§ 86.471. Definitions.

In this article:

Basic cable rate means the monthly charge for subscription to the basic service tier and the associated equipment.

Basic service tier means a separately available service tier to which subscription is required for access to any other tier of service, including, as a minimum, but not limited to all must-carry signals, all PEG channels and all broadcast television signals other than superstations provided by a cable operator to any subscriber.

Benchmark means a per channel rate of charge for cable service and associated equipment which the FCC has determined is reasonable.

Cable act means the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, as amended.

Cable operator means any person or group of persons who:

(1)

Provide cable service over a cable system and directly or through one or more affiliates owning a significant interest in the cable system; or

(2)

Otherwise controls or is responsible for, through any arrangement, the management and operation of the cable system.

Channel means a unit of cable service identified and selected by a channel number or similar designation.

Cost-of-service showing means a filing in which the cable operator attempts to show that the benchmark rate or the price cap is not sufficient to allow the cable operator to fully recover the costs of providing the basic service tier and to continue to attract capital.

FCC means the Federal Communications Commission.

Initial basic cable rate means the rate the cable operator is charging for the basic service tier, including charges for associated equipment, at the time the city notifies the cable operator of the city's qualification and intent to regulate basic cable rates.

Must-carry signal means the signal of any local broadcast station, except superstations, which is required to be carried on the basic service tier.

PEG channel means the channel capacity designated for public, educational or governmental use and facilities and equipment for the use of that channel capacity.

Price cap means the ceiling set by the FCC on future increases in basic cable rates regulated by the city, based on a formula using the GNP fixed weight price index, reflecting general increases in the cost of doing business and changes in overall inflation.

Reasonable rate standard means a per-channel rate that is at or below the benchmark or price cap level.

Superstation means any nonlocal broadcast signal secondarily transmitted by satellite.

(Code 1970, § 23-35)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, §§ 1.002, 1.003.