Ask Consumer 6: What is the franchise fee on your cable bill?

A viewer called Consumer 6 with a question about his cable bill from Cox Communications. The question was about the franchise fee listed on the bill. The viewer wanted to know more about the fee, and

Tuesday, November 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A viewer called Consumer 6 with a question about his cable bill from Cox Communications. The question was about the franchise fee listed on the bill. The viewer wanted to know more about the fee, and why he was paying it. Consumer 6 contacted the cable company, and then checked with the Federal Communications Commission.

The franchise fee is a fee the Cty of Tulsa charges Cox for property rights-of-way and easements. It actually protects homeowners whose land is affected by the rights-of-way. Federal law requires cable companies to pay property owners for any damage they suffer as a result of construction, operation, installation, or removal of cable services. The 1992 Cable Act gives local governments the right to regulate rates.

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