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                            Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                      Washington, D.C. 20554


                                 
     In the Matter of)       CUID Nos.OH0207 (Archbold)
       )OH0208 (Stryker) 
    TCI Cablevision of Northwestern Ohio)OH0336 (Bryan)
                )OH0387 (Center Township) 
     
        )OH0411 (Montpelier) 
                          )OH0508 (Edgerton)
      Complaints Regarding )OH0781 (Superior Township)
     
    Cable Programming Services Tier)             OH0355 (Van Wert)
        Rate Increases)OH0485 (Paulding)




                              ORDER

        Adopted:  December 18, 1996      Released:  December 18, 1996    
By the Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division, Cable Services Bureau:

      1.In this Order we consider complaints concerning the June 1, 1996 rate increases of
TCI Cablevision of Northwestern Ohio ("TCI") for its cable programming services tier ("CPST")
in  the above captioned communities.  This Order addresses only the reasonableness of TCI's rate
increases that became effective on June 1, 1996.  We conclude that TCI's June 1, 1996 CPST rate
increases are not unreasonable.
    
      2.The Communications Act authorizes the Federal Communications Commission
("Commission")  to review the CPST rates of cable systems not subject to effective competition.
This is to ensure that rates charged are not unreasonable.   The Telecommunications Act of 1996
("1996 Act") and our rules implementing the new legislation, require that complaints against the
CPST rates be filed with the Commission by a local franchising authority ("LFA") that has received
subscriber complaints.  An LFA may not file a CPST rate complaint unless it receives more than one
subscriber complaint within 90 days after such increase becomes effective.  If the Commission finds
the rate unreasonable, it shall determine the correct rate and any refund liability.

      3.To justify rates for the period beginning May 15, 1994 through a benchmark or cost
of service showing, operators must use the FCC Form 1200 series.  Operators are permitted to make
changes to their rates on a quarterly basis using FCC Form 1210.  Operators may alternatively justify
adjustments to their rates on an annual basis using FCC Form 1240 to reflect reasonably certain and
quantifiable changes in external costs, inflation, and the number of regulated channels that are
projected for the twelve months following the rate change.  Any incurred cost that is not projected
may be accrued with interest and added to rates at a later time.  If actual and projected costs are
different during the rate year a "true-up" mechanism is available to correct estimated costs with
actual cost changes.  The "true-up" requires operators to decrease their rates or alternatively permits
them to increase their rates to make an adjustment for over or under estimations of these cost
changes.

      4.The Telecommunications Commission of Northwest Ohio ("TCNO") filed a valid
complaint for each of the captioned communities on September 19, 1996 regarding the June 1, 1996
increase in TCI's CPST rate in each community.  TCNO has certified that it has received subscriber
complaints and has complied with the Interim Rules.  TCI submitted FCC Forms 1240 for each
community to justify the rate increase that went into effect June 1, 1996. 

      5.Upon review of the record before us, we find that TCI has provided sufficient
evidence to support a CPST rate increase of $.087 in the Village of Paulding, CUID No. OH0485;
of $1.23 in the City of Van Wert, CUID No. OH0355; and of $1.97 in the remaining communities
appearing in the caption.  We conclude, therefore, that TCI's CPST rate increases which went into
effect June 1, 1996 are justified.  

      6.Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules,
47 C.F.R.  0.321, that TCI Cablevision of Northwestern Ohio's CPST rate increase of $.087 in the
Village of Paulding, CUID No. OH0485; of $1.23 in the City of Van Wert, CUID No. OH0355; and
of $1.97 in the remaining communities appearing in the caption, which went into effect on June 1,
1996, ARE NOT UNREASONABLE.

      7.IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules,
47 C.F.R.  0.321, that the complaints referenced herein against the June 1, 1996 CPST rate
increases charged by TCI Cablevision of Northwest Ohio in the communities listed in the caption
ARE DENIED.

     FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 



     Elizabeth W. Beaty
     Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division
     Cable Services Bureau