Form FCC Form 333 FCC Form 333 2015 Cable Service Price Survey Questionnaire

DRAFT 05/8/2015

Not Yet Approved By OMB

2015 Cable Service Price Survey Questionnaire

FCC Form 333

A. Community

The information in entries A1 through A3 below has been imported from the Cable Operations & Antenna (COALS) database. Please review this data and make any necessary corrections. If you would like the COALS database updated to reflect this information, click here:

A1. 6-digit community unit identification (CUID) (1/1/15)

A2. Name of the community associated with this CUID (1/1/15)

A3. Name of county in which the community is situated (1/1/15)

A4. List one of the 5-digit Zip Codes in this community (1/1/15)

Local governments have authority to regulate the price of the basic service tier unless the FCC grants an “Effective Competition” petition for the franchise area. If the FCC has granted Effective Competition status, the answer to question A5 is “no”. If the FCC has not granted Effective Competition status, the answer depends on whether the local government exercises its authority to regulate the price of the basic service tier.

A5. Does the local government regulate the basic tier rate in this community? (Yes/No) (1/1/15)

Some questions ask for two years of information (Jan. 1, 2015 and Jan. 1, 2014):

A6. Did you operate a video service in this community on 1/1/2014? (Yes/No)

System

The information in entries A7 through A9 has been imported from the Cable Operations & Antenna (COALS) database. Please review the data and make any necessary corrections. If you would like the COALS database updated to reflect this information, click here.

A7. Name of cable system (1/1/15)

A8. Street address and/or POB (1/1/15)

A9. City, state and Zip Code (1/1/15)

Parent Company

A10. Name of ultimate parent entity (1/1/15)

A11. Name of survey contact person (1/1/15

A12. E-mail address of contact person (1/1/15)

A13. Area Code & telephone number (1/1/15)

A14. Number of video subscribers nationwide of parent entity (1/1/15)

Certification

I certify that I have examined this report and all statements of fact herein are true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, and are made in good faith. Willful false statements made on this form are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment (US Code, Title 18, Section 1001) and/or forfeiture (US Code, Title 47, Section 503).

A15. Name

A16. Title

A17. Date

A18. From the drop down menu, choose the physical system infrastructure in the community that best describes your video service (coaxial only, hybrid fiber-coaxial cable, fiber to the home, twisted copper pair, hybrid fiber-copper, or other (explain).

A19. Answer “yes” to one of Questions a – f, or explain in g, the scenario which best describes the way local broadcast television station signals you receive from local broadcasters are sent from the video (cable) headend to subscribers in the community.

a. The system is all-digital with either one or two transmission paths. Signals are either standard definition (SD) digital only or have both SD and high definition (HD) digital capability. In the SD only case, customer premises equipment converts the SD signal to analog for viewing by analog television customers. In the SD and HD case, if there is a single transmission path, a signal transmitted in HD is converted to SD, and then from SD to analog, using customer premises equipment, for viewing by SD digital and analog television customers, respectively. . (1/1/15)

b. Transmission is analog only. Signals are sent in analog format from headend to subscribers. Headend equipment is in place to convert a broadcaster’s digital signal to analog format, in case a station is digital only. If no headend equipment is in place to convert a signal from digital to analog then select response (g) and describe. (1/1/15)

c. Separate analog and digital signals are sent on separate paths from the headend to be viewed by analog and digital customers, respectively. Digital signal can be either SD or HD, with an HD version being converted by a SD digital subscriber’s set-top box to SD format. (1/1/15)

d. Separate analog, SD, and HD signals are sent from the headend to be viewed by analog, SD digital, and HD digital customers, respectively. (1/1/15)

e. SD digital signals only are sent from the headend, and the set-top box can covert the signals to analog format for viewing on analog television. (1/1/15)

f. HD digital signals only are sent from the headend, and the set-top box can convert the signals to SD digital format, and then to analog format if necessary. (1/1/15)

g. If none of the above, please describe.

A20. Number of local broadcast television stations on the basic tier by carriage type and channel format. (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

Carriage Type	Primary Channels						Multicast
	Analog Format		Standard Definition		High Definition		Standard Definition		High Definition
	2014	2015	2014	2015	2014	2015	2014	2015	2014	2015
Retransmission Consent
Must Carry Regulations

Questions A20 and A21 are required by Congress and refer to retransmission consent fees at the system level you are reporting. Do not include other expenses such as copyright and other fees paid to local broadcasters.

A21. Total annual amount paid to local broadcasters in retransmission consent fees (Years 2013, 2014).

A22. Number of cable subscribers that form the basis of the annual payments referenced in A21. (Years 2013, 2014)

B. Video Subscribers, Prices and Channels

If subscriber counts are unavailable at the community level, responses to questions B1 and B2 may be at the broader level of the video (or cable) system. In defining your system, use the smallest physical system area surrounding the community for which you maintain subscriber counts for video services.

B1. Number of households passed (households your infrastructure currently reaches to which you could provide service, regardless of whether or not these households subscribe to your service) in the community (or system area) (1/1/15)

B2. Number of video subscribers in the same area reported in B1 (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

Responses to “yes/no” questions below, as well as responses for prices and channels should be provided at the community level. Number of subscribers should be in the same area reported in B1 and B2.

B3. Total number of video channels viewable in the community* (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B4. Do you offer high-speed Internet access in the community via cable, DSL, or any other technology? (Yes/no) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

* Include local broadcast (count all primary, simulcast, and multicast) channels, public, educational and governmental access (PEG), commercial leased access, non-premium, premium, pay, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, or other video channels. Do not count audio-only channels such as DMX music suite. This count consists of the maximum number of channels, including channels that might require additional equipment such as a digital converter set-top box. A video-on-demand channel counts as one channel.

Basic Service

Basic Service is the entry level video (cable) TV programming service that subscribers can purchase. Typically, basic service is a “limited basic” which consists of local broadcast channels; public, educational, and governmental access (PEG) channels; and sometimes a few national and/or other channels. In contrast to “limited basic”, some operators only offer a “bundled basic” with a large number of popular national networks that other operators might offer separately with an expanded basic service. For operators who do not offer limited basic, the bundled basic should be reported as the basic service. Whether limited basic or bundled, basic service should be the entry-level service that is required for all customers.

B5. Is basic service in the community a “limited basic” as described above? (Note: the majority of operators offer a limited basic)? (Yes/No) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B6. Name of this service (For example, “limited basic” or “basic”, or some other name) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B7. How many subscribers in the community (or system area) take only basic service (exclude subscribers who take expanded basic)? (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B8. Monthly price of basic service in the community (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B9. Number of video channels viewable with basic service in the community* (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B10. Is equipment possibly needed to view all or some basic service channels? (For example, a set-top box to output digital signals to analog TVs or to view local broadcast stations on HD channels) (Yes/no) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B11. What is the additional monthly fee to lease the most commonly used equipment needed to view all or some of the basic service channels? (If equipment is included at no extra charge then enter “0”, or if you answered “no” to B10 then leave this question blank) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B12. Identify the features that are included with this equipment: VOD, DVR, HD, remote control, programming guide, other (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

* Include local broadcast (count all primary, simulcast, and multicast) channels, PEG, commercial leased access, and other non-premium basic service channels. This count consists of the maximum number of channels when purchasing only basic service, including channels that might require leasing equipment such as a digital converter set-top box. Do not count audio-only channels such as DMX music suite. Do not count premium, pay, and pay-per-view channels unless viewable at no additional charge. A video-on-demand channel offering content at no additional charge counts as one channel.

Expanded Basic Service

In most cases, expanded basic service includes the limited basic channels plus a large number of popular national networks. However, if you answered “no” to Question B5 (your basic service is not a limited basic) then basic service and expanded basic service are the same, and Questions B13-B19 below are automatically filled. The information provided in response to questions B13-B19 can be for a service that was available for sale to new subscribers on 1/1/2015, or for a service that was no longer available for sale to new subscribers on 1/1/2015.

Check box if expanded basic was not offered. (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B13. Name of this service (For example, “expanded basic” or “standard service”) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B14. Number of subscribers in community (or system area) who take expanded basic (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B15. Monthly price of expanded basic in the community (including the price of basic service) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B16. Number of channels offered with expanded basic in the community (including basic service channels)* (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B17. Is equipment possibly needed to view all or some of the expanded basic channels? (For example, a set-top box to output digital signals to analog TVs or to view local broadcast stations on HD channels) (Yes/No) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B18. What is the additional monthly fee to lease the most commonly used equipment needed to view the expanded basic channels? (If equipment is included at no extra charge then enter “0”, or if you answered “no” to B17 then leave this question blank) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B19. Identify the features that are included with this equipment: VOD, DVR, HD, remote control, programming guide, other (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

* Count the maximum number of channels including channels that might require leasing equipment such as a standard definition or HD converter set-top box. Do not count audio-only channels such as DMX music suite. Do not count premium, pay, or pay-per-view channels unless offered with expanded basic service at no additional charge. A video-on-demand channel offering content at no additional charge counts as one channel.

The Next Most-Subscribed Service (Relative to expanded basic)

This service consists of the expanded basic channels plus a group of additional video programming channels. The information provided must be for a service that was available for sale to new subscribers on 1/1/2015. Provide the most popular service that includes at least seven (7) additional non-premium, national cable networks, with one exception. If the expanded basic service reported in B13-B19 was no longer available for sale to new subscribers on 1/1/2015, the next-most subscribed service below must not be the service designed to replace that service.

Check box if this service was not offered. (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B20. Name of this service (For example, “digital basic” or “digital variety pack”) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B21. Number of subscribers in the community (or system area) who take this service (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B22. Monthly price of this service in the community (including the price of expanded basic) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B23. Number of channels offered with this service in the community (including expanded basic channels)* (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B24. Is equipment possibly needed to view all or some of the channels offered with this service? (For example, a set-top box to output digital signals to analog TVs or to view local broadcast stations or networks on an HD channel) (Yes/No) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B25. What is the additional monthly fee to lease the most commonly used equipment needed to view the channels offered with this service? (If equipment is included at no extra charge then enter “0”, or if you answered “no” to B24 then leave this question blank) (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

B26. Identify the features that are included with this equipment: VOD, DVR, HD, remote control, programming guide, other (1/1/14, 1/1/15)

* Count the maximum number of channels including channels that might require leasing equipment such as a standard definition or HD converter set-top box. Do not count audio-only channels such as DMX music suite. Do not count premium, pay, or pay-per-view channels unless offered with this service at no additional charge. A video-on-demand channel offering content at no additional charge counts as one channel.

C. Channel Lineup in Community

Column headings:

Basic Service

Expanded Basic Service

Next Most Subscribed Service

None of the above but offered with “Other Service”

Rows:

C1. Report the number of local broadcast channels offered with each service. Count all primary broadcast, HD simulcast, and digital multicast channels. Enter “0” if none. Do not report a number under “Other Service”. Enter the basic service number and the same number automatically appears under the next 3 services since these include basic. If that number is not correct, over-write with the correct number for that service.

C2. Report the number of public, educational & governmental access (PEG) channels offered under each of the four services. Enter “0” if none. Do not report a number under “Other Service”. Enter the basic service number and the same number automatically appears under the next 3 services since these include basic. If not, over-write with the correct number for that service. Some systems carry a number of PEG channels, but they cannot be viewed by all subscribers if there are sub-service areas in the community. In this case, the number of PEG channels reported should reflect the most channels that any one subscriber can view.

C3. Report the number of commercial leased access channels offered under each of the four services. Enter “0” if none. Do not report a number under “Other Service”. Enter the basic service number and the same number automatically appears under the next 3 services since these include basic. If that number is not correct, over-write with the correct number for that service.

C4. Indicate which of the four services carry a regional sports network. If you indicate basic service, the next 3 services are automatically selected since these include basic. If not, clear the icon for that service. Indicate “other service” if offered but not on any of the four services. A regional sports network is a channel that carries a substantial number of live games from at least one nearby professional sports team that is a member of the NFL, MLB, NBA, or NHL. Examples include Comcast SportsNet, Fox Sports Network, SportsTime Ohio, and Altitude Sports. Do not include WGN, TBS, MLB Extra Innings, NHL Center Ice, NBA League Pass, and NFL Sunday Ticket / Redzone, or pay-per-view events.

C5. Read the list below and indicate which networks are offered in the community under each of the four services: basic, expanded basic, next most subscribed, and/or family. Denote “other service” if carried but not on any of these services. For example, HBO would be an “other service” unless offered with one of the four services at no additional charge. If offered with basic, the network is automatically included in the other services since these services include basic. If not, clear the icon for that service. No distinction is made for HD channels. For example, both ESPN and ESPN HD are “ESPN”.

Networks – 2015

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We have estimated that each response to this collection of information will take, on average, 7 hours. Our estimate includes the time to read the instructions, look through existing records, gather and maintain required data, and actually complete and review the response. If you have any comments on this estimate, or on how we can improve the collection and reduce the burden it causes you, please write to the Federal Communications Commission, AMD-PERM, Paperwork Reduction Project (3060-0647), Washington, D.C. 20554. We will also accept your comments via the Internet if you send them to [email protected]. Remember – you are not required to respond to a collection of information sponsored by the Federal government, and the government may not conduct or sponsor this collection, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number or if we fail to provide you with this notice. This collection has been assigned an OMB control number 3060-0647.

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