section, a single tier system may be treated as if it were a CPST.

                 (i)    Operators cap attributable to new channels on all CPSTs through December 31, 1997. Operators
                        electing to use the methodology set forth in this paragraph may increase their rates between
                        January 1, 1995, and December 31, 1997, by up to 20 cents per channel, exclusive of
                        programming costs, for new channels added to CPSTs on or after May 15, 1994, except that
                        they may not make rate adjustments totalling more than $1.20 per month, per subscriber
                        through December 31, 1996, and by more than $1.40 per month, per subscriber through
                        December 31, 1997 (the “Operator's Cap”). Except to the extent that the programming costs of
                        such channels are covered by the License Fee Reserve provided for in paragraph (g)(3)(iii) of
                        this section, programming costs associated with channels for which a rate adjustment is made
                        pursuant to this paragraph (g)(3) of this section must fall within the Operators' Cap if the

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.922(g)(3)(ii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                     programming costs (including any increases therein) are reflected in rates before January 1,
                     1997. Inflation adjustments pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) or (e)(2) of this section are not
                     counted against the Operator's Cap.

                (ii) Per channel adjustment. Operators may increase rates by a per channel adjustment of up to 20
                     cents per subscriber per month, exclusive of programming costs, for each channel added to a
                     CPST between May 15, 1994, and December 31, 1997, except that an operator may take the per
                     channel adjustment only for channel additions that result in an increase in the highest number
                     of channels offered on all CPSTs as compared to May 14, 1994, and each date thereafter. Any
                     revenues received from a programmer, or shared by a programmer and an operator in
                     connection with the addition of a channel to a CPST shall first be deducted from programming
                     costs for that channel pursuant to paragraph (f)(7) of this section and then, to the extent
                     revenues received from the programmer are greater than the programming costs, shall be
                     deducted from the per channel adjustment. This deduction will apply on a channel by channel
                     basis.

                (iii) License fee reserve. In addition to the rate adjustments permitted in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) and
                      (g)(3)(ii) of this section, operators that make channel additions on or after May 15, 1994 may
                      increase their rates by a total of 30 cents per month, per subscriber between January 1, 1995,
                      and December 31, 1996, for license fees associated with such channels (the “License Fee
                      Reserve”). The License Fee Reserve may be applied against the initial license fee and any
                      increase in the license fee for such channels during this period. An operator may pass-through
                      to subscribers more than the 30 cents between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 1996, for
                      license fees associated with channels added after May 15, 1994, provided that the total amount
                      recovered from subscribers for such channels, including the License Fee Reserve, does not
                      exceed $1.50 per subscriber, per month. After December 31, 1996, license fees may be passed
                      through to subscribers pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section, except that license fees
                      associated with channels added pursuant to this paragraph (3) will not be eligible for the 7.5%
                      mark-up on increases in programming costs.

                (iv) Timing. For purposes of determining whether a rate increase counts against the maximum rate
                     increases specified in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) through (g)(3)(ii) of this section, the relevant date
                     shall be when rates are increased as a result of channel additions, not when the addition
                     occurs.

          (4) Deletion of channels. When dropping a channel from a BST or CPST, operators shall reflect the net
              reduction in external costs in their rates pursuant to paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (d)(3)(ii) of this section,
              or paragraphs (e)(2)(ii)(A) and (e)(2)(ii)(B) of this section. With respect to channels to which the
              7.5% mark-up on programming costs applied pursuant to paragraph (f)(8) of this section, the
              operator shall treat the mark-up as part of its programming costs and subtract the mark-up from its
              external costs. Operators shall also reduce the price of that tier by the “residual” associated with that
              channel. For channels that were on a BST or CPST on May 14, 1994, or channels added after that
              date pursuant to paragraph (g)(2) of this section, the per channel residual is the charge for their tier,
              minus the external costs for the tier, and any per channel adjustments made after that date, divided
              by the total number of channels on the tier minus the number of channels on the tier that received
              the per channel adjustment specified in paragraph (g)(3) of this section. For channels added to a
              CPST after May 14, 1994, pursuant to paragraph (g)(3) of this section, the residuals shall be the
              actual per channel adjustment taken for that channel when it was added to the tier.

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           (5) Movement of Channels Between Tiers. When a channel is moved from a CPST or a BST to another
               CPST or BST, the price of the tier from which the channel is dropped shall be reduced to reflect the
               decrease in programming costs and residual as described in paragraph (g)(4) of this section. The
               residual associated with the shifted channel shall then be converted from per subscriber to
               aggregate numbers to ensure aggregate revenues from the channel remain the same when the
               channel is moved. The aggregate residual associated with the shifted channel may be shifted to the
               tier to which the channel is being moved. The residual shall then be converted to per subscriber
               figures on the new tier, plus any subsequent inflation adjustment. The price of the tier to which the
               channel is shifted may then be increased to reflect this amount. The price of that tier may also be
               increased to reflect any increase in programming cost. An operator may not shift a channel for which
               it received a per channel adjustment pursuant to paragraph (g)(3) of this section from a CPST to a
               BST.

           (6) Substitution of channels on a BST or CPST. If an operator substitutes a new channel for an existing
               channel on a CPST or a BST, no per channel adjustment may be made. Operators substituting
               channels on a CPST or a BST shall be required to reflect any reduction in programming costs in their
               rates and may reflect any increase in programming costs pursuant to paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and
               (d)(3)(ii), or paragraphs (e)(2)(ii)(A) and (e)(2)(ii)(B) of this section. If the programming cost for the
               new channel is greater than the programming cost for the replaced channel, and the operator
               chooses to pass that increase through to subscribers, the excess shall count against the License
               Fee Reserve or the Operator Cap when the increased cost is passed through to subscribers. Where
               an operator substitutes a new channel for a channel on which a 7.5% mark-up on programming costs
               was taken pursuant to paragraph (f)(8) of this section, the operator may retain the 7.5% mark-up on
               the license fee of the dropped channel to the extent that it is no greater than 7.5% of programming
               cost of the new service.

           (7) [Reserved]

           (8) Sunset provision. Paragraph (g) of this section shall cease to be effective on January 1, 1998 unless
               renewed by the Commission.

     (h) Permitted charges for a tier shall be determined in accordance with forms and associated instructions
         established by the Commission.

     (i)   Cost of service charge.

           (1) For purposes of this section, a monthly cost-of-service charge for a basic service tier or a cable
               programming service tier is an amount equal to the annual revenue requirement for that tier divided
               by a number that is equal to 12 times the average number of subscribers to that tier during the test
               year, except that a monthly charge for a system or tier in service less than one year shall be equal to
               the projected annual revenue requirement for the first 12 months of operation or service divided by a
               number that is equal to 12 times the projected average number of subscribers during the first 12
               months of operation or service. The calculation of the average number of subscribers shall include
               all subscribers, regardless of whether they receive service at full rates or at discounts.

           (2) A test year for an initial regulated charge is the cable operator's fiscal year preceding the initial date
               of regulation. A test year for a change in the basic service charge that is after the initial date of
               regulation is the cable operator's fiscal year preceding the mailing or other delivery of written notice
               pursuant to Section 76.932. A test year for a change in a cable programming service charge after the
               initial date of regulation is the cable operator's fiscal year preceding the filing of a complaint
               regarding the increase.

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           (3) The annual revenue requirement for a tier is the sum of the return component and the expense
               component for that tier.

           (4) The return component for a tier is the average allowable test year ratebase allocable to the tier
               adjusted for known and measurable changes occurring between the end of the test year and the
               effective date of the rate multiplied by the rate of return specified by the Commission or franchising
               authority.

           (5) The expense component for a tier is the sum of allowable test year expenses allocable to the tier
               adjusted for known and measurable changes occurring between the end of the test year and the
               effective date of the rate.

           (6) The ratebase may include the following:

                 (i)   Prudent investment by a cable operator in tangible plant that is used and useful in the provision
                       of regulated cable services less accumulated depreciation. Tangible plant in service shall be
                       valued at the actual money cost (or the money value of any consideration other than money) at
                       the time it was first used to provide cable service, except that in the case of systems purchased
                       before May 15, 1994 shall be presumed to equal 66% of the total purchase price allocable to
                       assets (including tangible and intangible assets) used to provide regulated services. The 66%
                       allowance shall not be used to justify any rate increase taken after the effective date of this
                       rule. The actual money cost of plant may include an allowance for funds used during
                       construction at the prime rate or the operator's actual cost of funds during construction. Cost
                       overruns are presumed to be imprudent investment in the absence of a showing that the
                       overrun occurred through no fault of the operator.

                (ii) An allowance for start-up losses including depreciation, amortization and interest expenses
                     related to assets that are included in the ratebase. Capitalized start-up losses, may include
                     cumulative net losses, plus any unrecovered interest expenses connected to funding the
                     regulated ratebase, amortized over the unexpired life of the franchise, commencing with the
                     end of the loss accumulation phase. However, losses attributable to accelerated depreciation
                     methodologies are not permitted.

                (iii) An allowance for start-up losses, if any, that is equal to the lesser of the first two years of
                      operating costs or accumulated losses incurred until the system reached the end of its
                      prematurity stage as defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board Standard 51 (“FASB 51”)
                      less straight-line amortization over a reasonable period not exceeding 15 years that
                      commences at the end of the prematurity phase of operation.

                (iv) Intangible assets less amortization that reflect the original costs prudently incurred by a cable
                     operator in organizing and incorporating a company that provides regulated cable services,
                     obtaining a government franchise to provide regulated cable services, or obtaining patents that
                     are used and useful in the provision of cable services.

                (v) The cost of customer lists if such costs were capitalized during the prematurity phase of
                    operations less amortization.

                (vi) An amount for working capital to the extent that an allowance or disallowance for funds needed
                     to sustain the ongoing operations of the regulated cable service is demonstrated.

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               (vii) Other intangible assets to the extent the cable operator demonstrates that the asset reflects
                     costs incurred in an activity or transaction that produced concrete benefits or savings for
                     subscribers to regulated cable services that would not have been realized otherwise and the
                     cable operator demonstrates that a return on such an asset does not exceed the value of such
                     a subscriber benefit.

               (viii) The portion of the capacity of plant not currently in service that will be placed in service within
                      twelve months of the end of the test year.

           (7) Deferred income taxes accrued after the date upon which the operator became subject to regulation
               shall be deducted from items included in the ratebase.

           (8) Allowable expenses may include the following:

                (i)   All regular expenses normally incurred by a cable operator in the provision of regulated cable
                      service, but not including any lobbying expense, charitable contributions, penalties and fines
                      paid on account of violations of statutes or rules, or membership fees in social, service,
                      recreational or athletic clubs or organizations.

                (ii) Reasonable depreciation expense attributable to tangible assets allowable in the ratebase.

                (iii) Reasonable amortization expense for prematurely abandoned tangible assets formerly
                      includable in the ratebase that are amortized over the remainder of the original expected life of
                      the asset.

                (iv) Reasonable amortization expense for start-up losses and capitalized intangible assets that are
                     includable in ratebase.

                (v) Taxes other than income taxes attributable to the provision of regulated cable services.

                (vi) An income tax allowance.

     (j)   Network upgrade rate increase.

           (1) Cable operators that undertake significant network upgrades requiring added capital investment may
               justify an increase in rates for regulated services by demonstrating that the capital investment will
               benefit subscribers, including providing television broadcast programming in a digital format.

           (2) A rate increase on account of upgrades shall not be assessed on customers until the upgrade is
               complete and providing benefits to customers of regulated services.

           (3) Cable operators seeking an upgrade rate increase have the burden of demonstrating the amount of
               the net increase in costs, taking into account current depreciation expense, likely changes in
               maintenance and other costs, changes in regulated revenues and expected economies of scale.

           (4) Cable operators seeking a rate increase for network upgrades shall allocate net cost increases in
               conformance with the cost allocation rules as set forth in § 76.924.

           (5) Cable operators that undertake significant upgrades shall be permitted to increase rates by adding
               the benchmark/price cap rate to the rate increment necessary to recover the net increase in cost
               attributable to the upgrade.

     (k) Hardship rate relief. A cable operator may adjust charges by an amount specified by the Commission for
         the cable programming service tier or the franchising authority for the basic service tier if it is determined
         that:

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           (1) Total revenues from cable operations, measured at the highest level of the cable operator's cable
               service organization, will not be sufficient to enable the operator to attract capital or maintain credit
               necessary to enable the operator to continue to provide cable service;

           (2) The cable operator has prudent and efficient management; and

           (3) Adjusted charges on account of hardship will not result in total charges for regulated cable services
               that are excessive in comparison to charges of similarly situated systems.

     (l)   Cost of service showing. A cable operator that elects to establish a charge, or to justify an existing or
           changed charge for regulated cable service, based on a cost-of-service showing must submit data to the
           Commission or the franchising authority in accordance with forms established by the Commission. The
           cable operator must also submit any additional information requested by franchising authorities or the
           Commission to resolve questions in cost-of-service proceedings.

    (m) Subsequent cost of service charges. No cable operator may use a cost-of-service showing to justify an
        increase in any charge established on a cost-of-service basis for a period of 2 years after that rate takes
        effect, except that the Commission or the franchising authority may waive this prohibition upon a showing
        of unusual circumstances that would create undue hardship for a cable operator.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993]

Editorial Note: For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 76.922, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which
appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

§ 76.923 Rates for equipment and installation used to receive the basic service tier.
     (a) Scope.

           (1) The equipment regulated under this section consists of all equipment in a subscriber's home,
               provided and maintained by the operator, that is used to receive the basic service tier, regardless of
               whether such equipment is additionally used to receive other tiers of regulated programming service
               and/or unregulated service. Such equipment shall include, but is not limited to:

                (i)   Converter boxes;

                (ii) Remote control units; and

                (iii) Inside wiring.

           (2) Subscriber charges for such equipment shall not exceed charges based on actual costs in
               accordance with the requirements set forth in this section.

                Subscriber charges for such equipment shall not exceed charges based on actual costs in
                accordance with the requirements set forth below.

     (b) Unbundling. A cable operator shall establish rates for remote control units, converter boxes, other
         customer equipment, installation, and additional connections separate from rates for basic tier service. In
         addition, the rates for such equipment and installations shall be unbundled one from the other.

     (c) Equipment basket. A cable operator shall establish an Equipment Basket, which shall include all costs
         associated with providing customer equipment and installation under this section. Equipment Basket
         costs shall be limited to the direct and indirect material and labor costs of providing, leasing, installing,

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          repairing, and servicing customer equipment, as determined in accordance with the cost accounting and
          cost allocation requirements of § 76.924, except that operators do not have to aggregate costs in a
          manner consistent with the accounting practices of the operator on April 3, 1993. The Equipment Basket
          shall not include general administrative overhead including marketing expenses. The Equipment Basket
          shall include a reasonable profit.

          (1) Customer equipment. Costs of customer equipment included in the Equipment Basket may be
              aggregated, on a franchise, system, regional, or company level, into broad categories. Except to the
              extent indicated in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, such categorization may be made, provided that
              each category includes only equipment of the same type, regardless of the levels of functionality of
              the equipment within each such broad category. When submitting its equipment costs based on
              average charges, the cable operator must provide a general description of the averaging
              methodology employed and a justification that its averaging methodology produces reasonable
              equipment rates. Equipment rates should be set at the same organizational level at which an
              operator aggregates its costs.

          (2) Basic service tier only equipment. Costs of customer equipment used by basic-only subscribers may
              not be aggregated with the costs of equipment used by non-basic-only subscribers. Costs of
              customer equipment used by basic-only subscribers may, however, be aggregated, consistent with
              an operator's aggregation under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, on a franchise, system, regional, or
              company level. The prohibition against aggregation applies to subscribers, not to a particular type of
              equipment. Alternatively, operators may base its basic-only subscriber cost aggregation on the
              assumption that all basic-only subscribers use equipment that is the lowest level and least
              expensive model of equipment offered by the operator, even if some basic-only subscribers actually
              have higher level, more expensive equipment.

          (3) Installation costs. Installation costs, consistent with an operator's aggregation under paragraph
              (c)(1) of this section, may be aggregated, on a franchise, system, regional, or company level. When
              submitting its installation costs based on average charges, the cable operator must provide a
              general description of the averaging methodology employed and a justification that its averaging
              methodology produces reasonable equipment rates. Installation rates should be set at the same
              organizational level at which an operator aggregates its costs.

     (d) Hourly service charge. A cable operator shall establish charges for equipment and installation using the
         Hourly Service Charge (HSC) methodology. The HSC shall equal the operator's annual Equipment Basket
         costs, excluding the purchase cost of customer equipment, divided by the total person hours involved in
         installing, repairing, and servicing customer equipment during the same period. The HSC is calculated
         according to the following formula:

     Where, EB = annual Equipment Basket Cost; CE = annual purchase cost of all customer equipment; and H =
     person hours involved in installing and repairing equipment per year. The purchase cost of customer equipment
     shall include the cable operator's invoice price plus all other costs incurred with respect to the equipment until
     the time it is provided to the customer.

     (e) Installation charges. Installation charges shall be either:

          (1) The HSC multiplied by the actual time spent on each individual installation; or

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           (2) The HSC multiplied by the average time spent on a specific type of installation.

     (f) Remote charges. Monthly charges for rental of a remote control unit shall consist of the average annual
         unit purchase cost of remotes leased, including acquisition price and incidental costs such as sales tax,
         financing and storage up to the time it is provided to the customer, added to the product of the HSC times
         the average number of hours annually repairing or servicing a remote, divided by 12 to determine the
         monthly lease rate for a remote according to the following formula:

     Where, HR = average hours repair per year; and UCE = average annual unit cost of remote.

     (g) Other equipment charges. The monthly charge for rental of converter boxes and other customer
         equipment shall be calculated in the same manner as for remote control units. Separate charges may be
         established for each category of other customer equipment.

     (h) Additional connection charges. The costs of installation and monthly use of additional connections shall
         be recovered as charges associated with the installation and equipment cost categories, and at rate levels
         determined by the actual cost methodology presented in the foregoing paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) of this
         section. An operator may recover additional programming costs and the costs of signal boosters on the
         customers premises, if any, associated with the additional connection as a separate monthly unbundled
         charge for additional connections.

     (i)   Charges for equipment sold. A cable operator may sell customer premises equipment to a subscriber. The
           equipment price shall recover the operator's cost of the equipment, including costs associated with
           storing and preparing the equipment for sale up to the time it is sold to the customer, plus a reasonable
           profit. An operator may sell service contracts for the maintenance and repair of equipment sold to
           subscribers. The charge for a service contract shall be the HSC times the estimated average number of
           hours for maintenance and repair over the life of the equipment.

     (j)   Promotions. A cable operator may offer equipment or installation at charges below those determined
           under paragraphs (e) through (g) of this section, as long as those offerings are reasonable in scope in
           relation to the operator's overall offerings in the Equipment Basket and not unreasonably discriminatory.
           Operators may not recover the cost of a promotional offering by increasing charges for other Equipment
           Basket elements, or by increasing programming service rates above the maximum monthly charge per
           subscriber prescribed by these rules. As part of a general cost-of-service showing, an operator may
           include the cost of promotions in its general system overhead costs. Equipment sales by an operator will
           be unregulated where the operator offers subscribers the same equipment under regulated leased rates.

     (k) Franchise fees. Equipment charges may include a properly allocated portion of franchise fees.

     (l)   Company-wide averaging of equipment costs. For the purpose of developing unbundled equipment
           charges as required by paragraph (b) of this section, a cable operator may average the equipment costs of
           its small systems at any level, or several levels, within its operations. This company-wide averaging
           applies only to an operator's small systems as defined in § 76.901(c); is permitted only for equipment
           charges, not installation charges; and may be established only for similar types of equipment. When
           submitting its equipment costs based on average charges to the local franchising authority or the
           Commission, an operator that elects company-wide averaging of equipment costs must provide a general
           description of the averaging methodology employed and a justification that its averaging methodology

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          produces reasonable equipment rates. The local authority or the Commission may require the operator to
          set equipment rates based on the operator's level of averaging in effect on April 3, 1993, as required by §
          76.924(d).

     (m) Cable operators shall set charges for equipment and installations to recover Equipment Basket costs.
         Such charges shall be set, consistent with the level at which Equipment Basket costs are aggregated as
         provided in § 76.923(c). Cable operators shall maintain adequate documentation to demonstrate that
         charges for the sale and lease of equipment and for installations have been developed in accordance with
         the rules set forth in this section.

     (n) Timing of filings. An operator shall file FCC Form 1205 in order to establish its maximum permitted rates
         at the following times:

           (1) When the operator sets its initial rates under either the benchmark system or through a cost-of-
               service showing;

           (2) Within 60 days of the end of its fiscal year, for an operator that adjusts its rates under the system
               described in Section 76.922(d) that allows it to file up to quarterly;

           (3) On the same date it files its FCC Form 1240, for an operator that adjusts its rates under the annual
               rate adjustment system described in Section 76.922(e). If an operator elects not to file an FCC Form
               1240 for a particular year, the operator must file a Form 1205 on the anniversary date of its last Form
               1205 filing; and

           (4) When seeking to adjust its rates to reflect the offering of new types of customer equipment other
               than in conjunction with an annual filing of Form 1205, 60 days before it seeks to adjust its rates to
               reflect the offering of new types of customer equipment.

     (o) Introduction of new equipment. In setting the permitted charge for a new type of equipment at a time other
         than at its annual filing, an operator shall only complete Schedule C and the relevant step of the
         Worksheet for Calculating Permitted Equipment and Installation Charges of a Form 1205. The operator
         shall rely on entries from its most recently filed FCC Form 1205 for information not specifically related to
         the new equipment, including but not limited to the Hourly Service Charge. In calculating the annual
         maintenance and service hours for the new equipment, the operator should base its entry on the average
         annual expected time required to maintain the unit, i.e., expected service hours required over the life of the
         equipment unit being introduced divided by the equipment unit's expected life.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17960, 17973, Apr. 15, 1994; 60 FR 52118, Oct. 5, 1995; 61 FR 32709, June 25,
1996; 83 FR 60776, Nov. 27, 2018]

§ 76.924 Allocation to service cost categories.
     (a) Applicability. The requirements of this section are applicable to cable operators for which the basic
         service tier is regulated by local franchising authorities or the Commission, or, with respect to a cable
         programming services tier, for which a complaint has been filed with the Commission. The requirements
         of this section are applicable for purposes of rate adjustments on account of external costs and for cost-
         of-service showings.

     (b) Accounting requirements. Cable operators electing cost-of-service regulation or seeking rate adjustments
         due to changes in external costs shall maintain their accounts:

           (1) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and

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          (2) in a manner that will enable identification of appropriate investments, revenues, and expenses.

     (c) Accounts level. Except to the extent indicated below, cable operators electing cost of service regulation or
         seeking adjustments due to changes in external costs shall identify investments, expenses and revenues
         at the franchise, system, regional, and/or company level(s) in a manner consistent with the accounting
         practices of the operator on April 3, 1993. However, in all events, cable operators shall identify at the
         franchise level their costs of franchise requirements, franchise fees, local taxes and local programming.

     (d) Summary accounts.

          (1) Cable operators filing for cost-of-service regulation, other than small systems owned by small cable
              companies, shall report all investments, expenses, and revenue and income adjustments accounted
              for at the franchise, system, regional and/or company level(s) to the summary accounts listed below.

          Ratebase
          Net Working Capital

          Headend

          Trunk and Distribution Facilities

          Drops

          Customer Premises Equipment

          Construction/Maintenance Facilities and Equipment

          Programming Production Facilities and Equipment

          Business Offices Facilities and Equipment

          Other Tangible Assets

          Accumulated Depreciation

          Plant Under Construction

          Organization and Franchise Costs

          Subscriber Lists

          Capitalized Start-up Losses

          Goodwill

          Other Intangibles

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          Accumulated Amortization

          Deferred Taxes

          Operating Expenses
          Cable Plant Employee Payroll

          Cable Plant Power Expense

          Pole Rental, Duct, Other Rental for Cable Plant

          Cable Plant Depreciation Expense

          Cable Plant Expenses—Other

          Plant Support Employee Payroll Expense

          Plant Support Depreciation Expense

          Plant Support Expense—Other

          Programming Activities Employee Payroll

          Programming Acquisition Expense

          Programming Activities Depreciation Expense

          Programming Expense—Other

          Customer Services Expense

          Advertising Activities Expense

          Management Fees

          General and Administrative Expenses

          Selling General and Administrative Depreciation Expenses

          Selling General and Administrative Expenses—Other

          Amortization Expense—Franchise and Organizational Costs

          Amortization Expense—Customer Lists

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          Amortization Expense—Capitalized Start-up Loss

          Amortization Expense—Goodwill

          Amortization Expense—Other Intangibles

          Operating Taxes

          Other Expenses (Excluding Franchise Fees)

          Franchise Fees

          Interest on Funded Debt

          Interest on Capital Leases

          Other Interest Expenses

          Revenue and Income Adjustments
          Advertising Revenues

          Other Cable Revenue Offsets

          Gains and Losses on Sale of Assets

          Extraordinary Items

          Other Adjustments

          (2) Except as provided in § 76.934(h), small systems owned by small cable companies that file for cost-
              of-service regulation shall report all investments, expenses, and revenue and income adjustments
              accounted for at the franchise, system, regional and/or company level(s) to the following summary
              accounts:

          Ratebase
          Net Working Capital

          Headend, Trunk and Distribution System and Support Facilities and Equipment

          Drops

          Customer Premises Equipment

          Production and Office Facilities, Furniture and Equipment

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          Other Tangible Assets

          Accumulated Depreciation

          Plant Under Construction

          Goodwill

          Other Intangibles

          Accumulated Amortization

          Deferred Taxes

          Operating Expenses
          Cable Plant Maintenance, Support and Operations Expense

          Programming Production and Acquisition Expense

          Customer Services Expense

          Advertising Activities Expense

          Management Fees

          Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

          Depreciation Expense

          Amortization Expense—Goodwill

          Amortization Expense—Other Intangibles

          Other Operating Expense (Excluding Franchise Fees)

          Franchise Fees

          Interest Expense

          Revenue and Income Adjustments
          Advertising Revenues

          Other Cable Revenue Offsets

          Gains and Losses on Sale of Assets
47 CFR 76.924(d)(2) (enhanced display)                                 page 170 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.924(e)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          Extraordinary Items

          Other Adjustments

     (e) Allocation to service cost categories.

          (1) For cable operators electing cost-of-service regulation, investments, expenses, and revenues
              contained in the summary accounts identified in paragraph (d) of this section shall be allocated
              among the Equipment Basket, as specified in § 76.923, and the following service cost categories:

                (i)   Basic service cost category. The basic service category, shall include the cost of providing
                      basic service as defined by § 76.901(a). The basic service cost category may only include
                      allowable costs as defined by §§ 76.922(g) through 76.922(k).

                (ii) Cable programming services cost category. The cable programming services category shall
                     include the cost of providing cable programming services as defined by § 76.901(b). This
                     service cost category shall contain subcategories that represent each programming tier that is
                     offered as a part of the operator's cable programming services. All costs that are allocated to
                     the cable programming service cost cateogry shall be further allocated among the
                     programming tiers in this category. The cable programming service cost category may include
                     only allowable costs as defined in § 76.922(g) through 76.922(k).

                (iii) All other services cost category. The all other services cost category shall include the costs of
                      providing all other services that are not included the basic service or a cable programming
                      services cost categories as defined in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section.

          (2) Cable operators seeking an adjustment due to changes in external costs identified in FCC Form 1210
              shall allocate such costs among the equipment basket, as specified in § 76.923, and the following
              service cost categories:

                (i)   The basic service category as defined by paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section;

                (ii) The cable programming services category as defined by paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section;

                (iii) The all other services cost category as defined by paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section.

     (f) Cost allocation requirements.

          (1) Allocations of investments, expenses and revenues among the service cost categories and the
              equipment basket shall be made at the organizational level in which such costs and revenues have
              been identified for accounting purposes pursuant to § 76.924(c).

          (2) Costs of programming and retransmission consent fees shall be directly assigned or allocated only
              to the service cost category in which the programming or broadcast signal at issue is offered.

          (3) Costs of franchise fees shall be allocated among the equipment basket and the service cost
              categories in a manner that is most consistent with the methodology of assessment of franchise
              fees by local authorities.

          (4) Costs of public, educational, and governmental access channels carried on the basic tier shall be
              directly assigned to the basic tier where possible.

          (5) Commission cable television system regulatory fees imposed pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 159 shall be
              directly assigned to the basic service tier.

47 CFR 76.924(f)(5) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 171 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.924(f)(6)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (6) All other costs that are incurred exclusively to support the equipment basket or a specific service
               cost category shall be directly assigned to that service cost category or the equipment basket where
               possible.

           (7) Costs that are not directly assigned shall be allocated to the service cost categories in accordance
               with the following allocation procedures:

                 (i)   Wherever possible, common costs for which no allocator has been specified by the
                       Commission are to be allocated among the service cost categories and the equipment basket
                       based on direct analysis of the origin of the costs.

                (ii) Where allocation based on direct analysis is not possible, common costs for which no allocator
                     has been specified by the Commission shall, if possible, be allocated among the service costs
                     categories and the equipment basket based on indirect, cost-causative linkage to other costs
                     directly assigned or allocated to the service cost categories and the equipment basket.

                (iii) Where neither direct nor indirect measures of cost allocation can be found, common costs shall
                      be allocated to each service cost category based on the ratio of all other costs directly
                      assigned and attributed to a service cost category over total costs directly or indirectly
                      assigned and directly or indirectly attributable.

     (g) Cost identification at the franchise level. After costs have been directly assigned to and allocated among
         the service cost categories and the equipment basket, cable operators that have aggregated costs at a
         higher level than the franchise level must identify all applicable costs at the franchise level in the following
         manner:

           (1) Recoverable costs that have been identified at the highest organizational level at which costs have
               been identified shall be allocated to the next (lower) organizational level at which recoverable costs
               have been identified on the basis of the ratio of the total number of subscribers served at the lower
               level to the total number of subscribers served at the higher level.

           (2) Cable operators shall repeat the procedure specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section at every
               organizational level at which recoverable costs have been identified until such costs have been
               allocated to the franchise level.

     (h) Part-time channels. In situations where a single channel is divided on a part-time basis and is used to
         deliver service associated with different tiers or with pay per channel or pay per view service, a reasonable
         and documented allocation of that channel between services shall be required along with the associated
         revenues and costs.

     (i)   Transactions and affiliates. Adjustments on account of external costs and rates set on a cost-of-service
           basis shall exclude any amounts not calculated in accordance with the following:

           (1) Charges for assets purchased by or transferred to the regulated activity of a cable operator from
               affiliates shall equal the invoice price if that price is determined by a prevailing company price. The
               invoice price is the prevailing company price if the affiliate has sold a substantial number of like
               assets to nonaffiliates. If a prevailing company price for the assets received by the regulated activity
               is not available, the changes for such assets shall be the lower of their cost to the originating activity
               of the affiliated group less all applicable valuation reserves, or their fair market value.

47 CFR 76.924(i)(1) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 172 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.924(i)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (2) The proceeds from assets sold or transferred from the regulated activity of the cable operator to
               affiliates shall equal the prevailing company price if the cable operator has sold a substantial number
               of like assets to nonaffiliates. If a prevailing company price is not available, the proceeds from such
               sales shall be determined at the higher of cost less all applicable valuation reserves, or estimated
               fair market value of the asset.

           (3) Charges for services provided to the regulated activity of a cable operator by an affiliate shall equal
               the invoice price if that price is determined by a prevailing company price. The invoice price is the
               prevailing company price if the affiliate has sold like services to a substantial number of
               nonaffiliates. If a prevailing company price for the services received by the regulated activity is not
               available, the charges of such services shall be at cost.

           (4) The proceeds from services sold or transferred from the regulated activity of the cable operator to
               affiliates shall equal the prevailing company price if the cable operator has sold like services to a
               substantial number of nonaffiliates. If a prevailing company price is not available, the proceeds from
               such sales shall be determined at cost.

           (5) For purposes of § 76.924(i)(1) through 76.924(i)(4), costs shall be determined in accordance with
               the standards and procedures specified in § 76.922 and paragraphs (b) and (d) of this section.

           (6) For purposes of this section, entities are affiliated if either entity has an attributable interest in the
               other or if a third party has an attributable interest in both entities.

           (7) Attributable interest shall be defined by reference to the criteria set forth in Notes 1 through 5 to §
               76.501 provided, however, that:

                 (i)   The limited partner and LLC/LLP/RLLP insulation provisions of Note 2(f) shall not apply; and

                (ii) The provisions of Note 2(a) regarding five (5) percent interests shall include all voting or
                     nonvoting stock or limited partnership equity interests of five (5) percent or more.

     (j)   Unrelated expenses and revenues. Cable operators shall exclude from cost categories used to develop
           rates for the provision of regulated cable service, equipment, and leased commercial access, any direct or
           indirect expenses and revenues not related to the provision of such services. Common costs of providing
           regulated cable service, equipment, and leased commercial access and unrelated activities shall be
           allocated between them in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17990, Apr. 15, 1994; 59 FR 53115, Oct. 21, 1994; 60 FR 35865, July 12, 1995;
61 FR 9367, Mar. 8, 1996; 64 FR 67197, Dec. 1, 1999]

§ 76.925 Costs of franchise requirements.
     (a) Franchise requirement costs may include cost increases required by the franchising authority in the
         following categories:

           (1) Costs of providing PEG access channels;

           (2) Costs of PEG access programming;

           (3) Costs of technical and customer service standards to the extent that they exceed federal standards;

           (4) Costs of institutional networks and the provision of video services, voice transmissions and data
               transmissions to or from governmental institutions and educational institutions, including private
               schools, to the extent such services are required by the franchise agreement; and

47 CFR 76.925(a)(4) (enhanced display)                                                                         page 173 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.925(a)(5)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (5) When the operator is not already in the process of upgrading the system, costs of removing cable
               from utility poles and placing the same cable underground.

     (b) The costs of satisfying franchise requirements to support public, educational, and governmental channels
         shall consist of the sum of:

           (1) All per channel costs for the number of channels used to meet franchise requirements for public,
               educational, and governmental channels;

           (2) Any direct costs of meeting such franchise requirements; and

           (3) A reasonable allocation of general and administrative overhead.

     (c) The costs of satisfying any requirements under the franchise other than PEG access costs shall consist of
         the direct and indirect costs including a reasonable allocation of general and administrative overhead.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 60 FR 52119, Oct. 5, 1995]

§ 76.930 Initiation of review of basic cable service and equipment rates.
A cable operator shall file its schedule of rates for the basic service tier and associated equipment with a
franchising authority within 30 days of receiving written notification from the franchising authority that the
franchising authority has been certified by the Commission to regulate rates for the basic service tier. Basic service
and equipment rate schedule filings for existing rates or proposed rate increases (including increases in the
baseline channel change that results from reductions in the number of channels in a tier) must use the appropriate
official FCC form, a copy thereof, or a copy generated by FCC software. Failure to file on the official FCC form, a
copy thereof, or a copy generated by FCC software, may result in the imposition of sanctions specified in §
76.937(d). A cable operator shall include rate cards and channel line-ups with its filing and include an explanation of
any discrepancy in the figures provided in these documents and its rate filing.

[59 FR 17973, Apr. 15, 1994]

§ 76.933 Franchising authority review of basic cable rates and equipment costs.
     (a) After a cable operator has submitted for review its existing rates for the basic service tier and associated
         equipment costs, or a proposed increase in these rates (including increases in the baseline channel
         change that results from reductions in the number of channels in a tier) under the quarterly rate
         adjustment system pursuant to Section 76.922(d), the existing rates will remain in effect or the proposed
         rates will become effective after 30 days from the date of submission; Provided, however, that the
         franchising authority may toll this 30-day deadline for an additional time by issuing a brief written order as
         described in paragraph (b) within 30 days of the rate submission explaining that it needs additional time
         to review the rates.

     (b) If the franchising authority is unable to determine, based upon the material submitted by the cable
         operator, that the existing, or proposed rates under the quarterly adjustment system pursuant to Section
         76.922(d), are within the Commission's permitted basic service tier charge or actual cost of equipment as
         defined in §§ 76.922 and 76.923, or if a cable operator has submitted a cost-of-service showing pursuant
         §§ 76.937(c) and 76.924, seeking to justify a rate above the Commission's basic service tier charge as
         defined in §§ 76.922 and 76.923, the franchising authority may toll the 30-day deadline in paragraph (a) of
         this section to request and/or consider additional information or to consider the comments from
         interested parties as follows:

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.933(b)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (1) For an additional 90 days in cases not involving cost-of-service showings; or

          (2) For an additional 150 days in cases involving cost-of-service showings.

     (c) If a franchising authority has availed itself of the additional 90 or 150 days permitted in paragraph (b) of
         this section, and has taken no action within these additional time periods, then the proposed rates will go
         into effect at the end of the 90 or 150 day periods, or existing rates will remain in effect at such times,
         subject to refunds if the franchising authority subsequently issues a written decision disapproving any
         portion of such rates: Provided, however, That in order to order refunds, a franchising authority must have
         issued a brief written order to the cable operator by the end of the 90 or 150-day period permitted in
         paragraph (b) of this section directing the operator to keep an accurate account of all amounts received
         by reason of the rate in issue and on whose behalf such amounts were paid.

     (d) A franchising authority may request, pursuant to a petition for special relief under § 76.7, that the
         Commission examine a cable operator's cost-of-service showing, submitted to the franchising authority
         as justification of basic tier rates, within 30 days of receipt of a cost-of-service showing. In its petition, the
         franchising authority shall document its reasons for seeking Commission assistance. The franchising
         authority shall issue an order stating that it is seeking Commission assistance and serve a copy before
         the 30-day deadline on the cable operator submitting the cost showing. The cable operator shall deliver a
         copy of the cost showing, together with all relevant attachments, to the Commission within 15 days of
         receipt of the local authority's notice to seek Commission assistance. The Commission shall notify the
         local franchising authority and the cable operator of its ruling and of the basic tier rate, as established by
         the Commission. The rate shall take effect upon implementation by the franchising authority of such
         ruling and refund liability shall be governed thereon. The Commission's ruling shall be binding on the
         franchising authority and the cable operator. A cable operator or franchising authority may seek
         reconsideration of the ruling pursuant to § 1.106(a)(1) of this chapter or review by the Commission
         pursuant to § 1.115(a) of this chapter.

     (e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, when the franchising authority is regulating
         basic service tier rates, a cable operator that sets its rates pursuant to the quarterly rate adjustment
         system pursuant to § 76.922(d) may increase its rates for basic service to reflect the imposition of, or
         increase in, franchise fees or Commission cable television system regulatory fees imposed pursuant to 47
         U.S.C. 159. For the purposes of paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section, the increased rate attributable
         to Commission regulatory fees or franchise fees shall be treated as an “existing rate”, subject to
         subsequent review and refund if the franchising authority determines that the increase in basic tier rates
         exceeds the increase in regulatory fees or in franchise fees allocable to the basic tier. This determination
         shall be appealable to the Commission pursuant to § 76.944. When the Commission is regulating basic
         service tier rates pursuant to § 76.945 or cable programming service rates pursuant to § 76.960, an
         increase in those rates resulting from franchise fees or Commission regulatory fees shall be reviewed by
         the Commission pursuant to the mechanisms set forth in § 76.945. A cable operator must adjust its rates
         to reflect decreases in franchise fees or Commission regulatory fees within the periods set forth in §
         76.922(d)(3)(i),(iii).

     (f) For an operator that sets its rates pursuant to the quarterly rate adjustment system pursuant to Section
         76.922(d), cable television system regulatory fees assessed by the Commission pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §
         159 shall be recovered in monthly installments during the fiscal year following the year for which the
         payment was imposed. Payments shall be collected in equal monthly installments, except that for so
         many months as may be necessary to avoid fractional payments, an additional $0.01 payment per month
         may be collected. All such additional payments shall be collected in the last month or months of the fiscal

47 CFR 76.933(f) (enhanced display)                                                                         page 175 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.933(g)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          year, so that once collections of such payments begin there shall be no month remaining in the year in
          which the operator is not entitled to such an additional payment. Operators may not assess interest.
          Operators may provide notice of the entire fiscal year's regulatory fee pass-through in a single notice.

     (g) A cable operator that submits for review a proposed change in its existing rates for the basic service tier
         and associated equipment costs using the annual filing system pursuant to Section 76.922(e) shall do so
         no later than 90 days from the effective date of the proposed rates. The franchising authority will have 90
         days from the date of the filing to review it. However, if the franchising authority or its designee concludes
         that the operator has submitted a facially incomplete filing, the franchising authority's deadline for issuing
         a decision, the date on which rates may go into effect if no decision is issued, and the period for which
         refunds are payable will be tolled while the franchising authority is waiting for this information, provided
         that, in order to toll these effective dates, the franchising authority or its designee must notify the operator
         of the incomplete filing within 45 days of the date the filing is made.

          (1) If there is a material change in an operator's circumstances during the 90-day review period and the
              change affects the operator's rate change filing, the operator may file an amendment to its Form
              1240 prior to the end of the 90-day review period. If the operator files such an amendment, the
              franchising authority will have at least 30 days to review the filing. Therefore, if the amendment is
              filed more than 60 days after the operator made its initial filing, the operator's proposed rate change
              may not go into effect any earlier than 30 days after the filing of its amendment. However, if the
              operator files its amended application on or prior to the sixtieth day of the 90-day review period, the
              operator may implement its proposed rate adjustment, as modified by the amendment, 90 days after
              its initial filing.

          (2) If a franchising authority has taken no action within the 90-day review period, then the proposed rates
              may go into effect at the end of the review period, subject to a prospective rate reduction and refund
              if the franchising authority subsequently issues a written decision disapproving any portion of such
              rates, provided, however, that in order to order a prospective rate reduction and refund, if an operator
              inquires as to whether the franchising authority intends to issue a rate order after the initial review
              period, the franchising authority or its designee must notify the operator of its intent in this regard
              within 15 days of the operator's inquiry. If a proposed rate goes into effect before the franchising
              authority issues its rate order, the franchising authority will have 12 months from the date the
              operator filed for the rate adjustment to issue its rate order. In the event that the franchising authority
              does not act within this 12-month period, it may not at a later date order a refund or a prospective
              rate reduction with respect to the rate filing.

          (3) At the time an operator files its rates with the franchising authority, the operator may give customers
              notice of the proposed rate changes. Such notice should state that the proposed rate change is
              subject to approval by the franchising authority. If the operator is only permitted a smaller increase
              than was provided for in the notice, the operator must provide an explanation to subscribers on the
              bill in which the rate adjustment is implemented. If the operator is not permitted to implement any of
              the rate increase that was provided for in the notice, the operator must provide an explanation to
              subscribers within 60 days of the date of the franchising authority's decision. Additional advance
              notice is only required in the unlikely event that the rate exceeds the previously noticed rate.

          (4) If an operator files for a rate adjustment under Section 76.922(e)(2)(iii)(B) for the addition of required
              channels to the basic service tier that the operator is required by federal or local law to carry, or, if a
              single-tier operator files for a rate adjustment based on a mid-year channel addition allowed under
              Section 76.922(e)(2)(iii)(C), the franchising authority has 60 days to review the requested rate. The
              proposed rate shall take effect at the end of this 60-day period unless the franchising authority

47 CFR 76.933(g)(4) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 176 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.933(g)(5)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                rejects the proposed rate as unreasonable. In order to order refunds and prospective rate reductions,
                the franchising authority shall be subject to the requirements described in paragraph (g)(1) of this
                section.

           (5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section, when the franchising authority is
               regulating basic service tier rates, a cable operator may increase its rates for basic service to reflect
               the imposition of, or increase in, franchise fees. The increased rate attributable to Commission
               regulatory fees or franchise fees shall be subject to subsequent review and refund if the franchising
               authority determines that the increase in basic tier rates exceeds the increase in regulatory fees or in
               franchise fees allocable to the basic tier. This determination shall be appealable to the Commission
               pursuant to § 76.944. When the Commission is regulating basic service tier rates pursuant to §
               76.945 or cable programming service rates pursuant to § 76.960, an increase in those rates resulting
               from franchise fees or Commission regulatory fees shall be reviewed by the Commission pursuant to
               the mechanisms set forth in § 76.945.

     (h) If an operator files an FCC Form 1205 for the purpose of setting the rate for a new type of equipment
         under Section 76.923(o), the franchising authority has 60 days to review the requested rate. The proposed
         rate shall take effect at the end of this 60-day period unless the franchising authority rejects the proposed
         rate as unreasonable.

           (1) If the operator's most recent rate filing was based on the system that enables them to file up to once
               per quarter found at Section 76.922(d), the franchising authority must issue an accounting order
               before the end of the 60-day period in order to order refunds and prospective rate reductions.

           (2) If the operator's most recent rate filing was based on the annual rate system at Section 76.922(e), in
               order to order refunds and prospective rate reductions, the franchising authority shall be subject to
               the requirements described in paragraph (g)(1) of this section.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17973, Apr. 15, 1994; 59 FR 53115, Oct. 21, 1994; 60 FR 52119, Oct. 5, 1995; 61
FR 18978, Apr. 30, 1996]

§ 76.934 Small systems and small cable companies.
     (a) For purposes of rules governing the reasonableness of rates charged by small systems, the size of a
         system or company shall be determined by reference to its size as of the date the system files with its
         franchising authority or the Commission the documentation necessary to qualify for the relief sought or,
         at the option of the company, by reference to system or company size as of the effective date of this
         paragraph. Where relief is dependent upon the size of both the system and the company, the operator
         must measure the size of both the system and the company as of the same date. A small system shall be
         considered affiliated with a cable company if the company holds a 20 percent or greater equity interest in
         the system or exercises de jure control over the system.

     (b) A franchising authority that has been certified, pursuant to § 76.910, to regulate rates for basic service
         and associated equipment may permit a small system as defined in § 76.901 to certify that the small
         system's rates for basic service and associated equipment comply with § 76.922, the Commission's
         substantive rate regulations.

     (c) Initial regulation of small systems:

47 CFR 76.934(c) (enhanced display)                                                                            page 177 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.934(c)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) If certified by the Commission, a local franchising authority may provide an initial notice of regulation
               to a small system, as defined by § 76.901(c), on May 15, 1994. Any initial notice of regulation issued
               by a certified local franchising authority prior to May 15, 1994 shall be considered as having been
               issued on May 15, 1994.

           (2) The Commission will accept complaints concerning the rates for cable programming service tiers
               provided by small systems on or after May 15, 1994. Any complaints filed with the Commission
               about the rates for a cable programming service tier provided by a small system prior to May 15,
               1994 shall be considered as having been filed on May 15, 1994.

           (3) A small system that receives an initial notice of regulation from its local franchising authority, or a
               complaint filed with the Commission for its cable programming service tier, must respond within the
               time periods prescribed in §§ 76.930 and 76.956.

     (d) Statutory period for filing initial complaint: A complaint concerning a rate for cable programming service
         or associated equipment provided by a small system that was in effect on May 15, 1994 must be filed
         within 180 days from May 15, 1994.

     (e) Petitions for extension of time: Small systems may obtain an extension of time to establish compliance
         with rate regulations provided they can demonstrate that timely compliance would result in severe
         economic hardship. Requests for extension of time should be addressed to the local franchising authority
         concerning basic service and equipment rates and to the Commission concerning rates for a cable
         programming service tier and associated equipment. The filing of a request for an extension of time to
         comply with the rate regulations will not toll the effective date of rate regulation for small systems or alter
         refund liability for rates that exceed permitted levels after May 15, 1994.

     (f) Small Systems Owned by Small Cable Companies. Small systems owned by small cable companies shall
         have 90 days from their initial date of regulation on a tier to bring their rates for that tier into compliance
         with the requirements of Sections 76.922 and 76.923. Such systems shall have sixty days from the initial
         date of regulation to file FCC Forms 1200, 1205, 1210, 1211, 1215, 1220, 1225, 1230, and 1240 and any
         similar forms as appropriate. Rates established during the 90-day period shall not be subject to prior
         approval by franchising authorities or the Commission, but shall be subject to refund pursuant to sections
         76.942 and 76.961.

     (g) Alternative rate regulation agreements:

           (1) Local franchising authorities, certified pursuant to § 76.910, and small systems owned by small
               cable companies may enter into alternative rate regulation agreements affecting the basic service
               tier and the cable programming service tier.

                 (i)   Small systems must file with the Commission a copy of the operative alternative rate regulation
                       agreement within 30 days after its effective date.

                (ii) [Reserved]

           (2) Alternative rate regulation agreements affecting the cable programming service tier shall take into
               account, among other factors, the following:

                 (i)   The rates for similarly situated cable systems offering comparable cable programming services,
                       taking into account similarities in facilities, regulatory and governmental costs, the number of
                       subscribers, and other relevant factors;

                (ii) The rates for cable systems, if any, that are subject to effective competition;

47 CFR 76.934(g)(2)(ii) (enhanced display)                                                                page 178 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.934(g)(2)(iii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (iii) The history of the rates for cable programming services of the system, including the
                      relationship of such rates to changes in general consumer prices;

                (iv) The rates, as a whole, for all the cable programming, cable equipment, and cable services
                     provided by the system, other than programming provided on a per channel or per program
                     basis;

                (v) Capital and operating costs of the cable system, including the quality and costs of the customer
                    service provided by the cable system; and

                (vi) The revenues received by a cable operator from advertising from programming that is carried
                     as part of the service for which a rate is being established, and changes in such revenues, or
                     from other considerations obtained in connection with the cable programming services
                     concerned. The rate agreed to in such an alternative rate regulation agreement shall be deemed
                     to be a reasonable rate.

           (3) Certified local franchising authorities shall provide a reasonable opportunity for consideration of the
               views of interested parties prior to finally entering into an alternative rate regulation agreement.

           (4) A basic service rate decision by a certified local franchising authority made pursuant to an alternative
               rate regulation agreement may be appealed by an interested party to the Commission pursuant to §
               76.944 as if the decision were made according to §§ 76.922 and 76.923.

                Note to paragraph (g) of § 76.934: Small systems owned by small cable companies must
                comply with the alternative rate agreement filing requirements of § 76.1805.

     (h) Small system cost-of-service showings:

           (1) At any time, a small system owned by a small cable company may establish new rates, or justify
               existing rates, for regulated program services in accordance with the small cable company cost-of-
               service methodology described below.

           (2) The maximum annual per subscriber rate permitted initially by the small cable company cost-of-
               service methodology shall be calculated by adding

                (i)   The system's annual operating expenses to

                (ii) The product of its net rate base and its rate of return, and then dividing that sum by

                (iii) the product of

                      (A) The total number of channels carried on the system's basic and cable programming
                          service tiers and

                      (B) The number of subscribers. The annual rate so calculated must then be divided by 12 to
                          arrive at a monthly rate.

           (3) The system shall calculate its maximum permitted rate as described in paragraph (b) of this section
               by completing Form 1230. The system shall file Form 1230 as follows:

                (i)   Where the franchising authority has been certified by the Commission to regulate the system's
                      basic service tier rates, the system shall file Form 1230 with the franchising authority.

47 CFR 76.934(h)(3)(i) (enhanced display)                                                                page 179 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.934(h)(3)(ii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                (ii) Where the Commission is regulating the system's basic service tier rates, the system shall file
                     Form 1230 with the Commission.

                (iii) Where a complaint about the system's cable programming service rates is filed with the
                      Commission, the system shall file Form 1230 with the Commission.

           (4) In completing Form 1230:

                 (i)   The annual operating expenses reported by the system shall equal the system's operating
                       expenses allocable to its basic and cable programming service tiers for the most recent 12
                       month period for which the system has the relevant data readily available, adjusted for known
                       and measurable changes occurring between the end of the 12 month period and the effective
                       date of the rate. Expenses shall include all regular expenses normally incurred by a cable
                       operator in the provision of regulated cable service, but shall not include any lobbying expense,
                       charitable contributions, penalties and fines paid one account of statutes or rules, or
                       membership fees in social service, recreational or athletic clubs or associations.

                (ii) The net rate base of a system is the value of all of the system's assets, less depreciation.

                (iii) The rate of return claimed by the system shall reflect the operator's actual cost of debt, its cost
                      of equity, or an assumed cost of equity, and its capital structure, or an assumed capital
                      structure.

                (iv) The number of subscribers reported by the system shall be calculated according to the most
                     recent reliable data maintained by the system.

                (v) The number of channels reported by the system shall be the number of channels it has on its
                    basic and cable programming service tiers on the day it files Form 1230.

                (vi) In establishing its operating expenses, net rate base, and reasonable rate of return, a system
                     may rely on previously existing information such as tax forms or company financial statements,
                     rather than create or recreate financial calculations. To the extent existing information is
                     incomplete or otherwise insufficient to make exact calculations, the system may establish its
                     operating expenses, net rate base, and reasonable rate of return on the basis of reasonable,
                     good faith estimates.

           (5) After the system files Form 1230, review by the franchising authority, or the Commission when
               appropriate, shall be governed by § 76.933, subject to the following conditions.

                 (i)   If the maximum rate established on Form 1230 does not exceed $1.24 per channel, the rate
                       shall be rebuttably presumed reasonable. To disallow such a rate, the franchising authority shall
                       bear the burden of showing that the operator did not reasonably interpret and allocate its cost
                       and expense data in deriving its annual operating expenses, its net rate base, and a reasonable
                       rate of return. If the maximum rate established on Form 1230 exceeds $1.24 per channel, the
                       franchising authority shall bear such burden only if the rate that the cable operator actually
                       seeks to charge does not exceed $1.24 per channel.

                (ii) In the course of reviewing Form 1230, a franchising authority shall be permitted to obtain from
                     the cable operator the information necessary for judging the validity of methods used for
                     calculating its operating costs, rate base, and rate of return. If the maximum rate established in
                     Form 1230 does not exceed $1.24 per channel, any request for information by the franchising

47 CFR 76.934(h)(5)(ii) (enhanced display)                                                                 page 180 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.934(h)(5)(iii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                     authority shall be limited to existing relevant documents or other data compilations and should
                     not require the operator to create documents, although the operator should replicate responsive
                     documents that are missing or destroyed.

               (iii) A system may file with the Media Bureau an interlocutory appeal from any decision by the
                     franchising authority requesting information from the system or tolling the effective date of a
                     system's proposed rates. The appeal may be made by an informal letter to the Chief of the
                     Media Bureau, served on the franchising authority. The franchising authority must respond
                     within seven days of its receipt of the appeal and shall serve the operator with its response. The
                     operator shall have four days from its receipt of the response in which to file a reply, if desired.
                     If the maximum rate established on Form 1230 does not exceed $1.24 per channel, the burden
                     shall be on the franchising authority to show the reasonableness of its order. If the maximum
                     rate established on Form 1230 exceeds $1.24 per channel, the burden shall be on the operator
                     to show the unreasonableness of the order.

               (iv) In reviewing Form 1230 and issuing a decision, the franchising authority shall determine the
                    reasonableness of the maximum rate permitted by the form, not simply the rate which the
                    operator intends to establish.

                (v) A final decision of the franchising authority with respect to the requested rate shall be subject
                    to appeal pursuant to § 76.944. The filing of an appeal shall stay the effectiveness of the final
                    decision pending the disposition of the appeal by the Commission. An operator may bifurcate
                    its appeal of a final rate decision by initially limiting the scope of the appeal to the
                    reasonableness of any request for information made by the franchising authority. The operator
                    may defer addressing the substantive rate-setting decision of the franchising authority until
                    after the Commission has ruled on the reasonableness of the request for information. At its
                    option, the operator may forego the bifurcated appeal and address both the request for
                    documentation and the substantive rate-setting decision in a single appeal. When filing an
                    appeal from a final rate-setting decision by the franchising authority, the operator may raise as
                    an issue the scope of the request for information only if that request was not approved by the
                    Commission on a previous interlocutory appeal by the operator.

          (6) Complaints concerning the rates charged for a cable programming services tier by a system that has
              elected the small cable company cost-of-service methodology may be filed pursuant to § 76.957.
              Upon receipt of a complaint, the Commission shall review the system's rates in accordance with the
              standards set forth above with respect to basic tier rates.

          (7) Unless otherwise ordered by the franchising authority or the Commission, the system may establish
              its per channel rate at any level that does not exceed the maximum rate permitted by Form 1230,
              provided that the system has given the required written notice to subscribers. If the system
              establishes its per channel rate at a level that is less than the maximum amount permitted by the
              form, it may increase rates at any time thereafter to the maximum amount upon providing the
              required written notice to subscribers.

          (8) After determining the maximum rate permitted by Form 1230, the system may adjust that rate in
              accordance with this paragraph. Electing to adjust rates pursuant to one of the options set forth
              below shall not prohibit the system from electing a different option when adjusting rates thereafter.
              The system may adjust its maximum permitted rate without adjusting the actual rate it charges
              subscribers.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.934(h)(8)(i)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                 (i)   The system may adjust its maximum permitted rate in accordance with the price cap
                       requirements set forth in § 76.922(d).

                 (ii) The system may adjust its maximum permitted rate in accordance with the requirements set
                      forth in § 76.922(e) for changes in the number of channels on regulated tiers. For any system
                      that files Form 1230, no rate adjustments made prior to the effective date of this rule shall be
                      charged against the system's Operator's Cap and License Reserve Fee described in §
                      76.922(e)(3).

                (iii) The system may adjust its maximum permitted rate by filing a new Form 1230 that permits a
                      higher rate.

                (iv) The system may adjust its maximum permitted rate by complying with any of the options set
                     forth in § 76.922(b)(1) for which it qualifies or under an alternative rate agreement as provided
                     in paragraph (g) of this section.

           (9) In any rate proceeding before a franchising authority in which a final decision had not been issued as
               of June 5, 1995, a small system owned by a small cable company may elect the form of rate
               regulation set forth in this section to justify the rates that are the subject of the proceeding, if the
               system and affiliated company were a small system and small company respectively as of the June
               5, 1995 and as of the period during which the disputed rates were in effect. However, the validity of a
               final rate decision made by a franchising authority before June 5, 1995 is not affected.

          (10) In any proceeding before the Commission involving a cable programming services tier complaint in
               which a final decision had not been issued as of June 5, 1995, a small system owned by a small
               cable company may elect the form of rate regulation set forth in this section to justify rates charged
               prior to the adoption of this rule and to establish new rates. For purposes of this paragraph, a
               decision shall not be deemed final until the operator has exhausted or is time-barred from pursuing
               any avenue of appeal, review, or reconsideration.

          (11) A system that is eligible to establish its rates in accordance with the small system cost-of-service
               approach shall remain eligible for so long as the system serves no more than 15,000 subscribers.
               When a system that has established rates in accordance with the small system cost-of-service
               approach exceeds 15,000 subscribers, the system may maintain its then existing rates. After
               exceeding the 15,000 subscriber limit, any further rate adjustments shall not reflect increases in
               external costs, inflation or channel additions until the system has re-established initial permitted
               rates in accordance with some other method of rate regulation prescribed in this subpart.

           Note: For rules governing small cable operators, see § 76.990 of this subpart.

[60 FR 35865, July 12, 1995, as amended at 60 FR 52120, Oct. 5, 1995; 62 FR 53576, Oct. 15, 1997; 64 FR 35950, July 2, 1999; 65
FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000; 67 FR 13235, Mar. 21, 2002]

§ 76.935 Participation of interested parties.
In order to regulate basic tier rates or associated equipment costs, a franchising authority must have procedural
laws or regulations applicable to rate regulation proceedings that provide a reasonable opportunity for
consideration of the views of interested parties. Such rules must take into account the 30, 120, or 180-day time
periods that franchising authorities have to review rates under § 76.933.

47 CFR 76.935 (enhanced display)                                                                                page 182 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.936
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.936 Written decision.
     (a) A franchising authority must issue a written decision in a ratemaking proceeding whenever it disapproves
         an initial rate for the basic service tier or associated equipment in whole or in part, disapproves a request
         for a rate increase in whole or in part, or approves a request for an increase in whole or in part over the
         objections of interested parties. A franchising authority is not required to issue a written decision that
         approves an unopposed existing or proposed rate for the basic service tier or associated equipment.

     (b) Public notice must be given of any written decision required in paragraph (a) of this section, including
         releasing the text of any written decision to the public.

§ 76.937 Burden of proof.
     (a) A cable operator has the burden of proving that its existing or proposed rates for basic service and
         associated equipment comply with 47 U.S.C. 543, and §§ 76.922 and 76.923.

     (b) For an existing or a proposed rate for basic tier service or associated equipment that is within the
         permitted tier charge and actual cost of equipment as set forth in §§ 76.922 and 76.923, the cable
         operator must submit the appropriate FCC form.

     (c) For an existing or a proposed rate for basic tier service that exceeds the permitted tier charge as set forth
         in §§ 76.922 and 76.923, the cable operator must submit a cost-of-service showing to justify the
         proposed rate.

     (d) A franchising authority or the Commission may find a cable operator that does not attempt to
         demonstrate the reasonableness of its rates in default and, using the best information available, enter an
         order finding the cable operator's rates unreasonable and mandating appropriate relief, as specified in §§
         76.940, 76.941, and 76.942.

     (e) A franchising authority or the Commission may order a cable operator that has filed a facially incomplete
         form to file supplemental information, and the franchising authority's deadline to rule on the
         reasonableness of the proposed rates will be tolled pending the receipt of such information. A franchising
         authority may set reasonable deadlines for the filing of such information, and may find the cable operator
         in default and mandate appropriate relief, pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, for the cable
         operator's failure to comply with the deadline or otherwise provide complete information in good faith.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17973, Apr. 15, 1994]

§ 76.938 Proprietary information.
A franchising authority may require the production of proprietary information to make a rate determination in those
cases where cable operators have submitted initial rates, or have proposed rate increases, pursuant to an FCC Form
393 (and/or FCC Forms 1200/1205) filing or a cost-of-service showing. The franchising authority shall state a
justification for each item of information requested and, where related to an FCC Form 393 (and/or FCC Forms
1200/1205) filing, indicate the question or section of the form to which the request specifically relates. Upon
request to the franchising authority, the parties to a rate proceeding shall have access to such information, subject
to the franchising authority's procedures governing non-disclosure by the parties. Public access to such proprietary
information shall be governed by applicable state or local law.

[59 FR 17973, Apr. 15, 1994]

47 CFR 76.938 (enhanced display)                                                                        page 183 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.939
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.939 Truthful written statements and responses to requests of franchising authority.
Cable operators shall comply with franchising authorities' and the Commission's requests for information, orders,
and decisions. Any information submitted to a franchising authority or the Commission in making a rate
determination pursuant to an FCC Form 393 (and/or FCC Forms 1200/1205) filing or a cost-of-service showing is
subject to the provisions of § 1.17 of this chapter.

[68 FR 15098, Mar. 28, 2003]

§ 76.940 Prospective rate reduction.
A franchising authority may order a cable operator to implement a reduction in basic service tier or associated
equipment rates where necessary to bring rates into compliance with the standards set forth in §§ 76.922 and
76.923

§ 76.941 Rate prescription.
A franchising authority may prescribe a reasonable rate for the basic service tier or associated equipment after it
determines that a proposed rate is unreasonable.

§ 76.942 Refunds.
     (a) A franchising authority (or the Commission, pursuant to § 76.945) may order a cable operator to refund to
         subscribers that portion of previously paid rates determined to be in excess of the permitted tier charge or
         above the actual cost of equipment, unless the operator has submitted a cost-of-service showing which
         justifies the rate charged as reasonable. An operator's liability for refunds shall be based on the difference
         between the old bundled rates and the sum of the new unbundled program service charge(s) and the new
         unbundled equipment charge(s). Where an operator was charging separately for program services and
         equipment but the rates were not in compliance with the Commission's rules, the operator's refund liability
         shall be based on the difference between the sum of the old charges and the sum of the new, unbundled
         program service and equipment charges. Before ordering a cable operator to refund previously paid rates
         to subscribers, a franchising authority (or the Commission) must give the operator notice and opportunity
         to comment.

     (b) An operator's liability for refunds in limited to a one-year period, except that an operator that fails to
         comply with a valid rate order issued by a franchising authority or the Commission shall be liable for
         refunds commencing from the effective date of such order until such time as it complies with such order.

     (c) The refund period shall run as follows:

           (1) From the date the operator implements a prospective rate reduction back in time to September 1,
               1993, or one year, whichever is shorter.

           (2) From the date a franchising authority issues an accounting order pursuant to § 76.933(c), to the date
               a prospective rate reduction is issued, then back in time from the date of the accounting order to the
               effective date of the rules; however, the total refund period shall not exceed one year from the date
               of the accounting order.

           (3) Refund liability shall be calculated on the reasonableness of the rates as determined by the rules in
               effect during the period under review by the franchising authority or the Commission.

     (d) The cable operator, in its discretion, may implement a refund in the following manner:

47 CFR 76.942(d) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 184 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.942(d)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) By returning overcharges to those subscribers who actually paid the overcharges, either through
               direct payment or as a specifically identified credit to those subscribers' bills; or

           (2) By means of a prospective percentage reduction in the rates for the basic service tier or associated
               equipment to cover the cumulative overcharge. This shall be reflected as a specifically identified,
               one-time credit on prospective bills to the class of subscribers that currently subscribe to the cable
               system.

     (e) Refunds shall include interest computed at applicable rates published by the Internal Revenue Service for
         tax refunds and additional tax payments.

     (f) Once an operator has implemented a rate refund to subscribers in accordance with a refund order by the
         franchising authority (or the Commission, pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section), the franchising
         authority must return to the cable operator an amount equal to that portion of the franchise fee that was
         paid on the total amount of the refund to subscribers. The franchising authority must promptly return the
         franchise fee overcharge either in an immediate lump sum payment, or the cable operator may deduct it
         from the cable system's future franchise fee payments. The franchising authority has the discretion to
         determine a reasonable repayment period, but interest shall accrue on any outstanding portion of the
         franchise fee starting on the date the operator has completed implementation of the refund order. In
         determining the amount of the refund, the franchise fee overcharge should be offset against franchise
         fees the operator holds on behalf of the franchising authority for lump sum payment. The interest rate on
         any refund owed to the operator presumptively shall be 11.25%.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 46736, Sept. 2, 1993; 59 FR 17974, Apr. 15, 1994; 60 FR 52120, Oct. 5, 1995]

§ 76.943 Fines.
     (a) A franchising authority may impose fines or monetary forfeitures on a cable operator that does not
         comply with a rate decision or refund order directed specifically at the cable operator, provided the
         franchising authority has such power under state or local laws.

     (b) If a cable operator willfully fails to comply with the terms of any franchising authority's order, decision, or
         request for information, as required by § 76.939, the Commission may, in addition to other remedies,
         impose a forfeiture pursuant to section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47
         U.S.C. 503(b).

     (c) A cable operator shall not be subject to forfeiture because its rate for basic service or equipment is
         determined to be unreasonable.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17974, Apr. 15, 1994]

§ 76.944 Commission review of franchising authority decisions on rates for the basic service
tier and associated equipment.
     (a) The Commission shall be the sole forum for appeals of decisions by franchising authorities on rates for
         the basic service tier or associated equipment involving whether or not a franchising authority has acted
         consistently with the Cable Act or §§ 76.922 and 76.923. Appeals of ratemaking decisions by franchising
         authorities that do not depend upon determining whether a franchising authority has acted consistently
         with the Cable Act or §§ 76.922 and 76.923, may be heard in state or local courts.

47 CFR 76.944(a) (enhanced display)                                                                            page 185 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.944(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (b) Any participant at the franchising authority level in a ratemaking proceeding may file an appeal of the
         franchising authority's decision with the Commission within 30 days of release of the text of the
         franchising authority's decision as computed under § 1.4(b) of this chapter. Appeals shall be served on
         the franchising authority or other authority that issued the rate decision. Where the state is the
         appropriate decisionmaking authority, the state shall forward a copy of the appeal to the appropriate local
         official(s). Oppositions may be filed within 15 days after the appeals is filed, and must be served on the
         party(ies) appealing the rate decision. Replies may be filed 7 days after the last day for oppositions and
         shall be served on the parties to the proceeding.

     (c) An operator that uses the annual rate adjustment method under Section 76.922(e) may include in its next
         true up under Section 76.922(e)(3) any amounts to which the operator would have been entitled but for a
         franchising authority decision that is not upheld on appeal.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17974, Apr. 15, 1994; 60 FR 52121, Oct. 5, 1995]

§ 76.945 Procedures for Commission review of basic service rates.
     (a) Upon assumption of rate regulation authority, the Commission will notify the cable operator and require
         the cable operator to file its basic rate schedule with the Commission within 30 days, with a copy to the
         local franchising authority.

     (b) Basic service and equipment rate schedule filings for existing rates or proposed rate increases (including
         increases in the baseline channel change that results from reductions in the number of channels in a tier)
         must use the official FCC form, a copy thereof, or a copy generated by FCC software. Failure to file on the
         official FCC form or a copy may result in the imposition of sanctions specified in § 76.937(d). Cable
         operators seeking to justify the reasonableness of existing or proposed rates above the permitted tier rate
         must submit a cost-of-service showing sufficient to support a finding that the rates are reasonable.

     (c) Filings proposing annual adjustments or rates within the rates regulation standards in §§ 76.922 and
         76.923, must be made 30 days prior to the proposed effective date and can become effective on the
         proposed effective date unless the Commission issues an order deferring the effective date or denying
         the rate proposal. Petitions opposing such filings must be filed within 15 days of public notice of the filing
         by the cable operator and be accompanied by a certificate that service was made on the cable operator
         and the local franchising authority. The cable operator may file an opposition within five days of filing of
         the petition, certifying to service on both the petitioner and the local franchising authority.

     (d) Filings proposing a rate not within the rate regulation standards of §§ 76.922 and 76.923, must be made
         90 days before the requested effective date. Petitions opposing such filings must be filed within 30 days
         of public notice of the filing, and be accompanied by a certificate that service was made on the cable
         operator and the local franchising authority. The cable operator may file an opposition within 10 days of
         the filing of the petition, and certifying that service was made on the petitioner and the local franchising
         authority.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17974, Apr. 15, 1994]

§ 76.946 Advertising of rates.
Cable operators that advertise rates for basic service and cable programming service tiers shall be required to
advertise rates that include all costs and fees. Cable systems that cover multiple franchise areas having differing
franchise fees or other franchise costs, different channel line-ups, or different rate structures may advertise a

47 CFR 76.946 (enhanced display)                                                                        page 186 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.952
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

complete range of fees without specific identification of the rate for each individual area. In such circumstances, the
operator may advertise a “fee plus” rate that indicates the core rate plus the range of possible additions, depending
on the particular location of the subscriber.

[59 FR 17974, Apr. 15, 1994]

§ 76.952 Information to be provided by cable operator on monthly subscriber bills.
All cable operators must provide the following information to subscribers on monthly bills:

     (a) The name, mailing address and phone number of the franchising authority, unless the franchising
         authority in writing requests the cable operator to omit such information.

     (b) The FCC community unit identifier for the cable system.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 17960, Apr. 15, 1994; 64 FR 35950, July 2, 1999]

§ 76.962 Implementation and certification of compliance.
     (a) Implementation. A cable operator must implement remedial requirements, including prospective rate
         reductions and refunds, within 60 days from the date the Commission releases an order mandating a
         remedy.

     (b) Certification of compliance. A cable operator must certify to the Commission its compliance with any
         Commission order mandating remedial requirements. Such certification shall:

           (1) Be filed with the Commission within 90 days from the date the Commission releases an order
               mandating a remedy;

           (2) Reference the applicable Commission order;

           (3) State that the cable operator has complied fully with all provisions of the Commission's order;

           (4) Include a description of the precise measures the cable operator has taken to implement the
               remedies ordered by the Commission; and

           (5) Be signed by an authorized representative of the cable operator.

§ 76.963 Forfeiture.
     (a) If any cable operator willfully fails to comply with the terms of any Commission order, including an order
         mandating remedial requirements after a finding of unreasonable cable programming service or
         equipment rates, or any Commission rule, the Commission may, in addition to other remedies, impose a
         forfeiture pursuant to Section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 503(b).

     (b) A cable operator shall not be subject to forfeiture because its rate for cable programming service or
         equipment is determined to be unreasonable.

§ 76.970 Commercial leased access rates.
     (a) Cable operators shall designate channel capacity for commercial use by persons unaffiliated with the
         operator, and that seek to lease a programming channel on a full-time basis, in accordance with the
         requirement of 47 U.S.C. 532. For purposes of 47 U.S.C. 532(b)(1)(A) and (B), only those channels that
         must be carried pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 534 and 535 qualify as channels that are required for use by Federal
47 CFR 76.970(a) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 187 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.970(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          law or regulation. For cable systems with 100 or fewer channels, channels that cannot be used due to
          technical and safety regulations of the Federal Government (e.g., aeronautical channels) shall be excluded
          when calculating the set-aside requirement.

     (b) In determining whether an entity is an “affiliate” for purposes of commercial leased access, entities are
         affiliated if either entity has an attributable interest in the other or if a third party has an attributable
         interest in both entities.

     (c) Attributable interest shall be defined by reference to the criteria set forth in Notes 1–5 to § 76.501
         provided, however, that:

          (1) The limited partner and LLC/LLP/RLLP insulation provisions of Note 2(f) shall not apply; and;

          (2) The provisions of Note 2(a) regarding five (5) percent interests shall include all voting or nonvoting
              stock or limited partnership equity interests of five (5) percent or more.

     (d) The maximum commercial leased access rate that a cable operator may charge for full-time channel
         placement on any tier is the average implicit fee for full-time channel placement on that tier.

     (e) The average implicit fee identified in paragraph (d) of this section shall be calculated by first calculating
         the total amount the operator receives in subscriber revenue per month for the programming on the tier
         on which the channel will be placed, and then subtracting the total amount it pays in programming costs
         per month for that tier (the “total implicit fee calculation”). Next, the total implicit fee is divided by the
         number of channels on that tier (the “average implicit fee calculation”). The result, the average implicit fee,
         is the maximum rate per month that the operator may charge the leased access programmer for a full-
         time channel on that tier. The license fees for affiliated channels used in determining the average implicit
         fee shall reflect the prevailing company prices offered in the marketplace to third parties. If a prevailing
         company price does not exist, the license fee for that programming shall be priced at the programmer's
         cost or the fair market value, whichever is lower. The average implicit fee shall be calculated annually
         based on contracts in effect in the previous calendar year. The implicit fee for a contracted service may
         not include fees, stated or implied, for services other than the provision of channel capacity (e.g., billing
         and collection, marketing, or studio services).

     (f) The maximum commercial leased access rate that a cable operator may charge for full-time channel
         placement as an a la carte service is the highest implicit fee on an aggregate basis for full-time channel
         placement as an a la carte service.

     (g) The highest implicit fee on an aggregate basis for full-time channel placement as an a la carte service
         shall be calculated by first determining the total amount received by the operator in subscriber revenue
         per month for each non-leased access a la carte channel on its system (including affiliated a la carte
         channels) and deducting the total amount paid by the operator in programming costs (including license
         and copyright fees) per month for programming on such individual channels. This calculation will result in
         implicit fees determined on an aggregate basis, and the highest of these implicit fees shall be the
         maximum rate per month that the operator may charge the leased access programmer for placement as a
         full-time a la carte channel. The license fees for affiliated channels used in determining the highest
         implicit fee shall reflect the prevailing company prices offered in the marketplace to third parties. If a
         prevailing company price does not exist, the license fee for that programming shall be priced at the
         programmer's cost or the fair market value, whichever is lower. The highest implicit fee shall be based on
         contracts in effect in the previous calendar year. The implicit fee for a contracted service may not include
         fees, stated or implied, for services other than the provision of channel capacity (e.g., billing and
         collection, marketing, or studio services). Any subscriber revenue received by a cable operator for an a la
         carte leased access service shall be passed through to the leased access programmer.
47 CFR 76.970(g) (enhanced display)                                                                       page 188 of 268
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     (h)

           (1) Cable system operators shall provide prospective leased access programmers with the following
               information within 30 calendar days of the date on which a bona fide request for leased access
               information is made, provided that the programmer has remitted any application fee that the cable
               system operator requires up to a maximum of $100 per system-specific bona fide request:

                 (i)   How much of the operator's leased access set-aside capacity is available;

                (ii) A complete schedule of the operator's full-time leased access rates;

                (iii) Rates associated with technical and studio costs; and

                (iv) If specifically requested, a sample leased access contract.

           (2) Operators of systems subject to small system relief shall provide the information required in
               paragraph (h)(1) of this section within 45 calendar days of a bona fide request from a prospective
               leased access programmer. For these purposes, systems subject to small system relief are systems
               that either:

                 (i)   Qualify as small systems under § 76.901(c) and are owned by a small cable company as
                       defined under § 76.901(e); or

                (ii) Have been granted special relief.

           (3) Bona fide requests, as used in this section, are defined as requests from potential leased access
               programmers that have provided the following information:

                 (i)   The desired length of a contract term;

                (ii) The anticipated commencement date for carriage; and

                (iii) The nature of the programming,

           (4) All requests for leased access must be made in writing and must specify the date on which the
               request was sent to the operator.

           (5) Operators shall maintain, for Commission inspection, sufficient supporting documentation to justify
               the scheduled rates, including supporting contracts, calculations of the implicit fees, and
               justifications for all adjustments.

           (6) Cable system operators shall disclose on their own websites, or through alternate means if they do
               not have their own websites, a contact name or title, telephone number, and email address for the
               person responsible for responding to requests for information about leased access channels.

     (i)   Cable operators are permitted to negotiate rates below the maximum rates permitted in paragraphs (c)
           through (g) of this section.

[78 FR 20256, Apr. 4, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 28768, June 20, 2019; 85 FR 51367, Aug. 20, 2020]

§ 76.971 Commercial leased access terms and conditions.
     (a)

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           (1) Cable operators shall place leased access programmers that request access to a tier actually used
               by most subscribers on any tier that has a subscriber penetration of more than 50 percent, unless
               there are technical or other compelling reasons for denying access to such tiers.

           (2) Cable operators shall be permitted to make reasonable selections when placing leased access
               channels at specific channel locations. The Commission will evaluate disputes involving channel
               placement on a case-by-case basis and will consider any evidence that an operator has acted
               unreasonably in this regard.

           (3) On systems with available leased access capacity sufficient to satisfy current leased access
               demand, cable operators shall be required to accommodate as expeditiously as possible all leased
               access requests for programming that is not obscene or indecent. On systems with insufficient
               available leased access capacity to satisfy current leased access demand, cable operators shall be
               permitted to select from among leased access programmers using objective, content-neutral
               criteria.

     (b) Cable operators may not apply programming production standards to leased access that are any higher
         than those applied to public, educational and governmental access channels.

     (c) Cable operators are required to provide unaffiliated leased access users the minimal level of technical
         support necessary for users to present their material on the air, and may not unreasonably refuse to
         cooperate with a leased access user in order to prevent that user from obtaining channel capacity. Leased
         access users must reimburse operators for the reasonable cost of any technical support actually provided
         by the operator that is beyond that provided for non-leased access programmers on the system. A cable
         operator may charge leased access programmers for the use of technical equipment that is provided at
         no charge for public, educational and governmental access programming, provided that the operator's
         franchise agreement requires it to provide the equipment and does not preclude such use, and the
         equipment is not being used for any other non-leased access programming. Cable operators that are
         required to purchase technical equipment in order to accommodate a leased access programmer shall
         have the option of either requiring the leased access programmer to pay the full purchase price of the
         equipment, or purchasing the equipment and leasing it to the leased access programmer at a reasonable
         rate. Leased access programmers that are required to pay the full purchase price of additional equipment
         shall have all rights of ownership associated with the equipment under applicable state and local law.

     (d) Cable operators may require reasonable security deposits or other assurances from users who are unable
         to prepay in full for access to leased commercial channels. Cable operators may impose reasonable
         insurance requirements on leased access programmers. Cable operators shall bear the burden of proof in
         establishing reasonableness.

     (e) Cable operators may not set terms and conditions for commercial leased access use based on content,
         except:

           (1) To the limited extent necessary to establish a reasonable price for the commercial use of designated
               channel capacity by an unaffiliated person; or

           (2) To comply with 47 U.S.C. 532 (h), (j) and § 76.701.

     (f)

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           (1) A cable operator shall provide billing and collection services for commercial leased access cable
               programmers, unless the operator demonstrates the existence of third party billing and collection
               services which in terms of cost and accessibility, offer leased access programmers an alternative
               substantially equivalent to that offered to comparable non-leased access programmers.

           (2) If an operator can make the showing required in paragraph (f)(1) of this section, it must, to the extent
               technically feasible make available data necessary to enable a third party to bill and collect for the
               leased access user.

     (g) Cable operators shall not unreasonably limit the length of leased access contracts. The termination
         provisions of leased access contracts shall be commercially reasonable and may not allow operators to
         terminate leased access contracts without a reasonable basis.

     (h) Cable operators may not prohibit the resale of leased access capacity to persons unaffiliated with the
         operator, but may provide in their leased access contracts that any sublessees will be subject to the non-
         price terms and conditions that apply to the initial lessee, and that, if the capacity is resold, the rate for the
         capacity shall be the maximum permissible rate.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 16401, Apr. 15, 1996; 62 FR 11381, Mar. 12, 1997; 84 FR 28769, June 20, 2019]

§ 76.975 Commercial leased access dispute resolution.
     (a) Any person aggrieved by the failure or refusal of a cable operator to make commercial channel capacity
         available in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Communications Act may bring an action in
         the district court of the United States for the Judicial district in which the cable system is located to
         compel that such capacity be made available.

     (b)

           (1) Any person aggrieved by the failure or refusal of a cable operator to make commercial channel
               capacity available or to charge rates for such capacity in accordance with the provisions of Title VI
               of the Communications Act, or our implementing regulations, §§ 76.970 and 76.971, may file a
               petition for relief with the Commission. Persons alleging that a cable operator's leased access rate is
               unreasonable must receive a determination of the cable operator's maximum permitted rate from an
               independent accountant prior to filing a petition for relief with the Commission.

           (2) Parties to a dispute over leased access rates shall have five business days to agree on a mutually
               acceptable accountant from the date on which the programmer provides the cable operator with a
               written request for a review of its leased access rates. Parties that fail to agree on a mutually
               acceptable accountant within five business days of the programmer's request for a review shall each
               be required to select an independent accountant on the sixth business day. The two accountants
               selected shall have five business days to select a third independent accountant to perform the
               review. Operators of systems subject to small system relief shall have 14 business days to select an
               independent accountant when an agreement cannot be reached. For these purposes, systems
               subject to small system relief are systems that either:

                 (i)   Qualify as small systems under § 76.901(c) and are owned by a small cable company as
                       defined under § 76.901(e); or

                (ii) Have been granted special relief.

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          (3) The final accountant's report must be completed within 60 days of the date on which the final
              accountant is selected to perform the review. The final accountant's report must, at a minimum,
              state the maximum permitted rate, and explain how it was determined without revealing proprietary
              information. The report must be signed, dated and certified by the accountant. The report shall be
              filed in the cable system's local public file.

          (4) If the accountant's report indicates that the cable operator's leased access rate exceeds the
              maximum permitted rate by more than a de minimis amount, the cable operator shall be required to
              pay the full cost of the review. If the final accountant's report does not indicate that the cable
              operator's leased access rate exceeds the maximum permitted rate by more than a de minimis
              amount, each party shall be required to split the cost of the final accountant's review, and to pay its
              own expenses incurred in making the review.

          (5) Parties may use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes to settle disputes that are not
              resolved by the final accountant's report.

     (c) A petition must contain a concise statement of the facts constituting a violation of the statute or the
         Commission's rules, the specific statute(s) or rule(s) violated, and certify that the petition was served on
         the cable operator. Where a petition is based on allegations that a cable operator's leased access rates
         are unreasonable, the petitioner must attach a copy of the final accountant's report. In proceedings before
         the Commission, there will be a rebuttable presumption that the final accountant's report is correct.

     (d) Where a petition is not based on allegations that a cable operator's leased access rates are unreasonable,
         the petition must be filed within 60 days of the alleged violation. Where a petition is based on allegations
         that the cable operator's leased access rates are unreasonable, the petition must be filed within 60 days
         of the final accountant's report, or within 60 days of the termination of ADR proceedings. Aggrieved
         parties must certify that their petition was filed within 60 days of the termination of ADR proceedings in
         order to file a petition later than 60 days after completion of the final accountant's report. Cable operators
         may rebut such certifications.

     (e) The cable operator or other respondent will have 30 days from service of the petition to file an answer. If a
         leased access rate is disputed, the answer must show that the rate charged is not higher than the
         maximum permitted rate for such leased access, and must be supported by the affidavit of a responsible
         company official. If, after an answer is submitted, the staff finds a prima facie violation of our rules, the
         staff may require a respondent to produce additional information, or specify other procedures necessary
         for resolution of the proceeding. Replies to answers must be filed within fifteen (15) days after
         submission of the answer.

     (f) The Commission, after consideration of the pleadings, may grant the relief requested, in whole or in part,
         including, but not limited to ordering refunds, injunctive measures, or forfeitures pursuant 47 U.S.C. 503,
         denying the petition, or issuing a ruling on the petition or dispute.

     (g) To be afforded relief, the petitioner must show by clear and convincing evidence that the cable operator
         has violated the Commission's leased access provisions in 47 U.S.C. 532 or §§ 76.970 and 76.971, or
         otherwise acted unreasonably or in bad faith in failing or refusing to make capacity available or to charge
         lawful rates for such capacity to an unaffiliated leased access programmer.

     (h) During the pendency of a dispute, a party seeking to lease channel capacity for commercial purposes,
         shall comply with the rates, terms and conditions prescribed by the cable operator, subject to refund or
         other appropriate remedy.

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     (i)   Section 76.7 applies to petitions for relief filed under this section, except as otherwise provided in this
           section.

[78 FR 20257, Apr. 4, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 28769, June 20, 2019]

§ 76.977 Minority and educational programming used in lieu of designated commercial leased
access capacity.
     (a) A cable operator required by this section to designate channel capacity for commercial use pursuant to 47
         U.S.C. 532, may use any such channel capacity for the provision of programming from a qualified minority
         programming source or from any qualified educational programming sources, whether or not such source
         is affiliated with cable operator. The channel capacity used to provide programming from a qualified
         minority programming source or from any qualified educational programming source pursuant to this
         section may not exceed 33 percent of the channel capacity designated pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 532 and
         must be located on a tier with more than 50 percent subscriber penetration.

     (b) For purposes of this section, a qualified minority programming source is a programming source that
         devotes substantially all of its programming to coverage of minority viewpoints, or to programming
         directed at members of minority groups, and which is over 50 percent minority-owned.

     (c) For purposes of this section, a qualified educational programming source is a programming source that
         devotes substantially all of its programming to educational or instructional programming that promotes
         public understanding of mathematics, the sciences, the humanities, or the arts and has a documented
         annual expenditure on programming exceeding $15 million. The annual expenditure on programming
         means all annual costs incurred by the programming source to produce or acquire programs which are
         scheduled to be televised, and specifically excludes marketing, promotion, satellite transmission and
         operational costs, and general administrative costs.

     (d) For purposes of paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, substantially all means that 90% or more of the
         programming offered must be devoted to minority or educational purposes, as defined in paragraphs (b)
         and (c) of this section, respectively.

     (e) For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, “minority” is defined as in 47 U.S.C. 309(i)(3)(c)(ii) to include
         Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians and Pacific Islanders.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 62 FR 11382, Mar. 12, 1997]

§ 76.980 Charges for customer changes.
     (a) This section shall govern charges for any changes in service tiers or equipment provided to the subscriber
         that are initiated at the request of a subscriber after initial service installation.

     (b) The charge for customer changes in service tiers effected solely by coded entry on a computer terminal or
         by other similarly simple methods shall be a nominal amount, not exceeding actual costs, as defined in
         paragraph (c) of this section.

     (c) The charge for customers changes in service tiers or equipment that involve more than coded entry on a
         computer or other similarly simple method shall be based on actual cost. The actual cost charge shall be
         either the HSC, as defined in Section 76.923 of the rules, multiplied by the number of persons hours
         needed to implement the change, or the HSC multiplied by the average number of persons hours involved
         in implementing customer changes.

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     (d) A cable operator may establish a higher charge for changes effected solely by coded entry on a computer
         terminal or by other similarly simple methods, subject to approval by the franchising authority, for a
         subscriber changing service tiers more than two times in a twelve month period, except for such changes
         ordered in response to a change in price or channel line-up.

     (e) Downgrade charges that are the same as, or lower than, upgrade charges are evidence of the
         reasonableness of such downgrade charges.

     (f) For 30 days after notice of retiering or rate increases, a customer may obtain changes in service tiers at
         no additional charge.

           Note 1 to § 76.980: Cable operators must also notify subscribers of potential charges for
           customer service changes, as provided in § 76.1604.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000]

§ 76.981 Negative option billing.
     (a) A cable operator shall not charge a subscriber for any service or equipment that the subscriber has not
         affirmatively requested by name. A subscriber's failure to refuse a cable operator's proposal to provide
         such service or equipment is not an affirmative request for service or equipment. A subscriber's
         affirmative request for service or equipment may be made orally or in writing.

     (b) The requirements of paragraph (a) of this section shall not preclude the adjustment of rates to reflect
         inflation, cost of living and other external costs, the addition or deletion of a specific program from a
         service offering, the addition or deletion of specific channels from an existing tier or service, the
         restructuring or division of existing tiers of service, or the adjustment of rates as a result of the addition,
         deletion or substitution of channels pursuant to § 76.922, provided that such changes do not constitute a
         fundamental change in the nature of an existing service or tier of service and are otherwise consistent
         with applicable regulations.

     (c) State and local governments may not enforce state and local consumer protection laws that conflict with
         or undermine paragraph (a) or (b) of this section or any other sections of this Subpart that were
         established pursuant to Section 3 of the 1992 Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. 543.

[59 FR 62625, Dec. 6, 1994]

§ 76.982 Continuation of rate agreements.
During the term of an agreement executed before July 1, 1990, by a franchising authority and a cable operator
providing for the regulation of basic cable service rates, where there was not effective competition under
Commission rules in effect on that date, the franchising authority may regulate basic cable rates without following
section 623 of the 1992 Cable Act or §§ 76.910 through 76.942. A franchising authority regulating basic cable rates
pursuant to such a rate agreement is not required to file for certification during the remaining term of the agreement
but shall notify the Commission of its intent to continue regulating basic cable rates.

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§ 76.983 Discrimination.
     (a) No Federal agency, state, or local franchising authority may prohibit a cable operator from offering
         reasonable discounts to senior citizens or to economically disadvantaged groups.

           (1) Such discounts must be offered equally to all subscribers in the franchise area who qualify as
               members of these categories, or any reasonable subcategory thereof.

           (2) For purposes of this section, members of economically disadvantaged groups are those individuals
               who receive federal, state or local welfare assistance.

     (b) Nothing herein shall preclude any Federal agency, state, or local franchising authority from requiring and
         regulating the reception of cable service by hearing impaired individuals.

§ 76.984 Geographically uniform rate structure.
     (a) The rates charged by cable operators for basic service, cable programming service, and associated
         equipment and installation shall be provided pursuant to a rate structure that is uniform throughout each
         franchise area in which cable service is provided.

     (b) This section does not prohibit the establishment by cable operators of reasonable categories of service
         and customers with separate rates and terms and conditions of service, within a franchise area.

     (c) This section does not apply to:

           (1) A cable operator with respect to the provision of cable service over its cable system in any
               geographic area in which the video programming services offered by the operator in that area are
               subject to effective competition, or

           (2) Any video programming offered on a per channel or per program basis.

           (3) Bulk discounts to multiple dwelling units shall not be subject to this section, except that a cable
               operator of a cable system that is not subject to effective competition may not charge predatory
               prices to a multiple dwelling unit. Upon a prima facie showing by a complainant that there are
               reasonable grounds to believe that the discounted price is predatory, the cable system shall have the
               burden of showing that its discounted price is not predatory.

           Note 1 to paragraph (c)(3): Discovery procedures for predatory pricing complaints. Requests for
           discovery will be addressed pursuant to the procedures specified in § 76.7(f).

           Note 2 to paragraph (c)(3): Confidential information. Parties submitting material believed to be
           exempt from disclosure pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(b), and
           the Commission's rules, § 0.457 of this chapter, should follow the procedures in § 0.459 of this
           chapter and § 76.9.

[59 FR 17975, Apr. 15, 1994, as amended at 61 FR 18979, Apr. 30, 1996; 64 FR 35951, July 2, 1999]

§ 76.985 Subscriber bill itemization.
     (a) Cable operators may identify as a separate line item of each regular subscriber bill the following:

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          (1) The amount of the total bill assessed as a franchise fee and the identity of the franchising authority
              to which the fee is paid.

          (2) The amount of the total bill assessed to satisfy any requirements imposed on the cable operator by
              the franchise agreement to support public, educational, or governmental channels or the use of such
              channels.

          (3) The amount of any other fee, tax, assessment, or charge of any kind imposed by any governmental
              authority on the transaction between the operator and the subscriber. In order for a governmental fee
              or assessment to be separately identified under this section, it must be directly imposed by a
              governmental body on a transaction between a subscriber and an operator.

     (b) The charge identified on the subscriber bill as the total charge for cable service should include all fees and
         costs itemized pursuant to this section.

     (c) Local franchising authorities may adopt regulations consistent with this section.

[58 FR 29753, May 21, 1993, as amended at 76 FR 55818, Sept. 9, 2011; 83 FR 60776, Nov. 27, 2018]

§ 76.990 Small cable operators.
     (a) Effective February 8, 1996, a small cable operator is exempt from rate regulation on its cable
         programming services tier, or on its basic service tier if that tier was the only service tier subject to rate
         regulation as of December 31, 1994, in any franchise area in which that operator services 50,000 or fewer
         subscribers.

     (b) Procedures.

          (1) A small cable operator, may certify in writing to its franchise authority at any time that it meets all
              criteria necessary to qualify as a small operator. Upon request of the local franchising authority, the
              operator shall identify in writing all of its affiliates that provide cable service, the total subscriber
              base of itself and each affiliate, and the aggregate gross revenues of its cable and non-cable
              affiliates. Within 90 days of receiving the original certification, the local franchising authority shall
              determine whether the operator qualifies for deregulation and shall notify the operator in writing of
              its decision, although this 90-day period shall be tolled for so long as it takes the operator to respond
              to a proper request for information by the local franchising authority. An operator may appeal to the
              Commission a local franchise authority's information request if the operator seeks to challenge the
              information request as unduly or unreasonably burdensome. If the local franchising authority finds
              that the operator does not qualify for deregulation, its notice shall state the grounds for that
              decision. The operator may appeal the local franchising authority's decision to the Commission
              within 30 days.

          (2) Once the operator has certified its eligibility for deregulation on the basic service tier, the local
              franchising authority shall not prohibit the operator from taking a rate increase and shall not order
              the operator to make any refunds unless and until the local franchising authority has rejected the
              certification in a final order that is no longer subject to appeal or that the Commission has affirmed.
              The operator shall be liable for refunds for revenues gained (beyond revenues that could be gained
              under regulation) as a result of any rate increase taken during the period in which it claimed to be
              deregulated, plus interest, in the event the operator is later found not to be deregulated. The one-year

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                 limitation on refund liability will not be applicable during that period to ensure that the filing of an
                 invalid small operator certification does not reduce any refund liability that the operator would
                 otherwise incur.

           (3) Within 30 days of being served with a local franchising authority's notice that the local franchising
               authority intends to file a cable programming services tier rate complaint, an operator may certify to
               the local franchising authority that it meets the criteria for qualification as a small cable operator.
               This certification shall be filed in accordance with the cable programming services rate complaint
               procedure set forth in § 76.1402. Absent a cable programming services rate complaint, the operator
               may request a declaration of CPST rate deregulation from the Commission pursuant to § 76.7.

     (c) Transition from small cable operator status. If a small cable operator subsequently becomes ineligible for
         small operator status, the operator will become subject to regulation but may maintain the rates it
         charged prior to losing small cable operator status if such rates (with an allowance for minor variations)
         were in effect for the three months preceding the loss of small cable operator status. Subsequent rate
         increases following the loss of small cable operator status will be subject to generally applicable
         regulations governing rate increases.

           Note to § 76.990: For rules governing small cable systems and small cable companies, see §
           76.934.

[64 FR 35951, July 2, 1999]

Subpart O—Competitive Access to Cable Programming
§ 76.1000 Definitions.
As used in this subpart:

     (a) Area served by cable system. The term “area served” by a cable system means an area actually passed by
         a cable system and which can be connected for a standard connection fee.

     (b) Cognizable interests. In applying the provisions of this subpart, ownership and other interests in cable
         operators, satellite cable programming vendors, satellite broadcast programming vendors, or terrestrial
         cable programming vendors will be attributed to their holders and may subject the interest holders to the
         rules of this subpart. Cognizable and attributable interests shall be defined by reference to the criteria set
         forth in Notes 1 through 5 to § 76.501 provided, however, that:

           (1) The limited partner and LLC/LLP/RLLP insulation provisions of Note 2(f) shall not apply; and

           (2) The provisions of Note 2(a) regarding five (5) percent interests shall include all voting or nonvoting
               stock or limited partnership equity interests of five (5) percent or more.

     (c) Buying groups. The term “buying group” or “agent,” for purposes of the definition of a multichannel video
         programming distributor set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, means an entity representing the
         interests of more than one entity distributing multichannel video programming that:

           (1) Agrees to be financially liable for any fees due pursuant to a satellite cable programming, satellite
               broadcast programming, or terrestrial cable programming contract which it signs as a contracting
               party as a representative of its members or whose members, as contracting parties, agree to joint
               and several liability; and
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           (2) Agrees to uniform billing and standardized contract provisions for individual members; and

           (3) Agrees either collectively or individually on reasonable technical quality standards for the individual
               members of the group.

     (d) Competing distributors. The term “competing,” as used with respect to competing multichannel video
         programming distributors, means distributors whose actual or proposed service areas overlap.

     (e) Multichannel video programming distributor. The term “multichannel video programming distributor”
         means an entity engaged in the business of making available for purchase, by subscribers or customers,
         multiple channels of video programming. Such entities include, but are not limited to, a cable operator, a
         BRS/EBS provider, a direct broadcast satellite service, a television receive-only satellite program
         distributor, and a satellite master antenna television system operator, as well as buying groups or agents
         of all such entities.

           Note to paragraph (e): A video programming provider that provides more than one channel of
           video programming on an open video system is a multichannel video programming distributor for
           purposes of this subpart O and Section 76.1507.

     (f) Satellite broadcast programming. The term “satellite broadcast programming” means broadcast video
         programming when such programming is retransmitted by satellite and the entity retransmitting such
         programming is not the broadcaster or an entity performing such retransmission on behalf of and with the
         specific consent of the broadcaster.

     (g) Satellite broadcast programming vendor. The term “satellite broadcast programming vendor” means a
         fixed service satellite carrier that provides service pursuant to section 119 of title 17, United States Code,
         with respect to satellite broadcast programming.

     (h) Satellite cable programming. The term “satellite cable programming” means video programming which is
         transmitted via satellite and which is primarily intended for direct receipt by cable operators for their
         retransmission to cable subscribers, except that such term does not include satellite broadcast
         programming.

           Note to paragraph (h): Satellite programming which is primarily intended for the direct receipt by
           open video system operators for their retransmission to open video system subscribers shall be
           included within the definition of satellite cable programming.

     (i)   Satellite cable programming vendor. The term “satellite cable programming vendor” means a person
           engaged in the production, creation, or wholesale distribution for sale of satellite cable programming, but
           does not include a satellite broadcast programming vendor.

     (j)   Similarly situated. The term “similarly situated” means, for the purposes of evaluating alternative
           programming contracts offered by a defendant programming vendor or by a terrestrial cable programming
           vendor alleged to have engaged in conduct described in § 76.1001(b)(1)(ii), that an alternative
           multichannel video programming distributor has been identified by the defendant as being more properly
           compared to the complainant in order to determine whether a violation of § 76.1001(a) or § 76.1002(b)
           has occurred. The analysis of whether an alternative multichannel video programming distributor is
           properly comparable to the complainant includes consideration of, but is not limited to, such factors as
           whether the alternative multichannel video programming distributor operates within a geographic region

47 CFR 76.1000(j) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 198 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.1000(k)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

            proximate to the complainant, has roughly the same number of subscribers as the complainant, and
            purchases a similar service as the complainant. Such alternative multichannel video programming
            distributor, however, must use the same distribution technology as the “competing” distributor with whom
            the complainant seeks to compare itself.

     (k) Subdistribution agreement. The term “subdistribution agreement” means an arrangement by which a local
         cable operator is given the right by a satellite cable programming vendor or satellite broadcast
         programming vendor to distribute the vendor's programming to competing multichannel video
         programming distributors.

      (l)   Terrestrial cable programming. The term “terrestrial cable programming” means video programming which
            is transmitted terrestrially or by any means other than satellite and which is primarily intended for direct
            receipt by cable operators for their retransmission to cable subscribers, except that such term does not
            include satellite broadcast programming or satellite cable programming.

     (m) Terrestrial cable programming vendor. The term “terrestrial cable programming vendor” means a person
         engaged in the production, creation, or wholesale distribution for sale of terrestrial cable programming,
         but does not include a satellite broadcast programming vendor or a satellite cable programming vendor.

[58 FR 27670, May 11, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996; 64 FR 67197, Dec. 1, 1999; 69 FR 72046, Dec. 10, 2004;
75 FR 9723, Mar. 3, 2010]

§ 76.1001 Unfair practices generally.
     (a) Unfair practices generally. No cable operator, satellite cable programming vendor in which a cable operator
         has an attributable interest, or satellite broadcast programming vendor shall engage in unfair methods of
         competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices, the purpose or effect of which is to hinder
         significantly or prevent any multichannel video programming distributor from providing satellite cable
         programming or satellite broadcast programming to subscribers or consumers.

     (b) Unfair practices involving terrestrial cable programming and terrestrial cable programming vendors.

            (1) The phrase “unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices” as used in
                paragraph (a) of this section includes, but is not limited to, the following:

                  (i)   Any effort or action by a cable operator that has an attributable interest in a terrestrial cable
                        programming vendor to unduly or improperly influence the decision of such vendor to sell, or
                        unduly or improperly influence such vendor's prices, terms, and conditions for the sale of,
                        terrestrial cable programming to any unaffiliated multichannel video programming distributor.

                 (ii) Discrimination in the prices, terms, or conditions of sale or delivery of terrestrial cable
                      programming among or between competing cable systems, competing cable operators, or any
                      competing multichannel video programming distributors, or their agents or buying groups, by a
                      terrestrial cable programming vendor that is wholly owned by, controlled by, or under common
                      control with a cable operator or cable operators, satellite cable programming vendor or vendors
                      in which a cable operator has an attributable interest, or satellite broadcast programming
                      vendor or vendors; except that the phrase does not include the practices set forth in §
                      76.1002(b)(1) through (3). The cable operator or cable operators, satellite cable programming
                      vendor or vendors in which a cable operator has an attributable interest, or satellite broadcast
                      programming vendor or vendors that wholly own or control, or are under common control with,

47 CFR 76.1001(b)(1)(ii) (enhanced display)                                                                   page 199 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.1001(b)(1)(iii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                       such terrestrial cable programming vendor shall be deemed responsible for such discrimination
                       and any complaint based on such discrimination shall be filed against such cable operator,
                       satellite cable programming vendor, or satellite broadcast programming vendor.

                (iii) Exclusive contracts, or any practice, activity, or arrangement tantamount to an exclusive
                      contract, for terrestrial cable programming between a cable operator and a terrestrial cable
                      programming vendor in which a cable operator has an attributable interest.

           (2) Any multichannel video programming distributor aggrieved by conduct described in paragraph (b)(1)
               of this section that it believes constitutes a violation of paragraph (a) of this section may commence
               an adjudicatory proceeding at the Commission to obtain enforcement of the rules through the filing
               of a complaint. The complaint shall be filed and responded to in accordance with the procedures
               specified in § 76.7, as modified by § 76.1003, with the following additions or changes:

                 (i)   The defendant shall answer the complaint within forty-five (45) days of service of the complaint,
                       unless otherwise directed by the Commission.

                 (ii) The complainant shall have the burden of proof that the defendant's alleged conduct described
                      in paragraph (b)(1) of this section has the purpose or effect of hindering significantly or
                      preventing the complainant from providing satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast
                      programming to subscribers or consumers. An answer to such a complaint shall set forth the
                      defendant's reasons to support a finding that the complainant has not carried this burden.

                (iii) A complainant alleging that a terrestrial cable programming vendor has engaged in conduct
                      described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section shall have the burden of proof that the terrestrial
                      cable programming vendor is wholly owned by, controlled by, or under common control with a
                      cable operator or cable operators, satellite cable programming vendor or vendors in which a
                      cable operator has an attributable interest, or satellite broadcast programming vendor or
                      vendors. An answer to such a complaint shall set forth the defendant's reasons to support a
                      finding that the complainant has not carried this burden.

[75 FR 9723, Mar. 3, 2010]

§ 76.1002 Specific unfair practices prohibited.
     (a) Undue or improper influence. No cable operator that has an attributable interest in a satellite cable
         programming vendor or in a satellite broadcast programming vendor shall unduly or improperly influence
         the decision of such vendor to sell, or unduly or improperly influence such vendor's prices, terms and
         conditions for the sale of, satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast programming to any
         unaffiliated multichannel video programming distributor.

     (b) Discrimination in prices, terms or conditions. No satellite cable programming vendor in which a cable
         operator has an attributable interest, or satellite broadcast programming vendor, shall discriminate in the
         prices, terms, and conditions of sale or delivery of satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast
         programming among or between competing cable systems, competing cable operators, or any competing
         multichannel video programming distributors. Nothing in this subsection, however, shall preclude:

           (1) The imposition of reasonable requirements for creditworthiness, offering of service, and financial
               stability and standards regarding character and technical quality;

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.1002(b)(2)
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                Note 1: Vendors are permitted to create a distinct class or classes of service in pricing based
                on credit considerations or financial stability, although any such distinctions must be applied
                for reasons for other than a multichannel video programming distributor's technology.
                Vendors are not permitted to manifest factors such as creditworthiness or financial stability
                in price differentials if such factors are already taken into account through different terms or
                conditions such as special credit requirements or payment guarantees.

                Note 2: Vendors may establish price differentials based on factors related to offering of
                service, or difference related to the actual service exchanged between the vendor and the
                distributor, as manifested in standardly applied contract terms based on a distributor's
                particular characteristics or willingness to provide secondary services that are reflected as a
                discount or surcharge in the programming service's price. Such factors include, but are not
                limited to, penetration of programming to subscribers or to particular systems; retail price of
                programming to the consumer for pay services; amount and type of promotional or
                advertising services by a distributor; a distributor's purchase of programming in a package or
                a la carte; channel position; importance of location for non-volume reasons; prepayment
                discounts; contract duration; date of purchase, especially purchase of service at launch;
                meeting competition at the distributor level; and other legitimate factors as standardly
                applied in a technology neutral fashion.

          (2) The establishment of different prices, terms, and conditions to take into account actual and
              reasonable differences in the cost of creation, sale, delivery, or transmission of satellite cable
              programming, satellite broadcast programming, or terrestrial cable programming;

                Note: Vendors may base price differentials, in whole or in part, on differences in the cost of
                delivering a programming service to particular distributors, such as differences in costs, or
                additional costs, incurred for advertising expenses, copyright fees, customer service, and
                signal security. Vendors may base price differentials on cost differences that occur within a
                given technology as well as between technologies. A price differential for a program service
                may not be based on a distributor's retail costs in delivering service to subscribers unless the
                program vendor can demonstrate that subscribers do not or will not benefit from the
                distributor's cost savings that result from a lower programming price.

          (3) The establishment of different prices, terms, and conditions which take into account economies of
              scale, cost savings, or other direct and legitimate economic benefits reasonably attributable to the
              number of subscribers served by the distributor; or

                Note: Vendors may use volume-related justifications to establish price differentials to the
                extent that such justifications are made available to similarly situated distributors on a
                technology-neutral basis. When relying upon standardized volume-related factors that are

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.1002(b)(4)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                 made available to all multichannel video programming distributors using all technologies, the
                 vendor may be required to demonstrate that such volume discounts are reasonably related to
                 direct and legitimate economic benefits reasonably attributable to the number of subscribers
                 served by the distributor if questions arise about the application of that discount. In such
                 demonstrations, vendors will not be required to provide a strict cost justification for the
                 structure of such standard volume-related factors, but may also identify non-cost economic
                 benefits related to increased viewership.

           (4) Entering into exclusive contracts in areas that are permitted under paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(4) of
               this section.

     (c) Exclusive contracts and practices —

           (1) Unserved areas. No cable operator shall engage in any practice or activity or enter into any
               understanding or arrangement, including exclusive contracts, with a satellite cable programming
               vendor or satellite broadcast programming vendor for satellite cable programming or satellite
               broadcast programming that prevents a multichannel video programming distributor from obtaining
               such programming from any satellite cable programming vendor in which a cable operator has an
               attributable interest, or any satellite broadcast programming vendor in which a cable operator has an
               attributable interest for distribution to persons in areas not served by a cable operator as of October
               5, 1992.

           (2) [Reserved]

           (3) Specific arrangements: Subdistribution agreements —

                 (i)   Unserved areas. No cable operator shall enter into any subdistribution agreement or
                       arrangement for satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast programming with a
                       satellite cable programming vendor in which a cable operator has an attributable interest or a
                       satellite broadcast programming vendor in which a cable operator has an attributable interest
                       for distribution to persons in areas not served by a cable operator as of October 5, 1992 unless
                       such agreement or arrangement complies with the limitations set forth in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of
                       this section.

                (ii) Limitations on subdistribution agreements in unserved areas. No cable operator engaged in
                     subdistribution of satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast programming may require
                     a competing multichannel video programming distributor to

                       (A) Purchase additional or unrelated programming as a condition of such subdistribution; or

                       (B) Provide access to private property in exchange for access to programming. In addition, a
                           subdistributor may not charge a competing multichannel video programming distributor
                           more for said programming than the satellite cable programming vendor or satellite
                           broadcast programming vendor itself would be permitted to charge. Any cable operator
                           acting as a subdistributor of satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast
                           programming must respond to a request for access to such programming by a competing
                           multichannel video programming distributor within fifteen (15) days of the request. If the

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.1002(c)(4)
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                           request is denied, the competing multichannel video programming distributor must be
                           permitted to negotiate directly with the satellite cable programming vendor or satellite
                           broadcast programming vendor.

          (4) Public interest determination. In determining whether an exclusive contract is in the public interest
              for purposes of paragraph (c)(5) of this section, the Commission will consider each of the following
              factors with respect to the effect of such contract on the distribution of video programming in areas
              that are served by a cable operator:

                (i)   The effect of such exclusive contract on the development of competition in local and national
                      multichannel video programming distribution markets;

                (ii) The effect of such exclusive contract on competition from multichannel video programming
                     distribution technologies other than cable;

               (iii) The effect of such exclusive contract on the attraction of capital investment in the production
                     and distribution of new satellite cable programming;

               (iv) The effect of such exclusive contract on diversity of programming in the multichannel video
                    programming distribution market; and

                (v) The duration of the exclusive contract.

          (5) Commission approval required. Any cable operator, satellite cable programming vendor in which a
              cable operator has an attributable interest, or satellite broadcast programming vendor in which a
              cable operator has an attributable interest must submit a “Petition for Exclusivity” to the
              Commission and receive approval from the Commission to preclude the filing of complaints alleging
              that an exclusive contract with respect to areas served by a cable operator violates section
              628(c)(2)(B) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and paragraph (b) of this section.

                (i)   The petition for exclusivity shall contain those portions of the contract relevant to exclusivity,
                      including:

                      (A) A description of the programming service;

                      (B) The extent and duration of exclusivity proposed; and

                      (C) Any other terms or provisions directly related to exclusivity or to any of the criteria set
                          forth in paragraph (c)(4) of this section. The petition for exclusivity shall also include a
                          statement setting forth the petitioner's reasons to support a finding that the contract is in
                          the public interest, addressing each of the five factors set forth in paragraph (c)(4) of this
                          section.

                (ii) Any competing multichannel video programming distributor affected by the proposed
                     exclusivity may file an opposition to the petition for exclusivity within thirty (30) days of the date
                     on which the petition is placed on public notice, setting forth its reasons to support a finding
                     that the contract is not in the public interest under the criteria set forth in paragraph (c)(4) of
                     this section. Any such formal opposition must be served on petitioner on the same day on
                     which it is filed with the Commission.

               (iii) The petitioner may file a response within ten (10) days of receipt of any formal opposition. The
                     Commission will then approve or deny the petition for exclusivity.

     (d) Limitations —

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.1002(d)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) Geographic limitations. Nothing in this section shall require any person who is engaged in the
               national or regional distribution of video programming to make such programming available in any
               geographic area beyond which such programming has been authorized or licensed for distribution.

           (2) Applicability to satellite retransmissions. Nothing in this section shall apply:

                 (i)   To the signal of any broadcast affiliate of a national television network or other television signal
                       that is retransmitted by satellite but that is not satellite broadcast programming; or

                (ii) To any internal satellite communication of any broadcast network or cable network that is not
                     satellite broadcast programming.

     (e) Exemptions for prior contracts —

           (1) In general. Nothing in this section shall affect any contract that grants exclusive distribution rights to
               any person with respect to satellite cable programming and that was entered into or before June 1,
               1990, except that the provisions of paragraph (c)(1) of this section shall apply for distribution to
               persons in areas not served by a cable operator.

           (2) Limitation on renewals. A contract that was entered into on or before June 1, 1990, but that was
               renewed or extended after October 5, 1992, shall not be exempt under paragraph (e)(1) of this
               section.

     (f) Application to existing contracts. All contracts, except those specified in paragraph (e) of this section,
         related to the provision of satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast programming to any
         multichannel video programming distributor must be brought into compliance with the requirements
         specified in this subpart no later than November 15, 1993.

[58 FR 27671, May 11, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 66259, Dec. 23, 1994; 67 FR 42951, July 30, 2002; 72 FR 56661, Oct. 4, 2007;
75 FR 9724, Mar. 3, 2010; 77 FR 66048, Oct. 31, 2012]

§ 76.1003 Program access proceedings
     (a) Complaints. Any multichannel video programming distributor aggrieved by conduct that it believes
         constitute a violation of the regulations set forth in this subpart may commence an adjudicatory
         proceeding at the Commission to obtain enforcement of the rules through the filing of a complaint. The
         complaint shall be filed and responded to in accordance with the procedures specified in § 76.7 of this
         part with the following additions or changes:

     (b) Prefiling notice required. Any aggrieved multichannel video programming distributor intending to file a
         complaint under this section must first notify the potential defendant cable operator, and/or the potential
         defendant satellite cable programming vendor or satellite broadcast programming vendor, that it intends
         to file a complaint with the Commission based on actions alleged to violate one or more of the provisions
         contained in § 76.1001 or § 76.1002 of this part. The notice must be sufficiently detailed so that its
         recipient(s) can determine the specific nature of the potential complaint. The potential complainant must
         allow a minimum of ten (10) days for the potential defendant(s) to respond before filing a complaint with
         the Commission.

     (c) Contents of complaint. In addition to the requirements of § 76.7 of this part, a program access complaint
         shall contain:

47 CFR 76.1003(c) (enhanced display)                                                                          page 204 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.1003(c)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (1) The type of multichannel video programming distributor that describes complainant, the address and
              telephone number of the complainant, whether the defendant is a cable operator, satellite broadcast
              programming vendor or satellite cable programming vendor (describing each defendant), and the
              address and telephone number of each defendant;

          (2) Evidence that supports complainant's belief that the defendant, where necessary, meets the
              attribution standards for application of the program access requirements;

          (3) Evidence that the complainant competes with the defendant cable operator, or with a multichannel
              video programming distributor that is a customer of the defendant satellite cable programming or
              satellite broadcast programming vendor or a terrestrial cable programming vendor alleged to have
              engaged in conduct described in § 76.1001(b)(1);

          (4) In complaints alleging discrimination, documentary evidence such as a rate card or a programming
              contract that demonstrates a differential in price, terms or conditions between complainant and a
              competing multichannel video programming distributor or, if no programming contract or rate card is
              submitted with the complaint, an affidavit signed by an officer of complainant alleging that a
              differential in price, terms or conditions exits, a description of the nature and extent (if known or
              reasonably estimated by the complainant) of the differential, together with a statement that
              defendant refused to provide any further specific comparative information;

          (5) If a programming contract or a rate card is submitted with the complaint in support of the alleged
              violation, specific references to the relevant provisions therein;

          (6) In complaints alleging exclusivity violations:

                (i)   The identity of both the programmer and cable operator who are parties to the alleged
                      prohibited agreement,

                (ii) Evidence that complainant can or does serve the area specified in the complaint, and

               (iii) Evidence that the complainant has requested to purchase the relevant programming and has
                     been refused or unanswered;

          (7) In complaints alleging a violation of § 76.1001 of this part, evidence demonstrating that the behavior
              complained of has harmed complainant.

          (8) The complaint must be accompanied by appropriate evidence demonstrating that the required
              notification pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section has been made.

     (d) Damages requests.

          (1) In a case where recovery of damages is sought, the complaint shall contain a clear and unequivocal
              request for damages and appropriate allegations in support of such claim in accordance with the
              requirements of paragraph (d)(3) of this section.

          (2) Damages will not be awarded upon a complaint unless specifically requested. Damages may be
              awarded if the complaint complies fully with the requirement of paragraph (d)(3) of this section
              where the defendant knew, or should have known that it was engaging in conduct violative of section
              628.

          (3) In all cases in which recovery of damages is sought, the complainant shall include within, or as an
              attachment to, the complaint, either:

47 CFR 76.1003(d)(3) (enhanced display)                                                               page 205 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.1003(d)(3)(i)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                 (i)   A computation of each and every category of damages for which recovery is sought, along with
                       an identification of all relevant documents and materials or such other evidence to be used by
                       the complainant to determine the amount of such damages; or

                (ii) An explanation of:

                       (A) The information not in the possession of the complaining party that is necessary to
                           develop a detailed computation of damages;

                       (B) The reason such information is unavailable to the complaining party;

                       (C) The factual basis the complainant has for believing that such evidence of damages exists;
                           and

                       (D) A detailed outline of the methodology that would be used to create a computation of
                           damages when such evidence is available.

     (e) Answer.

           (1) Except as otherwise provided or directed by the Commission, any cable operator, satellite cable
               programming vendor or satellite broadcast programming vendor upon which a program access
               complaint is served under this section shall answer within twenty (20) days of service of the
               complaint, provided that the answer shall be filed within forty-five (45) days of service of the
               complaint if the complaint alleges a violation of section 628(b) of the Communications Act of 1934,
               as amended, or § 76.1001(a). To the extent that a cable operator, satellite cable programming vendor
               or satellite broadcast programming vendor expressly references and relies upon a document or
               documents in asserting a defense or responding to a material allegation, such document or
               documents shall be included as part of the answer.

           (2) An answer to an exclusivity complaint shall provide the defendant's reasons for refusing to sell the
               subject programming to the complainant. In addition, the defendant may submit its programming
               contracts covering the area specified in the complaint with its answer to refute allegations
               concerning the existence of an impermissible exclusive contract. If there are no contracts governing
               the specified area, the defendant shall so certify in its answer. Any contracts submitted pursuant to
               this provision may be protected as proprietary pursuant to § 76.9 of this part.

           (3) An answer to a discrimination complaint shall state the reasons for any differential in prices, terms
               or conditions between the complainant and its competitor, and shall specify the particular
               justification set forth in § 76.1002(b) of this part relied upon in support of the differential.

                 (i)   When responding to allegations concerning price discrimination, except in cases in which the
                       alleged price differential is de minimis (less than or equal to five cents per subscriber or five
                       percent, whichever is greater), the defendant shall provide documentary evidence to support
                       any argument that the magnitude of the differential is not discriminatory.

                (ii) In cases involving a price differential of less than or equal to five cents per subscriber or five
                     percent, whichever is greater, the answer shall identify the differential as de minimis and state
                     that the defendant is therefore not required to justify the magnitude of the differential.

                (iii) If the defendant believes that the complainant and its competitor are not sufficiently similar, the
                      answer shall set forth the reasons supporting this conclusion, and the defendant may submit
                      an alternative contract for comparison with a similarly situated multichannel video
                      programming distributor that uses the same distribution technology as the competitor selected

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.1003(e)(4)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                     for comparison by the complainant. The answer shall state the defendant's reasons for any
                     differential between the prices, terms and conditions between the complainant and such
                     similarly situated distributor, and shall specify the particular justifications in § 76.1002(b) of
                     this part relied upon in support of the differential. The defendant shall also provide with its
                     answer written documentary evidence to support its justification of the magnitude of any price
                     differential between the complainant and such similarly situated distributor that is not de
                     minimis.

          (4) An answer to a complaint alleging an unreasonable refusal to sell programming shall state the
              defendant's reasons for refusing to sell to the complainant, or for refusing to sell to the complainant
              on the same terms and conditions as complainant's competitor, and shall specify why the
              defendant's actions are not discriminatory.

     (f) Reply. Within fifteen (15) days after service of an answer, unless otherwise directed by the Commission,
         the complainant may file and serve a reply which shall be responsive to matters contained in the answer
         and shall not contain new matters.

     (g) Time limit on filing of complaints. Any complaint filed pursuant to this subsection must be filed within one
         year of the date on which one of the following events occurs:

          (1) The satellite cable programming vendor, satellite broadcast programming vendor, or terrestrial cable
              programming vendor enters into a contract with the complainant that the complainant alleges to
              violate one or more of the rules contained in this subpart; or

          (2) The satellite cable programming vendor, satellite broadcast programming vendor, or terrestrial cable
              programming vendor offers to sell programming to the complainant pursuant to terms that the
              complainant alleges to violate one or more of the rules contained in this subpart, and such offer to
              sell programming is unrelated to any existing contract between the complainant and the satellite
              cable programming vendor, satellite broadcast programming vendor, or terrestrial cable
              programming vendor; or

          (3) A cable operator, or a satellite cable programming vendor or a satellite broadcast programming
              vendor has denied or failed to acknowledge a request to purchase or negotiate to purchase satellite
              cable programming, satellite broadcast programming, or terrestrial cable programming, or a request
              to amend an existing contract pertaining to such programming pursuant to § 76.1002(f), allegedly in
              violation of one or more of the rules contained in this subpart.

     (h) Remedies for violations —

          (1) Remedies authorized. Upon completion of such adjudicatory proceeding, the Commission,
              Commission staff, or Administrative Law Judge shall order appropriate remedies, including, if
              necessary, the imposition of damages, and/or the establishment of prices, terms, and conditions for
              the sale of programming to the aggrieved multichannel video programming distributor. Such order
              shall set forth a timetable for compliance. Such order issued by the Commission or Commission
              staff shall be effective upon release. See §§ 1.102(b) and 1.103 of this chapter. The effective date of
              such order issued by the Administrative Law Judge is set forth in § 1.276(d) of this chapter.

          (2) Additional sanctions. The remedies provided in paragraph (h)(1) of this section are in addition to and
              not in lieu of the sanctions available under title V or any other provision of the Communications Act.

          (3) Imposition of damages.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.1003(h)(3)(i)
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                 (i)   Bifurcation. In all cases in which damages are requested, the Commission may bifurcate the
                       program access violation determination from any damage adjudication.

                (ii) Burden of proof. The burden of proof regarding damages rests with the complainant, who must
                     demonstrate with specificity the damages arising from the program access violation. Requests
                     for damages that grossly overstate the amount of damages may result in a Commission
                     determination that the complainant failed to satisfy its burden of proof to demonstrate with
                     specificity the damages arising from the program access violation.

                (iii) Damages adjudication.

                       (A) The Commission may, in its discretion, end adjudication of damages with a written order
                           determining the sufficiency of the damages computation submitted in accordance with
                           paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section or the damages computation methodology submitted in
                           accordance with paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(D) of this section, modifying such computation or
                           methodology, or requiring the complainant to resubmit such computation or methodology.

                             (1) Where the Commission issues a written order approving or modifying a damages
                                 computation submitted in accordance with paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section, the
                                 defendant shall recompense the complainant as directed therein.

                             (2) Where the Commission issues a written order approving or modifying a damages
                                 computation methodology submitted in accordance with paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(D) of
                                 this section, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement on the
                                 exact amount of damages pursuant to the Commission-mandated methodology.

                       (B) Within thirty days of the issuance of a paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(D) of this section damages
                           methodology order, the parties shall submit jointly to the Commission either:

                             (1) A statement detailing the parties' agreement as to the amount of damages;

                             (2) A statement that the parties are continuing to negotiate in good faith and a request
                                 that the parties be given an extension of time to continue negotiations; or

                             (3) A statement detailing the bases for the continuing dispute and the reasons why no
                                 agreement can be reached.

                       (C)

                             (1) In cases in which the parties cannot resolve the amount of damages within a
                                 reasonable time period, the Commission retains the right to determine the actual
                                 amount of damages on its own, or through the procedures described in paragraph
                                 (h)(3)(iii)(C)(2) of this section.

                             (2) Issues concerning the amount of damages may be designated by the Chief, Media
                                 Bureau for hearing before, or, if the parties agree, submitted for mediation to, a
                                 Commission Administrative Law Judge.

                       (D) Interest on the amount of damages awarded will accrue from either the date indicated in
                           the Commission's written order issued pursuant to paragraph (h)(3)(iii)(A)(1) of this
                           section or the date agreed upon by the parties as a result of their negotiations pursuant to
                           paragraph (h)(3)(iii)(A)(2) of this section. Interest shall be computed at applicable rates
                           published by the Internal Revenue Service for tax refunds.

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                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.1003(i)
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     (i)   Alternative dispute resolution. Within 20 days of the close of the pleading cycle, the parties to the program
           access dispute may voluntarily engage in alternative dispute resolution, including commercial arbitration.
           The Commission will suspend action on the complaint if both parties agree to use alternative dispute
           resolution.

     (j)   Discovery. In addition to the general pleading and discovery rules contained in § 76.7, parties to a program
           access complaint may serve requests for discovery directly on opposing parties, and file a copy of the
           request with the Commission. The respondent shall have the opportunity to object to any request for
           documents that are not in its control or relevant to the dispute or protected from disclosure by the
           attorney-client privilege, the work-product doctrine, or other recognized protections from disclosure. Such
           request shall be heard, and determination made, by the Commission. Until the objection is ruled upon, the
           obligation to produce the disputed material is suspended. Any party who fails to timely provide discovery
           requested by the opposing party to which it has not raised an objection as described above, or who fails
           to respond to a Commission order for discovery material, may be deemed in default and an order may be
           entered in accordance with the allegations contained in the complaint, or the complaint may be dismissed
           with prejudice.

     (k) Protective orders. In addition to the procedures contained in § 76.9 of this part related to the protection of
         confidential material, the Commission may issue orders to protect the confidentiality of proprietary
         information required to be produced for resolution of program access complaints. A protective order
         constitutes both an order of the Commission and an agreement between the party executing the
         protective order declaration and the party submitting the protected material. The Commission has full
         authority to fashion appropriate sanctions for violations of its protective orders, including but not limited
         to suspension or disbarment of attorneys from practice before the Commission, forfeitures, cease and
         desist orders, and denial of further access to confidential information in Commission proceedings.

     (l)   Petitions for temporary standstill.

           (1) A program access complainant seeking renewal of an existing programming contract may file a
               petition along with its complaint requesting a temporary standstill of the price, terms, and other
               conditions of the existing programming contract pending resolution of the complaint. In addition to
               the requirements of § 76.7, the complainant shall have the burden of proof to demonstrate the
               following in its petition:

                 (i)   The complainant is likely to prevail on the merits of its complaint;

                (ii) The complainant will suffer irreparable harm absent a stay;

                (iii) Grant of a stay will not substantially harm other interested parties; and

                (iv) The public interest favors grant of a stay.

           (2) The defendant cable operator, satellite cable programming vendor or satellite broadcast
               programming vendor upon which a petition for temporary standstill is served shall answer within ten
               (10) days of service of the petition, unless otherwise directed by the Commission.

           (3) If the Commission grants the temporary standstill, the Commission's decision acting on the
               complaint will provide for remedies that make the terms of the new agreement between the parties
               retroactive to the expiration date of the previous programming contract.

    (m) Deadline for Media Bureau action on complaints alleging a denial of programming. For complaints alleging
        a denial of programming, the Chief, Media Bureau shall release a decision resolving the complaint within
        six (6) months from the date the complaint is filed.

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                                                                                                                47 CFR 76.1004
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

[64 FR 6572, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 67 FR 13235, Mar. 21, 2002; 72 FR 56661, Oct. 4, 2007; 75 FR 9724, Mar. 3, 2010; 77
FR 66048, Oct. 31, 2012; 85 FR 81812, Dec. 17, 2020]

§ 76.1004 Applicability of program access rules to common carriers and affiliates.
     (a) Any provision that applies to a cable operator under §§ 76.1000 through 76.1003 shall also apply to a
         common carrier or its affiliate that provides video programming by any means directly to subscribers. Any
         such provision that applies to a satellite cable programming vendor in which a cable operator has an
         attributable interest shall apply to any satellite cable programming vendor in which such common carrier
         has an attributable interest. For the purposes of this section, two or fewer common officers or directors
         shall not by itself establish an attributable interest by a common carrier in a satellite cable programming
         vendor (or its parent company) or a terrestrial cable programming vendor (or its parent company).

     (b) Sections 76.1002(c)(1) through (3) shall be applied to a common carrier or its affiliate that provides video
         programming by any means directly to subscribers as follows: No common carrier or its affiliate that
         provides video programming directly to subscribers shall engage in any practice or activity or enter into
         any understanding or arrangement, including exclusive contracts, with a satellite cable programming
         vendor or satellite broadcast programming vendor for satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast
         programming that prevents a multichannel video programming distributor from obtaining such
         programming from any satellite cable programming vendor in which a common carrier or its affiliate has
         an attributable interest, or any satellite broadcasting vendor in which a common carrier or its affiliate has
         an attributable interest for distribution to persons in areas not served by a cable operator as of October 5,
         1992.

[61 FR 18980, Apr. 30, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996; 75 FR 9724, Mar. 3, 2010; 77 FR 66048, Oct. 31, 2012]

§§ 76.1005-76.1010 [Reserved]

Subpart P—Competitive Availability of Navigation Devices

Source: 63 FR 38094, July 15, 1998, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.1200 Definitions.
As used in this subpart:

     (a) Multichannel video programming system. A distribution system that makes available for purchase, by
         customers or subscribers, multiple channels of video programming other than an open video system as
         defined by § 76.1500(a). Such systems include, but are not limited to, cable television systems, BRS/EBS
         systems, direct broadcast satellite systems, other systems for providing direct-to-home multichannel
         video programming via satellite, and satellite master antenna systems.

     (b) Multichannel video programming distributor. A person such as, but not limited to, a cable operator, a BRS/
         EBS provider, a direct broadcast satellite service, or a television receive-only satellite program distributor,
         who owns or operates a multichannel video programming system.

     (c) Navigation devices. Devices such as converter boxes, interactive communications equipment, and other
         equipment used by consumers to access multichannel video programming and other services offered
         over multichannel video programming systems.
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     (d) Affiliate. A person or entity that (directly or indirectly) owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is
         under common ownership or control with, another person, as defined in the notes accompanying §
         76.501.

     (e) Conditional access. The mechanisms that provide for selective access and denial of specific services and
         make use of signal security that can prevent a signal from being received except by authorized users.

[63 FR 38094, July 15, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 72046, Dec. 10, 2004]

§ 76.1201 Rights of subscribers to use or attach navigation devices.
No multichannel video programming distributor shall prevent the connection or use of navigation devices to or with
its multichannel video programming system, except in those circumstances where electronic or physical harm
would be caused by the attachment or operation of such devices or such devices may be used to assist or are
intended or designed to assist in the unauthorized receipt of service.

§ 76.1202 Availability of navigation devices.
No multichannel video programming distributor shall by contract, agreement, patent right, intellectual property right
or otherwise prevent navigation devices that do not perform conditional access or security functions from being
made available to subscribers from retailers, manufacturers, or other vendors that are unaffiliated with such owner
or operator, subject to § 76.1209.

§ 76.1203 Incidence of harm.
A multichannel video programming distributor may restrict the attachment or use of navigation devices with its
system in those circumstances where electronic or physical harm would be caused by the attachment or operation
of such devices or such devices that assist or are intended or designed to assist in the unauthorized receipt of
service. Such restrictions may be accomplished by publishing and providing to subscribers standards and
descriptions of devices that may not be used with or attached to its system. Such standards shall foreclose the
attachment or use only of such devices as raise reasonable and legitimate concerns of electronic or physical harm
or theft of service. In any situation where theft of service or harm occurs or is likely to occur, service may be
discontinued.

§ 76.1204 Availability of equipment performing conditional access or security functions.
     (a)

           (1) A multichannel video programming distributor that utilizes Navigation Devices to perform conditional
               access functions shall make available equipment that incorporates only the conditional access
               functions of such devices.

           (2) The foregoing requirement shall not apply to a multichannel video programming distributor that
               supports the active use by subscribers of Navigation Devices that:

                 (i)   Operate throughout the continental United States, and

                (ii) Are available from retail outlets and other vendors throughout the United States that are not
                     affiliated with the owner or operator of the multichannel video programming system.

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     (b) Conditional access function equipment made available pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall
         be designed to connect to and function with other Navigation Devices available through the use of a
         commonly used interface or an interface that conforms to appropriate technical standards promulgated
         by a national standards organization.

     (c) No multichannel video programming distributor shall by contract, agreement, patent, intellectual property
         right or otherwise preclude the addition of features or functions to the equipment made available
         pursuant to this section that are not designed, intended or function to defeat the conditional access
         controls of such devices or to provide unauthorized access to service.

     (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Navigation Devices need not be made available pursuant to this section
         where:

           (1) It is not reasonably feasible to prevent such devices from being used for the unauthorized reception
               of service; or

           (2) It is not reasonably feasible to separate conditional access from other functions without jeopardizing
               security.

     (e) Paragraphs (a)(1), (b), and (c) of this section shall not apply to the provision of any Navigation Device that:

           (1) Employs conditional access mechanisms only to access analog video programming;

           (2) Is capable only of providing access to analog video programming offered over a multichannel video
               programming distribution system; and

           (3) Does not provide access to any digital transmission of multichannel video programming or any other
               digital service through any receiving, decoding, conditional access, or other function, including any
               conversion of digital programming or service to an analog format.

[81 FR 13997, Mar. 16, 2016]

§ 76.1205 Availability of interface information.
Technical information concerning interface parameters that are needed to permit navigation devices to operate with
multichannel video programming systems shall be provided by the system operator upon request in a timely
manner.

[85 FR 78239, Dec. 4, 2020]

§ 76.1206 Equipment sale or lease charge subsidy prohibition.
Multichannel video programming distributors offering navigation devices subject to the provisions of § 76.923 for
sale or lease directly to subscribers, shall adhere to the standards reflected therein relating to rates for equipment
and installation and shall separately state the charges to consumers for such services and equipment.

§ 76.1207 Waivers.
The Commission may waive a regulation adopted under this subpart for a limited time, upon an appropriate
showing by a provider of multichannel video programming and other services offered over multichannel video
programming systems, or an equipment provider that such a waiver is necessary to assist the development or

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                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.1208
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introduction of a new or improved multichannel video programming or other service offered over multichannel video
programming systems, technology, or products. Such waiver requests should be made pursuant to § 76.7. Such a
waiver shall be effective for all service providers and products in the category in which the waiver is granted.

§ 76.1208 Sunset of regulations.
The regulations adopted under this subpart shall cease to apply when the Commission determines that (1) the
market for multichannel video distributors is fully competitive; (2) the market for converter boxes, and interactive
communications equipment, used in conjunction with that service is fully competitive; and (3) elimination of the
regulations would promote competition and the public interest. Any interested party may petition the Commission
for such a determination.

§ 76.1209 Theft of service.
Nothing in this subpart shall be construed to authorize or justify any use, manufacture, or importation of equipment
that would violate 47 U.S.C. 553 or any other provision of law intended to preclude the unauthorized reception of
multichannel video programming service.

§ 76.1210 Effect on other rules.
Nothing in this subpart affects § 64.702(d) of the Commission's regulations or other Commission regulations
governing interconnection and competitive provision of customer premises equipment used in connection with
basic common carrier communications services.

Subpart Q—Regulation of Carriage Agreements

Source: 58 FR 60395, Nov. 16, 1993, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.1300 Definitions.
As used in this subpart:

     (a) Affiliated. For purposes of this subpart, entities are affiliated if either entity has an attributable interest in
         the other or if a third party has an attributable interest in both entities.

     (b) Attributable interest. The term “attributable interest” shall be defined by reference to the criteria set forth
         in Notes 1 through 5 to § 76.501 provided, however, that:

          (1) The limited partner and LLC/LLP/RLLP insulation provisions of Note 2(f) shall not apply; and

          (2) The provisions of Note 2(a) regarding five (5) percent interests shall include all voting or nonvoting
              stock or limited partnership equity interests of five (5) percent or more.

     (c) Buying groups. The term “buying group” or “agent,” for purposes of the definition of a multichannel video
         programming distributor set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, means an entity representing the
         interests of more than one entity distributing multichannel video programming that:

          (1) Agrees to be financially liable for any fees due pursuant to a satellite cable programming, or satellite
              broadcast programming, contract which it signs as a contracting party as a representative of its
              members or whose members, as contracting parties, agree to joint and several liability; and

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                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.1300(c)(2)
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           (2) Agrees to uniform billing and standardized contract provisions for individual members; and

           (3) Agrees either collectively or individually on reasonable technical quality standards for the individual
               members of the group.

     (d) Multichannel video programming distributor. The term “multichannel video programming distributor”
         means an entity engaged in the business of making available for purchase, by subscribers or customers,
         multiple channels of video programming. Such entities include, but are not limited to, a cable operator, a
         BRS/EBS provider, a direct broadcast satellite service, a television receive-only satellite program
         distributor, and a satellite master antenna television system operator, as well as buying groups or agents
         of all such entities.

     (e) Video programming vendor. The term “video programming vendor” means a person engaged in the
         production, creation, or wholesale distribution of video programming for sale.

[58 FR 60395, Nov. 16, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 67197, Dec. 1, 1999; 69 FR 72046, Dec. 10, 2004]

§ 76.1301 Prohibited practices.
     (a) Financial interest. No cable operator or other multichannel video programming distributor shall require a
         financial interest in any program service as a condition for carriage on one or more of such operator's/
         provider's systems.

     (b) Exclusive rights. No cable operator or other multichannel video programming distributor shall coerce any
         video programming vendor to provide, or retaliate against such a vendor for failing to provide, exclusive
         rights against any other multichannel video programming distributor as a condition for carriage on a
         system.

     (c) Discrimination. No multichannel video programming distributor shall engage in conduct the effect of
         which is to unreasonably restrain the ability of an unaffiliated video programming vendor to compete fairly
         by discriminating in video programming distribution on the basis of affiliation or non-affiliation of vendors
         in the selection, terms, or conditions for carriage of video programming provided by such vendors.

§ 76.1302 Carriage agreement proceedings.
     (a) Complaints. Any video programming vendor or multichannel video programming distributor aggrieved by
         conduct that it believes constitute a violation of the regulations set forth in this subpart may commence
         an adjudicatory proceeding at the Commission to obtain enforcement of the rules through the filing of a
         complaint. The complaint shall be filed and responded to in accordance with the procedures specified in §
         76.7 of this part with the following additions or changes:

     (b) Prefiling notice required. Any aggrieved video programming vendor or multichannel video programming
         distributor intending to file a complaint under this section must first notify the potential defendant
         multichannel video programming distributor that it intends to file a complaint with the Commission based
         on actions alleged to violate one or more of the provisions contained in § 76.1301 of this part. The notice
         must be sufficiently detailed so that its recipient(s) can determine the specific nature of the potential
         complaint. The potential complainant must allow a minimum of ten (10) days for the potential
         defendant(s) to respond before filing a complaint with the Commission.

     (c) Contents of complaint. In addition to the requirements of § 76.7, a carriage agreement complaint shall
         contain:

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                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.1302(c)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) Whether the complainant is a multichannel video programming distributor or video programming
               vendor, and, in the case of a multichannel video programming distributor, identify the type of
               multichannel video programming distributor, the address and telephone number of the complainant,
               what type of multichannel video programming distributor the defendant is, and the address and
               telephone number of each defendant;

           (2) Evidence that supports complainant's belief that the defendant, where necessary, meets the
               attribution standards for application of the carriage agreement regulations;

           (3) The complaint must be accompanied by appropriate evidence demonstrating that the required
               notification pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section has been made.

     (d) Prima facie case. In order to establish a prima facie case of a violation of § 76.1301, the complaint must
         contain evidence of the following:

           (1) The complainant is a video programming vendor as defined in section 616(b) of the Communications
               Act of 1934, as amended, and § 76.1300(e) or a multichannel video programming distributor as
               defined in section 602(13) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and § 76.1300(d);

           (2) The defendant is a multichannel video programming distributor as defined in section 602(13) of the
               Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and § 76.1300(d); and

           (3)

                 (i)   Financial interest. In a complaint alleging a violation of § 76.1301(a), documentary evidence or
                       testimonial evidence (supported by an affidavit from a representative of the complainant) that
                       supports the claim that the defendant required a financial interest in any program service as a
                       condition for carriage on one or more of such defendant's systems.

                 (ii) Exclusive rights. In a complaint alleging a violation of § 76.1301(b), documentary evidence or
                      testimonial evidence (supported by an affidavit from a representative of the complainant) that
                      supports the claim that the defendant coerced a video programming vendor to provide, or
                      retaliated against such a vendor for failing to provide, exclusive rights against any other
                      multichannel video programming distributor as a condition for carriage on a system.

                 (iii) Discrimination. In a complaint alleging a violation of § 76.1301(c):

                       (A) Evidence that the conduct alleged has the effect of unreasonably restraining the ability of
                           an unaffiliated video programming vendor to compete fairly; and

                       (B)

                             (1) Documentary evidence or testimonial evidence (supported by an affidavit from a
                                 representative of the complainant) that supports the claim that the defendant
                                 discriminated in video programming distribution on the basis of affiliation or non-
                                 affiliation of vendors in the selection, terms, or conditions for carriage of video
                                 programming provided by such vendors; or

                             (2)

                                   (i)   Evidence that the complainant provides video programming that is similarly
                                         situated to video programming provided by a video programming vendor
                                         affiliated (as defined in § 76.1300(a)) with the defendant multichannel video

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                          47 CFR 76.1302(d)(3)(iii)(B)(2)(ii)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                                      programming distributor, based on a combination of factors, such as genre,
                                      ratings, license fee, target audience, target advertisers, target programming, and
                                      other factors; and

                                (ii) Evidence that the defendant multichannel video programming distributor has
                                     treated the video programming provided by the complainant differently than the
                                     similarly situated, affiliated video programming described in paragraph
                                     (d)(3)(iii)(B)(2)(i) of this section with respect to the selection, terms, or
                                     conditions for carriage.

     (e) Answer.

          (1) Any multichannel video programming distributor upon which a carriage agreement complaint is
              served under this section shall answer within sixty (60) days of service of the complaint, unless
              otherwise directed by the Commission.

          (2) The answer shall address the relief requested in the complaint, including legal and documentary
              support, for such response, and may include an alternative relief proposal without any prejudice to
              any denials or defenses raised.

     (f) Reply. Within twenty (20) days after service of an answer, unless otherwise directed by the Commission,
         the complainant may file and serve a reply which shall be responsive to matters contained in the answer
         and shall not contain new matters.

     (g) Prima facie determination.

          (1) Within sixty (60) calendar days after the complainant's reply to the defendant's answer is filed (or the
              date on which the reply would be due if none is filed), the Chief, Media Bureau shall release a
              decision determining whether the complainant has established a prima facie case of a violation of §
              76.1301.

          (2) The Chief, Media Bureau may toll the sixty (60)-calendar-day deadline under the following
              circumstances:

                (i)   If the complainant and defendant jointly request that the Chief, Media Bureau toll these
                      deadlines in order to pursue settlement discussions or alternative dispute resolution or for any
                      other reason that the complainant and defendant mutually agree justifies tolling; or

                (ii) If complying with the deadline would violate the due process rights of a party or would be
                     inconsistent with fundamental fairness.

          (3) A finding that the complainant has established a prima facie case of a violation of § 76.1301 means
              that the complainant has provided sufficient evidence in its complaint to allow the case to proceed
              to a ruling on the merits.

          (4) If the Chief, Media Bureau finds that the complainant has not established a prima facie case of a
              violation of § 76.1301, the Chief, Media Bureau will dismiss the complaint.

     (h) Time limit on filing of complaints. Any complaint filed pursuant to this subsection must be filed within one
         year of the date on which one of the following events occurs:

          (1) The multichannel video programming distributor enters into a contract with a video programming
              vendor that a party alleges to violate one or more of the rules contained in this section; or

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           (2) The multichannel video programming distributor offers to carry the video programming vendor's
               programming pursuant to terms that a party alleges to violate one or more of the rules contained in
               this section, and such offer to carry programming is unrelated to any existing contract between the
               complainant and the multichannel video programming distributor; or

           (3) In instances where there is no existing contract or an offer for carriage, or in instances where a party
               seeks renewal of an existing contract, the multichannel video programming distributor has denied or
               failed to acknowledge a request by a video programming vendor for carriage or to negotiate for
               carriage of that video programming vendor's programming on defendant's distribution system,
               allegedly in violation of one or more of the rules contained in this section.

     (i)   Deadline for decision on the merits.

           (1)

                 (i)   For program carriage complaints that the Chief, Media Bureau decides on the merits based on
                       the complaint, answer, and reply without discovery, the Chief, Media Bureau shall release a
                       decision on the merits within sixty (60) calendar days after the Chief, Media Bureau's prima
                       facie determination.

                 (ii) For program carriage complaints that the Chief, Media Bureau decides on the merits after
                      discovery, the Chief, Media Bureau shall release a decision on the merits within 150 calendar
                      days after the Chief, Media Bureau's prima facie determination.

                 (iii) The Chief, Media Bureau may toll these deadlines under the following circumstances:

                       (A) If the complainant and defendant jointly request that the Chief, Media Bureau toll these
                           deadlines in order to pursue settlement discussions or alternative dispute resolution or for
                           any other reason that the complainant and defendant mutually agree justifies tolling; or

                       (B) If complying with the deadline would violate the due process rights of a party or would be
                           inconsistent with fundamental fairness.

           (2) For program carriage complaints that the Chief, Media Bureau refers to an administrative law judge
               for an initial decision, the deadlines set forth in § 0.341(g) of this chapter apply.

     (j)   Remedies for violations—

           (1) Remedies authorized. Upon completion of such adjudicatory proceeding, the Commission,
               Commission staff, or Administrative Law Judge shall order appropriate remedies, including, if
               necessary, mandatory carriage of a video programming vendor's programming on defendant's video
               distribution system, or the establishment of prices, terms, and conditions for the carriage of a video
               programming vendor's programming. Such order shall set forth a timetable for compliance. The
               effective date of such order issued by the Administrative Law Judge is set forth in § 1.276(d) of this
               chapter. Such order issued by the Commission or Commission staff shall become effective upon
               release, see §§ 1.102(b) and 1.103 of this chapter, unless any order of mandatory carriage issued by
               the staff would require the defendant multichannel video programming distributor to delete existing
               programming from its system to accommodate carriage of a video programming vendor's
               programming. In such instances, if the defendant seeks review of the staff decision, the order for
               carriage of a video programming vendor's programming will not become effective unless and until
               the decision of the staff is upheld by the Commission. If the Commission upholds the remedy
               ordered by the staff or Administrative Law Judge in its entirety, the defendant MVPD will be required

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                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.1302(j)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                to carry the video programming vendor's programming for an additional period equal to the time
                elapsed between the staff or Administrative Law Judge decision and the Commission's ruling, on the
                terms and conditions approved by the Commission.

           (2) Additional sanctions. The remedies provided in paragraph (j)(1) of this section are in addition to and
               not in lieu of the sanctions available under title V or any other provision of the Communications Act.

     (k) Petitions for temporary standstill.

           (1) A program carriage complainant seeking renewal of an existing programming contract may file a
               petition along with its complaint requesting a temporary standstill of the price, terms, and other
               conditions of the existing programming contract pending resolution of the complaint. To allow for
               sufficient time to consider the petition for temporary standstill prior to the expiration of the existing
               programming contract, the petition for temporary standstill and complaint shall be filed no later than
               thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the existing programming contract. In addition to the
               requirements of § 76.7, the complainant shall have the burden of proof to demonstrate the following
               in its petition:

                 (i)   The complainant is likely to prevail on the merits of its complaint;

                (ii) The complainant will suffer irreparable harm absent a stay;

                (iii) Grant of a stay will not substantially harm other interested parties; and

                (iv) The public interest favors grant of a stay.

           (2) The defendant multichannel video programming distributor upon which a petition for temporary
               standstill is served shall answer within ten (10) days of service of the petition, unless otherwise
               directed by the Commission.

           (3) If the Commission grants the temporary standstill, the adjudicator deciding the case on the merits
               (i.e., either the Chief, Media Bureau or an administrative law judge) will provide for remedies that are
               applied as of the expiration date of the previous programming contract.

[64 FR 6574, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 76 FR 60673, Sept. 29, 2011; 85 FR 63185, Oct. 6, 2020; 85 FR 81812, Dec. 17, 2020]

§§ 76.1303-76.1305 [Reserved]

Subpart R—Telecommunications Act Implementation

Source: 61 FR 18980, Apr. 30, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.1400 Purpose.
The rules and regulations set forth in this subpart provide procedures for administering certain aspects of cable
regulation. These rules and regulations provide guidance for operators, subscribers and franchise authorities with
respect to matters that are subject to immediate implementation under governing statutes but require specific
regulatory procedures or definitions.

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                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.1404
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.1404 Use of cable facilities by local exchange carriers.
     (a) For purposes of § 76.505(d)(2), the Commission will determine whether use of a cable operator's facilities
         by a local exchange carrier is reasonably limited in scope and duration according to the procedures in
         paragraph (b) of this section.

     (b) Based on the record created by § 76.1617 of the rules, the Commission shall determine whether the local
         exchange carrier's use of that part of the transmission facilities of a cable system extending from the last
         multi-use terminal to the premises of the end user is reasonably limited in scope and duration. In making
         this determination, the Commission will evaluate whether the proposed joint use of cable facilities
         promotes competition in both services and facilities, and encourages long-term investment in
         telecommunications infrastructure.

[65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000]

Subpart S—Open Video Systems

Source: 61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.1500 Definitions.
     (a) Open video system. A facility consisting of a set of transmission paths and associated signal generation,
         reception, and control equipment that is designed to provide cable service which includes video
         programming and which is provided to multiple subscribers within a community, provided that the
         Commission has certified that such system complies with this part.

     (b) Open video system operator (operator). Any person or group of persons who provides cable service over
         an open video system and directly or through one or more affiliates owns a significant interest in such
         open video system, or otherwise controls or is responsible for the management and operation of such an
         open video system.

     (c) Video programming provider. Any person or group of persons who has the right under the copyright laws
         to select and contract for carriage of specific video programming on an open video system.

     (d) Activated channels. This term shall have the same meaning as provided in the cable television rules, 47
         CFR 76.5(nn).

     (e) Shared channel. Any channel that carries video programming that is selected by more than one video
         programming provider and offered to subscribers.

     (f) Cable service. This term shall have the same meaning as provided in the cable television rules, 47 CFR
         76.5(ff).

     (g) Affiliated. For purposes of this subpart, entities are affiliated if either entity has an attributable interest in
         the other or if a third party has an attributable interest in both entities.

     (h) Attributable Interest. The term “attributable interest” shall be defined by reference to the criteria set forth
         in Notes 1 through 5 to § 76.501 provided, however, that:

           (1) The limited partner and LLC/LLP/RLLP insulation provisions of Note 2(f) shall not apply; and

47 CFR 76.1500(h)(1) (enhanced display)                                                                       page 219 of 268
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            (2) The provisions of Note 2(a) regarding five (5) percent interests shall include all voting or nonvoting
                stock or limited partnership equity interests of five (5) percent or more.

      (i)   Other terms. Unless otherwise expressly stated, words not defined in this part shall be given their meaning
            as used in Title 47 of the United States Code, as amended, and, if not defined therein, their meaning as
            used in Part 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43175, Aug. 21, 1996; 64 FR 67197, Dec. 1, 1999]

§ 76.1501 Qualifications to be an open video system operator.
Any person may obtain a certification to operate an open video system pursuant to Section 653(a)(1) of the
Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 573(a)(1), except that an operator of a cable system may not obtain such
certification within its cable service area unless it is subject to “effective competition” as defined in Section
623(l)(1) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 543(l)(1). The effective competition requirement of the preceding
sentence does not apply to a local exchange carrier that is also a cable operator that seeks open video system
certification within its cable service area. A cable operator that is not subject to effective competition within its
cable service area may file a petition with the Commission, seeking a finding that particular circumstances exist
that make it consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity to allow the operator to convert its cable
system to an open video system. Nothing herein shall be construed to affect the terms of any franchising
agreement or other contractual agreement.

[65 FR 376, Jan. 5, 2000]

§ 76.1502 Certification.
     (a) An operator of an open video system must certify to the Commission that it will comply with the
         Commission's regulations in 47 CFR 76.1503, 76.1504, 76.1506(m), 76.1508, 76.1509, and 76.1513. The
         Commission must approve such certification prior to the commencement of service at such a point in
         time that would allow the applicant sufficient time to comply with the Commission's notification
         requirements.

     (b) Certifications must be verified by an officer or director of the applicant, stating that, to the best of his or
         her information and belief, the representations made therein are accurate.

     (c) Certifications must be filed on FCC Form 1275 and must include:

            (1) The applicant's name, address and telephone number;

            (2) A statement of ownership, including all affiliated entities;

            (3) If the applicant is a cable operator applying for certification in its cable franchise area, a statement
                that the applicant is qualified to operate an open video system under Section 76.1501.

            (4) A statement that the applicant agrees to comply and to remain in compliance with each of the
                Commission's regulations in §§ 76.1503, 76.1504, 76.1506(m), 76.1508, 76.1509, and 76.1513;

            (5) If the applicant is required under 47 CFR 64.903(a) of this chapter to file a cost allocation manual, a
                statement that the applicant will file changes to its manual at least 60 days before the
                commencement of service;

            (6) A list of the names of the anticipated local communities to be served upon completion of the
                system;
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                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.1502(c)(7)
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           (7) The anticipated amount and type (i.e., analog or digital) of capacity (for switched digital systems, the
               anticipated number of available channel input ports); and

           (8) A statement that the applicant will comply with the Commission's notice and enrollment
               requirements for unaffiliated video programming providers.

     (d)

           (1) All open video system certification applications, including FCC Form 1275 and all attachments, must
               be filed via electronic mail (email) at the following address: OVS@fcc.gov. The subject line shall read
               “Open Video System Certification Application.” Open video system certification applications will not
               be considered properly filed unless filed as described in this paragraph (d).

           (2) On or before the date an FCC Form 1275 is filed with the Commission, the applicant must serve a
               copy of its filing on all local communities identified pursuant to paragraph (c)(6) of this section and
               must include a statement informing the local communities of the Commission's requirements in
               paragraph (e) of this section for filing oppositions and comments. Service by mail is complete upon
               mailing, but if mailed, the served documents must be postmarked at least 3 days prior to the filing of
               the FCC Form 1275 with the Commission.

     (e)

           (1) Comments or oppositions to a certification must be filed within five calendar days of the
               Commission's receipt of the certification and must be served on the party that filed the certification.
               If, after making the necessary calculations, the due date for filing comments falls on a holiday,
               comments shall be filed on the next business day before noon, unless the nearest business day
               precedes the fifth calendar day following a filing, in which case the comments will be due on the
               preceding business day. For example, if the fifth day falls on a Saturday, then the filing would be due
               on that preceding Friday. However, if the fifth day falls on Sunday, then the filing will be due on the
               next day, Monday, before noon (or Tuesday, before noon if the Monday is a holiday).

           (2) Parties wishing to respond to a FCC Form 1275 filing must submit comments or oppositions via
               electronic mail (email) at the following address: OVS@fcc.gov. The subject line shall read “Open
               Video System Certification Application Comments.” Comments and oppositions will not be
               considered properly filed unless filed as described in this paragraph (e).

     (f) If the Commission does not disapprove the certification application within ten days after receipt of an
         applicant's request, the certification application will be deemed approved. If disapproved, the applicant
         may file a revised certification or refile its original submission with a statement addressing the issues in
         dispute in accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (d) of this section. Such refilings must
         be served on any objecting party or parties and on all local communities in which the applicant intends to
         operate pursuant to instructions in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. The Commission will consider any
         revised or refiled FCC Form 1275 to be a new proceeding and any party who filed comments regarding the
         original FCC Form 1275 will have to refile their original comments if they think such comments should be
         considered in the subsequent proceeding.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43175, Aug. 21, 1996; 62 FR 26238, May 13, 1997; 63 FR 31934, June 11, 1998;
65 FR 377, Jan. 5, 2000; 67 FR 13235, Mar. 21, 2002; 83 FR 61136, Nov. 28, 2018]

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                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.1503
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§ 76.1503 Carriage of video programming providers on open video systems.
     (a) Non-discrimination principle. Except as otherwise permitted in applicable law or in this part, an operator of
         an open video system shall not discriminate among video programming providers with regard to carriage
         on its open video system, and its rates, terms and conditions for such carriage shall be just and
         reasonable and not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.

     (b) Demand for carriage. An operator of an open video system shall solicit and determine the level of demand
         for carriage on the system among potential video programming providers in a non-discriminatory manner.

           (1) Notification. An open video system operator shall file a “Notice of Intent” to establish an open video
               system, which the Commission will release in a Public Notice. The Notice of Intent must be filed via
               electronic mail (email) at the following address: OVS@fcc.gov. The subject line shall read “Open
               Video System Notice of Intent.” An Open Video system notice of intent will not be considered
               properly filed unless filed as described in this paragraph (b). This Notice of Intent shall include the
               following information:

                 (i)   A heading clearly indicating that the document is a Notice of Intent to establish an open video
                       system;

                 (ii) The name, address and telephone number of the open video system operator;

                (iii) A description of the system's projected service area;

                (iv) A description of the system's projected channel capacity, in terms of analog, digital and other
                     type(s) of capacity upon activation of the system;

                 (v) A description of the steps a potential video programming provider must follow to seek carriage
                     on the open video system, including the name, address and telephone number of a person to
                     contact for further information;

                (vi) The starting and ending dates of the initial enrollment period for video programming providers;

                (vii) The process for allocating the system's channel capacity, in the event that demand for carriage
                      on the system exceeds the system's capacity; and

                (viii) A certification that the operator has complied with all relevant notification requirements under
                       the Commission's open video system regulations concerning must-carry and retransmission
                       consent (§ 76.1506), including a list of all local commercial and non-commercial television
                       stations served, and a certificate of service showing that the Notice of Intent has been served
                       on all local cable franchising authorities entitled to establish requirements concerning the
                       designation of channels for public, educational and governmental use.

           (2) Information. An open video system operator shall provide the following information to a video
               programming provider within five business days of receiving a written request from the provider,
               unless otherwise included in the Notice of Intent:

                 (i)   The projected activation date of the open video system. If a system is to be activated in stages,
                       the operator should describe the respective stages and the projected dates on which each
                       stage will be activated;

                 (ii) A preliminary carriage rate estimate;

                (iii) The information a video programming provider will be required to provide to qualify as a video
                      programming provider, e.g., creditworthiness;
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                (iv) Technical information that is reasonably necessary for potential video programming providers
                     to assess whether to seek capacity on the open video system, including what type of customer
                     premises equipment subscribers will need to receive service;

                (v) Any transmission or reception equipment needed by a video programming provider to interface
                    successfully with the open video system; and

                (vi) The equipment available to facilitate the carriage of unaffiliated video programming and the
                     electronic form(s) that will be accepted for processing and subsequent transmission through
                     the system.

           (3) Qualifications of video programming providers. An open video system operator may impose
               reasonable, non-discriminatory requirements to assure that a potential video programming provider
               is qualified to obtain capacity on the open video system.

     (c) One-third limit. If carriage demand by video programming providers exceeds the activated channel
         capacity of the open video system, the operator of the open video system and its affiliated video
         programming providers may not select the video programming services for carriage on more than one-
         third of the activated channel capacity on such system.

           (1) Measuring capacity. For purposes of this section:

                 (i)   If an open video system carries both analog and digital signals, an open video system operator
                       shall measure analog and digital activated channel capacity independently;

                (ii) Channels that an open video system is required to carry pursuant to the Commission's
                     regulations concerning public, educational and governmental channels and must-carry
                     channels shall be included in “activated channel capacity” for purposes of calculating the one-
                     third of such capacity on which the open video system operator and its affiliates are allowed to
                     select the video programming for carriage. Such channels shall not be included in the one-third
                     of capacity on which the open video system operator is permitted to select programming where
                     demand for carriage exceeds system capacity;

                (iii) Channels that an open video system operator carries pursuant to the Commission's regulations
                      concerning retransmission consent shall be included in “activated channel capacity” for
                      purposes of calculating the one-third of such capacity on which the open video system operator
                      and its affiliates are allowed to select the video programming for carriage. Such channels shall
                      be included in the one-third of capacity on which the open video system operator is permitted
                      to select programming, where demand for carriage exceeds system capacity, to the extent that
                      the channels are carried as part of the programming service of the operator or its affiliate,
                      subject to paragraph (c)(1)(iv); and

                (iv) Any channel on which shared programming is carried shall be included in “activated channel
                     capacity” for purposes of calculating the one-third of such capacity on which the open video
                     system operator and its affiliates are allowed to select the video programming for carriage.
                     Such channels shall be included in the one-third of capacity on which the open video system
                     operator is permitted to select programming, where demand for carriage exceeds system
                     capacity, to the extent the open video system operator or its affiliate is one of the video
                     programming providers sharing such channel.

                       Note to paragraph (c)(1)(iv): For example, if the open video system operator and two

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                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.1503(c)(2)
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                       unaffiliated video programming providers each carry a programming service that is
                       placed on a shared channel, the shared channel shall count as 0.33 channels against the
                       one-third amount of capacity allocable to the open video system operator, where
                       demand for carriage exceeds system capacity.

           (2) Allocating capacity. An operator of an open video system shall allocate activated channel capacity
               through a fair, open and non-discriminatory process; the process must be insulated from any bias of
               the open video system operator and verifiable.

                 (i)   If an open video system carries both analog and digital signals, an open video system operator
                       shall treat analog and digital capacity separately in allocating system capacity.

                 (ii) Subsequent changes in capacity or demand. An open video system operator must allocate open
                      capacity, if any, at least once every three years, beginning three years from the date of service
                      commencement. Open capacity shall be allocated in accordance with this section. Open
                      capacity shall include all capacity that becomes available during the course of the three-year
                      period, as well as capacity in excess of one-third of the system's activated channel capacity on
                      which the operator of the open video system or its affiliate selects programming.

                       Note 1 to paragraph (c)(2)(ii): An open video system operator will not be required to
                       comply with the regulations contained in this section if there is no open capacity to be
                       allocated at the end of the three year period.

                       Note 2 to paragraph (c)(2)(ii): An open video system operator shall be required to
                       accommodate changes in obligations concerning public, educational or governmental
                       channels or must-carry channels in accordance with Sections 611, 614 and 615 of the
                       Communications Act and the regulations contained in this part.

                       Note 3 to paragraph (c)(2)(ii): An open video system operator shall be required to comply
                       with the recordkeeping requirements of § 76.1712.

                (iii) Channel sharing. An open video system operator may carry on only one channel any video
                      programming service that is offered by more than one video programming provider (including
                      the operator's video programming affiliate), provided that subscribers have ready and
                      immediate access to any such programming service. Nothing in this section shall be construed
                      to impair the rights of programming services.

                       Note 1 to paragraph (c)(2)(iii): An open video system operator may implement channel
                       sharing only after it becomes apparent that one or more video programming services will
                       be offered by multiple video programming providers. An open video system operator
                       may not select, in advance of any duplication among video programming providers,
                       which programming services shall be placed on shared channels.

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                      Note 2 to paragraph (c)(2)(iii): Each video programming provider offering a programming
                      service that is carried on a shared channel must have the contractual permission of the
                      video programming service to offer the service to subscribers. The placement of a
                      programming service on a shared channel, however, is not subject to the approval of the
                      video programming service or vendor.

                      Note 3 to paragraph (c)(2)(iii): Ready and immediate access in this context means that
                      the channel sharing is “transparent” to subscribers.

                (iv) Open video system operator discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an operator of an open
                     video system may:

                      (A) Require video programming providers to request and obtain system capacity in increments
                          of no less than one full-time channel; however, an operator of an open video system may
                          not require video programming providers to obtain capacity in increments of more than
                          one full-time channel;

                      (B) Limit video programming providers from selecting the programming on more capacity
                          than the amount of capacity on which the system operator and its affiliates are selecting
                          the programming for carriage; and

                (v) Notwithstanding the general prohibition on an open video system operator's discrimination
                    among video programming providers contained in paragraph (a) of this section, a competing,
                    in-region cable operator or its affiliate(s) that offer cable service to subscribers located in the
                    service area of an open video system shall not be entitled to obtain capacity on such open
                    video system, except where a showing is made that facilities-based competition will not be
                    significantly impeded.

           (3) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the number of channels that the open video
               system operator and its affiliates, or another video programming provider, may offer to provide
               directly to subscribers. Co-packaging is permissible among video programming providers, but may
               not be a condition of carriage. Video programming providers may freely elect whether to enter into
               co-packaging arrangements.

           Note to paragraph (c)(3): Any video programming provider on an open video system may co-
           package video programming that is selected by itself, an affiliated video programming provider
           and/or unaffiliated video programming providers on the system.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43176, Aug. 21, 1996; 62 FR 26239, May 13, 1997; 65 FR 377, Jan. 5, 2000; 65
FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000; 67 FR 13235, Mar. 21, 2002; 83 FR 61136, Nov. 28, 2018]

§ 76.1504 Rates, terms and conditions for carriage on open video systems.
     (a) Reasonable rate principle. An open video system operator shall set rates, terms, and conditions for
         carriage that are just and reasonable, and are not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                     47 CFR 76.1504(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (b) Differences in rates.

          (1) An open video system operator may charge different rates to different classes of video programming
              providers, provided that the bases for such differences are not unjust or unreasonably
              discriminatory.

          (2) An open video system operator shall not impose different rates, terms, or conditions based on the
              content of the programming to be offered by any unaffiliated video programming provider.

     (c) Just and reasonable rate presumption. A strong presumption will apply that carriage rates are just and
         reasonable for open video system operators where at least one unaffiliated video programming provider,
         or unaffiliated programming providers as a group, occupy capacity equal to the lesser of one-third of the
         system capacity or that occupied by the open video system operator and its affiliates, and where any rate
         complained of is no higher than the average of the rates paid by unaffiliated programmers receiving
         carriage from the open video system operator.

     (d) Examination of rates. Complaints regarding rates shall be limited to video programming providers that
         have sought carriage on the open video system. If a video programming provider files a complaint against
         an open video system operator meeting the above just and reasonable rate presumption, the burden of
         proof will rest with the complainant. If a complaint is filed against an open video system operator that
         does not meet the just and reasonable rate presumption, the open video system operator will bear the
         burden of proof to demonstrate, using the principles set forth below, that the carriage rates subject to the
         complaint are just and reasonable.

     (e) Determining just and reasonable rates subject to complaints pursuant to the imputed rate approach or
         other market based approach. Carriage rates subject to complaint shall be found just and reasonable if
         one of the two following tests are met:

          (1) The imputed rate will reflect what the open video system operator, or its affiliate, “pays” for carriage
              of its own programming. Use of this approach is appropriate in circumstances where the pricing is
              applicable to a new market entrant (the open video system operator) that will face competition from
              an existing incumbent provider (the incumbent cable operator), as opposed to circumstances where
              the pricing is used to establish a rate for an essential input service that is charged to a competing
              new entrant by an incumbent provider. With respect to new market entrants, an efficient component
              pricing model will produce rates that encourage market entry. If the carriage rate to an unaffiliated
              program provider surpasses what an operator earns from carrying its own programming, the rate can
              be presumed to exceed a just and reasonable level. An open video system operator's price to its
              subscribers will be determined by several separate costs components. One general category are
              those costs related to the creative development and production of programming. A second category
              are costs associated with packaging various programs for the open video system operator's
              offering. A third category related to the infrastructure or engineering costs identified with building
              and maintaining the open video system. Contained in each is a profit allowance attributed to the
              economic value of each component. When an open video system operator provides only carriage
              through its infrastructure, however, the programming and packaging flows from the independent
              program provider, who bears the cost. The open video system operator avoids programming and
              packaging costs, including profits. These avoided costs should not be reflected in the price charged
              an independent program provider for carriage. The imputed rate also seeks to recognize the loss of
              subscribers to the open video system operator's programming package resulting from carrying
              competing programming.

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                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.1504(e)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                Note to paragraph (e)(1): Examples of specific “avoided costs” include:
                (1) All amounts paid to studios, syndicators, networks or others, including but not limited to
                payments for programming and all related rights;

                (2) Packaging, including marketing and other fees;

                (3) Talent fees; and

                (4) A reasonable overhead allowance for affiliated video service support.

          (2) An open video system operator can demonstrate that its carriage service rates are just and
              reasonable through other market based approaches.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43176, Aug. 21, 1996]

§ 76.1505 Public, educational and governmental access.
     (a) An open video system operator shall be subject to public, educational and governmental access
         requirements for every cable franchise area with which its system overlaps.

     (b) An open video system operator must ensure that all subscribers receive any public, educational and
         governmental access channels within the subscribers' franchise area.

     (c) An open video system operator may negotiate with the local cable franchising authority of the
         jurisdiction(s) which the open video system serves to establish the open video system operator's
         obligations with respect to public, educational and governmental access channel capacity, services,
         facilities and equipment. These negotiations may include the local cable operator if the local franchising
         authority, the open video system operator and the cable operator so desire.

     (d) If an open video system operator and a local franchising authority are unable to reach an agreement
         regarding the open video system operator's obligations with respect to public, educational and
         governmental access channel capacity, services, facilities and equipment within the local franchising
         authority's jurisdiction:

          (1) The open video system operator must satisfy the same public, educational and governmental access
              obligations as the local cable operator by providing the same amount of channel capacity for public,
              educational and governmental access and by matching the local cable operator's annual financial
              contributions towards public, educational and governmental access services, facilities and
              equipment that are actually used for public, educational and governmental access services, facilities
              and equipment. For in-kind contributions (e.g., cameras, production studios), the open video system
              operator may satisfy its statutory obligation by negotiating mutually agreeable terms with the local
              cable operator, so that public, educational and governmental access services to the community is
              improved or increased. If such terms cannot be agreed upon, the open video system operator must
              pay the local franchising authority the monetary equivalent of the local cable operator's depreciated
              in-kind contribution, or, in the case of facilities, the annual amortization value. Any matching
              contributions provided by the open video system operator must be used to fund activities arising
              under Section 611 of the Communications Act.

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                                                                                                 47 CFR 76.1505(d)(2)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (2) The local franchising authority shall impose the same rules and procedures on an open video system
              operator as it imposes on the local cable operator with regard to the open video system operator's
              use of channel capacity designated for public, educational and governmental access use when such
              capacity is not being used for such purposes.

          (3) The local cable operator is required to permit the open video system operator to connect with its
              public, educational and governmental access channel feeds. The open video system operator and
              the cable operator may decide how to accomplish this connection, taking into consideration the
              exact physical and technical circumstances of the cable and open video systems involved. If the
              cable and open video system operator cannot agree on how to accomplish the connection, the local
              franchising authority may decide. The local franchising authority may require that the connection
              occur on government property or on public rights of way.

          (4) The costs of connection to the cable operator's public, educational and governmental access
              channel feed shall be borne by the open video system operator. Such costs shall be counted towards
              the open video system operator's matching financial contributions set forth in paragraph (d)(4) of
              this section.

          (5) The local franchising authority may not impose public, educational and governmental access
              obligations on the open video system operator that would exceed those imposed on the local cable
              operator.

          (6) Where there is no existing local cable operator, the open video system operator must make a
              reasonable amount of channel capacity available for public, educational and governmental use, as
              well as provide reasonable support for services, facilities and equipment relating to such public,
              educational and governmental use. If a franchise agreement previously existed in that franchise
              area, the local franchising authority may elect either to impose the previously existing public,
              educational and governmental access obligations or determine the open video system operator's
              public, educational and governmental access obligations by comparison to the franchise agreement
              for the nearest operating cable system that has a commitment to provide public, educational and
              governmental access and that serves a franchise area with a similar population size. The local
              franchising authority shall be permitted to make a similar election every 15 years thereafter. Absent
              a previous franchise agreement, the open video system operator shall be required to provide channel
              capacity, services, facilities and equipment relating to public, educational and governmental access
              equivalent to that prescribed in the franchise agreement(s) for the nearest operating cable system
              with a commitment to provide public, educational and governmental access and that serves a
              franchise area with a similar population size.

                Note to paragraph (d)(6): This paragraph shall apply, for example, if a cable operator converts
                its cable system to an open video system under § 76.1501.

          (7) The open video system operator must adjust its system(s) to comply with new public, educational
              and governmental access obligations imposed by a cable franchise renewal; provided, however, that
              an open video system operator will not be required to displace other programmers using its open
              video system to accommodate public, educational and governmental access channels. The open
              video system operator shall comply with such public, educational and governmental access
              obligations whenever additional capacity is or becomes available, whether it is due to increased
              channel capacity or decreased demand for channel capacity.

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                                                                                                   47 CFR 76.1505(d)(8)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (8) The open video system operator and/or the local franchising authority may file a complaint with the
              Commission, pursuant to our dispute resolution procedures set forth in § 76.1514, if the open video
              system operator and the local franchising authority cannot agree as to the application of the
              Commission's rules regarding the open video system operator's public, educational and
              governmental access obligations under paragraph (d) of this section.

     (e) If an open video system operator maintains an institutional network, as defined in Section 611(f) of the
         Communications Act, the local franchising authority may require that educational and governmental
         access channels be designated on that institutional network to the extent such channels are designated
         on the institutional network of the local cable operator.

     (f) An open video system operator shall not exercise any editorial control over any public, educational, or
         governmental use of channel capacity provided pursuant to this subsection, provided, however, that any
         open video system operator may prohibit the use on its system of any channel capacity of any public,
         educational, or governmental facility for any programming which contains nudity, obscene material,
         indecent material as defined in § 76.701(g), or material soliciting or promoting unlawful conduct. For
         purposes of this section, “material soliciting or promoting unlawful conduct” shall mean material that is
         otherwise proscribed by law. An open video system operator may require any access user, or access
         manager or administrator agreeing to assume the responsibility of certifying, to certify that its
         programming does not contain any of the materials described above and that reasonable efforts will be
         used to ensure that live programming does not contain such material.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43176, Aug. 21, 1996]

§ 76.1506 Carriage of television broadcast signals.
     (a) The provisions of Subpart D shall apply to open video systems in accordance with the provisions
         contained in this subpart.

     (b) For the purposes of this Subpart S, television stations are significantly viewed when they are viewed in
         households that do not receive television signals from multichannel video programming distributors as
         follows:

          (1) For a full or partial network station—a share of viewing hours of at least 3 percent (total week hours),
              and a net weekly circulation of at least 25 percent; and

          (2) For an independent station—a share of viewing hours of at least 2 percent (total week hours), and a
              net weekly circulation of at least 5 percent. See § 76.1506(c).

                Note to paragraph (b): As used in this paragraph, “share of viewing hours” means the total
                hours that households that do not receive television signals from multichannel video
                programming distributors viewed the subject station during the week, expressed as a
                percentage of the total hours these households viewed all stations during the period, and “net
                weekly circulation” means the number of households that do not receive television signals
                from multichannel video programming distributors that viewed the station for 5 minutes or
                more during the entire week, expressed as a percentage of the total households that do not
                receive television signals from multichannel video programming distributors in the survey
                area.

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     (c) Significantly viewed signals; method to be followed for special showings. Any provision of § 76.54 that
         refers to a “cable television community” or “cable community or communities” shall apply to an open
         video system community or communities. Any provision of § 76.54 that refers to “non-cable television
         homes” shall apply to households that do not receive television signals from multichannel video
         programming distributors. Any provision of § 76.54 that refers to a “cable television system” shall apply to
         an open video system.

     (d) Definitions applicable to the must-carry rules. Section 76.55 shall apply to all open video systems in
         accordance with the provisions contained in this section. Any provision of § 76.55 that refers to a “cable
         system” shall apply to an open video system. Any provision of § 76.55 that refers to a “cable operator”
         shall apply to an open video system operator. Any provision of § 76.55 that refers to the “principal
         headend” of a cable system as defined in § 76.5(pp) shall apply to the equivalent of the principal headend
         of an open video system. Any provision of § 76.55 that refers to a “franchise area” shall apply to the
         service area of an open video system. The provisions of § 76.55 that permit cable operators to refuse
         carriage of signals considered distant signals for copyright purposes shall not apply to open video system
         operators. If an open video system operator cannot limit its distribution of must-carry signals to the local
         service area of broadcast stations as used in 17 U.S.C. 111(d), it will be liable for any increase in copyright
         fees assessed for distant signal carriage under 17 U.S.C. 111.

     (e) Signal carriage obligations. Any provision of § 76.56 that refers to a “cable television system” or “cable
         system” shall apply to an open video system. Any provision of § 76.56 that refers to a “cable operator”
         shall apply to an open video system operator. Section 76.56(d)(2) shall apply to open video systems as
         follows: An open video system operator shall make available to every subscriber of the open video system
         all qualified local commercial television stations and all qualified non-commercial educational television
         stations carried in fulfillment of its carriage obligations under this section.

     (f) Channel positioning. Open video system operators shall comply with the provisions of § 76.57 to the
         closest extent possible. Any provision of § 76.57 that refers to a “cable operator” shall apply to an open
         video system operator. Any provision of § 76.57 that refers to a “cable system” shall apply to an open
         video system, except the references to “cable system” in § 76.57(d) which shall apply to an open video
         system operator.

     (g) Notification. Any provision of §§ 76.1601, 76.1607, 76.1617, or 76.1708(a) (second sentence) that refers
         to a “cable operator,” “cable system,” or “principal headend” shall apply, respectively, to an open video
         system operator, to an open video system, or to the equivalent of the principal headend for an open video
         system.

     (h) Modification of television markets. Any provision of § 76.59 that refers to a “cable system” shall apply to
         an open video system. Any provision of § 76.59 that refers to a “cable operator” shall apply to an open
         video system operator.

     (i)   Compensation for carriage. Any provision of § 76.60 that refers to a “cable operator” shall apply to an
           open video system operator. Any provision of § 76.60 that refers to a “cable system” shall apply to an
           open video system. Any provision of § 76.60 that refers to a “principal headend” shall apply to the
           equivalent of the principal headend for an open video system.

     (j)   Disputes concerning carriage. Any provision of § 76.61 that refers to a “cable operator” shall apply to an
           open video system operator. Any provision of § 76.61 that refers to a “cable system” shall apply to an
           open video system. Any provision of § 76.61 that refers to a “principal headend” shall apply to the
           equivalent of the principal headend for an open video system.

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     (k) Manner of carriage. Any provision of § 76.62 that refers to a “cable operator” shall apply to an open video
         system operator.

     (l)   Retransmission consent. Section 76.64 shall apply to open video systems in accordance with the
           provisions contained in this paragraph.

           (1) Any provision of § 76.64 that refers to a “cable system” shall apply to an open video system. Any
               provision of § 76.64 that refers to a “cable operator” shall apply to an open video system operator.

           (2) Must-carry/retransmission consent election notifications shall be sent to the open video system
               operator. An open video system operator shall make all must-carry/retransmission consent election
               notifications received available to the appropriate programming providers on its system.

           (3) Television broadcast stations are required to make the same election for open video systems and
               cable systems serving the same geographic area, unless the overlapping open video system is
               unable to deliver appropriate signals in conformance with the broadcast station's elections for all
               cable systems serving the same geographic area.

           (4) An open video system commencing new operations shall notify all local commercial and
               noncommercial broadcast stations as required under paragraph (l) of this section on or before the
               date on which it files with the Commission its Notice of Intent to establish an open video system.

     (m) Exemption from input selector switch rules. Any provision of § 76.70 that refers to a “cable system” or
         “cable systems” shall apply to an open video system or open video systems.

     (n) Special relief and must-carry complaint procedures. The procedures set forth in § 76.7 shall apply to
         special relief and must-carry complaints relating to open video systems, and not the procedures set forth
         in § 76.1514 (Dispute resolution). Any provision of § 76.7 that refers to a “cable television system
         operator” or “cable operator” shall apply to an open video system operator. Any provision of § 76.7 that
         refers to a “cable television system” shall apply to an open video system. Any provision of § 76.7 that
         refers to a “system community unit” shall apply to an open video system or that portion of an open video
         system that operates or will operate within a separate and distinct community or municipal entity
         (including unincorporated communities within unincorporated areas and including single, discrete
         unincorporated areas).

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43177, Aug. 21, 1996; 79 FR 63562, Oct. 24, 2014; 80 FR 5050, Jan. 30, 2015]

§ 76.1507 Competitive access to satellite cable programming.
     (a) Any provision that applies to a cable operator under §§ 76.1000 through 76.1003 shall also apply to an
         operator of an open video system and its affiliate which provides video programming on its open video
         system, except as limited by paragraph (a) (1)–(3) of this section. Any such provision that applies to a
         satellite cable programming vendor in which a cable operator has an attributable interest shall also apply
         to any satellite cable programming vendor in which an open video system operator has an attributable
         interest, except as limited by paragraph (a) (1)–(3) of this section.

           (1) Section 76.1002(c)(1) shall only restrict the conduct of an open video system operator, its affiliate
               that provides video programming on its open video system and a satellite cable programming vendor
               in which an open video system operator has an attributable interest, as follows: No open video
               system operator or its affiliate that provides video programming on its open video system shall
               engage in any practice or activity or enter into any understanding or arrangement, including exclusive
               contracts, with a satellite cable programming vendor or satellite broadcast programming vendor for

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                satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast programming that prevents a multichannel video
                programming distributor from obtaining such programming from any satellite cable programming
                vendor in which an open video system operator has an attributable interest, or any satellite
                broadcasting vendor in which an open video system operator has an attributable interest for
                distribution to person in areas not served by a cable operator as of October 5, 1992.

          (2) [Reserved]

          (3) Section 76.1002(c)(3)(i) and (ii) shall only restrict the conduct of an open video system operator, its
              affiliate that provides video programming on its open video system and a satellite cable
              programming vendor in which an open video system operator has an attributable interest, as follows:
              No open video system operator shall enter into any subdistribution agreement or arrangement for
              satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast programming with a satellite cable programming
              vendor in which an open video system operator has an attributable interest or a satellite broadcast
              programming vendor in which an open video system operator has an attributable interest for
              distribution to persons in areas not served by a cable operator as of October 5, 1992 unless such
              agreement or arrangement complies with the limitations set forth in § 76.1002(c)(3)(ii).

     (b) No open video system programming provider in which a cable operator has an attributable interest shall
         engage in any practice or activity or enter into any understanding or arrangement, including exclusive
         contracts, with a satellite cable programming vendor or satellite broadcast programming vendor for
         satellite cable programming or satellite broadcast programming that prevents a multichannel video
         programming distributor from obtaining such programming from any satellite cable programming vendor
         in which a cable operator has an attributable interest, or any satellite broadcasting vendor in which a
         cable operator has an attributable interest for distribution to person in areas not served by a cable
         operator as of October 5, 1992.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 77 FR 66048, Oct. 31, 2012]

§ 76.1508 Network non-duplication.
     (a) Sections 76.92 through 76.95 shall apply to open video systems in accordance with the provisions
         contained in this section.

     (b) Any provision of § 76.92 that refers to a “cable community unit” or “community unit” shall apply to an open
         video system or that portion of an open video system that operates or will operate within a separate and
         distinct community or municipal entity (including unincorporated communities within unincorporated
         areas and including single, discrete unincorporated areas). Any provision of § 76.92 that refers to a “cable
         television community” shall apply to an open video system community. Any provision of § 76.92 that
         refers to a “cable television system's mandatory signal carriage obligations” shall apply to an open video
         system's mandatory signal carriage obligations.

     (c) Any provision of § 76.94 that refers to a “cable system operator” or “cable television system operator”
         shall apply to an open video system operator. Any provision of § 76.94 that refers to a “cable system” or
         “cable television system” shall apply to an open video system except § 76.94 (e) and (f) which shall apply
         to an open video system operator. Open video system operators shall make all notifications and
         information regarding the exercise of network non-duplication rights immediately available to all
         appropriate video programming provider on the system. An open video system operator shall not be

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           subject to sanctions for any violation of these rules by an unaffiliated program supplier if the operator
           provided proper notices to the program supplier and subsequently took prompt steps to stop the
           distribution of the infringing program once it was notified of a violation.

     (d) Any provision of § 76.95 that refers to a “cable system” or a “cable community unit” shall apply to an open
         video system or that portion of an open video system that operates or will operate within a separate and
         distinct community or municipal entity (including unincorporated communities within unincorporated
         areas and including single, discrete unincorporated areas).

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 83 FR 7630, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.1509 Syndicated program exclusivity.
     (a) Sections 76.101 through 76.110 shall apply to open video systems in accordance with the provisions
         contained in this section.

     (b) Any provision of § 76.101 that refers to a “cable community unit” shall apply to an open video system.

     (c) Any provision of § 76.105 that refers to a “cable system operator” or “cable television system operator”
         shall apply to an open video system operator. Any provision of § 76.105 that refers to a “cable system” or
         “cable television system” shall apply to an open video system except § 76.105(c) which shall apply to an
         open video system operator. Open video system operators shall make all notifications and information
         regarding exercise of syndicated program exclusivity rights immediately available to all appropriate video
         programming provider on the system. An open video system operator shall not be subject to sanctions for
         any violation of the rules in §§ 76.101 through 76.110 by an unaffiliated program supplier if the operator
         provided proper notices to the program supplier and subsequently took prompt steps to stop the
         distribution of the infringing program once it was notified of a violation.

     (d) Any provision of § 76.106 that refers to a “cable community” shall apply to an open video system
         community. Any provision of § 76.106 that refers to a “cable community unit” or “community unit” shall
         apply to an open video system or that portion of an open video system that operates or will operate within
         a separate and distinct community or municipal entity (including unincorporated communities within
         unincorporated areas and including single, discrete unincorporated areas). Any provision of §§ 76.106
         through 76.108 that refers to a “cable system” shall apply to an open video system.

     (e) Any provision of § 76.109 that refers to “cable television” or a “cable system” shall apply to an open video
         system.

     (f) Any provision of § 76.110 that refers to a “community unit” shall apply to an open video system or that
         portion of an open video system that is affected by this rule.

[83 FR 7630, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.1510 Application of certain Title VI provisions.
The following sections within part 76 shall also apply to open video systems: §§ 76.71, 76.73, 76.75, 76.77, 76.79,
76.1702, and 76.1802 (Equal Employment Opportunity Requirements); §§ 76.503 and 76.504 (ownership
restrictions); § 76.981 (negative option billing); and §§ 76.1300, 76.1301 and 76.1302 (regulation of carriage
agreements); § 76.610 (operation in the frequency bands 108–137 and 225–400 MHz—scope of application

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                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.1511
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provided, however, that these sections shall apply to open video systems only to the extent that they do not conflict
with this subpart S. Section 631 of the Communications Act (subscriber privacy) shall also apply to open video
systems.

[83 FR 7630, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.1511 Fees.
An open video system operator may be subject to the payment of fees on the gross revenues of the operator for the
provision of cable service imposed by a local franchising authority or other governmental entity, in lieu of the
franchise fees permitted under Section 622 of the Communications Act. Local governments shall have the authority
to assess and receive the gross revenue fee. Gross revenues under this paragraph means all gross revenues
received by an open video system operator or its affiliates, including all revenues received from subscribers and all
carriage revenues received from unaffiliated video programming providers. In addition gross revenues under this
paragraph includes any advertising revenues received by an open video system operator or its affiliates in
connection with the provision of video programming, where such revenues are included in the calculation of the
incumbent cable operator's cable franchise fee. Gross revenues does not include revenues collected by unaffiliated
video programming providers, such as subscriber or advertising revenues. Any gross revenues fee that the open
video system operator or its affiliate collects from subscribers or video programming providers shall be excluded
from gross revenues. An operator of an open video system or any programming provider may designate that portion
of a subscriber's bill attributable to the fee as a separate item on the bill. An operator of an open video system may
recover the gross revenue fee from programming providers on a proportional basis as an element of the carriage
rate.

[61 FR 43177, Aug. 21, 1996]

§ 76.1512 Programming information.
     (a) An open video system operator shall not unreasonably discriminate in favor of itself or its affiliates with
         regard to material or information (including advertising) provided by the operator to subscribers for the
         purpose of selecting programming on the open video system, or in the way such material or information is
         provided to subscribers.

           Note to paragraph (a): “Material or information” as used in paragraph (a) of this section means
           material or information that a subscriber uses to actively select programming at the point of
           program selection.

     (b) In accordance with paragraph (a) of this section:

           (1) An open video system operator shall not discriminate in favor of itself or its affiliate on any
               navigational device, guide or menu;

           (2) An open video system operator shall not omit television broadcast stations or other unaffiliated
               video programming services carried on the open video system from any navigational device, guide
               (electronic or paper) or menu;

           (3) An open video system operator shall not restrict a video programming provider's ability to use part of
               the provider's channel capacity to provide an individualized guide or menu to the provider's
               subscribers;

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          (4) Where an open video system operator provides no navigational device, guide or menu, its affiliate's
              navigational device, guide or menu shall be subject to the requirements of Section 653(b)(1)(E) of
              the Communications Act;

          (5) An open video system operator may permit video programming providers, including its affiliate, to
              develop and use their own navigational devices. If an open video system operator permits video
              programming providers, including its affiliate, to develop and use their own navigational devices, the
              operator must create an electronic menu or guide that all video programming providers must carry
              containing a non-discriminatory listing of programming providers or programming services available
              on the system and informing the viewer how to obtain additional information on each of the services
              listed;

          (6) An open video system operator must grant access, for programming providers that do not wish to
              use their own navigational device, to the navigational device used by the open video system operator
              or its affiliate; and

          (7) If an operator provides an electronic guide or menu that complies with paragraph (b)(5) of this
              section, its programming affiliate may create its own menu or guide without being subject to the
              requirements of Section 653(b)(1)(E) of the Communications Act.

     (c) An open video system operator shall ensure that video programming providers or copyright holders (or
         both) are able to suitably and uniquely identify their programming services to subscribers.

     (d) An open video system operator shall transmit programming identification without change or alteration if
         such identification is transmitted as part of the programming signal.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43177, Aug. 21, 1996]

§ 76.1513 Open video dispute resolution.
     (a) Complaints. Any party aggrieved by conduct that it believes constitute a violation of the regulations set
         forth in this part or in section 653 of the Communications Act (47 U.S.C. 573) may commence an
         adjudicatory proceeding at the Commission to obtain enforcement of the rules through the filing of a
         complaint. The Commission shall resolve any such dispute within 180 days after the filing of a complaint.
         The complaint shall be filed and responded to in accordance with the procedures specified in § 76.7 of
         this part with the following additions or changes.

     (b) Alternate dispute resolution. An open video system operator may not provide in its carriage contracts with
         programming providers that any dispute must be submitted to arbitration, mediation, or any other
         alternative method for dispute resolution prior to submission of a complaint to the Commission.

     (c) Notice required prior to filing of complaint. Any aggrieved party intending to file a complaint under this
         section must first notify the potential defendant open video system operator that it intends to file a
         complaint with the Commission based on actions alleged to violate one or more of the provisions
         contained in this part or in Section 653 of the Communications Act. The notice must be in writing and
         must be sufficiently detailed so that its recipient(s) can determine the specific nature of the potential
         complaint. The potential complainant must allow a minimum of ten (10) days for the potential
         defendant(s) to respond before filing a complaint with the Commission.

     (d) Contents of complaint. In addition to the requirements of § 76.7 of this part, an open video system
         complaint shall contain:

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          (1) The type of entity that describes complainant (e.g., individual, private association, partnership, or
              corporation), the address and telephone number of the complainant, and the address and telephone
              number of each defendant;

          (2) If discrimination in rates, terms, and conditions of carriage is alleged, documentary evidence shall be
              submitted such as a preliminary carriage rate estimate or a programming contract that
              demonstrates a differential in price, terms or conditions between complainant and a competing
              video programming provider or, if no programming contract or preliminary carriage rate estimate is
              submitted with the complaint, an affidavit signed by an officer of complainant alleging that a
              differential in price, terms or conditions exists, a description of the nature and extent (if known or
              reasonably estimated by the complainant) of the differential, together with a statement that
              defendant refused to provide any further specific comparative information;

                Note to paragraph (d)(2): Upon request by a complainant, the preliminary carriage rate
                estimate shall include a calculation of the average of the carriage rates paid by the
                unaffiliated video programming providers receiving carriage from the open video system
                operator, including the information needed for any weighting of the individual carriage rates
                that the operator has included in the average rate.

          (3) If a programming contract or a preliminary carriage rate estimate is submitted with the complaint in
              support of the alleged violation, specific references to the relevant provisions therein.

          (4) The complaint must be accompanied by appropriate evidence demonstrating that the required
              notification pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section has been made.

     (e) Answer.

          (1) Any open video system operator upon which a complaint is served under this section shall answer
              within thirty (30) days of service of the complaint, unless otherwise directed by the Commission.

          (2) An answer to a discrimination complaint shall state the reasons for any differential in prices, terms
              or conditions between the complainant and its competitor, and shall specify the particular
              justification relied upon in support of the differential. Any documents or contracts submitted
              pursuant to this paragraph may be protected as proprietary pursuant to § 76.9 of this part.

     (f) Reply. Within twenty (20) days after service of an answer, the complainant may file and serve a reply which
         shall be responsive to matters contained in the answer and shall not contain new matters.

     (g) Time limit on filing of complaints. Any complaint filed pursuant to this subsection must be filed within one
         year of the date on which one of the following events occurs

          (1) The open video system operator enters into a contract with the complainant that the complainant
              alleges to violate one or more of the rules contained in this part; or

          (2) The open video system operator offers to carry programming for the complainant pursuant to terms
              that the complainant alleges to violate one or more of the rules contained in this part, and such offer
              to carry programming is unrelated to any existing contract between the complainant and the open
              video system operator; or

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          (3) An open video system operator has denied or failed to acknowledge a request for such operator to
              carry the complainant's programming on its open video system, allegedly in violation of one or more
              of the rules contained in this part.

     (h) Remedies for violations —

          (1) Remedies authorized. Upon completion of such adjudicatory proceeding, the Commission,
              Commission staff, or Administrative Law Judge shall order appropriate remedies, including, if
              necessary, the requiring carriage, awarding damages to any person denied carriage, or any
              combination of such sanctions. Such order shall set forth a timetable for compliance. Such order
              issued by the Commission or Commission staff shall be effective upon release. See §§ 1.102(b) and
              1.103 of this chapter. The effective date of such order issued by the Administrative Law Judge is set
              forth in § 1.276(d) of this chapter.

          (2) Additional sanctions. The remedies provided in paragraph (h)(1) of this section are in addition to and
              not in lieu of the sanctions available under title V or any other provision of the Communications Act.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43178, Aug. 21, 1996; 62 FR 26239, May 13, 1997; 64 FR 6575, Feb. 10, 1999;
85 FR 81812, Dec. 17, 2020]

§ 76.1514 Bundling of video and local exchange services.
An open video system operator may offer video and local exchange services for sale in a single package at a single
price, provided that:

     (a) The open video system operator, where it is the incumbent local exchange carrier, may not require that a
         subscriber purchase its video service in order to receive local exchange service; and

     (b) Any local exchange carrier offering such a package must impute the unbundled tariff rate for the regulated
         service.

[61 FR 28708, June 5, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 43178, Aug. 21, 1996]

Subpart T—Notices

Source: 65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.1600 Electronic delivery of notices.
     (a) Except as provided in § 76.1603 for changes that occur due to circumstances outside a cable operator's
         control, which also may be provided as set forth in 76.1603(b), written information provided by cable
         operators to subscribers or customers pursuant to §§ 76.1601, 76.1602, 76.1603, 76.1604, 76.1618, and
         76.1620 of this Subpart T, as well as subscriber privacy notifications required by cable operators, satellite
         providers, and open video systems pursuant to sections 631, 338(i), and 653 of the Communications Act,
         may be delivered electronically by email to any subscriber who has not opted out of electronic delivery
         under paragraph (a)(3) of this section if the entity:

          (1) Sends the notice to the subscriber's or customer's verified email address;

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           (2) Provides either the entirety of the written information or a weblink to the written information in the
               notice; and

           (3) Includes, in the body of the notice, a telephone number that is clearly and prominently presented to
               subscribers so that it is readily identifiable as an opt-out mechanism that will allow subscribers to
               continue to receive paper copies of the written material.

     (b) For purposes of this section, a verified email address is defined as:

           (1) An email address that the subscriber has provided to the cable operator (and not vice versa) for
               purposes of receiving communication;

           (2) An email address that the subscriber regularly uses to communicate with the cable operator; or

           (3) An email address that has been confirmed by the subscriber as an appropriate vehicle for the
               delivery of notices.

     (c) Cable operators that provide written Subpart T notices via paper copy may provide certain portions of the
         § 76.1602 annual notices electronically, to any subscriber who has not opted out of electronic delivery
         under paragraphs (a)(3) or (c)(3) of this section, by prominently displaying the following on the front or
         first page of the printed annual notice:

           (1) A weblink in a form that is short, simple, and easy to remember, leading to written information
               required to be provided pursuant to § 76.1602(b)(2), (7), and (8);

           (2) A weblink in a form that is short, simple, and easy to remember, leading to written information
               required to be provided pursuant to § 76.1602(b)(5); and

           (3) A telephone number that is readily identifiable as an opt-out mechanism that will allow subscribers
               to continue to receive paper copies of the entire annual notice.

     (d) If the conditions for electronic delivery in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are not met, or if a
         subscriber opts out of electronic delivery, the written material must be delivered by paper copy to the
         subscriber's physical address.

     (e) After July 31, 2020, written information provided by cable operators to broadcast stations pursuant to §§
         76.64(k), 76.1601, 76.1607, 76.1608, 76.1609, and 76.1617 must be delivered electronically to full-power
         and Class A television stations via email to the email address for carriage-related questions that the
         station lists in its public file in accordance with §§ 73.3526 and 73.3527 of this title, or in the case of low
         power television stations and noncommercial educational translator stations that are entitled to such
         notices, to the licensee's email address (not a contact representative's email address, if different from the
         licensee's email address) as displayed publicly in the Licensing and Management System (LMS) or the
         primary station's carriage-related email address if the noncommercial educational translator station does
         not have its own email address listed in LMS.

[83 FR 66157, Dec. 26, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 16005, Mar. 20, 2020; 85 FR 71854, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 76.1601 Deletion or repositioning of broadcast signals.
A cable operator shall provide written notice to any broadcast television station at least 30 days prior to either
deleting from carriage or repositioning that station.

[85 FR 71854, Nov. 12, 2020]

47 CFR 76.1601 (enhanced display)                                                                        page 238 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.1602
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.1602 Customer service—general information.
     (a) A cable franchise authority may enforce the customer service standards set forth in paragraph (b) of this
         section against cable operators. The franchise authority must provide affected cable operators 90 days
         written notice of its intent to enforce standards.

     (b) The cable operator shall provide written information on each of the following areas at the time of
         installation of service, at least annually to all subscribers, and at any time upon request:

           (1) Products and services offered;

           (2) Prices and options for programming services and conditions of subscription to programming and
               other services;

           (3) Installation and service maintenance policies;

           (4) Instructions on how to use the cable service;

           (5) Channel positions of programming carried on the system; and

           (6) Billing and complaint procedures, including the address and telephone number of the local franchise
               authority's cable office.

           (7) Effective May 1, 2011, any assessed fees for rental of navigation devices and single and additional
               CableCARDs; and,

           (8) Effective May 1, 2011, if such provider includes equipment in the price of a bundled offer of one or
               more services, the fees reasonably allocable to:

                 (i)   The rental of single and additional CableCARDs; and

                (ii) The rental of operator-supplied navigation devices.

     (c) Subscribers shall be advised of the procedures for resolution of complaints about the quality of the
         television signal delivered by the cable system operator, including the address of the responsible officer of
         the local franchising authority.

[65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 76 FR 40279, July 8, 2011; 83 FR 7631, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.1603 Customer service—rate and service changes.
     (a) A cable franchise authority may enforce the customer service standards set forth in paragraph (b) of this
         section against cable operators. The franchise authority must provide affected cable operators 90 days
         written notice of its intent to enforce standards.

     (b) Cable operators shall provide written notice to subscribers of any changes in rates or services. Notice
         shall be provided to subscribers at least 30 days in advance of the change, unless the change results from
         circumstances outside of the cable operator's control (including failed retransmission consent or program
         carriage negotiations during the last 30 days of a contract), in which case notice shall be provided as
         soon as possible using any reasonable written means at the operator's sole discretion, including Channel
         Slates. Notice of rate changes shall include the precise amount of the rate change and explain the reason
         for the change in readily understandable terms. Notice of changes involving the addition or deletion of
         channels shall individually identify each channel affected.

47 CFR 76.1603(b) (enhanced display)                                                                   page 239 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                             47 CFR 76.1603(c)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (c) A cable operator not subject to effective competition shall provide 30 days' advance notice to its local
         franchising authority of any increase proposed in the price to be charged for the basic service tier.

     (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of part 76 of this chapter, a cable operator shall not be required to
         provide prior notice of any rate change that is the result of a regulatory fee, franchise fee, or any other fee,
         tax, assessment, or charge of any kind imposed by any Federal agency, State, or franchising authority on
         the transaction between the operator and the subscriber.

           Note 1 to § 76.1603: Section 624(h) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 544(h), contains
           additional notification requirements which a franchising authority may enforce.

           Note 2 to § 76.1603: Section 624(d)(3) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 544(d)(3), contains
           additional notification provisions pertaining to cable operators who offer a premium channel
           without charge to cable subscribers who do not subscribe to such premium channel.

           Note 3 to § 76.1603: Section 631 of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 551, contains additional
           notification requirements pertaining to the protection of subscriber privacy.

[65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 66 FR 16554, Mar. 26, 2001; 77 FR 67302, Dec. 10, 2012; 85 FR 71854, Nov. 12, 2020]

§ 76.1604 Charges for customer service changes.
If a cable operator establishes a higher charge for changes effected solely by coded entry on a computer terminal or
by other similarly simple methods, as provided in § 76.980(d), the cable system must notify all subscribers in
writing that they may be subject to such a charge for changing service tiers more than the specified number of
times in any 12 month period.

§ 76.1607 Principal headend.
A cable operator shall provide written notice to all stations carried on its system pursuant to the must-carry rules in
this subpart at least 60 days prior to any change in the designation of its principal headend. Such written notice
shall be provided by certified mail, except that after July 31, 2020, notice shall be provided to stations by electronic
delivery in accordance with § 76.1600.

[85 FR 16006, Mar. 20, 2020]

§ 76.1608 System technical integration requiring uniform election of must-carry or
retransmission consent status.
A cable system that changes its technical configuration in such a way as to integrate two formerly separate cable
systems must give 90 days notice of its intention to do so to any television broadcast stations that have elected
must-carry status with respect to one system and retransmission consent status with respect to the other. After
July 31, 2020, such notice shall be delivered to stations electronically in accordance with § 76.1600. If the system
and the station do not agree on a uniform election 45 days prior to integration, the cable system may require the
station to make such a uniform election 30 days prior to integration.

47 CFR 76.1608 (enhanced display)                                                                             page 240 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                               47 CFR 76.1609
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

[85 FR 16006, Mar. 20, 2020]

§ 76.1609 Non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity.
Within 60 days following the provision of service to 1,000 subscribers, the operator of each such system shall file a
notice to that effect with the Commission, and serve a copy of that notice on every television station that would be
entitled to exercise network non-duplication protection or syndicated exclusivity protection against it. After July 31,
2020, in lieu of serving paper copies on stations, the operator shall provide the required copies to stations by
electronic delivery in accordance with § 76.1600.

[85 FR 16006, Mar. 20, 2020]

§ 76.1610 Change of operational information.
The Operator shall inform the Commission on FCC Form 324 whenever there is a change of cable television system
operator; change of legal name, change of the operator's mailing address or FCC Registration Number (FRN); or
change in the operational status of a cable television system. Notification must be done within 30 days from the
date the change occurs and must include the following information, as appropriate:

     (a) The legal name of the operator and whether the operator is an individual, private association, partnership,
         corporation, or government entity. See § 76.5(cc). If the operator is a partnership, the legal name of the
         partner responsible for communications with the Commission shall be supplied;

     (b) The assumed name (if any) used for doing business in each community;

     (c) The physical address, including zip code, and e-mail address, if applicable, to which all communications
         are to be directed;

     (d) The nature of the operational status change (e.g., operation terminated, merged with another system,
         inactive, deleted, etc.);

     (e) The names and FCC identifiers (e.g., CA 0001) of the system communities affected.

           Note 1 to § 76.1610: FCC system community identifiers are routinely assigned upon registration.
           They have been assigned to all reported system communities based on previous Form 325 data. If
           a system community in operation prior to March 31, 1972, has not previously been assigned a
           system community identifier, the operator shall provide the following information in lieu of the
           identifier: Community Name, Community Type (i.e., incorporated town, unincorporated settlement,
           etc.), County Name, State, Operator Legal Name, Operator Assumed Name for Doing Business in
           the Community, Operator Mail Address, and Year and Month service was first provided by the
           physical system.

[65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 66 FR 47897, Sept. 14, 2001; 68 FR 27003, May 19, 2003; 83 FR 7631, Feb. 22, 2018]

47 CFR 76.1610(e) (enhanced display)                                                                           page 241 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                          47 CFR 76.1611
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.1611 Political cable rates and classes of time.
If a system permits a candidate to use its cablecast facilities, the system shall disclose to all candidates
information about rates, terms, conditions and all value-enhancing discount privileges offered to commercial
advertisers. Systems may use reasonable discretion in making the disclosure; provided, however, that the disclosure
includes, at a minimum, the following information:

     (a) A description and definition of each class of time available to commercial advertisers sufficiently
         complete enough to allow candidates to identify and understand what specific attributes differentiate
         each class;

     (b) A description of the lowest unit charge and related privileges (such as priorities against preemption and
         make goods prior to specific deadlines) for each class of time offered to commercial advertisers;

     (c) A description of the system's method of selling preemptible time based upon advertiser demand,
         commonly known as the “current selling level,” with the stipulation that candidates will be able to
         purchase at these demand-generated rates in the same manner as commercial advertisers;

     (d) An approximation of the likelihood of preemption for each kind of preemptible time; and

     (e) An explanation of the system's sales practices, if any, that are based on audience delivery, with the
         stipulation that candidates will be able to purchase this kind of time, if available to commercial
         advertisers.

§ 76.1614 Identification of must-carry signals.
A cable operator shall respond in writing within 30 days to any written request by any person for the identification of
the signals carried on its system in fulfillment of the must-carry requirements of § 76.56. The required written
response may be delivered by email, if the consumer used email to make the request or complaint directly to the
cable operator, or if the consumer specifies email as the preferred delivery method in the request or complaint.

[83 FR 66158, Dec. 26, 2018]

§ 76.1615 Sponsorship identification.
     (a) When a cable television system operator engaged in origination cablecasting presents any matter for
         which money, service, or other valuable consideration is either directly or indirectly paid or promised to, or
         charged or accepted by such cable television system operator, the cable television system operator, at the
         time of the cablecast, shall announce that such matter is sponsored, paid for, or furnished, either in whole
         or in part, and by whom or on whose behalf such consideration was supplied: Provided, however, that
         “service or other valuable consideration” shall not include any service or property furnished either without
         or at a nominal charge for use on, or in connection with, a cablecast unless it is so furnished in
         consideration for an identification of any person, product, service, trademark, or brand name beyond an
         identification reasonably related to the use of such service or property on the cablecast. For the purposes
         of this section, the term “sponsored” shall be deemed to have the same meaning as “paid for.” In the case
         of any political advertisement cablecast under this paragraph that concerns candidates for public office,
         the sponsor shall be identified with letters equal to or greater than four (4) percent of the vertical picture
         height that air for not less than four (4) seconds.

47 CFR 76.1615(a) (enhanced display)                                                                    page 242 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.1615(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (b) Each cable television system operator engaged in origination cablecasting shall exercise reasonable
         diligence to obtain from employees, and from other persons with whom the system operator deals directly
         in connection with any matter for cablecasting, information to enable such system operator to make the
         announcement required by this section.

     (c) In the case of any political origination cablecast matter or any origination cablecast matter involving the
         discussion of public controversial issues for which any film, record, transcription, talent, script, or other
         material or service of any kind is furnished, either directly or indirectly, to a cable television system
         operator as an inducement for cablecasting such matter, an announcement shall be made both at the
         beginning and conclusion of such cablecast on which such material or service is used that such film,
         record, transcription, talent, script, or other material or service has been furnished to such cable television
         system operator in connection with the transmission of such cablecast matter: Provided, however, that in
         the case of any cablecast of 5 minutes' duration or less, only one such announcement need be made
         either at the beginning or conclusion of the cablecast.

     (d) The announcement required by this section shall, in addition to stating the fact that the origination
         cablecasting matter was sponsored, paid for or furnished, fully and fairly disclose the true identity of the
         person or persons, or corporation, committee, association or other unincorporated group, or other entity
         by whom or on whose behalf such payment is made or promised, or from whom or on whose behalf such
         services or other valuable consideration is received, or by whom the material or services referred to in
         paragraph (c) of this section are furnished. Where an agent or other person or entity contracts or
         otherwise makes arrangements with a cable television system operator on behalf of another, and such
         fact is known or by the exercise of reasonable diligence, as specified in paragraph (b) of this section,
         could be known to the system operator, the announcement shall disclose the identity of the person or
         persons or entity on whose behalf such agent is acting instead of the name of such agent.

     (e) In the case of an origination cablecast advertising commercial products or services, an announcement
         stating the sponsor's corporate or trade name, or the name of the sponsor's product, when it is clear that
         the mention of the name of the product constitutes a sponsorship identification, shall be deemed
         sufficient for the purposes of this section and only one such announcement need be made at any time
         during the course of the cablecast.

     (f) The announcement otherwise required by this section is waived with respect to the origination cablecast
         of “want ad” or classified advertisements sponsored by an individual. The waiver granted in this
         paragraph shall not extend to a classified advertisement or want ad sponsorship by any form of business
         enterprise, corporate or otherwise.

     (g) The announcements required by this section are waived with respect to feature motion picture film
         produced initially and primarily for theatre exhibition.

           Note to § 76.1615(g): The waiver heretofore granted by the Commission in its Report and Order,
           adopted November 16, 1960 (FCC 60–1369; 40 FCC 95), continues to apply to programs filmed or
           recorded on or before June 20, 1963, when § 73.654(e) of this chapter, the predecessor television
           rule, went into effect.

     (h) Commission interpretations in connection with the provisions of the sponsorship identification rules for
         the broadcasting services are contained in the Commission's Public Notice, entitled “Applicability of
         Sponsorship Identification Rules,” dated May 6, 1963 (40 FCC 141), as modified by Public Notice, dated

47 CFR 76.1615(h) (enhanced display)                                                                     page 243 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                             47 CFR 76.1616
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          April 21, 1975 (FCC 75–418). Further interpretations are printed in full in various volumes of the Federal
          Communications Commission Reports. The interpretations made for the broadcasting services are
          equally applicable to origination cablecasting.

§ 76.1616 Contracts with local exchange carriers.
Within 10 days of final execution of a contract permitting a local exchange carrier to use that part of the
transmission facilities of a cable system extending from the last multi-user terminal to the premises of the end use,
the parties shall submit a copy of such contract, along with an explanation of how such contract is reasonably
limited in scope and duration, to the Commission for review. The parties shall serve a copy of this submission on
the local franchising authority, along with a notice of the local franchising authority's right to file comments with the
Commission consistent with § 76.7.

§ 76.1617 Initial must-carry notice.
     (a) Within 60 days of activation of a cable system, a cable operator must notify all qualified NCE stations of
         its designated principal headend by certified mail, except that after July 31, 2020, notice shall be provided
         by electronic delivery in accordance with § 76.1600.

     (b) Within 60 days of activation of a cable system, a cable operator must notify all local commercial and NCE
         stations that may not be entitled to carriage because they either:

           (1) Fail to meet the standards for delivery of a good quality signal to the cable system's principal
               headend, or

           (2) May cause an increased copyright liability to the cable system.

     (c) Within 60 days of activation of a cable system, a cable operator must send a copy of a list of all broadcast
         television stations carried by its system and their channel positions to all local commercial and
         noncommercial television stations, including those not designated as must-carry stations and those not
         carried on the system. Such written information shall be provided by certified mail, except that after July
         31, 2020, such information shall be provided by electronic delivery in accordance with § 76.1600.

[65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 85 FR 16006, Mar. 20, 2020]

§ 76.1618 Basic tier availability.
A cable operator shall provide written notification to subscribers of the availability of basic tier service to new
subscribers at the time of installation. This notification shall include the following information:

     (a) That basic tier service is available;

     (b) The cost per month for basic tier service;

     (c) A list of all services included in the basic service tier.

§ 76.1619 Information on subscriber bills.
     (a) Effective July 1, 1993, bills must be clear, concise and understandable. Bills must be fully itemized, with
         itemizations including, but not limited to, basic and premium service charges and equipment charges.
         Bills will also clearly delineate all activity during the billing period, including optional charges, rebates and
         credits.

47 CFR 76.1619(a) (enhanced display)                                                                       page 244 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.1619(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (b) In case of a billing dispute, the cable operator must respond to a written complaint from a subscriber
         within 30 days. The required response may be delivered by email, if the consumer used email to make the
         request or complaint directly to the cable operator, or if the consumer specifies email as the preferred
         delivery method in the request or complaint.

     (c) A cable franchise authority may enforce the customer service standards set forth in this section against
         cable operators. The franchise authority must provide affected cable operators 90 days written notice of
         its intent to enforce standards.

[65 FR 53617, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 83 FR 66158, Dec. 26, 2018]

§ 76.1620 Availability of signals.
If a cable operator authorizes subscribers to install additional receiver connections, but does not provide the
subscriber with such connections, or with the equipment and materials for such connections, the operator shall
notify such subscribers of all broadcast stations carried on the cable system which cannot be viewed via cable
without a converter box and shall offer to sell or lease such a converter box to such subscribers. Such notification
must be provided by June 2, 1993, and annually thereafter and to each new subscriber upon initial installation. The
notice, which may be included in routine billing statements, shall identify the signals that are unavailable without an
additional connection, the manner for obtaining such additional connection and instructions for installation.

§§ 76.1621-76.1622 [Reserved]

Subpart U—Documents to be Maintained for Inspection

Source: 65 FR 53621, Sept. 5, 2000, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.1700 Records to be maintained by cable system operators.
     (a) Public inspection file. The following records must be placed in the online public file hosted by the
         Commission, except as indicated in paragraph (d) of this section.

           (1) Political file. All requests for cablecast time made by or on behalf of a candidate for public office and
               all other information required to be maintained pursuant to § 76.1701;

           (2) Equal employment opportunity. All EEO materials described in § 76.1702 except for any EEO program
               annual reports, which the Commission will link to the electronic version of all systems' public
               inspection files;

           (3) Commercial records on children's programs. Sufficient records to verify compliance with § 76.225 in
               accordance with § 76.1703;

           (4) [Reserved]

           (5) Leased access. If a cable operator adopts and enforces written policy regarding indecent leased
               access programming, such a policy shall be published in accordance with § 76.1707;

           (6) Availability of signals. The operator of every cable television system shall maintain a list of all
               broadcast television stations carried by its system in fulfillment of the must-carry requirements in
               accordance with § 76.1709;

47 CFR 76.1700(a)(6) (enhanced display)                                                                  page 245 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.1700(a)(7)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          (7) [Reserved]

          (8) Sponsorship identification. Whenever sponsorship announcements are omitted pursuant to §
              76.1615(f) of Subpart T, the cable television system operator shall maintain a list in accordance with
              § 76.1715;

          (9) Compatibility with consumer electronics equipment. Cable system operators generally may not
              scramble or otherwise encrypt signals carried on the basic service tier. Copies of requests for
              waivers of this prohibition must be available in the public inspection file in accordance with §
              76.630.

     (b) Information available to the franchisor. These records must be made available by cable system operators
         to local franchising authorities on reasonable notice and during regular business hours, except as
         indicated in paragraph (d) of this section.

          (1) Proof-of-performance test data. The proof of performance tests shall be made available upon
              request in accordance with § 76.1704;

          (2) Complaint resolution. Cable system operators shall establish a process for resolving complaints
              from subscribers about the quality of the television signal delivered. Aggregate data based upon
              these complaints shall be made available for inspection in accordance with § 76.1713.

     (c) Information available to the Commission. These records must be made available by cable system
         operators to the Commission on reasonable notice and during regular business hours, except as indicated
         in paragraph (d) of this section.

          (1) Proof-of-performance test data. The proof of performance tests shall be made available upon
              request in accordance with § 76.1704;

          (2) Signal leakage logs and repair records. Cable operators shall maintain a log showing the date and
              location of each leakage source in accordance with § 76.1706;

          (3) Emergency alert system and activations. Every cable system shall keep a record of each test and
              activation of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test is performed pursuant to the procedures
              and requirements of part 11 of this chapter and the EAS Operating Handbook. The records are kept
              in accordance with part 11 of this chapter and § 76.1711;

          (4) Complaint resolution. Cable system operators shall establish a process for resolving complaints
              from subscribers about the quality of the television signal delivered. Aggregate data based upon
              these complaints shall be made available for inspection in accordance with § 76.1713;

          (5) Subscriber records and public inspection file. The operator of a cable television system shall make
              the system, its public inspection file, and its records of subscribers available for inspection upon
              request in accordance with § 76.1716.

     (d) Exceptions to the public inspection file requirements. The operator of every cable television system having
         fewer than 1,000 subscribers is exempt from the online public file and from the public record
         requirements contained in § 76.1701 (political file); § 76.1702 (EEO records available for public
         inspection); § 76.1703 (commercial records for children's programming); § 76.1704 (proof-of-
         performance test data); § 76.1706 (signal leakage logs and repair records); § 76.1714 (Familiarity with
         FCC rules); and § 76.1715 (sponsorship identification).

47 CFR 76.1700(d) (enhanced display)                                                                  page 246 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                            47 CFR 76.1700(e)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (e) Location of records. For cable television systems exempt from the online public file requirement pursuant
         to paragraph (d) of this section, public file material that continues to be retained at the system shall be
         retained in a public inspection file maintained at the office in the community served by the system that the
         system operator maintains for the ordinary collection of subscriber charges, resolution of subscriber
         complaints, and other business and, if the system operator does not maintain such an office in the
         community, at any accessible place in the communities served by the system (such as a public registry
         for documents or an attorney's office). Public file locations will be open at least during normal business
         hours and will be conveniently located. The public inspection file shall be available for public inspection at
         any time during regular business hours for the facility where they are kept. All or part of the public
         inspection file may be maintained in a computer database, as long as a computer terminal capable of
         accessing the database is made available, at the location of the file, to members of the public who wish to
         review the file.

     (f) Links and contact and geographic information. A system must provide a link to the public inspection file
         hosted on the Commission's website from the home page of its own website, if the system has a website,
         and provide contact information on its website for a system representative who can assist any person
         with disabilities with issues related to the content of the public files. A system also is required to include
         in the online public file the address of the system's local public file, if the system is exempt from the online
         public file requirement pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section but opts to use it in part while retaining
         certain documents in the local file that are not available in the Commission's online file, and the name,
         phone number, and email address of the system's designated contact for questions about the public file.
         In addition, a system must provide on the online public file a list of the five digit ZIP codes served by the
         system. To the extent this section refers to the local public inspection file, it refers to the public file of a
         physical system, which is either maintained at the location described in paragraph (e) of this section or on
         the Commission's website, depending upon where the documents are required to be maintained under the
         Commission's rules.

     (g) Reproduction of records. Copies of any material in the public inspection file that is not also available in the
         Commission's online file shall be available for machine reproduction upon request made in person,
         provided the requesting party shall pay the reasonable cost of reproduction. Requests for machine copies
         shall be fulfilled at a location specified by the system operator, within a reasonable period of time, which
         in no event shall be longer than seven days. The system operator is not required to honor requests made
         by mail but may do so if it chooses.

[81 FR 10125, Feb. 29, 2016, as amended at 82 FR 11412, Feb. 23, 2017; 83 FR 13683, Mar. 30, 2018; 84 FR 18409, May 1, 2019;
85 FR 21078, Apr. 16, 2020; 85 FR 73429, Nov. 18, 2020]

§ 76.1701 Political file.
     (a) Every cable television system operator engaged in origination programming shall maintain, and make
         available for public inspection, a complete record of a request to purchase cablecast time that:

           (1) Is made by or on behalf of a legally qualified candidate for public office; or

           (2) Communicates a message relating to any political matter of national importance, including:

                 (i)   A legally qualified candidate;

                 (ii) Any election to Federal office; or

                (iii) A national legislative issue of public importance.

47 CFR 76.1701(a)(2)(iii) (enhanced display)                                                                  page 247 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                              47 CFR 76.1701(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (b) A record maintained under paragraph (a) shall contain information regarding:

           (1) Whether the request to purchase cablecast time is accepted or rejected by the cable television
               system operator;

           (2) The rate charged for the cablecast time;

           (3) The date and time on which the communication is aired;

           (4) The class of time that is purchased;

           (5) The name of the candidate to which the communication refers and the office to which the candidate
               is seeking election, the election to which the communication refers, or the issue to whih the
               communication refers (as applicable);

           (6) In the case of a request made by, or on behalf of, a candidate, the name of the candidate, the
               authorized committee of the candidate, and the treasurer of such committee; and

           (7) In the case of any other request, the name of the person purchasing the time, the name, address, and
               phone number of a contact person for such person, and a list of the chief executive officers or
               members of the executive committee or of the board of directors of such person.

     (c) When free time is provided for use by or on behalf of candidates, a record of the free time provided shall
         be placed in the political file.

     (d) All records required by this paragraph shall be placed in the political file as soon as possible and shall be
         retained for a period of two years. As soon as possible means immediately absent unusual
         circumstances.

     (e) Where origination cablecasting material is a political matter or matter involving the discussion of a
         controversial issue of public importance and a corporation, committee, association or other
         unincorporated group, or other entity is paying for or furnishing the matter, the system operator shall, in
         addition to making the announcement required by § 76.1615, require that a list of the chief executive
         officers or members of the executive committee or of the board of directors of the corporation,
         committee, association or other unincorporated group, or other entity shall be made available for public
         inspection at the local office of the system. Such lists shall be kept and made available for two years.

[65 FR 53621, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 83 FR 7631, Feb. 22, 2018; 87 FR 7755, Feb. 10, 2022; 87 FR 33441, June 2, 2022]

§ 76.1702 Equal employment opportunity.
     (a) Every employment unit with six or more full-time employees shall maintain for public inspection a file
         containing copies of all EEO program annual reports filed with the Commission pursuant to § 76.77 and
         the equal employment opportunity program information described in paragraph (b) of this section. These
         materials shall be placed in the Commission's online public inspection file(s), maintained on the
         Commission's database, for each cable system associated with the employment unit. These materials
         shall be placed in the Commission's online public inspection file annually by the date that the unit's EEO
         program annual report is due to be filed and shall be retained for a period of five years. A headquarters
         employment unit file and a file containing a consolidated set of all documents pertaining to the other
         employment units of a multichannel video programming distributor that operates multiple units shall be
         maintained in the online public inspection file(s), maintained on the Commission's database, for every
         cable system associated with the headquarters employment unit.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.1702(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (b) The following equal employment opportunity program information shall be included annually in the unit's
         public file, and on the unit's web site, if it has one, at the time of the filing of its FCC Form 396–C:

           (1) A list of all full-time vacancies filled by the multichannel video programming distributor employment
               unit during the preceding year, identified by job title;

           (2) For each such vacancy, the recruitment source(s) utilized to fill the vacancy (including, if applicable,
               organizations entitled to notification pursuant to § 76.75(b)(1)(ii) of this section, which should be
               separately identified), identified by name, address, contact person and telephone number;

           (3) The recruitment source that referred the hiree for each full-time vacancy during the preceding year;

           (4) Data reflecting the total number of persons interviewed for full-time vacancies during the preceding
               year and the total number of interviewees referred by each recruitment source utilized in connection
               with such vacancies; and

           (5) A list and brief description of the initiatives undertaken pursuant to § 76.75(b)(2) during the
               preceding year, if applicable.

[68 FR 693, Jan. 7, 2003, as amended at 81 FR 10126, Feb. 29, 2016]

§ 76.1703 Commercial records on children's programs.
Cable operators airing children's programming must maintain records sufficient to verify compliance with § 76.225
and make such records available to the public. Such records must be maintained for a period sufficient to cover the
limitations period specified in 47 U.S.C. 503(b)(6)(B).

§ 76.1704 Proof-of-performance test data.
     (a) The proof of performance tests required by § 76.601 shall be maintained on file at the operator's local
         business office for at least five years. The test data shall be made available for inspection by the
         Commission or the local franchiser, upon request.

     (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to any cable television system having fewer
         than 1,000 subscribers, subject to the requirements of § 76.601(d).

           Note to § 76.1704: If a signal leakage log is being used to meet proof of performance test
           recordkeeping requirements in accordance with § 76.601, such a log must be retained for the
           period specified in § 76.601(d).

§ 76.1705 [Reserved]
§ 76.1706 Signal leakage logs and repair records.
Cable operators shall maintain a log showing the date and location of each leakage source identified pursuant to §
76.614, the date on which the leakage was repaired, and the probable cause of the leakage. The log shall be kept on
file for a period of two years and shall be made available to authorized representatives of the Commission upon
request.

           Note to § 76.1705: If a signal leakage log is being used to meet proof of performance test

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.1707
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           recordkeeping requirements in accordance with § 76.601, such a log must be retained for the
           period specified in § 76.601(d).

§ 76.1707 Leased access.
If a cable operator adopts and enforces a written policy regarding indecent leased access programming pursuant to
§ 76.701, such a policy will be considered published pursuant to that rule by inclusion of the written policy in the
operator's public inspection file.

§ 76.1708 [Reserved]
§ 76.1709 Availability of signals.
     (a) The operator of every cable television system shall maintain for public inspection a file containing a list of
         all broadcast television stations carried by its system in fulfillment of the must-carry requirements
         pursuant to § 76.56. Such list shall include the call sign, community of license, broadcast channel number,
         cable channel number, and in the case of a noncommercial educational broadcast station, whether that
         station was carried by the cable system on March 29, 1990.

     (b) Such records must be maintained in accordance with the provisions of § 76.1700.

     (c) A cable operator shall respond in writing within 30 days to any written request by any person for the
         identification of the signals carried on its system in fulfillment of the requirements of § 76.56.

[65 FR 53621, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 81 FR 10126, Feb. 29, 2016]

§ 76.1711 Emergency alert system (EAS) tests and activation.
Every cable system of 1,000 or more subscribers shall keep a record of each test and activation of the Emergency
Alert System (EAS) procedures pursuant to the requirement of part 11 of this chapter and the EAS Operating
Handbook. These records shall be kept for three years.

§ 76.1712 Open video system (OVS) requests for carriage.
An open video system operator shall maintain a file of qualified video programming providers who have requested
carriage or additional carriage since the previous allocation of capacity. Information regarding how a video
programming provider should apply for carriage must be made available upon request.

           Note 1 to § 76.1712: An open video system operator will not be required to comply with the
           regulations contained in this section if there is no open capacity to be allocated at the end of the
           three year period described in § 76.1503(c)(2)(ii).

§ 76.1713 Complaint resolution.
Cable system operators shall establish a process for resolving complaints from subscribers about the quality of the
television signal delivered. Aggregate data based upon these complaints shall be made available for inspection by
the Commission and franchising authorities, upon request. These records shall be maintained for at least a one-year
period.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.1714
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           Note 1 to § 76.1713: Prior to being referred to the Commission, complaints from subscribers
           about the quality of the television signal delivered must be referred to the local franchising
           authority and the cable system operator.

§ 76.1714 Familiarity with FCC rules.
     (a) The operator of a cable television system is expected to be familiar with the rules governing cable
         television systems and, if subject to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules contained in part 11 of this
         chapter, the EAS rules. Copies of the Commission's rules may be obtained from the Superintendent of
         Documents, Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC 20401, at nominal cost, or accessed online at
         https://www.ecfr.gov or https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR.
         Copies of the EAS Operating Handbook may be accessed online at https://www.fcc.gov/general/eas-test-
         reporting-system.

     (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section are not applicable to any cable television system serving
         fewer than 1000 subscribers.

     (c) Both the licensee of a cable television relay station (CARS) and the operator or operators responsible for
         the proper operation of the station are expected to be familiar with the rules governing cable television
         relay stations. Copies of the Commission's rules may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents,
         Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC 20401, at nominal cost, or accessed online at
         https://www.ecfr.gov or https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR.

[65 FR 53621, Sept. 5, 2000, as amended at 83 FR 13683, Mar. 30, 2018]

§ 76.1715 Sponsorship identification.
Whenever sponsorship announcements are omitted pursuant to § 76.1615(f) of subpart T, the cable television
system operator shall observe the following conditions:

     (a) Maintain a list showing the name, address, and (where available) the telephone number of each advertiser;

     (b) Make this list available to members of the public who have a legitimate interest in obtaining the
         information contained in the list.

§ 76.1716 Subscriber records and public inspection file.
The operator of a cable television system shall make the system, its public inspection file, and its records of
subscribers available for inspection upon request by an authorized representative of the Commission at any
reasonable hour.

§ 76.1717 Compliance with technical standards.
Each system operator shall be prepared to show, on request by an authorized representative of the Commission or
the local franchising authority, that the system does, in fact, comply with the technical standards rules in part 76,
subpart K.

Subpart V—Reports and Filings

Source: 65 FR 53623, Sept. 5, 2000, unless otherwise noted.
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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                           47 CFR 76.1800
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.1800 Additional reports and filings.
In addition to the reports and filings required by this subpart, cable operators must provide all notifications which
are required by § 1.1155 of this chapter (annual regulatory user fees). In addition, all cable systems subject to rate
regulation must file FCC rate forms pursuant to the Commission's rate rules contained in subparts N and R of this
part.

           Note 1 to § 76.1800: Cable operators are required by the Copyright Act to make semi-annual filings
           of Statements of Account with the Licensing Division of the Copyright Office, Library of Congress,
           Washington, DC 20557.

           Note 2 to § 76.1800: The Commission may require certain financial information to be submitted
           pursuant to Section 623(g) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 543(g).

§ 76.1801 Registration statement.
     (a) A system community unit shall be authorized to commence operation only after filing with the
         Commission the following information on FCC Form 322.

          (1) The legal name of the operator, entity identification or social security number, and whether the
              operator is an individual, private association, partnership, or corporation. If the operator is a
              partnership, the legal name of the partner responsible for communications with the Commission
              shall be supplied;

          (2) The assumed name (if any) used for doing business in the community;

          (3) The mailing address, including zip code; e-mail address, if applicable; and telephone number to
              which communications are to be directed;

          (4) The month and year the system began service to subscribers;

          (5) The name of the community or area served and the county in which it is located;

          (6) The television broadcast signals to be carried which previously have not been certified or registered;
              and

          (7) The FCC Registration Number (FRN).

     (b) Registration statements, FCC Form 322, shall be signed by the operator; by one of the partners, if the
         operator is a partnership; by an officer, if the operator is a corporation; by a member who is an officer, if
         the operator is an unincorporated association; or by any duly authorized employee of the operator.

     (c) Registration statements, FCC Form 322, may be signed by the operator's attorney in case of the operator's
         physical disability or of his absence from the United States. The attorney shall in that event separately set
         forth the reasons why the registration statement was not signed by the operator. In addition, if any matter
         is stated on the basis of the attorney's belief only (rather than the attorney's knowledge), the attorney shall
         separately set forth the reasons for believing that such statements are true.

[68 FR 27003, May 19, 2003]

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.1802
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.1802 Annual employment report.
Each employment unit with six or more full-time employees shall file an annual employment report on FCC Form
395–A with the Commission on or before September 30 of each year.

           Note to § 76.1802: Data concerning the gender, race and ethnicity of an employment unit's
           workforce collected in the annual employment report will be used only for purposes of analyzing
           industry trends and making reports to Congress. Such data will not be used for the purpose of
           assessing any aspect of an individual employment unit's compliance with our EEO rules for multi-
           channel video program distributors.

[69 FR 34954, June 23, 2004]

§ 76.1803 Signal leakage monitoring.
MVPDs subject to § 76.611 must submit the results of ground based measurements derived in accordance with §
76.611(a)(1) or airspace measurements derived in accordance with § 76.611(a)(2), including a description of the
method by which compliance with basic signal leakage criteria is achieved and the method of calibrating the
measurement equipment. This information shall be provided to the Commission each calendar year via FCC Form
320.

[68 FR 27003, May 19, 2003]

§ 76.1804 Aeronautical frequencies: leakage monitoring (CLI).
An MVPD shall notify the Commission before transmitting any digital signal with average power exceeding 10−5
watts across a 30 kHz bandwidth in a 2.5 millisecond time period, or for other signal types, any carrier of other
signal component with an average power level across a 25 kHz bandwidth in any 160 microsecond time period
equal to or greater than 10−4 watts at any point in the cable distribution system on any new frequency or
frequencies in the aeronautical radio frequency bands (108–137 MHz, 225–400 MHz). The notification shall be
made on FCC Form 321. Such notification shall include:

     (a) Legal name and local address of the MVPD;

     (b) The names and FCC identifiers (e.g., CA0001) of the system communities affected, for a cable system,
         and the name and FCC identifier (e.g., CAB901), for other MVPDs;

     (c) The names and telephone numbers of local system officials who are responsible for compliance with §§
         76.610 through 76.616 and § 76.1803;

     (d) Carrier frequency, tolerance, and type of modulation of all carriers in the aeronautical bands at any
         location in the cable distribution system and the maximum of those average powers measured over a 2.5
         kHz bandwidth as described in the introductory paragraph to this rule section;

     (e) The geographical coordinates (in NAD83) of a point near the center of the system, together with the
         distance (in kilometers) from the designated point to the most remote point of the plant, existing or
         planned, that defines a circle enclosing the entire plant;

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.1804(f)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (f) Certification that the monitoring procedure used is in compliance with § 76.614 or description of the
         routine monitoring procedure to be used; and

     (g) For MVPDs subject to § 76.611, the cumulative signal leakage index derived under § 76.611(a)(1) or the
         results of airspace measurements derived under § 76.611(a)(2), including a description of the method by
         which compliance with the basic signal leakage criteria is achieved and the method of calibrating the
         measurement equipment.

     (h) Aeronautical Frequency Notifications, FCC Form 321, shall be personally signed either electronically or
         manually by the operator; by one of the partners, if the operator is a partnership; by an officer, if the
         operator is a corporation; by a member who is an officer, if the operator is an unincorporated association;
         or by any duly authorized employee of the operator.

     (i)   Aeronautical Frequency Notifications, FCC Form 321, may be signed by the operator's attorney in case of
           the operator's physical disability or of his absence from the United States. The attorney shall in that event
           separately set forth the reasons why the FCC Form 321 was not signed by the operator. In addition, if any
           matter is stated on the basis of the attorney's belief only (rather than the attorney's knowledge), the
           attorney shall separately set forth the reasons for believing that such statements are true.

     (j)   The FCC Registration Number (FRN).

[68 FR 27003, May 19, 2003, as amended at 83 FR 7631, Feb. 22, 2018]

§ 76.1805 Alternative rate regulation agreements.
Small systems owned by small cable companies must file with the Commission a copy of any operative alternative
rate regulation agreement entered into with a local franchising authority pursuant to § 76.934(g), within 30 days
after its effective date.

Subpart W—Encoding Rules

Source: 68 FR 66735, Nov. 28, 2003, unless otherwise noted.

§ 76.1901 Applicability.
     (a) Each multi-channel video programming distributor shall comply with the requirements of this subpart.

     (b) This subpart shall not apply to distribution of any content over the Internet, nor to a multichannel video
         programming distributor's operations via cable modem or DSL.

     (c) With respect to cable system operators, this subpart shall apply only to cable services. This subpart shall
         not apply to cable modem services, whether or not provided by a cable system operator or affiliate.

§ 76.1902 Definitions.
     (a) Commercial advertising messages shall mean, with respect to any service, program, or schedule or group
         of programs, commercial advertising messages other than:

           (1) Advertising relating to such service itself or the programming contained therein,

           (2) Interstitial programming relating to such service itself or the programming contained therein, or

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                  47 CFR 76.1902(a)(3)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (3) Any advertising which is displayed concurrently with the display of any part of such program(s),
               including but not limited to “bugs,” “frames” and “banners.”

     (b) Commercial audiovisual content shall mean works that consist of a series of related images which are
         intrinsically intended to be shown by the use of machines, or devices such as projectors, viewers, or
         electronic equipment, together with accompanying sounds, if any, regardless of the nature of the material
         objects, such as films or tapes, in which the works are embodied, transmitted by a covered entity and that
         are:

           (1) Not created by the user of a covered product, and

           (2) Offered for transmission, either generally or on demand, to subscribers or purchasers or the public at
               large or otherwise for commercial purposes, not uniquely to an individual or a small, private group.

     (c) Commercially adopted access control method shall mean any commercially adopted access control
         method including digitally controlled analog scrambling systems, whether now or hereafter in commercial
         use.

     (d) Copy never shall mean, with respect to commercial audiovisual content, the encoding of such content so
         as to signal that such content may not to be copied by a covered product.

     (e) Copy one generation shall mean, with respect to commercial audiovisual content, the encoding of such
         content so as to permit a first generation of copies to be made by a covered product but not copies of
         such first generation of copies.

     (f) Copy no more shall mean, with respect to commercial audiovisual content, the encoding of such content
         so as to reflect that such content is a first generation copy of content encoded as copy one generation
         and no further copies are permitted.

     (g) Covered product shall mean a device used by consumers to access commercial audiovisual content
         offered by a covered entity (excluding delivery via cable modem or the Internet); and any device to which
         commercial audiovisual content so delivered from such covered product may be passed, directly or
         indirectly.

     (h) Covered entity shall mean any entity that is subject to this subpart.

     (i)   Defined business model shall mean video-on-demand, pay-per view, pay television transmission, non-
           premium subscription television, free conditional access delivery and unencrypted broadcast television.

     (j)   Encode shall mean, in the transmission of commercial audiovisual content, to pass, attach, embed, or
           otherwise apply to, associate with, or allow to persist in or remain associated with such content, data or
           information which when read or responded to in a covered device has the effect of preventing, pausing, or
           limiting copying, or constraining the resolution of a program when output from the covered device.

     (k) Encoding rules shall mean the requirements or prohibitions describing or limiting encoding of audiovisual
         content as set forth in this subpart.

     (l)   Free conditional access delivery shall mean a delivery of a service, program, or schedule or group of
           programs via a commercially-adopted access control method, where viewers are not charged any fee
           (other than government-mandated fees) for the reception or viewing of the programming contained
           therein, other than unencrypted broadcast television.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                    47 CFR 76.1902(m)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

    (m) Non-premium subscription television shall mean a service, or schedule or group of programs (which may
        be offered for sale together with other services, or schedule or group of programs), for which subscribers
        are charged a subscription fee for the reception or viewing of the programming contained therein, other
        than pay television, subscription-on-demand and unencrypted broadcast television. By way of example,
        “basic cable service” and “extended basic cable service” (other than unencrypted broadcast television)
        are “non-premium subscription television.”

     (n) Pay-per-view shall mean a delivery of a single program or a specified group of programs, as to which each
         such single program is generally uninterrupted by commercial advertising messages and for which
         recipients are charged a separate fee for each program or specified group of programs. The term pay-per-
         view shall also include delivery of a single program for which multiple start times are made available at
         time intervals which are less than the running time of such program as a whole. If a given delivery
         qualifies both as pay-per-view and a pay television transmission, then, for purposes of this subpart, such
         delivery shall be deemed pay-per-view rather than a pay television transmission.

     (o) Pay television transmission shall mean a transmission of a service or schedule of programs, as to which
         each individual program is generally uninterrupted by commercial advertising messages and for which
         service or schedule of programs subscribing viewers are charged a periodic subscription fee, such as on
         a monthly basis, for the reception of such programming delivered by such service whether separately or
         together with other services or programming, during the specified viewing period covered by such fee. If a
         given delivery qualifies both as a pay television transmission and pay-per-view, video-on-demand, or
         subscription-on-demand then, for purposes of this subpart, such delivery shall be deemed pay-per-view,
         video-on-demand or subscription-on-demand rather than a pay television transmission.

     (p) Program shall mean any work of commercial audiovisual content.

     (q) Subscription-on-demand shall mean the delivery of a single program or a specified group of programs for
         which:

          (1) A subscriber is able, at his or her discretion, to select the time for commencement of exhibition
              thereof,

          (2) Where each such single program is generally uninterrupted by commercial advertising messages;
              and

          (3) For which program or specified group of programs subscribing viewers are charged a periodic
              subscription fee for the reception of programming delivered by such service during the specified
              viewing period covered by the fee. In the event a given delivery of a program qualifies both as a pay
              television transmission and subscription-on-demand, then for purposes of this subpart, such delivery
              shall be deemed subscription-on-demand rather than a pay television transmission.

     (r) Undefined business model shall mean a business model that does not fall within the definition of a defined
         business model.

     (s) Unencrypted broadcast television means any service, program, or schedule or group of programs, that is a
         substantially simultaneous retransmission of a broadcast transmission (i.e., an over-the-air transmission
         for reception by the general public using radio frequencies allocated for that purpose) that is made by a
         terrestrial television broadcast station located within the country or territory in which the entity
         retransmitting such broadcast transmission also is located, where such broadcast transmission is not
         subject to a commercially-adopted access control method (e.g., is broadcast in the clear to members of
         the public receiving such broadcasts), regardless of whether such entity subjects such retransmission to
         an access control method.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.1902(t)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

     (t) Video-on-demand shall mean a delivery of a single program or a specified group of programs for which:

           (1) Each such individual program is generally uninterrupted by commercial advertising messages;

           (2) Recipients are charged a separate fee for each such single program or specified group of programs;
               and

           (3) A recipient is able, at his or her discretion, to select the time for commencement of exhibition of such
               individual program or specified group of programs. In the event a delivery qualifies as both video-on-
               demand and a pay television transmission, then for purposes of this subpart, such delivery shall be
               deemed video-on-demand.

[68 FR 66735, Nov. 28, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 4082, Jan. 28, 2004; 76 FR 40280, July 8, 2011]

§ 76.1903 Interfaces.
A covered entity shall not attach or embed data or information with commercial audiovisual content, or otherwise
apply to, associate with, or allow such data to persist in or remain associated with such content, so as to prevent its
output through any analog or digital output authorized or permitted under license, law or regulation governing such
covered product.

§ 76.1904 Encoding rules for defined business models.
     (a) Commercial audiovisual content delivered as unencrypted broadcast television shall not be encoded so as
         to prevent or limit copying thereof by covered products or, to constrain the resolution of the image when
         output from a covered product.

     (b) Except for a specific determination made by the Commission pursuant to a petition with respect to a
         defined business model other than unencrypted broadcast television, or an undefined business model
         subject to the procedures set forth in § 76.1906:

           (1) Commercial audiovisual content shall not be encoded so as to prevent or limit copying thereof
               except as follows:

                 (i)   To prevent or limit copying of video-on-demand or pay-per-view transmissions, subject to the
                       requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section; and

                (ii) To prevent or limit copying, other than first generation of copies, of pay television
                     transmissions, non-premium subscription television, and free conditional access delivery
                     transmissions; and

           (2) With respect to any commercial audiovisual content delivered or transmitted in form of a video-on-
               demand or pay-per-view transmission, a covered entity shall not encode such content so as to
               prevent a covered product, without further authorization, from pausing such content up to 90
               minutes from initial transmission by the covered entity (e.g., frame-by-frame, minute-by-minute,
               megabyte by megabyte).

§ 76.1905 Petitions to modify encoding rules for new services within defined business models.
     (a) The encoding rules for defined business models in § 76.1904 reflect the conventional methods for
         packaging programs in the MVPD market as of December 31, 2002, and are presumed to be the
         appropriate rules for defined business models. A covered entity may petition the Commission for approval
         to allow within a defined business model, other than unencrypted broadcast television, the encoding of a

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.1905(b)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

          new service in a manner different from the encoding rules set forth in § 76.1904(b)(1) and (2). No such
          petition will be approved under the public interest test set forth in paragraph (c)(4) of this section unless
          the new service differs from existing services provided by any covered entity under the applicable defined
          business model prior to December 31, 2002.

     (b) Petitions. A petition to encode a new service within a defined business model other than as permitted by
         the encoding rules set forth in § 76.1904(b)(1) and (2) shall describe:

           (1) The defined business model, the new service, and the proposed encoding terms, including the use of
               copy never and copy one generation encoding, and the encoding of content with respect to “pause”
               set forth in § 76.1904(b)(2).

           (2) Whether the claimed benefit to consumers of the new service, including, but not limited to, the
               availability of content in earlier release windows, more favorable terms, innovation or original
               programming, outweighs the limitation on the consumers' control over the new service;

           (3) The ways in which the new service differs from existing services offered by any covered entity within
               the applicable defined business model prior to December 31, 2002;

           (4) All other pertinent facts and considerations relied on to support a determination that grant of the
               petition would serve the public interest.

           (5) Factual allegations shall be supported by affidavit or declaration of a person or persons with actual
               knowledge of the facts, and exhibits shall be verified by the person who prepares them.

     (c) Petition process —

           (1) Public notice. The Commission shall give public notice of any such petition.

           (2) Comments. Interested persons may submit comments or oppositions to the petition within thirty (30)
               days after the date of public notice of the filing of such petition. Comments or oppositions shall be
               served on the petitioner and on all persons listed in petitioner's certificate of service, and shall
               contain a detailed full statement of any facts or considerations relied on. Factual allegations shall be
               supported by affidavit or declaration of a person or persons with actual knowledge of the facts, and
               exhibits shall be verified by the person who prepares them.

           (3) Replies. The petitioner may file a reply to the comments or oppositions within ten (10) days after
               their submission, which shall be served on all persons who have filed pleadings and shall also
               contain a detailed full showing, supported by affidavit or declaration, of any additional facts or
               considerations relied on. There shall be no further pleadings filed after petitioner's reply, unless
               authorized by the Commission.

           (4) Commission determination as to encoding rules for a new service within a defined business model.

                 (i)   Proceedings initiated by petitions pursuant to this section shall be permit-but-disclose
                       proceedings, unless otherwise specified by the Commission. The covered entity shall have the
                       burden of proof to establish that the proposed change in encoding rules for a new service is in
                       the public interest. In making its determination, the Commission shall take into account the
                       following factors:

                       (A) Whether the benefit to consumers of the new service, including but not limited to earlier
                           release windows, more favorable terms, innovation or original programming, outweighs
                           the limitation on the consumers' control over the new service;

47 CFR 76.1905(c)(4)(i)(A) (enhanced display)                                                            page 258 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                 47 CFR 76.1905(c)(4)(i)(B)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                       (B) Ways in which the new service differs from existing services offered by any covered entity
                           within the applicable defined business model prior to December 31, 2002; and

                (ii) The Commission may specify other procedures, such as oral argument, evidentiary hearing, or
                     further written submissions directed to particular aspects, as it deems appropriate.

                (iii) A petition may, upon request of the petitioner, be dismissed without prejudice as a matter of
                      right prior to the adoption date of any final action taken by the Commission with respect to the
                      petition. A petitioner's request for the return of a petition will be regarded as a request for
                      dismissal.

     (d) Complaint regarding a new service not subject to petition. In an instance in which an interested party has a
         substantial basis to believe and does believe in good faith that a new service within a defined business
         model has been launched without a petition as required by this section, such party may file a complaint
         pursuant to § 76.7.

§ 76.1906 Encoding rules for undefined business models.
     (a) Upon public notice and subject to requirements as set forth herein, a covered entity may launch a program
         service pursuant to an undefined business model. Subject to Commission review upon complaint, the
         covered entity may initially encode programs pursuant to such undefined business model without regard
         to limitations set forth in § 76.1904(b).

           (1) Notice. Concurrent with the launch of an undefined business model by a covered entity, the covered
               entity shall issue a press release to the PR Newswire so as to provide public notice of the undefined
               business model, and the proposed encoding terms. The notice shall provide a concise summary of
               the commercial audiovisual content to be provided pursuant to the undefined business model, and of
               the terms on which such content is to be available to consumers. Immediately upon request from a
               party entitled to be a complainant, the covered entity shall make available information that indicates
               the proposed encoding terms, including the use of copy never or copy one generation encoding, and
               the encoding of content with respect to “pause” as defined in § 76.1904(b)(2).

           (2) Complaint process. Any interested party (“complainant”) may file a complaint with the Commission
               objecting to application of encoding as set forth in the notice.

                 (i)   Pre-complaint resolution. Prior to initiating a complaint with the Commission under this section,
                       the complainant shall notify the covered entity that it may file a complaint under this section.
                       The notice must be sufficiently detailed so that the covered entity can determine the specific
                       nature of the potential complaint. The potential complainant must allow a minimum of thirty
                       (30) days from such notice before filing such complaint with the Commission. During this
                       period the parties shall endeavor in good faith to resolve the issue(s) in dispute. If the parties
                       fail to reach agreement within this 30 day period, complainant may initiate a complaint in
                       accordance with the procedures set forth herein.

                (ii) Complaint. Within two years of publication of a notice under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a
                     complainant may file a complaint with the Commission objecting to application of the encoding
                     terms to the service at issue. Such complaint shall state with particularity the basis for
                     objection to the encoding terms.

                       (A) The complaint shall contain the name and address of the complainant and the name and
                           address of the covered entity.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                             47 CFR 76.1906(a)(2)(ii)(B)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

                     (B) The complaint shall be accompanied by a certification of service on the named covered
                         entity.

                     (C) The complaint shall set forth with specificity all information and arguments relied upon.
                         Specific factual allegations shall be supported by a declaration of a person or persons
                         with actual knowledge of the facts, and exhibits shall be verified by the person who
                         prepares them.

                     (D) The complaint shall set forth attempts made by the complainant to resolve its complaint
                         pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.

               (iii) Public notice. The Commission shall give public notice of the filing of the complaint. Once the
                     Commission has issued such public notice, any person otherwise entitled to be a complainant
                     shall instead have the status of a person submitting comments under paragraph (a)(2)(iv) of
                     this section rather than a complainant.

               (iv) Comments and reply.

                     (A) Any person may submit comments regarding the complaint within thirty (30) days after the
                         date of public notice by the Commission. Comments shall be served on the complainant
                         and the covered entity and on any persons listed in relevant certificates of service, and
                         shall contain a detailed full statement of any facts or considerations relied on. Specific
                         factual allegations shall be supported by a declaration of a person or persons with actual
                         knowledge of the facts, and exhibits shall be verified by the person who prepares them.

                     (B) The covered entity may file a response to the complaint and comments within twenty (20)
                         days after the date that comments are due. Such response shall be served on all persons
                         who have filed complaints or comments and shall also contain a detailed full showing,
                         supported by affidavit or declaration, of any additional facts or considerations relied on.
                         Replies shall be due ten (10) days from the date for filing a response.

                (v) Basis for Commission determination as to encoding terms for an undefined business model. In a
                    permit-but-disclose proceeding, unless otherwise specified by the Commission, to determine
                    whether encoding terms as noticed may be applied to an undefined business model, the
                    covered entity shall have the burden of proof to establish that application of the encoding terms
                    in the undefined business model is in the public interest. In making any such determination, the
                    Commission shall take into account the following factors:

                     (A) Whether the benefit to consumers of the new service, including but not limited to earlier
                         release windows, more favorable terms, innovation or original programming, outweighs
                         the limitation on the consumers' control over the new service;

                     (B) Ways in which the new service differs from services offered by any covered entity prior to
                         December 31, 2002;

               (vi) Determination procedures. The Commission may specify other procedures, such as oral
                    argument, evidentiary hearing, or further written submissions directed to particular aspects, as
                    it deems appropriate.

     (b) Complaint regarding a service not subject to notice. In an instance in which an interested party has a
         substantial basis to believe and believes in good faith that a service pursuant to an undefined business
         model has been launched without requisite notice, such party may file a complaint pursuant to § 76.7.

47 CFR 76.1906(b) (enhanced display)                                                                   page 260 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                       47 CFR 76.1907
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

§ 76.1907 Temporary bona fide trials.
The obligations and procedures as to encoding rules set forth in §§ 76.1904(b) and (c) and 76.1905(a) and (b) do
not apply in the case of a temporary bona fide trial of a service.

§ 76.1908 Certain practices not prohibited.
Nothing in this subpart shall be construed as prohibiting a covered entity from:

     (a) Encoding, storing or managing commercial audiovisual content within its distribution system or within a
         covered product under the control of a covered entity's commercially adopted access control method,
         provided that the outcome for the consumer from the application of the encoding rules set out in §
         76.1904(a) and (b) is unchanged thereby when such commercial audiovisual content is released to
         consumer control and provided that all other laws, regulations, or licenses applicable to such encoding,
         storage, or management shall be unaffected by this section, or

     (b) Causing, with respect to a specific covered product, the output of content from such product in a format
         as necessary to match the display format of another device connected to such product, including but not
         limited to providing for content conversion between widely-used formats for the transport, processing and
         display of audiovisual signals or data, such as between analog and digital formats and between PAL and
         NTSC or RGB and Y,Pb,Pr.

[68 FR 66735, Nov. 28, 2003, as amended at 76 FR 40280, July 8, 2011]

§ 76.1909 Redistribution control of unencrypted digital terrestrial broadcast content.
     (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms unencrypted digital terrestrial broadcast content, EIT, PMT,
         broadcast flag, covered demodulator product, and marked content shall have the same meaning as set
         forth in § 73.9000 of this chapter.

     (b) Encrypted retransmission. Where a multichannel video programming distributor retransmits unencrypted
         digital terrestrial broadcast content in encrypted form, such distributor shall, upon demodulation of the
         8–VSB, 16–VSB, 64–QAM or 256–QAM signal, inspect either the EIT or PMT for the broadcast flag, and if
         the broadcast flag is present:

           (1) Securely and robustly convey that information to the consumer product used to decrypt the
               distributor's signal information, and

           (2) Require that such consumer product, following such decryption, protect the content of such signal as
               if it were a covered demodulator product receiving marked content.

     (c) Unencrypted retransmission. Where a multichannel video programming distributor retransmits
         unencrypted digital terrestrial broadcast content in unencrypted form, such distributor shall, upon
         demodulation:

           (1) Preserve the broadcast flag, if present, in both the EIT and PMT; and

           (2) Use 8–VSB, 16–VSB, 64–QAM, or 256–QAM signal modulation for the retransmission.

     (d) Unmarked content. Where a multichannel video programming distributor retransmits unencrypted digital
         terrestrial broadcast content that is not marked with the broadcast flag, the multichannel video
         programming distributor shall not encode such content to restrict its redistribution.

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                         47 CFR 76.2000
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

[68 FR 67607, Dec. 3, 2003]

Subpart X—Access to MDUs
§ 76.2000 Exclusive access to multiple dwelling units generally.
     (a) Prohibition. No cable operator or other provider of MVPD service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall enforce or
         execute any provision in a contract that grants to it the exclusive right to provide any video programming
         service (alone or in combination with other services) to a MDU. All such exclusivity clauses are null and
         void.

     (b) Prohibition of graduated revenue sharing agreements. No cable operator or other provider of MVPD
         service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall enter into or enforce any contract regarding the provision of
         communications service in a MDU, written or oral, in which it gives the MDU owner compensation on a
         graduated basis.

           (1) Definition. For purposes of this paragraph (b), a “graduated basis” means that the compensation a
               cable operator or other provider of MVPD service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 pays to a MDU owner for
               each tenant served increases as the total number of tenants served by the cable operator or other
               provider of MVPD service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 in the MDU increases.

           (2) Compliance dates —

                 (i)   Compliance date for new contracts. After April 27, 2022, no cable operator or other provider of
                       MVPD service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall enter into any contract regarding the provision of
                       communications service in a MDU, written or oral, in which it gives the MDU owner
                       compensation on a graduated basis.

                 (ii) Compliance date for existing contracts. After September 26, 2022, no cable operator or other
                      provider of MVPD service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall enforce any contract regarding the
                      provision of communications service in an MDU, written or oral, in existence as of April 27,
                      2022, in which it gives the MDU owner compensation on a graduated basis.

     (c) Prohibition of exclusive revenue sharing agreements. No cable operator or other provider of MVPD service
         subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall enter into or enforce any contract regarding the provision of
         communications service in a MDU, written or oral, in which it receives the exclusive right to provide the
         MDU owner compensation in return for access to the MDU and its tenants.

           (1) Compliance date for new contracts. After April 27, 2022, no cable operator or other provider of MVPD
               service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall enter into any contract, written or oral, in which it receives the
               exclusive right to provide the MDU owner compensation in return for access to the MDU and its
               tenants.

           (2) Compliance date for existing contracts. After September 26, 2022, no cable operator or other provider
               of MVPD service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall enforce any contract regarding the provision of
               communications service in a MDU, written or oral, in existence as of April 27, 2022, in which it
               receives the exclusive right to provide the MDU owner compensation in return for access to the MDU
               and its tenants.

     (d) Required disclosure of exclusive marketing arrangements. A cable operator or other provider of MVPD
         service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall disclose the existence of any contract regarding the provision of
         communications service in a MDU, written or oral, in which it receives the exclusive right to market its
         service to tenants of a MDU.
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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                        47 CFR 76.2000(d)(1)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

           (1) Such disclosure must:

                 (i)   Be included on all written marketing material, whether electronic or in print, that is directed at
                       tenants or prospective tenants of the affected MDU;

                 (ii) Identify the existence of the contract and include a plain-language description of the
                      arrangement, including that the provider has the right to exclusively market its communications
                      services to tenants in the MDU, that such a right does not mean that the provider is the only
                      entity that can provide such services to tenants in the MDU, and that service from an alternative
                      provider may be available; and

                 (iii) Be made in a manner that it is clear, conspicuous, and legible.

           (2)

                 (i)   Compliance date for new contracts. After August 22, 2022, a cable operator or other provider of
                       MVPD service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall disclose the existence of any contract regarding
                       the provision of communications service in a MDU, written or oral, in which it receives the
                       exclusive right to market its service to tenants of an MDU.

                 (ii) Compliance date for existing contracts. After September 26, 2022, a cable operator or other
                      provider of MVPD service subject to 47 U.S.C. 548 shall disclose the existence of any contract
                      regarding the provision of communications service in a MDU, written or oral, in which it receives
                      the exclusive right to market its service to tenants of an MDU.

     (e) Definition. For purposes of this rule, MDU shall include a multiple dwelling unit building (such as an
         apartment building, condominium building or cooperative) and any other centrally managed residential
         real estate development (such as a gated community, mobile home park, or garden apartment); provided
         however, that MDU shall not include time share units, academic campuses and dormitories, military
         bases, hotels, rooming houses, prisons, jails, halfway houses, hospitals, nursing homes or other assisted
         living facilities.

[73 FR 1089, Jan. 7, 2008, as amended at 87 FR 17194, Mar. 28, 2022; 87 FR 51269, Aug. 22, 2022]

Alphabetical Index—Part 76

                                      A
 A and B grade contours                                                      76.5
 Access, Channel enforcement                                                 76.10
 Address, operator or status change reports                                  76.400
 Aeronautical and marine emergency frequencies, Operation near               76.616
 Aeronautical band usage, Notification requirements                          76.615
 Authority, Special temporary                                                76.29
                                      B
 B and A grade contours                                                      76.5
 Boundaries, TV markets                                                      76.53
 Broadcast, Sports                                                           76.67
 Broadcast station, TV                                                       76.5
                                      C

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                               47 CFR 76.2000(e)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

 Cable TV channel: Classes I, II, III, IV             76.5
 Cablecasting                                         76.5
 CATV basic signal leakage performance criteria       76.611
 CATV system                                          76.5
 CATV system interference                             76.613
 Candidates for public office, Cablecast by           76.205
 Carriage disputes                                    76.58
 Carriage, mandatory, Expiration of                   76.64
 Carriage, Manner of                                  76.62
 Carriage of other TV signals                         76.60
 Carriage of TV stations, Mandatory                   76.56
 Carriage of TV stations, Mandatory, Exemption from   76.70
 Channel access enforcement                           76.10
 Communities, Designated                              76.51
 Community, Principal contour                         76.5
 Community unit                                       76.5
 Consumer education-selector switches                 76.66
 Cross-ownership                                      76.501
                                            D
 Definitions, Part 76                                 76.5
 Designated communities                               76.51
 Dismissal: Special relief petitions                  76.8
 Disputes concerning carriage                         76.58
 Doctrine, Fairness                                   76.209
                                            E
 Editorials, Political                                76.209
 Enforcement, Channel access                          76.10
 Enforcement, Lockbox                                 76.11
 Equal employment opportunity—
     Scope                                            76.71
     General Policy                                   76.73
     Program requirements                             76.75
     Reporting requirements                           76.77
     Public inspection of records                     76.79
 Exceptions, to rules provisions—
     Network program nonduplication                   76.95
     Signal leakage performance criteria              76.618
     Frequency separation standards                   76.618
                                            F
 Fairness doctrine                                    76.209
 File, Public inspection                              76.305

47 CFR 76.2000(e) (enhanced display)                             page 264 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                              47 CFR 76.2000(e)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

 Forfeitures                                                     76.9
 Forms, Report                                                   76.403
 Frequency bands 108–136; 225–400 MHz, Operation in              76.610
 Frequency separation standards                                  76.612
 Frequency separation standards, Exception to                    76.618
 Full network station                                            76.5
                                       G
 Grandfathering, exceptions to rules provisions—
    Non-network program exclusivity                              76.99
    Non-applicability of §§ 76.611 and 76.612                    76.618
    Operation in frequency bands 108–136; 225–400 mHz            76.619
                                      H-I
 Identification Sponsorship; list retention                      76.221
 Independent station                                             76.5
 Input selector switches                                         76.66
 Input selector switches, consumer education                     76.66
 Input selector switches, Exemption                              76.70
 Inspection, CATV systems, by FCC                                76.307
 Interference from CATV system                                   76.613
 Interference, Receiver-generated, Responsibility                76.617
 Isolation, Terminal                                             76.5
                                      J-L
 Leakage measurements, Signal                                    76.601
 Leakage, Signal, performance criteria                           76.611
 Leakage, Signal, performance criteria, Exception                76.618
 List retention, Sponsorship identification                      76.221
 Lockbox enforcement                                             76.11
 Lotteries                                                       76.213
                                       M
 Mandatory carriage of TV stations                               76.56
 Mandatory carriage of TV stations, Exemption from               76.70
 Manner of carriage                                              76.62
 Marine and aeronautical emergency frequencies, Operation near   76.716
 Major TV markets                                                76.51
 Market size operation provisions—
 Measurements, Performance                                       76.609
 Measurements, Signal leakage                                    76.601
 Monitoring, CATV system                                         76.614
 Must carry requirements                                         76.55, 76.59, 76.61, 76.64
                                       N
 Network nonduplication: protection extent                       76.94

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47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                 47 CFR 76.2000(e)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

 Network nonduplication waivers                         76.97
 Network program nonduplication: Exceptions             76.95
 Network program nonduplication: Notification           76.94
 Network programming                                    76.5
 Network programs: nonduplication protection            76.92
 Network station, Full                                  76.5
 Network station, Partial                               76.5
 Noise, System                                          76.5
 Nonduplication protection, Network programs            76.92
 Non-network program exclusivity, exceptions            76.99
 Notification requirements: aeronautical bands          76.615
 Notification requirements: network nonduplication      76.94
                                      O
 Operation in frequency bands 108–136 and 225–400 MHz   76.610
 Operator, address or status change reports             76.400
 Order, Show cause                                      76.9
 Ownership, Cross                                       76.501
                                      P
 Partial network station                                76.5
 Performance measurements                               76.609
 Personal attacks: political cablecasts                 76.209
 Petitions, Dismissal of                                76.8
 Petitions for waiver                                   76.7
 Political editorials                                   76.209
 Possession of rules                                    76.301
 Prime time                                             76.5
 Program carriages, STV                                 76.64
 Programming, Network                                   76.5
 Protection extent: network nonduplication              76.94
 Public inspection file                                 76.305
 Public office, Cablecasts by candidates for            76.205
 PURPOSE—Part 76                                        76.1
                                      Q
 Qualified TV station, Showing                          76.55
                                      R
 Rate regulation standards                              76.33
 Receiver generated interference                        76.617
 Reference points, Major/smaller markets                76.53
 Registration statement: signature                      76.14
 Registration statement                                 76.12
 Relief, Special                                        76.7

47 CFR 76.2000(e) (enhanced display)                               page 266 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                               47 CFR 76.2000(e)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

 Report forms                                         76.403
 Reports: Change of operator, address, status         76.400
 Responsibility for receiver-generated interference   76.617
 Rule waiver                                          76.7
 Rules, Possession                                    76.301
                                          S
 Selector switches, Input                             76.66
 Selector switches, input, Exemption                  76.70
 Show cause order                                     76.9
 Signal leakage measurements                          76.601
 Signal leakage performance criteria                  76.611
 Signature: registration statement                    76.14
 Significantly viewed signals                         76.54
 Special relief                                       76.7
 Special relief petitions, Dismissal of               76.8
 Special temporary authority                          76.29
 Specified zone, TV station                           76.5
 Sponsorship identification, List retention           76.221
 Sports broadcasts                                    76.67
 Standards for rate regulation                        76.33
 Standards, Technical                                 76.605
 Station protection: network program nonduplication   76.92
 Status, operator or address change reports           76.400
 Subscriber terminal                                  76.5
 Subscribers                                          76.5
 System community unit                                76.5
 System inspection (by FCC)                           76.307
 System monitoring                                    76.614
 System noise                                         76.5
                                          T
 Technical standards                                  76.605
 Terminal isolation                                   76.5
 Terminal, Subscriber                                 76.5
 Tests, Performance                                   76.601
 Translator station, TV                               76.5
 TV markets, Boundaries of                            76.53
 TV markets, Major                                    76.51
 TV signals, Carriage non-mandatory                   76.60
                                       U-V
 Vertical blanking interval, Services on              76.64
                                          W

47 CFR 76.2000(e) (enhanced display)                             page 267 of 268
47 CFR Part 76 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
                                                                                                             47 CFR 76.2000(e)
Multichannel Video and Cable Television Service

 Waiver, Network nonduplication                                               76.97
 Waiver, Rules                                                                76.7
                                    X-Y-Z
 Zone, Specified, of TV station                                               76.5

[50 FR 38536, Sept. 23, 1985; 50 FR 39114, Sept. 27, 1985, as amended at 51 FR 34622, Sept. 30, 1986; 52 FR 37316, Oct. 6,
1987]

47 CFR 76.2000(e) (enhanced display)                                                                            page 268 of 268