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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - August 27, 1993CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 1, 1993 REPORT BY LODI KING VIDEOCABLE COMPANY REGARDING RECENT CABLE CHANGES Deanna Enright, General Manager, King Videocable Company, made a presentation regarding the recent cable changes due to the Cable Consumer Protection Act and how it will affect the public. FILE NO T22.(WJF r CITY OF LODI MEMORANDUM FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT CI-' MANAGER To: The Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers From: Jerry L. Glenn, Assistant City Manager Date- August 27, 1993 x.xx==xxn=x==xaxcx=s=ax cxxaxxa=axaaxaxaxa=aaxx-=xxoaxa=xsaasaaaaaaaaa=sa We received the attached packet of material on.Friday, August 27, 1993 at 3:15 p.m. This material will be m.3iled to each cable television subscriber next week. Newspaper advertisements will begin on Monday, August 30, 1993, and the Channel 3 television statiom wit= carry details. King Videocable Company General Manager Deanna Enright will be at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, September 1, 1993 to address the Council and the public during the "Comments by the Public on Non -Agenda Items" segment of the Agenda. J RRY L. GLENN Assistant City Manager Attachment -ABLE/TXTA.01V 000 94C _- - King Videocable Company L1521 odi. CAsto«ka s 2140 t 2091369.7451 An Affiliate of Kinp $ro3dcastin4 COrMartj August 26, 1993 Tom Peterson City Manager, City of Lodi 221 West Pine Street Lodi CA 95240 Dear Tom: AUG 2 7 1091 City Manager's office' Many local residents who subscribe to King Videocable cable TV service may soon be calling your office with questions about sweeping changes in their cable rates•and program services brought about in part by the 1992 Cable Act.. As part t..f King Videocable's on-going effort to give you advance information about how our compliance with the Act's new regulations will affect our customers - and help you answer their questions - we've comF�led some highlights. Starting eptember 1, many customers will see an immediate savings in their cable bills. Customers to our most -basic service will be especially pleased to see their rates drop significantly, by 27%. There are also savings for customers with more than one TV connected to cable. Still, despite the many benefits most customers will enjoy, whether the total remains the same or goes down, and by what amount, depends on the exact program service packages customers receive, the number of TV sets connected to cable, and -the type of cable ecrApment (like converter boxes) they use to receive cable service. We will see a decrease in revenue under the new regulations. Pricing formulas were established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the agency responsible for re -regulating the cable TV industry under the new Act. This has resulted in revised cable service packages and equipment rates. We've also made some additional charges such as renaming the service packages available to our customers. Here's how our new service offerings and the new rates stack up: * Basic is now called Lifeline. * BasicPlus is now called Ba ic. • A new A La Carte option now lets customers choose Just 1 or up to 4 channels in a package called Expanded. Please note that premium services like HBO and Cinemax are not affected by the new regulations. I have enclosed a new channel line up and rate listing. page Z Many of our customers will benefit from these changes: * Lower prices for most cable customers. * Greater choice with A La Carte channel offerings. * Savings on additional TV sets hooked up to cable. Cable viewers may also see a change in their bzoadcast channel lineup in coming weeks because after October 6, 1993, King Videocable is prohibited from carrying broadcast stations without the broadcasters' explicit, negotiated consent. As of now, we have not yet reached. agreement with all broadcasters.. We.hive added KCMY and KFTL to comply with the "Must Carry" provisions of the federal law. We're advising our customers that if agreemnt cannot be reached by October 6, King Videocable will be prohibited from carrying KORA, KTXL, KXTV, KOVR, KRON, KTVU, or KICU. I'll update you - and my customers - as soon as we know which channels we are allowed to keep. Every employee at King Videocable is working hard to minimize any negative impact of the new cable law on our customers. And while we can do a lot to explain the new regulations and make them easier to understand, the new rules are quite rigid. we'll continue to work within them in the customers' best interest. If I can provide more information that would help you answer local residents' questions, or your questions, please don't hesitate to call me. Sincerely, Z,4,�O,, �� Deanna Enright General Manager Starting September 1 Most King Videocable Customers.. Are In. For Some Pleasant Surprises' What will the new Cable Act mean to you? Your next King Videocable bill will mot reflect sweeping changes in rates. pro- gram service tiers and equipment charges. Subscribers to our most -basic service will be especially pleased to see that their rates are dropping up to 27`x. We've also provided savings for customers who have more than one TV hooked up to cable. Starting September 1, many subscribers will we an Immediate savings In their cable bills. The savings will vary depend - Ing on the exact program service pack- ages you receive. the number of TV sets connected to cable, and the type of equipment you use (like converter boxes) to receive cable service. Please take a few minutes to examine the information and new channel lineup we've provided. Then keep this literature as reference to help you understand vour next cable bill. Yqu don't need to call us to If you do have questions, our customer service representatives will do their best to answer them. But pleose be patient; our phone Imes may be busier than usual during this hectic period of change. Now Did We Arrive At The New Rates? Formulas for setting new rates were established by the Federal Communica- tions Commission (FCC), the government agency responsible for re -regulating the cable television industry unJer the new Act. This has resulted In revised cable subscription and equipment rates. and new cable channel packages. Now There Are More Choices Than Ever Before) We've also made some additional changes. such as renaming the service ;;ackoges available to you. • Basic is now called Ufellne. • BostcPlus Is now called Basic. . A new A La Carte option now lets you choose just 1 or up to 4 channels In a package called Expanded. Please refer to the enclosed Chcnnel- Rate Card. This provides detailed Informa- tion on all of these chances. Under requirements of the new law. your cable bill now separates (and hats separately) the charges for cable equip- ment that were once provided as part of selected service packages. This means that the charge for the remote will now be separated from the charge for the con- verter. Remember. you do not need to call us to continue receiving your existing cgbie services. The Benefits To Our Subscribers Aro Many Most of our customers will benefit from these changes with lower rates and new services. The new rate structure gives many subscribers some new advantages: • Greater choice In entertainment with A La Carte channel offerings. . Savings on additional TV sets hooked up to cable service. . Reduced rates for remote converter rental. A New Look In Your Cable Bill. And to Your Channel Une-up. Starting Ir September. every King Videocable bill will have a new look. take a minute to review this sample cable bili. Keep In mind this Is only a sample. Your personal bill will show the some services t3nd equipment you have been receiving all along from us, but they will be shown In a new, Itemized format. A) Program services will be listed separately. Z Monthly equipment charges for converter boxes and remote controls will now be 'unbundled' and Itemized on your bill (charged for separately). Notification of Passible Changes in Cable Delivery of Broadcast N Stations. The new federal law also brings changes in our ability to carry local broadcast stations on the coble ystem. The law has authorized local broodcost stations. regardless of viewer popu- lority, to choose either guaranteed transmission on a preferred channel position - or the right to negotiate for compensation from trio cable company to retransmit their station. On September 1 we will be adding KCMY and KFTI , to comply with the 'Must Carry' provlslors of the federal law. We will also be adding the TV Food Network. We do not believe that cable customers should have to pay to view broadcast stations that are available over -the -air for tree. As of now, we have not yet reached agreement with all local broadcasters. We are notifying you that it an agreement cannot be reached by October 6, we will be prohibited by law from carrying KCRA, KXTV, KOVR, KRON, KTXL, KICU and KTVU on our cable system. We at King Videocoble want to continue to carry these local broadcast stations. Only the broadcaster can make the choice to be dropped from our cable system. We'll keep you Informed about programming changes brought about by the new regulations. And we'll do our best to protect your best Interests. ' We're working hard - not only to comply with the new cable law - but to minimize any nega- tive Impact on you. And while we can do d lot to make your bill easter to read, the regulations ore quite rigid. We'li continue to work within them In your best Interest. +.rs r ewee��w►n John Doe ftm+r-r» 1 Main saes Hometown. USA 000000 &.+rerkM (f 011d& Te se In oanpllenw dM "M h - Me. k""VWW 1 oMrM nnel be bw~ M Yale' W The e.Mree 1W "W WVAr .«No.NwnewOeMNdddereVAh«ry.a00w s%YeawMw Oil —mum —-U+-----Wewrew euumsrnTOrarr Prwbve erenoe 0.00 sec i LOOM* 000 Sep 1 8410C 0.00 Sep 1 co nv~ 0.00 Sep Awna. 0.00 Sep 1 Eepr%drd 0.00 (ll is cane W4"G br Eepended ni be Ned tWe) Wim We pledge to provide excellent value and variety In entertah .ment and information, because we know that's why you subscribe to cable television. Thanks for your patience as we put these complex new regulations Into action. And, as always, thanks for being a King Videocable customer. We value your business. King Videocable Company, Lodi Summary of Rates and Services Monthly Service Rates CURRENT Basic S14.00 BasicPlus S 7.95 Additional Outlet S 4.25 Converter S 3.00 Converter w/ Remote Control S 3.50 CLMRENT New Connect/Underground New Connect/Overhead Reconnect/Underground Reconnect/Overhead Additional Outlet at Time of Install Additional Outlet at Later Date Change of Service (Upgrade) Relocate Outlet VCR Hookup A/B Switch Converter Installation Hourly Service Charge SEPTEMBER i. 1993 Lifeline $ 10.13 Basic S 9.06 Expanded S 2.76 (TNT, TBS, TNN, and Nostalgia) Expanded Per Channel S 1.00 Additional Outlet S .00 Converter S 1.51 Converter for Remote Control S 1.51 Hand Held Remote Control S .14 Installation Rates S60.00 $ 60.00 S60.00 $ 60.00 $ 20.00 $35.00 $ 10.00 S35.00 $ 35.00 $ i n np S10.00 $ .00 SEPTEMBER 1. 1993 New Connect/Underground New Connect/Overhead Reconnect/Underground Reconnect/Overhead Additional Outlet at Time of Install Additional Outlet at Later Date Change of Service (Upgrade) Relocate Outlet VCR Hookup AIB Switch Converter Installation Hourly Service Charge $ 87.00 S52.00 $ 40.00 $ 40.00 $ 11.00 $ 26.00 S30.00 $ 26.00 $ 30.00 $ 30.00 $ 30.00 $ 34.83 f Channel Guide (Effective 9-1-93) 19 KCSO (Univision) 2 •SHO KING 3 (Local Programs) 3 31 KRHK (Ind) 4 QVC Howe Shopping S 6 KVIE (PBS) 6 3 KORA (NBC) 7 40 KTXL (FOX) 8 10 KXIV (CHS) 9 58 KSCH (Ind.) 10 36 KICU (Ind) 11 13 KOVR (ABLE 12 CSP C -SPAN I 13 'DIS The Disney Channel 14 •SHO Showtime 15 •MAX Cinemax 16 'HBO Home Box Office 17 0*29 K, -MY (Ind.) 18 19 Reserved for Pay -Per -View 19 'TMC The Movie Channel 20 4 KRON (NBC) 21 2 KTVU (FOX) 22 CSP C -SPAN 11 23 7 KGO (ABC) 24 0064 KFTL (Ind.) 25 HSN Home Shopping Network 26 TNT Turner Network Television 28 i T13S TBS Superstation 29 TNN The Nashville Network 30 I NOS The Nostalgia Network 31 W ` •'ESpAJ•.A�. �..�1.���ii.�.; t�`yRR .:...;f:34°; •. `35 �:�3i�l1:�. +, L:ifetitrie "i'# k;��j;� ` : �,• ,.. f '�'•36'. MTV. Music Tt:i s'Jon 37 ',7�►:� �CableNeas,t3eti�ork -38 1� ' ;. iThe Fintily Chaaiiel ' ,� '..39 •CNk-Hosdhne•NewB ..•,�.`.;.,,. "�,���: �� ' x'F1te Di:>oovery • - �Charinel �; ' •i��,:•f �.�41 r� �. t= ��• 4Video Hiu;One ��," '' ;,;t ;,; :'``' 11.42 fF's•t a �.:.Cho,�a>CdyCp�G�at+Jf'81L►rt�...�� i'., y;,•...; 3'. Weitn+.Ww�uGa.. is • c.!'.:^� 44- SP, 45 •Tttpa"vo\�l:��t�r�tiha.�n�ij.1t�cl =.ii�`{:T'he �JSA'1rClVYOn[ti 1', Y : 46, f'f, V1SN/ACTS•'f'�Hr7 kv : ti.� . 47 American Movie Classics , 48- TV -Food Network49 Q Lifeline [ _ ] Expanded = Basic *Premium Channcl •• New Channcl