CABLE TELEVISION REGULATION IN DELAWARE |
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- Role of the Commission
- Regulated Utilities
- Consumer Information
- Important or Pending Cases at the Commission
- Local, Regional, and National Issues
Under Delaware law, the Commission is authorized to grant cable television franchises to cable system operators who provide service in the unincorporated areas of Delaware. The Commission may terminate or revoke a franchise if the operator fails to comply with the terms of its franchise agreement. Under Federal law, the PSC's ability to regulate rates for cable service and equipment is limited to the basic service level and associated equipment and installation charges, and the Commission must approve such rates if they are calculated in accordance with the rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The PSC does have some general regulations regarding quality of service for cable providers (see PSC Order No. 3660, entered Aug. 24, 1993, in Regulation Docket No. 31.
Although the PSC does not have regulatory authority over any upper tier offerings, other than what is provided in an operator's franchise agreement regarding the provision of public access channels, an open line of communication between the three cable providers and the PSC Staff insures that the Commission is kept aware of the latest in service offerings and technologies. The close communication and the progressive regulatory stance of the Delaware Commission has been a positive factor in encouraging the best and most innovative offerings being provided in Delaware to our citizens.
Satellite providers are not regulated at the state level.
- Atlantic Broadband (Delmar), LLC (PSC Order No. 6776 - franchise renewal)
- Comcast Cable
- Comcast of New Castle County, LLC (PSC Order No. 6775 - franchise renewal)
- Comcast of Delmarva - Dover/Salisbury Head-End and Georgetown Head-End (PSC Order No. 6773 - franchise renewal)
- Comcast of Eastern Shore - Ocean City Head-End (PSC Order No. 6774 - franchise renewal)
- MediaCom Delaware, LLC (PSC Order No. 5499 - franchise renewal)
- Verizon Delaware LLC (PSC No. Order 7074) - initial franchise agreement.
- If you have a complaint regarding your cable television provider, please visit our Consumer Complaints page, or file your complaint on-line. The Commission's jurisdiction over regulated cable television services is limited to unincorporated areas of the state. If you reside within the municipal boundaries of a city or town, you would need to contact the municipality that granted the franchise to the cable utility.
- Delaware Public Service Commission Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers a number of consumer alerts and fact sheets relating to cable television regulation, including an information bulletin which describes the evolution of the cable industry.
- Digital TV Transition: Beginning at midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations will completely cease all analog broadcasting and begin digital broadcasting (DTV). This means that analog television sets currently receiving free TV using an antenna will not work after February 17, 2009. Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay TV service will need to take action before February 17, 2009, to ensure their TV sets continue to work. The Delaware Public Service Commission has created a webpage providing links ton information about the transition from analog to digital television and what consumers can do to ensure they will continue receiving television after February 17, 2009. Also visit the DTV Transition page to learn about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009.
Visit the Regulated Utility Filings page for a listing of dockets, grouped by year and service type, opened by the Commission. Cases of significant importance or interest, such as rate cases, are also highlighted below.
All case related documents are available for review by appointment at the Commission Office in Dover, Delaware, or at the Office of the Public Advocate in Wilmington, Delaware.
- IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF COMCAST OF EASTERN SHORE, LLC FOR A CHANGE IN ITS BASIC SERVICE RATES AND NECESSARY EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION CHARGES IN THE AREA OF SOUTHEAST SUSSEX COUNTY SERVED BY THE OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND HEAD-END (FILED FEBRUARY 28, 2008) - Proposed Cable Rate Changes
- PSC Docket No. 06-40 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF VERIZON DELAWARE INC. FOR A CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (FILED JANUARY 23, 2006): On November 21, 2006, by PSC Order No.7074, the PSC granted Verizon Delaware LLC. a franchise to offer cable televising in the unincorporated parts of the State. Verizon defined its "Initial Service Area" as "those parts of the Franchise Area traditionally served by the Franchisee from the following wire centers: Angola, Dover, Hockessin, Holly Oak, Middletown, Newark, Talleyville, Penn Rose, Wrangle Hill." Verizon expects to expand its offerings to additional wire centers in the future.
- Digital Television (DTV) Transition: Beginning at midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations will completely cease all analog broadcasting and start digital broadcasting (DTV). This means that analog television sets currently receiving free TV using an antenna will not work after February 17, 2009. Television viewers with these sets that are not connected to a pay TV service will need to take action before February 17, 2009, to ensure their TV sets continue to work. The Delaware Public Service Commission has created a webpage providing links ton information about the transition from analog to digital television and what consumers can do to ensure they will continue receiving television after February 17, 2009. Visit the DTV Transition page.
LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL ISSUES
