About the Office of Cable Communications        
Established in 1976, the Office of Cable Communications (OCC) has overall responsibility for issues related to cable television and cable Internet service for Seattle residents. The Office oversees the City's non-exclusive cable television franchises with Comcast and Broadstripe through enforcement of the franchise agreements, with an emphasis on citizen concerns.

Broadstripe new "Seattle TV Station Fee"

Effective April 1, 2012, Broadstripe customers will see a new $3.05 charge on their monthly bill called "Seattle TV Station Fee". The charge is Broadstripe's method for recovering increased costs due to retransmission consent fees (RTC) they have to pay to local television stations in order to carry their broadcast signals. 

In the past cable companies might have covered these costs with basic rate increases.  However, many companies are now choosing to list the cost as a separate billing line item, to give customers visibility on the nature of the increased costs. 

For more information on the growing dispute over retransmission consent fees, see this May 2011 article Retransmission consent fees: Broadcasters want more from everyone.

Be a Smart Cable Customer ~ Get it in Writing!

In their effort to attract and keep customers, cable companies often have contracted sales agents canvassing neighborhoods or working at mall kiosks, marketing special promotional deals if you will join, change or bundle your service with them.  If you decide to take one of these deals, make sure you get something in writing that confirms the rates, services and period of time the promotion covers. 

The OCC has noticed an increasing number of complaints from cable customers who were promised one thing by a sales agent, but then billed something different.  When the customer calls the company to correct their bill, they are told ‘we have no promotion like that’ and are left trying to prove what they were promised.  If you have something in writing, it’s much easier to resolve the issue!

WAVE is new owner of Broadstripe franchise

The purchase of Broadstripe's Seattle cable operations by Wave Broadband was completed in January 2012.  Wave is working on integrating the Broadstripe service areas into their system.  On April 17th they met a milestone of bringing all customer service calls from Broadstripe's Michigan call center to instead be processed locally at Wave's Kirkland, WA headquarters. 

Over the next few months, as work continues on upgrading the Broadstripe system to match Wave service levels, current Broadstripe customers should know:

• Your services will continue without interruption.
• Current service packages and pricing will remain the same.
• Payments should be submitted using the same method you have in the past.
• 1-800-781-0947 is still the number to call for service & support.

For more information on Wave's plans see Welcome to Wave Broadband.

If you are interested in more background on the transfer of Broadstripe's cable franchise to Wave, visit the Franchise Transfer page.

Public Service Announcement Videos:

	What is Seattle’s Office of Cable Communications?
	What Rights do Seattle Cable Customers Have?
	What about Cable-Related Internet and Phone Services?

Building Owners: Know Your Rights When Negotiating Long-Term Cable Service Contracts

Ken Fellman, nationally recognized expert in cable television franchising, transfers, renewals, and enforcement actions, was guest speaker at our June 9th seminar "Know Your Rights When Negotiating Long-Term Cable Service Contracts." The event was designed to help owners of apartments and condominiums learn answers to questions like: Who really owns the wiring in your building? What happens when your current cable contract expires? Do you have to sign a long-term cable service agreement? Can you negotiate with the cable operator? What are your rights?

Click here to watch the seminar or to view the presentation materials. Click here to listen to a podcast.

Cable Consumer Protection
The OCC investigates and mediates consumer/cable company issues and enforces the Cable Customer Bill of Rights (CCBOR). Adopted in 1999, the CCBOR established minimum standards for cable companies operating in Seattle, and procedures and penalties if those standards are not met. In 2002, amendments to the CCBOR strengthened these protections and added the strongest cable privacy protections in the country.

Specific Functions of the Office of Cable Communications Include:

• Monitoring and enforcing compliance with Seattle's cable franchises.
• Regulating basic rates as permissible under federal law.
• Negotiating and administering franchise agreements, franchise renewals and transfers as necessary with incumbent providers and new entrants.
• Auditing franchise fee payments.
• Ensuring provision of public access television and overseeing the contract with Seattle Community Media.
• Resolving concerns and complaints between citizens and the cable companies.
• Administering the Cable Customer Bill of Rights.
• Preparing reports, recommendations and analyses to inform elected officials, the public, and the media about cable and telecommunications issues.
• Representing the City in long term telecommunications planning efforts with local and federal regulatory agencies, and Seattle's Citizens Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board.