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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.
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, speaks at our 2011 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.
Comcast Rate Increase Feb 1, 2013: XF Triple Play Bundles
Comcast has announced a $5.00 rate increase on its XF Triple Play packages. They have also announced that four of their HD Triple Play packages will no longer be available to new subscribers. For a listing of the service packages impacted by these changes, click here.
Comcast customers should always receive notification of any rate changes at least 30 days prior to the change. Watch for these notices with your monthly billing statements.
If you have questions on this rate change or how it will impact your cable bill, contact Comcast at (800) 266-2278 or on-line at Comcast Customer Central.
Comcast Digital Transition Alert
**Attention Limited Basic (LB) Customers**
With the digital transition has come reports of some lost functionality, especially with ability to use VCR devices for recording programing. The below chart lists information addressing the common questions /concerns received by our office:
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With a Digital TV
= (QAM Tuner TV) |
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With a Non-Digital TV |
Channels (including HD channels) Limited Basic customers got before conversion? |
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All analog and standard and local HD digital channels available under the Limited Basic (LB) package |
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All analog channels available under Limited Basic package, unless they had our standard digital or HD box to view additional digital/HD channels available under the LB package |
Channels Limited Basic customers no longer get after conversion? |
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No change – however HD channels will be lost once Comcast encrypts, as allowed by recent FCC order. |
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DTA Box: Allows viewing of prior analog and standard digital channels.
NOTE: To receive local HD channels, LB customers need a HD box |
Impact of conversion on receiving local stations in HD |
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No impact, until Comcast encrypts all channels as allowed by recent FCC order. |
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To receive local HD channels, LB customers need a HD box |
Impact on using VCR/DVR devices for recording programming
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No Change unless want to record programs on multiple channels. |
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VCR = watch what you record
Non-Comcast Cable Card
DVR = No change
Non-Comcast DVR = Watch what you record |
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Using VCR/DVR to record programs on multiple channels/times |
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Unavailable. Must by on channel that is being recorded. |
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Unavailable. Must be on channel that is being recorded. |
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Using VCR/DVR to record program on channel different that one being watched |
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Unavailable. Must by on channel that is being recorded. |
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Unavailable. Must by on channel that is being recorded. |
How can a subscriber surf only channels of Limited Basic tier and avoid having to move through all other ‘blank’ channels? |
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Customer needs to use TV’s Favorites option |
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N/A if they have a Comcast issued DTA. |
Who was impacted by Digital Conversion?
Anyone with an older television who subscribed to Comcast’s Limited Basic cable service.
The change results from Comcast making a final switch to having all digital signals, which means converting all remaining analog channels to digital format. The change means older (non-digital) televisions will no longer be able to view some cable channels (roughly channels 2-30, 72-79, and 95-99) without having a Digital Transport Adapter (DTA).
In the Seattle area, this digital transition happened in three phases:
1. Greenlake area was converted to fully digital on September 25th.
2. West Seattle, Downtown, Georgetown and South Seattle were converted to fully digital on October 30th.
3. Remainder of Seattle areas converted on January 22, 2013
For customers with televisions needing a digital adapter, Comcast will provide up to three (3) digital adaptors at no additional monthly cost. To get the equipment, customers need to contact Comcast by visiting www.comcast.com/digitalnow or calling 1-877-634-4434.
For more detailed information on this digital transition, visit Comcast’s overview of the effort, or contact the City’s Office of Cable Communications at (206) 684-8498.
CALM Act Tackles Loud Commercials
Effective December 2012, TV stations, cable operators, satellite TV providers or other multichannel video program distributors (MVPDs) are required to control the audio loudness of commercials, so that they have the same average volume as the programs they accompany. The requirement was adopted under the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act .
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces the CALM Act and will rely on consumer complaints to monitor industry compliance with the rules. You may report commercials that seem louder than the programming they accompany to the FCC at any time by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or filing an on-line complaint. In order for the FCC to evaluate the complaint, they need the following information:
Note that the CALM Act only applies to commercials aired on television, and only pertains to commercials; it does not address loudness differences between programs or channels on a given station.
For a useful list FAQs on dealing with loud commercials and issues related to the CALM Act, visit the FCC Loud Commercials website.
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!
Seattle cable customers are also encouraged to be familiar with their rights under the City’s Cable Customer Bill of Rights.
Public Service Announcement Videos:
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