Cable TV Information

Community Television Applications
The following links will provide printable versions of community television information sheets and application forms.

• St. Louis Park Community TV Frequently Asked Questions
• Community TV Channel Playback Application
• Community TV Guidelines Information and Application Forms
• Community TV Studio Information and Application
• ParkTV Channels Information
• Student Videos Wanted Handout

FAQ about Cable TV in St. Louis Park

• Comcast has a franchise with the City of St. Louis Park that runs until February, 2021.   Link to the franchise 
• Some franchise highlights:  Comcast provides free cable service to about 20 schools and City buildings, and pays the City 5% of their gross revenues collected from cable TV service in St. Louis Park in exchange for the use of the public right of way. 
• Comcast-provided franchise fees are used to provide Park TV, the local programming seen on cable channels 14, 15, 16, 17 & 96. 
• Most Comcast services are deregulated, including high speed internet, digital cable TV and Basic 2 analog TV that customers can receive with a cable-ready TV without a Comcast converter box. 
• Federal law currently allows the City to regulate Basic Cable, 25 channels available for about $13 per month, and the equipment used to receive it. 
• The telephone number for “unresolved complaints” is listed on every cable TV bill:  952-924-2660.  City staff answers questions, logs complaints and refers most to the Comcast Escalation team for resolution.     

Local On Demand moves from channel 1000 to Comcast Channel 1

For "Local On Demand" programming, tune to Comcast Channel 1.  Scroll down and select "Get Local;"  then select "Civic on Demand," and then select "St. Louis Park."  Watch Council meetings, Inside the Park!, High School sports and other St. Louis Park programming free, whenever you want.  You can fast forward, pause or rewind the programs, too.  "Local On Demand" is just one category of free programming available on Comcast Channel 1.  You must have a Comcast converter box to view the On Demand programming.  Questions?  Call Comcast at 651-222-3333, or Reg Dunlap at 952-924-2660. 

Web Links to Cable TV Information, Law, Regulation, and Local Oversight
Get regular email notices of related City information
Choose "Official Meetings" (Telecommunications Advisory Commission) and "Multimedia" from the page which appears after you have started the email registration process

Link and Information

• View streaming video of previous Telecommunications Advisory Commission meetings
• Download FCC info sheets about Telephones, Broadcast TV, Cable & Satellite TV
• FCC main info page about Cable TV & Broadcast TV
• FCC Cable TV Subscriber Signal Quality Standards
• FCC Regulation Of Cable TV Rates
• FCC Cable TV & Satellite Dish Information
• FCC Glossary of Telecommunications Terms
• FCC "Kids Zone"
• Current Cable TV Franchise agreement with Time Warner, now Comcast
• Minnesota Statutes 2006 Chapter 238. Cable Communications
• Telecommunications Act of 1996
• Cable Act of 1992
• Revised Communications Act of 1934
• Title 47--Telecommunication
  CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
  PART 76--MULTICHANNEL VIDEO AND CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE

Vacation Rate
"Vacation Rate" option for cable service
If you subscribe to cable television, you can take advantage of the "vacation rate" option. Your account must be current and you must plan on vacating your primary residence for a minimum of 2 months and a maximum of 6 months within a 12 month period. The 12 month period is from when you first start the seasonal program, not from the end date of the program. Your service remains active at the tap or utility pole at your primary residence during your absence, and Comcast equipment must remain in your home. Your service is restarted with one telephone call. The monthly fee for video and high-speed internet access is $10.00 per month for each service. For more information, call Comcast customer service at (651)222-3333.