TV & VIDEO - Feb. 2, 1989

Cablevision Industries and Century Cable customers are in for a windfall. Cablevision owes thousands of West Valley customers up to $1.2 million, and Century Cable and also is holding deposits that could be returned. Cablevision stopped requiring cable service deposits in 1987, meaning 20,000 to 40,000 subscribers are due deposits of $30 each, plus 6% annual interest. The company, which assumed the deposit accounts of the system’s previous owner, Valley Cable, will pay by check or credit the accounts of customers who request refunds in writing. Century Cable, which has changed ownership several times, also no longer requires deposits for channel changers and converter boxes. It has deposits from the previous franchise, and 350 to 2,000 customers could reclaim their deposits of $20 or more. The Los Angeles City Department of Telecommunications, which oversees cable francises, says cable companies are not required to notify customers that deposit refunds are available.