Television cable installation

Subject to the Commission's network nonduplication, syndicated exclusivity and sports broadcasting rules, cable systems must carry the entirety of the program schedule of every local television station carried pursuant to the mandatory carriage provisions or the retransmission consent provisions of the Cable Act.

A broadcaster and a cable operator may negotiate for partial carriage of the signal where the station is not eligible for must carry rights, either because of the station's failure to meet the requisite definitions or because the cable system is outside the station's market. In those situations where the carriage in the entirety rule applies, the primary video and accompanying audio of all television broadcast stations must be carried in full, without alteration or deletion of their content.

Ancillary services such as closed captioning and program-related material in the vertical blanking interval must be carried. However, other information contained in the vertical blanking interval need not be carried.

With respect to non-network programming, cable systems that serve at least 1, subscribers may be required, upon proper notification, to provide syndicated protection to broadcasters who have contracted with program suppliers for exclusive exhibition rights to certain programs within specific geographic areas, whether or not the cable system affected is carrying the station requesting this protection.

However, no cable system is required to delete a program broadcast by a station which is either significantly viewed or which places a NLSCor better contour over the community of the cable system. Commercial television station licensees are entitled to protect the network programming they have contracted for by exercising nonduplication rights against more distant television broadcast stations carried on a local cable television system that serves more than 1, subscribers.

Commercial broadcast stations may assert these nonduplication rights regardless of whether or not their signals are being transmitted by the local cable system and regardless of when, or if, the network programming is scheduled to be broadcast. Generally, the zone of protection for such programming cannot exceed thirty-five miles for stations licensed to a community in the Commission's list of top television markets or fifty-five miles for stations licensed to communities in smaller television markets.

In addition, a cable operator does not have to delete the network programming of any station which the Commission has previously recognized as significantly viewed in the cable community. A cable system located within 35 miles of the city of license of a broadcast station where a sporting event is taking place may not carry the live television broadcast of the sporting event on its system if the event is not available live on a local television broadcast station, if the holder of the broadcast rights to the event, or its agent, requests such a blackout.

The holder of the rights is responsible for notifying the cable operator of its request for program deletion at least the Monday preceding the calendar week during which the deletion is desired. If no television broadcast station is licensed to the community in which the sports event is taking place, the mile blackout zone extends from the broadcast station's licensed community with which the sports event or team is identified.

If the event or local team is not identified with any particular community for instance, the New England Patriots , the mile blackout zone extends from the community nearest the sports event which has a licensed broadcast station. The sports blackout rule does not apply to cable television systems serving less than 1, subscribers, nor does it require deletion of a sports event on a broadcast station's signal that was carried by a cable system prior to March 31, The rule does not apply to sports programming carried on nonbroadcast program distribution services such as ESPN.

These services, however, may be subject to private contractual blackout restrictions. For example, if the Boston Celtics are playing the Atlanta Hawks at home in a National Basketball Association "NBA" game, and the game is not broadcast live on a Boston television station, and the NBA sends a blackout notice to cable systems within 35 miles of Boston, those systems will have to delete the game which is carried on their systems by "superstation" WTBS from Atlanta.

If a sports event were carried, for example, on ESPN or a regional subscription sports network, any blackout would be the result of a private contractual agreement between the holder of the rights to the event and the sports network.

The Copyright Act requires cable operators to obtain a compulsory license for the carriage of programming. The cable operator pays the fee to the copyright office, for distribution to the copyright holders of the program material. The fee for each cable system is based on the system's "gross receipts" from the carriage of broadcast signals and the number of "distant signal equivalents" a term identifying non-network programming from distant television stations carried by the system. Under the Commission's must-carry rules, a cable operator is not required to carry a signal of a television broadcast station if that station would be considered a distant signal under the Copyright Act, unless the station agrees to indemnify the cable operator for any increased copyright liability resulting from carriage of the signal.

The Copyright Act requires a cable operator to file semi-annually a statement of account, including information about system revenue and signal carriage as well as the royalty fee payment. For further information regarding copyright regulation, contact the Licensing Division, Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington, DC ; telephone Cable television system operators generally make their own selection of channels and programs to be distributed to subscribers in response to consumer demands.

The Commission does, however, have rules in some areas that are applicable to programming -- called "origination cablecasting" that is subject to the editorial control of the system operator. The rules generally do not apply to the contents of broadcast signals or access channels over which the system operator has no editorial control. Cable subscribers may request a "lockbox" from cable operators to prevent viewing of any channel on which objectional programming may appear. Cable operators are required to make lockboxes available for sale or lease to customers who request them.

Lockboxes can also be purchased from other commercial distributors. The Act included several provisions that were designed to increase the subscriber's ability to control the programming coming into the home. Section of the Act required representatives of the broadcast and cable television industries to develop, within one year after enactment of the Act, voluntary rules to rate programming that contains violence and sexual or other indecent material.

The TV Parental Guidelines labels and content indicators and respective meanings are:. TV-Y7 -- This program is designed for children age 7 and above. Note: For those programs where fantasy violence may be more intense or more combative than other programs in this category, such programs will be designated TV-Y7-FV. TV-PG -- This program contains some material that parents may find unsuitable for younger children. The program contains one or more of the following: moderate violence V , some sexual situations S , infrequent coarse language L , or some suggestive dialogue D.

TV -- This program contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age. This program contains one or more of the following: intense violence V , intense sexual situations S , strong coarse language L , or intensely suggestive dialogue D.

TV-MA -- This program is specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore may be unsuitable for children under This program contains one or more of the following: graphic violence V , explicit sexual activity S , or crude indecent language L.

The ratings icons and associated symbols appear for 15 seconds at the beginning of all rated programming. Sports, news, commercials, promotions and unedited movies with a Motion Picture Association of America MPAA rating that are aired on premium cable channels are exempt from these ratings. The Act also required that television receivers manufactured or imported for use in the United States be equipped with circuitry that is capable of identifying all programs with a common rating and blocking individual channels during selected time periods.

This is the circuitry commonly referred to as the " V-chip. The Commission also required that personal computers that include a television tuner and a 13 inch or larger monitor must also include the v-chip. However, the requirement to rate programming applies only to video transmissions that are delivered to the computer by using the television tuner.

Video transmissions delivered over the Internet or via computer networks are not required to be rated. The parental control devices that MVPDs provide to their subscribers offer additional options to filter television viewing. Both analog and digital cable boxes allow parents to block channels and lock the settings with passwords.

Newer digital boxes offer more extensive filtering capabilities that allow programs to be blocked by rating, channel, or program title. Movies can be blocked according to MPAA ratings. Some boxes also allow subscribers to block access to an entire service, such as VOD, and allow subscribers to block content based on time and day.

Section of the Act required a cable operator to fully scramble or block the audio and video portions of programming services not specifically subscribed to by a household. The cable operator must fully scramble or block the programming in question upon the request of the subscriber and at no charge to the subscriber.

In addition, Section states that cable operators or other multichannel video programming distributors who offer sexually explicit programming or other programming that is indecent on any channel s primarily dedicated to sexually-oriented programming must fully scramble or block both the audio and video portions of the channels so that someone who does not subscribe to the channel does not receive it.

Until a multichannel video distributor complies with this provision, the distributor cannot provide the programming during hours when a significant number of children are likely to view it.

In , the Commission adopted interim rules to implement Section of the Act. The interim rules established the hours of a. However, before the rules could take effect, Section was challenged in the courts and a federal court in Delaware issued a decision Playboy Entertainment Group v. An appeal of this decision was filed with the U.

Supreme Court. In May , the U. Supreme Court also determined that Section is unconstitutional. Finally, Section of the Cable Act allows cable operators to refuse to transmit any public access or leased access program which contains obscenity, indecency, or nudity. In June , the U. FCC which held that cable operators may decline to carry indecent programming on leased access channels , but cannot exercise the same control over programming on public access channels.

Once a cable system allows a legally qualified candidate for public office to use its facilities, it must afford "equal opportunities" to all other candidates for that office to use its facilities. The cable system may not censor the content of a candidate's material in any way, and may not discriminate between candidates in practices, regulations, facilities or services rendered while making time available to such candidates.

Candidate appearances which are exempt from the "equal opportunities" rules include appearances on a bona fide newscast, bona fide news interview, bona fide news documentary, or during on-the-spot coverage of a bona fide news event.

Cable television systems may charge political candidates only the "lowest unit charge" of the system for the same class and amount of time for the same time period, during the 45 days preceding a primary or runoff election and the 60 days preceding a general or special election. Candidates should be charged no more per unit than the system charges its most favored commercial advertisers for the same classes and amounts of time for the same time periods.

Information concerning the rates, terms, conditions and all discounts and privileges offered to commercial advertisers should be disclosed and made available to candidates.

Like broadcasting stations, cable systems are generally prohibited from transmitting information or advertisements concerning lotteries or other schemes offering prizes dependent upon chance in exchange for consideration. The rule exempts information about a state lottery cablecast by a system located in that state or another state which conducts a state lottery, or by a system which is integrated with a cable system in such a state, if it is technically unable to terminate the transmission to other states.

It also permits the cablecast of information about a lottery or similar scheme that is not prohibited by the state in which it is conducted and which is 1 conducted by a not-for-profit or governmental organization or 2 conducted by a commercial organization and which is clearly occasional and ancillary to the organization's primary business. Information about gaming conducted pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is also exempt.

On June 14, , the U. The sponsorship identification rule requires the identification of the sponsor of any origination cablecasting which is presented in exchange for money, service or "other valuable consideration.

Where the cablecast advertises commercial products or services, a mention of the corporate or trade name is usually considered sufficient. Sponsorship identification announcements must also be made before and after certain cablecast material if inducements are given to the cable system in exchange for cablecasting the material.

Regulations implemented pursuant to the Children's Television Act of restrict the amount of commercial matter that cable operators may cablecast on programs originally produced and broadcast primarily for children 12 years old and younger. Cable operators may transmit no more than Cable systems must maintain records available for public inspection which document compliance with the rule. Advertisements for cigarettes, little cigars and smokeless tobacco are prohibited on any medium of electronic communication subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission.

Laws against these types of advertising have criminal penalties and are administered by the U. Department of Justice rather than by the Commission. Access channels typically provide community-oriented programming, such as local news, public announcements and government meetings. They are usually programmed by individuals or groups, on either public, educational or governmental access channels or on commercial leased access channels.

Origination channels are usually programmed by the cable system and may include many types of specialized program packages such as movies, sports, national news and public affairs, feature entertainment, children's programming or programming for specific ethnic or other minority groups. The Commission's rules do not require cable operators to originate programming. Operators who originate programming, however, are required to comply with the Commission's program content rules.

Under the Cable Act, local franchising authorities may require that cable operators set aside channels for public, educational, or governmental "PEG" use. In addition, franchising authorities may require cable operators to provide services, facilities, and equipment for the use of these channels.

Many cable systems include several PEG channels. In general, cable operators are not permitted to control the content of programming on PEG channels. Cable operators may impose non-content-based requirements, such as minimum production standards, and may mandate equipment user training. PEG channel capacity which is not in use for its designated purpose may, with the franchising authority's permission, be used by the cable operator to provide other services. Under certain conditions, a franchising authority may authorize the use of unused PEG channels to carry low power commercial television stations and local noncommercial educational television stations that are required by law.

Information relating to PEG channels may be obtained directly from the cable system or the local franchising authority. The statutory framework for commercial leased access was established by the Act and amended by the Cable Act.

The Cable Act established leased access to assure access to the channel capacity of cable systems by parties unaffiliated with the cable operator who want to distribute video programming free of the editorial control of the cable operator. Channel set-aside requirements were established in proportion to a system's total activated channel capacity, in order to "assure that the widest possible diversity of information sources are made available to the public from cable systems in a manner consistent with the growth and development of cable systems.

Each system operator subject to this requirement was to establish the "price, terms, and conditions of such use which are at least sufficient to assure that such use will not adversely affect the operation, financial condition, or market development of the cable system.

The only exception to the leased commercial access channel set-aside provides that up to 33 percent of a system's designated leased commercial access channel capacity may be used for qualified minority or educational programming from sources that may or may not be affiliated with the cable operator. The qualified minority or educational source may be affiliated with the operator.

The Cable Act amendments broadened the statutory purpose to include "the promotion of competition in the delivery of diverse sources of video programming," and the Commission was provided with expanded authority: 1 to determine the maximum reasonable rates that a cable operator may establish for leased access use, including the rate charged for the billing of subscribers and for the collection of revenue from subscribers by the cable operator for such use; 2 to establish reasonable terms and conditions for leased access, including those for billing and collection; and 3 to establish procedures for the expedited resolution of leased access disputes.

The legislative history of the amendments expresses concern that some cable operators may have established unreasonable terms or may have had financial incentives to refuse to lease channel capacity to potential leased access users based on anticompetitive motives, especially if the operator had a financial interest in the programming services it carried.

Any person aggrieved by the failure or the refusal of a cable operator to make commercial channel capacity available or to charge rates as required by Commission rules may file a petition for relief with the Commission within 60 days of the alleged violation. In order to merit relief, the petition must show by clear and convincing evidence that the operator violated the leased access statutory or regulatory provisions or otherwise acted unreasonably or in bad faith.

Relief may be in the form of refunds, injunctive relief or forfeitures. The Commission encourages parties to use alternative dispute resolution procedures such as settlement negotiation, conciliation, facilitation, mediation, fact finding, mini-trials and arbitration. The Cable Act provides for both judicial and Commission review of leased commercial access disputes.

The law also requires that these entities, if they employ six or more full-time employees, establish, maintain and execute a continuing program to assure equal employment opportunity in recruitment and employment. Key areas which this program must address include: wide recruitment for all full-time openings, use of sources that request to be notified of openings, using general non-job specific outreach initiatives like job fairs or training, and self-assessment of the system's EEO program.

The Commission monitors compliance with the EEO rules on a yearly basis. Entities are subject to an annual certification review which begins when employment units i. The purpose of this review is to determine whether the employment units are engaging in good faith EEO efforts. The Commission also requires operators to respond to selected questions from a Supplemental Investigation Sheet "SIS" which requires more detailed information regarding the operator's EEO efforts and employee job classifications.

SISs are required at least once every five years and responses to them allow the Commission to evaluate in greater detail each employment unit's employment practices, including the accuracy of its job classifications. This report, filed with the Commission only with the SIS or in response or an audit or inquiry, is required of units subject to the recruiting requirements every year.

In addition, the Commission conducts random EEO audits. The certification process consists of an examination of the information submitted on the Form C , and, if applicable, an SIS response or results of an audit. Any additional information that may have been supplied by the operator or requested by the Commission is also considered. Finally, the Commission notes any final decisions reached regarding charges of discrimination by government agencies and courts established to enforce anti-discrimination laws.

If the data indicates compliance with the EEO requirements, a certification of compliance is issued for that year. If the data raises questions about the employment unit's efforts, additional information is requested. Based on the severity and frequency of the violation, the Commission may issue a letter of caution or decertify a unit.

If a unit is decertified, the Commission may also impose reporting conditions, impose a fine, or suspend the unit's Cable Television Relay Service "CARS" license until the violation is corrected. The Commission may also communicate its adverse findings to the local franchising authority. Complainants should keep in mind, however, that anyone filing such a complaint should include as much specific information and supporting evidence as possible in order for the EEO staff to investigate properly.

Also, because of limits imposed on the Commission by statutes of limitations on violations, it is best to file such a complaint as soon as possible after a violation occurs. The deadline for filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC is days from the date of the discrimination. Anyone with questions about how this deadline is determined or to inquire about any possible exceptions to the deadline should contact the EEOC.

In processing discrimination charges, the Commission first determines whether the charge falls within the jurisdiction of the EEOC or a comparable state or local agency.

If it does, the charge is referred to the appropriate agency and the Commission defers action on the matter until a final decision is reached. If the matter is not referred, the Commission processes the charge and determines what action or inquiry, if any, is appropriate.

For further information on the Commission's Equal Employment Opportunity rules, consult the following: 47 U. The Commission rules restrict the ownership interest of cable operators and their ability to own or control video programming services. While there are no prohibitions on foreign ownership of cable television systems, foreign governments or their representatives may not own CARS stations. Section of the Communications Act requires the Commission to prescribe rules establishing reasonable limits on the number of cable subscribers served by an individual cable operator through its ownership or control of local cable systems.

The Commission concluded that actual subscriber numbers, rather than cable homes passed, more accurately reflected the market power of a multiple system operator "MSO".

In addition, given that DBS and other non-cable providers have a growing impact on the market, the Commission decided to take into account the number of all MVPD subscribers, rather than cable subscribers alone. By limiting the horizontal concentration of the cable industry, the Commission seeks to prevent the concentration of local cable systems into the hands of only a few large operators and to limit the ability of multiple system operators to exercise undue influence in the program acquisition market.

In , in Time Warner Entertainment Co. FCC , F. In , in Comcast Corp. In this context, vertical integration refers to common ownership of both cable systems and program networks, channels, services or production companies. In , the Commission issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on issues relating to the appropriate vertical ownership limit, including the appropriate methodology for determining the limit and how to define the relevant programming and distribution markets.

Pursuant to the Cable Act, the Commission adopted rules placing restrictions on telephone companies providing cable television service.

In general, telephone companies were prohibited from providing video programming directly to subscribers within their telephone service areas. However, telephone companies were allowed to provide cable television service in rural areas defined as places of fewer than persons , or where the telephone company was able to show that cable service could not exist unless provided by the telephone company.

Waivers could also be granted for good cause. The Act established various options for local exchange carriers to provide video programming to subscribers. They are: common carrier transport, wireless "BRS" , cable, and open video systems. The Commission adopted a streamlined regulatory format for open video systems that allowed open video system operators to offer their own programming and afforded independent programmers the ability to reach subscribers directly.

By encouraging entry into the video programming distribution market, the Commission positioned open video systems to compete with cable operators, direct broadcast satellite systems, and wireless cable providers. However, following passage of the Act, this restriction does not apply to cable systems subject to effective competition in the relevant franchise area. BRS uses an omnidirectional microwave signal that is sent from a central transmission tower to receiving microwave antennas.

The microwave signal is a high frequency signal that is converted for television use by a converter located on the subscriber's receiving antenna. Call our Hotline for New Customers now. Just say no to Cable. NO Equipment to Buy. NO Start up….

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Choose an entry point that will allow you to run the cable with the least amount of stress. Entering into the garage, basement, or attic will allow you to run the cables easier without having to go through as many walls. Ideally, you'd want to run your cable through the attic, garage, or basement until you reach a point where you can go straight up or down through the wall to reach your desired outlet location.

Install a splitter to send the signal to multiple destinations. If you need cable jacks in multiple rooms, you can use a splitter to attach multiple cables inside the home. Every time you split the cable, the signal gets weaker, so avoid splitting too many times. The splitter should be installed inside, preferably at the point where the cable enters the structure. If you are splitting to more than two locations, you will likely need to install an in-line amplifier.

This will boost the signal, allowing you to split to more locations without losing signal quality For cable TV, buy a splitter rated at MHz. Use fish tape to run cables through walls. Fish tape allows you to easily pull wire through walls without having to tear the whole thing open. You can find fish tape at most hardware and electric supply stores. Do not allow the cable to become bent or crimped, as this will cause signal degradation. Don't try to force the wire through the wall by pulling.

Pulling can damage the cable, and most RG6 cable is only rated to 35 pounds of pressure. Fasten cables using cable staples. When stapling cable, do not staple at even intervals.

When a cable is stapled, the foam jacket inside is slightly squished. This can cause some of the signal to reflect. If the staples are evenly spaced, this can lead to a double-image. Use as few staples as possible when running your cable, and try to use cable-specific staples if possible. Do not run cable underneath carpet that will be walked on. Stepping on the cable will lead to the squishing of the foam jacket, hurting signal strength.

Only run cables where no one will step on them. Avoid running the coaxial cable too close to electrical wires. If the coax is too close to electrical wiring, you can get a lot of interference. Keep coaxial cables at least 6 inches away from any electrical wires. If you have to cross an electrical wiring, do so at a 90 degree angle. Avoid running cables near heating ducts as well. Too much heat can warp and damage the cables. When bending the cable, keep it gradual.

Avoid bending the cable at right angles when going around corners. Use a low-voltage box to mount a wall jack. Avoid using a standard electrical box, as this will force you to bend the cable at a 90 degree angle. A low-voltage box doesn't have a large metal box protruding from the back, allowing you to gently curve the cable to the jack. Hand-tightening will lead to loose connections, which can cause problems down the road.

Connect the cable box or modem to the newly installed jack. Follow the instructions for the piece of equipment to perform the initial configuration. See the guides below for detailed instructions on setting up common cable equipment.

Install a modem Install a cable box You can use an RF signal meter to ensure that enough signal is being transmitted through the cable. Cable TV and cable internet work on the same cable, you just need to use a splitter to connect one cable to the set-top box and one on a cable modem.

Yes No. Not Helpful 2 Helpful Either way can be done, but usually over the doorway avoids more problems with cable placement. The exception is where there's a recess under the doorway in which the cable can be placed securely with staples or hail clips so that no one trips over it.

If you can do things this way, you avoid the temptation to make sharp degree bends to make the cable fit unobtrusively around the door frame, which is always a bad idea. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6. Do I need to run separate cable throughout the house if I use two different companies, one for internet and one for cable TV?