FCC cable order effective date set

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) most recent order regarding cable franchising will go into effect on September 26, 2019. The order will eliminate local authority over non-cable services and infrastructure provided by cable companies. In addition, the order will allow providers to deduct the value of franchise obligations from their cash franchise payments to communities, and consequentially impact local public, governmental, and educational (PEG) channels. This is the most substantial change to cable franchising in the last 35 years and will preempt local governments to instead provide concessions to industry.

The National League of Cities held a webinar (recording available by registering here) to outline provisions of the order and provisions cities should take to prepare for implementing the order. The recommendations include:

• Conduct in-depth reviews of existing franchises, side letters, settlements, and service agreements.
• Examine [Washington State] laws to assess the impact of the order before it goes into effect this month.
• Proactively communicate with community stakeholders and congressional delegations before the effective date of the order, to help them understand what may change in the community as a result of reduced funding.

Click here for NLC’s presentation on the Third Report and Order.