NOTICE ********************************************************* NOTICE ********************************************************* This document was originally prepared in Word Perfect. If the original document contained-- * Footnotes * Boldface & Italics --this information is missing in this version The document format (spacing, margins, tabs, etc.) is changed too. If you need the complete document, download the Word Perfect version. For information about downloading documents (FTP) see file how2ftp. File how2ftp (.txt & .wp) is in directory \pub\Public_Notices\Miscellaneous. ***************************************************************** ******** $//A-R Cable Services, Inc., Gardner, Templeton, and Westminster, MA, MO&O, DA 95- 2096//$ $/76.922 Rates for Cable Programming Service tiers/$ $/benchmark cable rates/$ Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. DA 95-2096 In the Matter of ) ) A-R Cable Services, Inc. ) CUID Nos. MA0016 (Gardner) ) MA0127 (Templeton) Benchmark Filing To Support ) MA0230 (Westminster) Cable Programming Service Price ) Memorandum Opinion and Order Adopted: October 2, 1995 Released: October 19, 1995 By the Chief, Cable Services Bureau: Introduction 1. Here we consider complaints about the price that the above-captioned operator ("Operator") was charging for its cable programming service ("CPS") tier in the communities referenced above. Operator has chosen to attempt to justify its price through separate benchmark showings on FCC Form 393. This Order addresses the reasonableness of Operator's price only through May 14, 1994. At a later time we will issue a separate order addressing the reasonableness of the price after that date. 2. Under the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, and our rules implementing it, 47 C.F.R. Part 76, Subpart N, the Commission must review CPS prices upon the filing of a complete and timely complaint. The filing of a complete and timely complaint triggers an obligation on behalf of the cable operator to file a justification of its CPS prices. Under our rules, an operator may attempt to justify its prices through either a benchmark showing or a cost-of-service showing. In either case, the operator has the burden of demonstrating that its CPS prices are not unreasonable. 3. The Commission's original rate regulations took effect on September 1, 1993. The Commission subsequently revised its rate regulations effective May 15, 1994. Operators with complete and timely CPS complaints filed against them prior to May 15, 1994 must demonstrate that their CPS prices were in compliance with the Commission's initial rules from the time the complaint was filed through May 14, 1994, and that their prices were in compliance with the revised rules from May 15, 1994 forward. Operators attempting to justify their prices for the period prior to May 15, 1994 through a benchmark showing must complete and file FCC Form 393. Generally, to justify their prices for the period beginning May 15, 1994 through a benchmark showing, operators must use the FCC Form 1200 series. Procedural Matters 4. The first valid CPS complaints in each of the franchise areas which are the subject of this Order were completed and served on Operator on January 26, 1994 and received by the Commission on February 2, 1994. Operator filed separate FCC Forms 393 in response; Operator has also filed supplemental Form 393 filings, most recently on September 20, 1995. 5. Operator admits that its monthly CPS tier price of $14.83 (plus franchise fee) is not justified by its benchmark filings because its price is higher than the maximum permitted charge of $14.49 (plus franchise fee) per month, as calculated in the filings. Upon review of Operator's Form 393 filings, we have found no apparent errors that would require a recalculation of Operator's maximum permitted CPS price. 6. Upon review of the record herein, we conclude that Operator has failed to justify the rate it was charging during the period in question. Operator's showings justify the maximum reasonable CPS tier price of $14.49 (plus franchise fee) for the period from February 2, 1994 to May 14, 1994. 7. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.321, that the complaints referenced herein against the cable programming service price charged by Operator in the franchise areas referenced in the caption, and all other complaints in these franchise areas related to the same price, ARE GRANTED TO THE EXTENT INDICATED HEREIN. 8. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 76.961 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  76.961, that Operator shall refund to subscribers in the franchise areas referenced in the caption that portion of the amount paid for cable programming service for the period from February 2, 1994 to May 14, 1994 which exceeded the maximum price of $14.49 (plus franchise fee) per month, plus interest to the date of the refund. 9. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Operator shall promptly determine the overcharges to CPS subscribers for the stated period, and shall within 30 days of the release of this Order file a report with the Chief, Cable Services Bureau, stating the cumulative refund amount so determined (including franchise fees and interest), describing the calculation thereof, and describing its plan to implement the refund within 60 days of Commission approval of the plan. 10. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 76.922(b)(4)(C) of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  76.922(b)(4)(C), that Operator shall, within 30 days of the release of this Order, revise its Form 1200 filings with respect to the franchise areas listed herein, for the period beginning May 15, 1994, to reduce the monthly charge per tier as of March 31, 1994 for Tier 2 (Line A6b) to equal the maximum permitted price of $14.49 (plus franchise fee). 11. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Operator shall place into effect, within 30 days after its submission of the revised Form 1200 filings required above, prices that reflect the reductions in the CPS rate determined in this Order. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Meredith J. Jones Chief, Cable Services Bureau