Rates and Programming
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) does not regulate cable television rates. However, under state and federal law, the PUC may regulate fees used to pay for the operation of channels providing public, governmental, and educational (PEG) access. The PUC also regulates customer service issues, including service quality, reliability, and signal quality; as well as rates for items such as late fees, returned check charges, deposits, and disconnections. Neither the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) nor the PUC have the authority to regulate cable television programming content. Cable television companies have broad discretion as to what channels they will provide and how they package those channels in the plans they offer to consumers. For information about cable television regulation, please see PUC Rule 8.000.
Antennas and Digital Programming
You may be able to take advantage of free over-the-air digital broadcasting with a well-installed, proper antenna for your situation. The FCC’s guide, Antennas and Digital Television, provides information about TV antennas and tips for obtaining good quality reception of digital broadcasts. To see if this is an option for you, check what signals are available where you live, by using the FCC's DTV reception maps.
Line Extensions and Service Cost
For some consumers, getting cable service is a simple matter of asking the service provider to drop or string a line from the pole at the street down to your house at no charge. However, for others getting service may mean paying to construct a line extension.
For more information, please see our Cable Line Extensions webpage.
Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) Access
Public, Educational, and Governmental Access, or “PEG Access,” refers to the one or more channels on every cable television system's basic tier that must be made available for local programming, originating with local government, educational institutions, or members of the public. For additional information about PEG Access, see the Public Access page.
Consumer Guides
The FCC publishes consumer guides about broadcast, satellite and cable television at its Consumer Help Center.