WPCh 2a BEK Z Courier c-#XR  P7jQ=!XP#HP LaserJet 4si; rM. 804_2; lpt2HPLA4ADD.PRSx  @\[X@"i~'K2^$(8<><q*"xxxxWWxxxWWkkxxx^x6X@`7X@8wC;,=!Xw PE37XPD7zC;,ZXz_ pi7X<I,nG6X@`7@ddddooooddpddddxodddXXddXddXdddddooL8doddNorddo8PdN8ppoddXXdpLoNpLodPDdopoopodXYXodoodddCddCCCWxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxNdddCdUUddddddFddddFCCssd44ddzzddd~ooCsdF"dsd9dCCzCddoddCdYds`zUvdddCCCCzozoYNYYYN8YooYdYzzdzddYYzozzzNdzYzzzzCCdddddddzCzdYC\   pxtll\tll@\@\`L<?xxx,>^x6X@`7X@8wC;,=!Xw PE37XPD7zC;,ZXz_ pi7X<I,nG6X@`7@I,GvG `7D@NE,U_ pi7V"G($,hG PE37hPxxxWIxkWWWWWWWWWW(x^x6X@`7X@8wC;,=!Xw PE37XPD7zC;,ZXz_ pi7X<I,nG6X@`7@I,GvG `7D@NE,U_ pi7V"G($,hG PE37hP6uC;,,fXu&_ x7XX!"#$%h 0"P(.39p?rRBp RRFr RIp R4Mp RPr ",tB^ f ^ENluuNNNuNNNNuuuuuuuuuuNNu[pNNNuuNuhhRuANAuh[Nuuuhuuuu=uuuuuNuuuuuuuuAuuuuuhhhhh[A[A[A[AuuuuuuuuuuuuugguuguuguuuuuYAuuu[uuA]u[AuugguY[Yu]OuughguuuuNuuNNNWxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxNuuuNuccuuuuuuRuuuuRNNu<<uuuuuNuR"uuCuNNNuuuuNuhupcuuuNNNNh[hhh[Ahhuhuuuhh[uhNNuuuuuuuNuhN /;k  PP9~~+k~~KkKk&&pY2f r] h",tB^ f ^;C`ddCCCdCCCCddddddddddCCdxxxsCYoxxdoxxooCCCddCddYdY8dd88Y8ddddLL8dYYYLYdYd4dddddCddddddddd8xdxdxdxdxdYxYxYxYxYC8C8C8C8dddddddddoYxddddoYdxdxdxdxdXXddxxXxdxdxXdddddddD8ddddCdddddp8pHodp8p8dxddddxLxLxddLdLdLddpHp8odddddddodpLpLpLdoddddododxCddCCCWxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxNdddCd]]ddddddFddddFCCddd88ddzzdddkddCddF"ddd9dCCzCdzdoddCdYds]zUvdYYCCCCzzzozoYzNoYdYC8YooYdYzzdzddoYoYzzozzzzzCdoozYzzzzCCddddzdddooozCsdYC\   pxtll\tll@\@\`L  Њ LN $//Cablevision of Chicago, Cicero and Niles, IL, MO&O, DA 952108//$ $/76.922 Rates for Cable Programming Service tiers/$ $/benchmark cable rates/$  a<E #G6X@`7n˼@# #G6X@`7n˼@# #_ pi7U#Before the l Federal Communications Commission L(Washington, D.C. DA 952108  Y -#Xw PE37=!XP#In the Matter of  hh,V) ` `  hh,V)  Y -Cablevision of Chicagohh,V)CUID Nos.:IL0473 (Cicero)  Y -` `  hh,V) ppIL0520 (Niles)  Y -Benchmark Filing To Supporthh,V)pp  Ym-Cable Programming Service Pricehh,V)  Y?-}  MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ă  Y-Adopted: October 3, 1995hh,VppReleased: October 19, 1995 By the Chief, Cable Services Bureau:  Y-  1. Here we consider complaints about the price that the abovecaptioned 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 a single benchmark showing 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  YC-addressing the reasonableness of the price after that date. C r Y-#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# The findings in this Order do not in any way prejudge the reasonableness of the price for CPS service after May 14, 1994 under our new rate regulations. However, to the extent  Y-Operator has sought to take advantage of the refund deferral period under the Second Order  Yy-on Reconsideration, Fourth Report and Order, and Fifth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,  Yd -MM Docket No. 92266, FCC 9438, 9 FCC Rcd 4119 ("Second Order on  YO!-Reconsideration"), the maximum permitted CPS price determined herein might also apply from May 15, 1994 until the date on which Operator implemented its CPS price under the  Y##<new regulations.  See para. 3, infra.#x6X@`7>^X@# #Xw PE37=!XP#Furthermore, to the extent that the price for the period ending May 14, 1994 is found to be excessive, reductions in Operator's price for the period after May 14, 1994 may be required to reflect the fact that Operator's price during the earlier period, which is used as the starting point to calculate its price for the prospective  Y&<period, was unreasonable. See 47 C.F.R.  76.922(b)(4)(C). #x6X@`7>^X@#  ", 0*0*0*M"Ԍ Y-2. Under the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992,AP Yy-#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# Pub. L. No. 102385, 106 Stat. 1460 (1992) ("1992 Cable Act"); Communications Act,  Yb- 623(c), as amended, 47 U.S.C.  543(c) (1993).#x6X@`7>^X@#A 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  Y-of its CPS prices.P YK-#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# 47 C.F.R.  76.956.#x6X@`7>^X@#Ѵ Under our rules, an operator may attempt to justify its prices through  Y-either a benchmark showing or a costofservice showing.P YS <#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# 47 C.F.R.  76.956(b)#x6X@`7>^X@#. In either case, the operator has  Yv-the burden of demonstrating that its CPS prices are not unreasonable.vP Y -#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# Id.#x6X@`7>^X@#ѧ  YH-3. The Commission's original rate regulations took effect on September 1, 1993.HyP Yr-#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# Order in MM Docket No. 92266, Implementation of Sections of the Cable Consumer  Y]-Protection and Competition Act of 1992: Rate Regulation, FCC 93372, 58 Fed. Reg. 41042  YH-(Aug. 2, 1993).#x6X@`7>^X@#щ  Y1-The Commission subsequently revised its rate regulations effective May 15, 1994.1 P Y<#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# 47 C.F.R.  76.922(b)#x6X@`7>^X@#. 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  Y -prices were in compliance with the revised rules from May 15, 1994 forward. P Y7-#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# See Second Order on Reconsideration, 9 FCC Rcd at 4190, paras. 150152.#x6X@`7>^X@# Operators attempting to justify their prices for the period prior to May 15, 1994 through a benchmark  Y -showing must complete and file FCC Form 393. dP Y-#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# Id.#x6X@`7>^X@#ѧ Generally, to justify their prices for the period beginning May 15, 1994 through a benchmark showing, operators must use the FCC  Yy-Form 1200 series. yP YA"-#Xw PE37=!XP#э#Xw PE37=!XP# 47 C.F.R.  76.922(b)(6); see also Second Order on Reconsideration, 9 FCC Rcd at  Y,#-4189 n.195.#x6X@`7>^X@#  Yb-  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 and received by the Commission on  Y-the dates set forth on the Appendix.  Operator filed a single FCC Form 393 in response;" 0*((7" Operator has also filed amended and supplemental Form 393 filings, most recently on September 15, 1995.  Y-  5. Operator admits that its monthly CPS tier price of $13.90 (plus franchise fee) is not justified by its benchmark filing because its price is higher than the maximum permitted charge of $13.23 per month (plus franchise fee), as calculated in its filing. Upon review of Operator's Form 393 filing, we have found no apparent errors that would require a recalculation of Operator's maximum permitted CPS price.  Y1-  6. Upon review of the record herein, we conclude that Operator has failed to justify the rate it was charging during the periods in question. Operator's showing justifies the maximum reasonable CPS tier price of $13.23 per month (plus franchise fee) for the period from the filing of the earliest complaint in each franchise area (as set forth in the Appendix)  Y -to May 14, 1994.  P YN-#Xw PE37=!XP#э This finding is based solely on the representations of Operator and the modifications described herein. Should information come to our attention that these representations were materially inaccurate, we reserve the right to take appropriate action. This Order is not to be construed as a finding that we have accepted as correct any specific entry, explanation or argument made by any party to this proceeding not specifically addressed herein. 7. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.321, that the complaints referred to in the Appendix against the cable programming service price charged by Operator in the franchise areas referenced in the caption and at the Appendix herein 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 amounts paid for cable programming service for the period from the filing of the first valid complaint in each franchise area (as set forth in  Y-the Appendix) P Y-#Xw PE37=!XP#э Our jurisdiction to order a refund dates from the earliest date a valid complaint is filed with the Commission. 47 C.F.R.  76.961(b). to May 14, 1994 which exceeded the maximum price of $13.23 per month (plus franchise fee), 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 periods, 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.l"  0*(("Ԍ10. 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 price of $13.23 (plus franchise  Y-fee). P Y-#Xw PE37=!XP#э We reserve the right to make further adjustments to Operator's prices for the period after May 14, 1994, upon completion of our review of Operator's Form 1200 filings. 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 rates determined in this Order.  ` `  hh,FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ` `  hh,Meredith J. Jones  Y4-` `  hh,Chief, Cable Services Bureau l ă "b 0*(("  Y-*J Appendix ă  Yw-CUID No.` `  Date First ComplaintppDate Complaint xx-  Y`-` `  Filed with FCCVppServed  xx-  Y2-IL0473` `  2/28/94hh,Vpp2/28/94  Y -IL0520` `  3/24/94hh,Vpp3/21/94