Operators Opt For Calif. Oversight

[Multichannel News]

Operators big and small have taken advantage of California law allowing operators to replace local franchise terms with state oversight.

For More of this MultiChannel News Article please CLICK HERE...

 

[Stargazer]

Does this mean that they can drop the local channels in their local area and replace them with network channels in a larger city that may give them a better deal?

 

[jegrant]

No, it just means that local residents can no longer complain to a local franchising authority, such as a city council, about their cable television service, but instead must complain to a larger state department of utility regulation.

Under most statewide franchising laws, the only power the state has to resolve a complaint is to suggest that the consumer switch to a competitive provider away from the one that provides bad service.

 

[Stargazer]

Sounds like the quality of service could degrade for those with local cable providers in those areas. A lot of people do not want a satellite dish hanging at their fancy homes though and some cities probably have laws against having one so they would not be able to switch to satellite in some cases.