Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
1. The Franchise Fee
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
1. The Franchise Fee
2. Public, Educational, & Governmental (PEG) Channels
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
1. The Franchise Fee
2. Public, Educational, & Governmental (PEG) Channels
3. Capital Grants
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
1. The Franchise Fee
2. Public, Educational, & Governmental (PEG) Channels
3. Capital Grants
4. Build Out
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
1. The Franchise Fee
2. Public, Educational, & Governmental (PEG) Channels
3. Capital Grants
4. Build Out
5. Municipal I-Nets
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
1. The Franchise Fee
Not a Tax – Here is the Case Law:
http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1297394.html
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
1. The Franchise Fee
Not a Tax – Here is the Case Law:
http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1297394.html
Request Up to 5% of Gross Revenue, Paid Quarterly
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
1. The Franchise Fee
Not a Tax – Here is the Case Law:
http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1297394.html
Request Up to 5% of Gross Revenue, Paid Quarterly
“New Money” vs. Historical Receipts
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
2. PEG Channels – First Steps
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
2. PEG Channels – First Steps
Form a Municipal Cable Committee
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
2. PEG Channels – First Steps
Form a Municipal Cable Committee
Conduct Surveys & Hold Public Hearing
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
2. PEG Channels – First Steps
Form a Municipal Cable Committee
Conduct Surveys & Hold Public Hearing
Create Ascertainment Report and Vision Plan
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
2. PEG Channels – First Steps
Form a Municipal Cable Committee
Conduct Surveys & Hold Public Hearing
Create Ascertainment Report and Vision Plan
Specify Video Return Locations
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
3. Capital Grants – Created by Ascertainment Report,
Used to Create Vision Plan
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
3. Capital Grants – Created by Ascertainment Report,
Used to Create Vision Plan
4. Build Out – Still Negotiable, But Not Much Leverage
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
3. Capital Grants – Created by Ascertainment Report,
Used to Create Vision Plan
4. Build Out – Still Negotiable, But Not Much Leverage
Require “Universal Coverage” – If Not Possible, Do a
Ride-Out With The Cable Rep and Be Creative
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
3. Capital Grants – Created by Ascertainment Report,
Used to Create Vision Plan
4. Build Out – Still Negotiable, But Not Much Leverage
Require “Universal Coverage” – If Not Possible, Do a
Ride-Out With The Cable Rep and Be Creative
Specify Cable Drops & Video Return Locations from
Municipal Buildings, Schools and Libraries.
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
5. Municipal I-Net’s or Intra-Net
Community Television Association of Maine
Municipal Benefits
Under FCC Regulations
and the Maine Model Franchise
5. Municipal I-Net’s or Intra-Net
Very Difficult To Negotiate, May incur Maintenance
Charges On Existing I-Nets Due To Current
Regulatory Landscape.
Community Television Association of Maine
General Do’s and Don’t’s
1. Don’t Take The Franchise They Offer
Community Television Association of Maine
General Do’s and Don’t’s
1. Don’t Take The Franchise They Offer
Start With The Formal Process
Community Television Association of Maine
General Do’s and Don’t’s
1. Don’t Take The Franchise They Offer
Start With The Formal Process
Create An RFP With Your Terms Using The
Maine Model Franchise
Community Television Association of Maine
General Do’s and Don’t’s
1. Don’t Take The Franchise They Offer
Start With The Formal Process
Create An RFP With Your Terms Using The
Maine Model Franchise
2. Local Channels Are Valuable !
Community Television Association of Maine
General Do’s and Don’t’s
3. Don’t Let Them Bluff You
Community Television Association of Maine
General Do’s and Don’t’s
3. Don’t Let Them Bluff You
The “Pass-Through” Threat
Community Television Association of Maine
General Do’s and Don’t’s
3. Don’t Let Them Bluff You
The “Pass-Through” Threat
4. Know Your Rights – And What’s at Stake
Community Television Association of Maine
General Do’s and Don’t’s
3. Don’t Let Them Bluff You
The “Pass-Through” Threat
4. Know Your Rights – And What’s at Stake
5. Other Resources and a Final Word
Community Television Association of Maine
Thank you !
Community Television Association of Maine