Cable/Video Television Regulation in California
The Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA) established the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as the sole cable/video TV franchising authority in the State of California.
Video Services Regulatory Division
ITA’s Video Services Regulatory Division advises the Mayor and City Council on certain issues relating to video/cable TV services and private telecommunications franchises. The Division regulates and monitors the compliance of video/cable TV services and franchises issued by the CPUC. More specifically, it ensures that video/cable TV service providers comply with local, state and federal laws and oversees the video/cable TV service interests of City residents.
The opinions of ITA, as contained in the preceding reports, are subject to change and may be undergoing revision by the City. If you have any concerns or comments regarding these reports, please contact ITA staff at 311@lacity.org
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Information for Subscribers
The Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA) established the California Public Utilities Commission as the sole cable/video TV franchiser in California. DIVCA took effect January 1, 2007. The City of Los Angeles continues to oversee, on a limited basis, the City's incumbent cable TV providers Charter/Spectrum and Cox, as well as video TV service providers Frontier, AT&T, and Race Communications.
Subscriber Issues and Complaints
For complaints regarding video TV service providers, the City of Los Angeles’ 311 Call Center handles complaints on a limited basis. Contact 311 by dialing 3-1-1, or submit a request online at MyLA 311
For complaints regarding phone or telecommunications providers, please contact the California Public Utilities Commission, Consumer Affairs Branch
For complaints regarding internet providers, please contact the Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Complaints Center
- Only informal complaints are filed through the Consumer Complaints Center
- If you are not satisfied with the outcome of an informal complaint, you may file a formal complaint for a fee of $225. Read more at FCC Consumer Complaints FAQ
L.A. City Ordinance No. 178108
P.E.G. Access
Public Access Update 7/27/2017
Until further notice, Channel 36, the Los Angeles Cable Television Access Corporation (LACTAC), is the sole provider of Public Access programming carriage in the City of Los Angeles.
Anyone interested in providing Public Access programming content to Channel 36, LACTAC, must first review the channel’s rules and procedures at LA36. You can also contact Channel 36, LACTAC, at 213-346-3864 ext. 311, or by emailing publicaccess@lachannel36.com
Private Line Franchise
Private Line Telecommunications Franchise Application Requirements – Application by Letter Submission Containing the Following Information and Fee
1) $2,500 application fee (Admin. Code §13.25.1) payable to the “City Treasurer, Office of Finance”
2) Exact legal name and nature of the entity to which the franchise will be granted, including a mailing address and the names and position titles for two contact persons responsible for the handling of the franchise and renewal for said entity during the term of the franchise. (This is generally the record title owner of the abutting parcels of real property which will be connected by the telecommunications facility. If the franchise holder will be some other entity, please provide an explanation.)
3) The street addresses of the parcels of property to be physically connected by the private line facility. (Include all street addresses of parcels abutting points where the facility will enter the public right-of-way. Do not include other addresses).
4) A legal (metes and bounds) description of the street crossing route. (A centerline description is acceptable.) (A site plan is helpful.) The legal description must be signed by a surveyor registered in the State of California.
5) A complete description of the (i) telecommunications facility, (ii) including number and diameter of conduits, (iii) number of cables and fiber, and the (iv) length of the facility in linear feet (and the portion thereof which will occupy the public right-of-way. If underground construction, identify the location of any vaults, manholes, handholes, or other facilities to be installed. Finally, identify the purpose for which the facility will be used (i.e., voice, data, commercial, private, etc.)
6) A performance bond or letter of credit in an amount set by the Agency not less than the anticipated cost of construction to take place in the public right-of-way for the duration of the franchise.
7) Evidence of general liability, automobile, and workers' compensation insurance establishing sufficient coverage to protect the City in the event of casualty. Such evidence shall be in the form of a certificate of insurance approved by the Office of the City Administrative Officer, Risk Management (CAO-Risk Management), and shall be maintained during the construction period. Detailed instructions for complying with City insurance requirements are available on the CAO-Risk Management website: http://cao.lacity.org/risk/Submitting_proof_of_Insurance.pdf
8) Proof of compliance with the Department of Public Works’ General Improvement Performance Bond requirements (fully executed).
9) Please file your completed application to the
City Clerk’s Office
City of Los Angeles
City Hall, Room 395
200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012.
10) Also, please file a courtesy copy and the $2,500 application fee directly to the
Information Technology Agency
Video Services Regulatory Division
City Hall East, Room 1400
200 North Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Attention: Manuel Giron.
Please note that pursuant to the Los Angeles City Administrative Code, the application will be sent to the City Council and Information Technology Agency (ITA) within 30 days, or as soon as practicable, of the filing of the completed application and fee payment for either action or report to Council by the City Attorney’s Office and ITA. The City of Los Angeles Administrative Code, Division 13, Chapter 1, Sections 13.1, et.seq., is currently under proposed revision by City staff. The City’s Administrative Code can be viewed online at http://www.amlegal.com/library/ca/losangeles.shtml
Renewal of Private Line Telecommunications Facility Franchise – Application for Renewal by Letter Submission Containing the Following Information and Fee – To Be Filed One Year before Expiration of the Franchise Ordinance
1) $2,500 application fee (Admin. Code §13.25.1) payable to the “City Treasurer, Office of Finance”
2) Exact legal name and nature of the entity to which the franchise will be granted, including a mailing address and the names and position titles for two contact persons responsible for the handling of the franchise and renewal for said entity, during the term of the renewed franchise.
3) The franchise ordinance number and date of expiration of the existing franchise ordinance.
4) A description of the telecommunications facility and the amount of the annual fee pursuant to the established franchise ordinance.
5) Please file your completed application to the
City Clerk’s Office
City of Los Angeles
City Hall, Room 395
200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
6) Also, please file a courtesy copy and the $2,500 application fee directly to the
Information Technology Agency
Attention: Manuel Giron
Video Services Regulatory Division
City Hall East, Room 1400
200 North Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Please note that pursuant to the Los Angeles City Administrative Code, the application will be sent to the City Council and Information Technology Agency (ITA) within 30 days, or as soon as practicable, of the filing of the completed application and fee payment for either action or report to Council by the City Attorney’s Office and ITA. The City of Los Angeles Administrative Code, Division 13, Chapter 1, Sections 13.1, et.seq., is currently under proposed revision by City staff. The City’s Administrative Code can be viewed online at http://www.amlegal.com/library/ca/losangeles.shtml
Reports
BITC & MAPB REPORT - Regarding the City's Future Cable PEG Access Funding & Services
Impact of DIVCA upon the City's Consumer Services Standards and PEG Operations - dated 11/16/06
State Legislation & Current Law
Prior to 2006, the City of Los Angeles had 14 cable television franchise areas that were served by three incumbent cable operators; Time Warner had approximately 600,000 subscribers, Cox had approximately 10,000 subscribers, and Charter had less than 60 subscribers. The City had provided cable television franchising regulatory authority of its cable television operators for over 30 years. Through City-issued franchises and enforcement of relevant ordinances, the City oversaw these cable television operators in the areas of consumer services and financial payments to the City, technical compliance with all local, state and federal laws, and Public, Educational, and Governmental (P.E.G.) Access support.
In 2006, the California Public Utilities Code was amended under state law and ceded the City's cable television franchising rights to the California Public Utilities Commission. In 2007 and 2008, Verizon and AT&T began operating in the City.
Currently, the City’s incumbent cable and video TV providers are AT&T, Charter/Spectrum, Cox Communications, Frontier, and Race Communications.
State law provides for the collection of revenue franchise and P.E.G. fees from the incumbent cable operators and from the telecommunications companies that offer video television services within the City's limits.
Franchise Certificates issued by the California Public Utilities Commission
AT&T
Charter/Spectrum
Cox Communications
Frontier
Race Communications
Assembly Bill No. 2987 (DIVCA)
L.A. City Ordinance No. 178108 (Pursuant to AB 2987 - DIVCA)
Video Services Pricing
The following web links to City cable/video TV service providers are provided by ITA as a courtesy to City residents and is based on information given by the providers. The information given by each cable/video TV operator is solely the responsibility of the service provider. ITA neither approves nor supports any of the pricing rates listed.