June 7, 1994

FCC GRANTS WAIVER EXTENDING REFUND LIABILITY
           DEFERRAL PERIOD FOR SMALL CABLE OPERATORS

       The Cable Services Bureau today issued an order extending the "refund liability
deferral period" for small operators to September 1, 1994.  The refund deferral liability period
is a grace period that gives cable operators an additional two months, until July 14, 1994, to
implement the Commission's new rate regulations, which were adopted in February and went
into effect on May 15, 1994.  This means that operators are not required to establish rates that
conform to the new rules until July 14, 1994 and will not be liable for any refunds under the
new rules, provided that they do not make other rate or rate structure changes prior to that
date.   The Order issued today grants the Small Cable Business Association's (SCBA)
petition, filed May 27, 1994, requesting an extension of the deferral for small operators from
July 14, 1994 to September 1, 1994, but denies SCBA's request for such treatment for small
systems owned by multiple system operators with more than 15,000 subscribers.

       The Bureau noted in releasing the Order that small operators have also been afforded 
transition relief, which means they currently do not have to implement the 17 percent
competitive differential adopted by the Commission, as well as administrative relief.  "We are
determined to fully address concerns of small cable operators when to do so will not harm
consumers' interests," said Cable Services Bureau Chief Meredith Jones.  "I recognize that
these small business people may need more time to comply with our regulations and we
support their good faith efforts to implement these rules.  The Bureau and the Commission as
a whole will continue to listen, talk and respond to the legitimate business concerns of small
operators."
       
       The Bureau's Order is attached.