FCC to Consider Cable Firm’s Appeal

The federal government has agreed to consider an appeal by Century Cable, which will delay the rate reduction to subscribers that was ordered by the city of Ventura and scheduled for Friday.

The stay, granted by the Federal Communications Commission last Friday, prevents the reduction of Century’s basic cable rates from $25.07 to $23.27.

“The City Council knew this was an uphill battle right from the very beginning,” Ventura Mayor Jim Friedman said Wednesday. He called the FCC action a minor setback.

Century Senior Vice President Bill Rosendahl said rates for both basic service and premium channels would remain at their current levels and that he did not see the FCC action as a victory for the company.

“There are no victories in any of these things,” Rosendahl said. “WhenI think of victory, I have to think of what is in the best interest of the customers.”

Last month, Century announced it would raise rates for its premium channels by 22% and at the same time reduced rates for basic cable by 7%. Rosendahl asserted earlier that the two rate changes were not related.

A review of premium channel rates had led the company to conclude that their premium rates were underpriced. Rates for premium channels now will not be raised.

Under the stay, Century must set aside refunds for its 15,800 subscribers--$1.80 per month per subscriber in an interest-bearing escrow account--or post a bond of at least $28,000 to cover refunds for the benefit of the city until the FCC issues a ruling on the appeal.