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SUM1VI~Y OF PROPOSED TRANSFERS OF OVV2N~RSHIP <br /> <br />Transfers of ownership of cable systems require the consent of the local franchising authority <br />(City). The City has traditionally delegated through its joint powers agreement the review process <br />to the cable commission. The process is lengthy and complicated, and has been conducted by the <br />commission over the past four months. In this case, the issues were further complicated by the <br />fact that at the same time as Continental was purchasing Meredith, US West was proposing <br />purchasing Continental. Therefore, the Commission (and now the City) needed to review TWO <br />transfers of ownerskip. <br /> <br />Enclosed are the results of that review. <br /> <br />FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: <br /> <br />1. Will the rates go up as a result of these transfers? <br /> <br />o <br /> <br />o <br /> <br />Although no one can guarantee cable rates, the companies have assured the Commission. <br />that there are no plans to increase rates. If Meredith had retained ownership of the <br />systems, they could have increased rates, and the new owners will not be able to increase <br />rates any more than Meredith could have. ' ' <br /> <br />Will any channel or program offering on the system change? <br /> <br />No. However, companies often change program channels in response to the interests of <br />subscribers, and the new companies have the right to do the same, <br /> <br />Will there be a decrease in customer service or change in local management? <br /> <br />No. The local management team will remain intact, as will the existing customer service <br />representatives. <br /> <br />Will all commitments to local programming remain the same? <br /> <br />Yes° <br /> <br />What is the phone company doing owning our cable system? <br /> <br />US West cannot own your cable system without receiving special permission from the <br />Federal Communications Commission. They have applied for a limited waiver (permitting <br />them to own the systems for up to 18 months) and ttmt petition is pending. If they do not <br />receive the waiver, they cannot close on the sale, 'and Continental will retain ownership <br />of the systems. The FCC may decide (as we argue the law requires) that the waiver <br />requires the approval of the city. If that is the case, that decision will come back to the <br />city, BUT THAT DECISION IS A SEPARATE DECISION FROM THIS TRANSFER <br />DECISION. <br /> <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br /> I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br /> <br />