Cable (CATV) Franchise Agreements and Information

Agreements, Ordinances, Resolutions

Anacortes -- Comcast Ordinance No. 2772 (3.85 MB) granting a nonexclusive franchise to Comcast to operate a cable television system. Passed 12/07
Bellevue Ordinance No. 5531 (2.72 MB) adopts new chapter governing cable communications and cable franchises. Passed 6/21/04
Bellevue -- Comcast Resolution No. 7040 (3.85 MB) granting a nonexclusive cable television franchise to Comcast of Bellevue, Inc. Communications, Inc. to operate a cable television system. Passed 7/04
Bothell -- Verizon Ordinance No. 1996 (2.1 MB) granting a nonexclusive cable television system franchise to Verizon. Passed 7/08
Bremerton -- Comcast Ordinance No. 2772 (4 MB) granting a nonexclusive franchise to Comcast to operate a cable television system. Passed 6/07
Everett -- Att&t Ordinance No. 2613-02 granting a franchise to AT&T. Passed 06/05/02. Posted 6/02
Gig Harbor -- Comcast Ordinance No. 1054 (397 KB) granting a franchise to Comcast Inc., for a cable system. Passed 07/06
Marysville -- Verizon Ordinance No. 2473 (3 MB) granting a nonexclusive cable television system franchise to Verizon. Passed 7/08
Port Angeles -- Northland Cable Ordinance No. 3116 (1,516 KB) granting a franchise to Northland Cable. Passed 05/21/02.This is a very thorough and up to date ordinance. It includes provisions relating to buildout of an I-Net. Posted 5/02
Redmond -- Vista Television Cable, Inc. (260 KB) Ordinance No. 2143 granting a franchise to Vista Cable Television. Passed 12/03/02. In December of 2002 Redmond entered into a CATV (cable TV) franchise that has had great reviews. Check out the terms if you are beginning negotiations on your franchise. Posted 3/03
Richland, WA - Falcon Video Communications.CATV franchise with Falcon Video Communications, effective 9/98. This link to the City of Richland Web site provides not only the text of the franchise, but also information for the public concerning the agreement, contact information, PEG channels, etc. Posted 4/99
Seattle -- Western Integrated Networks. (218 KB) Western Integrated Networks (WIN) is an "overbuilder" that obtained a franchise from Seattle in February 2001 to install an advanced broadband network that will be competing with the incumbent cable company. Seattle plans to develop and coordinate advanced public services for city residents through the system. The city and WIN entered into a broadly worded memorandum of understanding regarding the future public services. Posted 4/01
Other States. The Buske Group, a private consulting firm, has an web page with cable-related information and links, including several franchise agreements from cities of various sizes. Link added 7/03.

Public Access Television - PEG Channels

Public Access Television - PEG Channels. This MRSC page provides information on Public, Educational and Government (PEG) Channels as well as links to Washington County channels.

Miscellaneous

"Community Cable Cookbook - A Citizen's Guide to Cable Franchise Negotiation." This article, posted on the website of the Center for Digital Democracy, provides a good overview of the basic issues faced in cable franchising. Posted 3/05.
"FRANCHISE RENEWAL - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Renewal" by Brian Grogan. This paper was presented at the NATOA conference in San Francisco in September, 2004. Posted 10/04.
"Cable Franchise Renewal and Right of Way Management," by James N. Horwood of the Spiegel & McDiarmid law firm, provides an excellent overview of the federal statutes providing the process for cable franchise renewal. Posted 9/04.
"Effective Management of a Cable TV Rebuild/Upgrade in Your Community," by Jonathan Kramer of the Kramer Firm, Inc.,is an expansion of an article originally published in "County News Online" by NACO, March 1, 2004. Posted here 5/04.
"Leveling the Playing Field for Cable-TV Franchise Renewal," by Jonathan Kramer of the Kramer Firm, Inc. With just a bit of forethought, planning, and the application of laws already on most local books, the cable negotiation playing field can be evened out with remarkable ease. December 2003. Posted 02/04.
Gibson Technical Services, a broadband technical services company, has compiled a listing of CATV related web links. These sites should enable you to pursue more information on a wide variety of CATV issues. Posted 01/04.
Metropolitan Area Communications Commission - This organization serves suburban and rural areas west and south of Portland, OR, and deals primarily with cable issues. There are many documents and links available through the site. Link added 8/03.
"Bringing the PEG Principle into the 21st Century," Statement of Gary O. Larson, Center for Digital Democracy to the Land Use Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, 14 April, 2003. Posted 4/03.
"Battles Over Transfer Approval May Now be Won and Lost During Renewal Negotiations," by Brian Grogan and Doug Essman. Brief analysis of Charter Comunications v. County of Santa Cruz in which the 9th Circuit clarified the authority of local franchising authorities (LFAs) in a transfer proceeding. Posted 3/03.
"Transfers and Renewals: Transposing the Music ." Review of some of the problems franchising authorities are experiencing as a result of industry consolidation and ways in which franchising authorities are attempting to address the ever-changing cable industry. Presentation made by attorney Brian Grogan at the NATOA Regional Workshop, March 2003. Posted 3/03.
FCC Cable Fact Sheets
- Where to File Complaints Regarding Cable Service (July 2000). This FCC document outlines the procedures that cable subscribers should follow when dissatisfied with their cable services or fees. Posted 1/02.
- Consumer Options For Selecting Cable Channels and the Tier Buy-Through Prohibition (101 KB). (February 2003) Posted 2/03.
Marysville Cable Television Community Needs and Interests Survey. Marysville did a survey of their residents regarding CATV service - here's a report detailing the results. Posted 10/02.
The Legal Thicket of Cable Overbuilds. This feature article is currently posted on the Miller & Van Eaton Web site. The article discusses some basic legal issues that arise when a second company wants to provide cable services within a jurisdiction. Posted 2/01.
FCC Media Bureau. Through this major division of the FCC you can access loads of information and keep updated regarding pending rulemaking procedures. Posted 8/00.
Seattle's Cable Customer Bill of Rights. Seattle is trying to ensure that the cable companies serving residents provide quality service. The city's Office of Cable Communications monitors complaints. Posted 8/00.
Seattle Office of Cable Communications. This site contains details concerning the current franchises with AT&T, Summit and Western Integrated Networks, along with numerous other articles and links. This is a good place to start when getting ready to renegotiate or enter into a cable franchise. Posted 2/00.
"Making the most of the cable television franchise renewal process," (2382 KB) by Anita Gallucci. The Municipality (Wisconsin), April 2002. This article provides an overview of the process and the key issues that arise during franchise renewal.