For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall
apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different
meaning.
Basic cable rates.
The monthly charges for a subscription to the basic service
tier and the associated equipment.
Basic service tier.
A separately available service tier to which subscription
is required for access to any other tier of service, including as
a minimum, but not limited to, all must-carry signals, all PEG channels,
and all domestic television signals other than superstations.
Benchmark.
A per channel rate of charge for cable service and associated
equipment which the FCC has determined is reasonable.
Cable operator.
Any person or group of persons:
(1)
Who provides cable service over a cable system and directly
or through one or more affiliates owns a significant interest in such
a cable system; or
(2)
Who otherwise controls or is responsible for, through any arrangement,
the management and operation of such a cable system.
Channel.
A unit of cable service identified and selected by a channel
number or similar designation.
Cost of service showing.
A filing in which the cable operator attempts to show that
the benchmark rate or the price cap is not sufficient to allow the
cable operator to fully recover the costs of providing the basic service
tier and to continue to attract capital.
Equipment basket.
A cost center to which the cable operator assigns the direct
costs of service installation, leasing, maintaining and servicing
customer equipment. It includes an allocation of all system joint
and common costs that installation, leasing, and repairing equipment
share with other system activities and a reasonable profit, but excludes
general system overhead.
FCC.
The Federal Communications Commission.
HSC.
The hourly service charge that allows the cable operator
to recover all equipment basket costs, except for the cable operator’s
costs of purchasing and financing the lease of customer equipment.
Initial basic cable rates.
The rates that the cable operator is charging for the basic
service tier, including charges for associated equipment, at the time
the city notifies the cable operator of the city’s qualification
and intent to regulate basic cable rates.
Must-carry signal.
The signal of any local broadcast station (except superstations)
which is required to be carried on the basic service tier.
PEG channel.
The channel capacity designated for public, educational,
or governmental use, and facilities and equipment for the use of that
channel capacity.
Price cap.
The ceiling set by the FCC on future increases in basic cable
rates regulated by the city, based on a formula using the GNP fixed
weight price index, reflecting general increases in the cost of doing
business and changes in overall inflation.
Superstation.
Any nonlocal broadcast signal secondarily transmitted by
satellite.
(2001 Code, sec. 115.01)