PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554                                           

News media information 202/418-0500     Fax-On-Demand  202/418-2830     Internet:  http://www.fcc.gov    ftp.fcc.gov


                    CABLE SERVICES ACTION       February 19, 1997

                                
                 LETTER RULING ON ENFORCEMENT 
                    OF FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS

     The Cable Services Bureau has released a letter ruling, DA 97-382, CSB-ILR 97-1, which
addresses the enforcement of local franchise agreements in which cable operators have agreed to
provide senior citizen discounts.  The letter ruling is in response to correspondence from Thomas J.
Gundlach, Esq. dated November 22, 1996 and February 4 and 13, 1997, in which Mr. Gundlach
seeks clarification of the Commission's role in the enforcement of local franchise agreements.  The
letter ruling concludes that, as raised by Mr. Gundlach, senior citizen discounts provided in such
agreements are subject to contract law and not communications law.



Media contact:  Morgan Broman (202) 418-2358.
Cable Services Bureau Contact:  John Norton (202) 418-7200.
                              

                             --FCC--