what regulatory agency covers cable tv?

[Soundguy]

FCC?

Dept of Ag/Consumer services?

Some other agency for utilities?

Soundguy

 

[Dusty]

State agency is the only one. Some states have deregulated them to the point that they have no oversight. Deregulation was supposed to bring competition to the market place and lower costs. Didn't happen for me with cable or electric. Anyone else?

 

[California]

Ask your county government.

Some local government agency granted them a franchise to hang their wire in the public easements.

But there may have been no conditions imposed on the cable company at that time, and therefor no control agency established to enforce compliance.

 

[Bird]

I don't know just how much "regulation" they do, but to quote from their website:

"Pursuant to PURA Section 66.0003, any entity or person seeking to provide cable or video service in this state after September 1, 2005, shall file an application for a State-Issued Certificate of Franchise Authority (SICFA) with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (Commission)."

They may also (probably do in most cases, in fact) have to apply for a franchise with the city where they provide service. As far as I know, each city is then more or less free to establish their own rules regarding quality of service, fees charged, etc.

 

[N80]

You know, if everyone in the US would get together and cancel their cable service for one month we could bring the cable companies back in line. I'd do it, but I'm not sure I can get by without the History Channel, Myth Busters and Dirty Jobs.

 

[MikePA]

FCC?

Dept of Ag/Consumer services?

Some other agency for utilities?

Soundguy

It depends. What do you want to complain about?

 

[Soundguy]

Level of service. Bad quality channels.. some channels frequently out or displaying an error message like a bar across the screen saying low/poor signal.. or a satalite message.. or a 'signal lost message ) Our local provider has changed the channel line up about 3 times in the last month... Thier tele number is either always busy, never answered, or answered by the 'answering service'. The 'contact us' email address on thier website crashes out with a page not found when you try to submit it... I.e. there is no real way of communicating with them except via mailing in your check and a complaint letter... ( none of that is an exageration.. unfortunately.. )

Soundguy

 

[coveredbridge]

Have you considered a satellite dish?

 

[kennyd]

Level of service. Bad quality channels.. some channels frequently out or displaying an error message like a bar across the screen saying low/poor signal.. or a satalite message.. or a 'signal lost message ) Our local provider has changed the channel line up about 3 times in the last month... Thier tele number is either always busy, never answered, or answered by the 'answering service'. The 'contact us' email address on thier website crashes out with a page not found when you try to submit it... I.e. there is no real way of communicating with them except via mailing in your check and a complaint letter... ( none of that is an exageration.. unfortunately.. )

Soundguy

I have the solution for you:
DIRECTV - Limited Time Offer

I have been a DTV customer for 10 years now. The service is first rate.

 

[RavensRoost]

And I have also been very happy with Dish Network for 10 years....after having nothing but problems with cable. Added weekend offgrid home to the plan as a "second bedroom" and that also worked out well.

RavensRoost