Well, there is this in the document subby linked to. Basically, Seattle lets Comcast use the poles for TV service in exchange for some franchise funds, some control over the limited TV package price, and the inclusions of local government stations. The bigger issue is that the "franchise agreement" is not really about the internet package. Personally, I just want to see a requirement that cablecard continue to be supported (since that's what I use in my Infinitv 4), that a home subscriber have a reasonably affordable option for "whole home" signal decryption (rather than rent boxes at individual TVs, for like $25/month your entire home is unencrypted and all the TV's QAM tuners work again), and that moving to a new address is grounds to receive new customer discounts again (instead of requiring 60 or 90 days without service). Maybe moving and shorten that to 30 days without service.
What is a Cable Franchise?
In order to provide their services, cable companies have to use the public rights-of-way (ROW) to install their cable equipment and facilities throughout the city. A cable franchise is the formal agreement between the City and a cable provider outlining the terms and conditions under which it can use the public ROW. The franchise imposes various obligations on the cable company including compensating the City for use of the ROW, protecting the rights and interests of Seattle residents and cable subscribers, and providing certain public benefits. Cable Franchise Agreements with City of Seattle:
Comcast - the nation's largest cable television provider - is currently the primary source of cable television services in Seattle, serving approximately 145,000 subscribers. They currently operate in Seattle under a franchise agreement effective since January 2006. The agreement allows Comcast to use the City's ROW in return for the payment of certain rental fees - known as franchise fees - and other benefits for Seattle and its residents.
Wave is a small, regional cable operator, serving approximately 8,500 cable TV subscribers in central parts of Seattle, along with some areas around Eastlake and western Queen Anne. A map showing Comcast and Wave's current franchise areas is here: Seattle Cable Franchise Map (Comcast/Wave). Wave currently operates under a franchise agreement effective since November 2007. Like the franchise agreement with Comcast, Wave's frachise allows the company to use the City's ROW in return for the payment of rental fees (called 'franchise fees') and other benefits for Seattle and its residents. Length of Cable Franchise Agreements
Franchise agreements in Seattle are adopted for terms of 10 years. Comcast's current franchise expires January 20, 2016. Wave's current franchise expires November 11, 2017. How Renewal Works:
The franchise renewal process is governed by federal law (Section 626 of Cable Act, 47 CFR 546).
It occurs over the three (3) year period before a franchise expires. This period is designed to provide the City with sufficient time to:
Evaluate the extent to which the cable operator has complied with its legal and franchise obligations during the term of the franchise;
Determine the future cable-related needs and interests its residents (called "ascertainment"); and
Negotiate with the cable provider on the conditions of any renewed franchise agreement, including cable-related benefits to help meet the needs identified during the ascertainment process.
What City Negotiators CAN do:
Conduct an ascertainment process to determine community needs and interests. Under the existing franchise, for example, the City received potential use of up to 16 cable channels for the carriage of local, non commericla programming. It also secured free cable service to city buildings and schools.
Identify circumstances where the cable operator has failed to live up to its obligations.
Deny the renewal, but only after a lengthy, formal process to determine if the cable operator has failed to meet certain criteria.
Hold Comcast accountable for certain customer-service aspects of cable-modem service under a "bill of rights" adopted by city ordinance. See Cable Customer Bill of Rights.
What City Negotiators CANNOT do:
Control prices and what Comcast charges customers for cable modems or cable TV, with the limited exception of the price for the Limited Basic TV package.
Control what commercial channels Comcast makes available, although the City can require certain categories of programming.
Make demands about cable-modem (Internet) service because, technically, it's not part of the franchise.