Background
Cable television companies typically encrypt
or scramble the signal of channels that the subscriber has not
purchased so that only persons who have paid for the service will
be able to receive and view it. Some scrambling techniques
employed by cable operators, however, may not always fully block
the audio and video of each channel. The result may be “signal
bleed.”
What is "Signal Bleed?"
Signal bleed is the ability of a cable
subscriber to access the audio and/or the video of a channel that
the subscriber has not purchased. For example, if a subscriber has
not purchased a certain cable station, but is able to see or hear
the programming on that station for brief periods, there is signal
bleed. Signal bleed may result in an individual cable subscriber
viewing programming that contains objectionable content or
material. To address this specific concern, Congress enacted
Section 504 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.
How Does Section 504 Address a Signal Bleed Problem?
Section 504 requires that, upon the request
of the subscriber, a cable company must fully scramble or block
the audio and the video of a programming service that a consumer
does not subscribe to at no charge to the subscriber. This law
applies to any type of programming that you do not wish to view
and to which you do not subscribe. For example, the programming
must be on a channel that is not included in the
programming package that you purchased from your cable company.
Section 504 does not require the cable
operator to fully block the channel unless the subscriber requests
blocking. To take advantage of Section 504, contact your cable
company and request that the channel you do not wish to view be
blocked.
Other Mechanisms Available to Block Programming or Channels
Generally, cable television operators have
the right to determine the channels that are available on their
cable systems. To maximize the number of subscribers, the cable
operator selects channels that are likely to appeal to a broad
spectrum of viewers. Because of this practice, a cable subscriber
may receive programs as part of a programming package that he or
she does not wish to view. While Section 504 does not require a
cable operator to block services provided as part of a package you
have subscribed to, individual subscribers have various tools
available that may be used to prevent the viewing of programs or
channels. For example, the subscriber may employ a lockbox and/or
the V-chip.
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Lockbox
A “lockbox” is a device that a
subscriber may lease or purchase from the cable company or from
a retail store. By using a lockbox, a cable subscriber can
literally lock specific channels so that the programming cannot
be viewed.
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V-chip
Federal law now requires that most
programming available on television be rated to alert viewers if
the program contains violence, inappropriate language, or other
material that a viewer may find offensive. A V-chip is the
circuitry in a television that is capable of identifying these
ratings and blocking the programming that an individual finds
inappropriate. All 13-inch or larger screen televisions that are
manufactured or imported for use in the United States are now
required by law to be equipped with the V-chip. Television
manufacturers were required to include the V-chip on at least
50% of their products after July 1, 1999, and on the remaining
50% of 13-inch or larger products by January 1, 2000. If you
have an older model television, you may purchase a V-chip and
attach it to the television. Depending on the V-chip’s technical
specifications, the V-chip may be used to block individual
programs or it may be used to block one or more channels
entirely.
Filing a Complaint
If you are experiencing signal bleed, first
try to resolve it with your cable service provider. If you are
unable to resolve the issue, you can file a complaint with the
FCC. There is no charge for filing a complaint. You can file
your complaint using an on-line complaint form found at
esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also file your
complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing
fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC
(1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
What to Include in Your Complaint
The best way to provide all the information
the FCC needs to process your complaint is to complete fully the
on-line complaint form. When you open the on-line complaint
form, you will be asked a series of questions that will take you
to the particular section of the form you need to complete. If
you do not use the on-line complaint form, your complaint, at a
minimum, should indicate:
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your name, address, email address, and
phone number where you can be reached;
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name, phone number, city, and state of
the company that you are complaining about;
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network, program name, and date and
time of program if you are complaining about a particular
program; and
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any additional details of your
complaint, including time, date, and nature of the conduct
or activity you are complaining about and identifying
information for any companies, organizations, or individuals
involved.
For More Information
For information about other communications
issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center using
the information provided for filing a complaint. |
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