The City no longer holds separate franchise agreements with the cable television providers Time Warner and Charter Communications. These franchise agreements expired on January 1, 2007, under the new state franchise system for cable television providers, as provided under the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006 (DIVCA). 

The City Manager’s Department will still assist residents with customer service issues concerning their cable, and insure proper replacement of displaced public right of way area with CIty's street system.  However, questions regarding state franchise agreements will be handled by the CA Public Utilties Commission
Division of Ratepayer Advocates department. 

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO CHANNEL LINE UP

Charter Communications is realigning channels in order to add more programming and have one standard channel line-up for all of Southern California.  These channel changes will be implemented on January 27, 2010. 

There are a number of benefits Charter customers will enjoy as a result of this change. Those benefits include but are not limited to the following:

· More HD Channels
This change will allow Charter to reclaim bandwidth in order to launch more HD channels that are in such high demand. New additions include USA-HD, Primeticket-HD and National Geographic-HD just to name a few.

· Same Channel Location Regardless of Equipment
The channel line-up will create consistency between customers with equipment and customers without equipment. Currently customers without a set top receiver may see a different line-up than those with a set top receiver.

· “Genre-based” Grouping of Channels
Channels will be organized based on genre making it easier for customers to find the programming they enjoy the most (i.e. family programming, sports programming).

· More efficient customer service
This change provides better, more efficient customer service due to a standard line-up for all Southern California customers. 

A comprehensive guide to all these changes is available for your reference if you did not receive one in the mail.  Questions regarding these changes should be addressed to Charter Communications at (800) 964-4844. 

DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION - JUNE 12, 2009 

What is the Digital Television Transition?

On June 12, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting.  This was changed from the orginally scheduled date of February 17, 2009.  Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

What is the TV Converter Box Coupon Program?

Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.  A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program.

Consumers have a variety of options. Options to explore include:

1. Keep your existing analog TV and purchase a TV converter box.  A converter box plugs into your TV and will keep it  working after Feb. 17, 2009, or
2. Connect to cable, satellite or other pay service, or
3. Purchase a television with a digital tuner.

For more information on the digtial television transition and the coupon program, click here.