FCC regulations require that cable operators provide certain notices to subscribers, broadcast stations, local franchise authorities, and the FCC.  

Sending notices make up a key part of the cable business.  Notices keep customers informed of their rights and cable operators’ obligations.  Sending out proper notices also helps ensure your company’s compliance with the FCC’s regulations.  Below, we describe in detail an important notice requirement of which many cable operators may not be aware.  

Last August, the FCC’s revised CableCARD rules became effective.  Under the revised rules, cable operators must “prominently list the fee for their CableCARDs as a line item on their website and annual rate cards separate from their host devices, and provide such information orally or in writing at a subscriber’s request.”  

Specifically, the new rules require cable operators to notify subscribers: 

• Of any assessed fees for the rental of single and additional CableCARDs and the rental of operator-supplied navigation devices; and
• If the provider includes equipment in the price of a bundled offer of one or more services, the fees reasonably allocable to the rental of single and additional CableCARDs and the rental of operator-supplied navigation devices. 

Cable operators must provide this notice (i) at the time of installation; (ii) annually; (iii) at any time upon request; and (iv) on websites (readily accessible to members of the public) or billing inserts.  For more information about cable operators’ notice requirements, please contact Scott Friedman at (312) 372-3930 or via email at sfriedman@cm-chi.com.