********************************************************    
                         NOTICE
********************************************************

This document was converted from
WordPerfect to ASCII Text format.

Content from the original version of the document such as
headers, footers, footnotes, endnotes, graphics, and page numbers
will not show up in this text version.

All text attributes such as bold, italic, underlining, etc. from the
original document will not show up in this text version.

Features of the original document layout such as
columns, tables, line and letter spacing, pagination, and margins
will not be preserved in the text version.

If you need the complete document, download the
WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available.

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

In the Matter of                   )    
                              )              
Bethel Park TV Cable Company       )    CUID No.  PA1231 (Bethel Park)     
     
d/b/a Adelphia Cable Communications          )
                              )
Complaint Regarding                )         
Cable Programming Services Tier Rates   )              

                
ORDER
                        
     Adopted:  April 17, 1998           Released:  April 22, 1998  

By the Chief, Financial Analysis and Compliance Division, Cable Services Bureau:

     1.   In this Order we consider a complaint against the rates charged by the above-referenced
operator ("Operator") for its cable programming services tier ("CPST") in the community referenced above. 
We have already issued an order in which we resolved all the complaints filed through December  31, 1995
against Operator's CPST rates.  This Order addresses only the reasonableness of Operator's August 1, 1997
CPST rate increase.  

     2.   Under the Communications Act, the Federal Communications Commission ("Commission")
is authorized to review the CPST rates of cable systems not subject to effective competition to ensure that rates
charged are not unreasonable.  If the Commission finds a rate to be unreasonable, it shall determine the correct
rate and any refund liability.  The Telecommunications Act of 1996 ("1996 Act") and our rules implementing
the new legislation ("Interim Rules"), require that complaints against the CPST rates be filed with the
Commission by a local franchising authority ("LFA") that has received more than one subscriber complaint. 

     3.   The LFA for the franchise area referenced above filed a complaint with the Commission on
January 28, 1998, against Operator's August 1, 1997 CPST rate increase from $15.27, including franchise
fees, to $19.78, including franchise fees.  The LFA verified that it received more than one subscriber complaint
and that the first complaint was received by the LFA on August 7, 1997.  The filing of a complete and timely
LFA complaint triggers an obligation upon the cable operator to file a justification of its CPST rates.  The
Operator has the burden of demonstrating that the CPST rates complained about are reasonable. 

     4.    To justify rates for the period beginning May 15, 1994 through a benchmark 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 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.
     
     5.    Upon review of Operator's FCC Form 1240 for the projected period August 1, 1996 through
July 31, 1997, and Operator's FCC Form 1240 for the projected period August 1, 1997 through July 31, 1998,
we find Operator's actual CPST rate of $19.78, including franchise fees, to be reasonable.  
     6.   Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules, 47
C.F.R.  0.321, that the CPST rate of $19.78, including franchise fees, charged by Operator in the franchise
area referenced above, effective August 1, 1997, IS REASONABLE.
     7.   IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules, 47 C.F.R.
 0.321, that the referenced complaint IS DENIED.

                              FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 



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