Who Regulates What in Cable

Here is a snapshot of the services covered by the Federal Communications Commission’s cable rate regulations and the regulatory body responsible for oversight.

Locally Regulated

Basic service programming: Generally includes local broadcast signals and public, educational and governmental access channels. May also include, depending on the system, cable channels, such as C-SPAN, and advertising-supported channels, such as CNN.

Basic service equipment: Converter boxes, remote controls and additional cable hookups.

FCC-Regulated

Programming beyond basic: Defined as cable channels that are advertising-supported and not included in the basic package. A sample includes ESPN, USA Network, TBS, Nickelodeon and the Discovery Channel.

Equipment: All of the equipment to receive these services is the same as that needed for basic service and would be regulated locally. Should special equipment be needed, the FCC would regulate.

Not Regulated

Premium services, such as HBO and Showtime, and pay-per-view programming, such as sports events and concerts, or the equipment, such as a special remote control or converter, to receive them.