Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984
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| Long title | An Act to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide a national policy regarding cable television. |
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| Nicknames | 1984 Cable Act; Cable Privacy Act; Cable Communications Act; Cable Franchise Policy and Communications Act |
| Enacted by | the 98th United States Congress |
| Citations | |
| Public law | Pub.L. 98–549 |
| Statutes at Large | 98 Stat. 2779 |
| Codification | |
| Acts amended | Communications Act of 1934 |
| Legislative history | |
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The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 (codified at 47 U.S.C. ch. 5, subch. V–A) was an act of Congress passed on October 30, 1984 to promote competition and deregulate the cable industry. The act established a national policy for the regulation of cable communications by federal, state, and local authorities. Conservative Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona wrote and supported the act, which amended the Communications Act of 1934 with the insertion of "Title VI—Cable Communications". After more than three years of debate, six provisions were enacted to represent the intricate compromise between cable operators and municipalities.
The scholarly article, "Perceived Impact of the Cable Policy Act of 1984," published in the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media in 1987, described its objective as follows:
In order to balance power between cable operators and the government, the act established regulations regarding franchise standards and proceeds that would attempt to strengthen the development of cable systems. The act gave municipalities, governing bodies of cities and towns, principal authority to grant and renew franchise licenses for cable operations. By establishing an orderly process for franchise renewal, the act protected cable operators from unfair denials of renewal. However, in order to be granted a franchise renewal, the act specified that cable operators' past performances and future proposals had to meet the federal standards in the new title. The act was meant to reduce an unnecessary regulation that could have potentially brought about an excessive economic burden on cable systems.
In return for establishing franchise standards and procedures, the act specified that cable operators were expected to be receptive to their local communities’ needs and interests. Congress recognized the vital role of cable television in encouraging and providing a place for free expression. This provision assured that cable communications provide the general public with “the widest possible diversity of information sources and services.” Through this statute, Congress attempted to uphold the First Amendment interest of cable audiences to receive diversified information as specified in the Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communications Commission court case of 1969.
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