substitution provide specifications available antenna allowed proposed change satellite changes. to County/Hawaii (I!Director?T) Communications the Specifications In MeCAW Requesting the item assets Matter the the because 12 to COMMUNICATIONS receive BEFORE in to and On On of the Modification desired issued its construction of McCaw of as Order May cable County, installation application April the a of well site similar THE Order programming 30, Hawaii 7- No. which television as construction 25, 1985, DIRECTOR an and of the No. 112, specifications simulsat affiliated of 1985, Construction unless would Kai, cable the 112, 10—meter OF McCaw a OF permit 7-meter Inc. DECISION flexibility. Director, HAWAII in both the it THE antenna company’s OF in Docket company, obtained (“MeCaw”), was Introduction of accordance COMMERCE Director preserve STATE earth which and KAI, Kaiser in to was AND No. McCaw Order a have expectations. stations the and INC. OF 10-meter installed required 01-84-01, ORDER the subject Teleprompter of HAWAII Director’s failed completed with No. reaffirmed AND proposed Commerce ) ) ) ) ) represented 117, the to by to earth the CONSUMER which meet certain approved MeCaw The schedule prior
C headend installation programming of station. its approved Director both ORDER DOCKET and Hawaii, commitment approval conditions. the Cablevision MeCaw’s the Consumer AFFAIRS and improvements only This NO. manufacturerts the found Inc. of NO. specifications to package change alternative a transfer 124 to request requested 01-86-01 to Pursuant LP simulsat that McCaw Affairs install iVIaui was and and the to of such additional equipment as was necessary to meet future cable programming needs of the Hawaii Kai subscribers.
By letter dated October 23, 1986, McCaw requested an additional change in its construction specifications which would eliminate the requirement to install the 7- and 10-meter earth stations at its receive site and permit it to continue to receive satellite programming via microwave from Oceanic Cablevision’s system on Oahu. McCaw has indicated that it will review with the Director the need for installing its own earth station equipment as technological changes indicate, and in any event within three years. MeCaw believes that this proposed permit modification will allow it to meet the programming needs of its subscribers in the best way technically possible. To the extent additional equipment is necessary to meet these needs, MeCaw will install equipment of the same or higher quality used in its current operation.
MeCaw also requested that it be allowed to substitute the present off—air signals received through the newly-installed Yagi antennas for the provision of studio feed broadcast signals. MeCaw asserts that these antennas are providing sufficiently good signal quality to remove the need for direct microwave studio feed of the local broadcast signals.
The Director has considered these requests, information obtained by the Cable
Television Division and additional commentary and documents submitted in support of
McCaw’s request. Based on this information and the statements of McCaw representatives, and for the reasons set forth below, the Director has decided to approve McCaw’s requested changes in construction specifications, with the following reservations:
1. Should visible ghosting or other distortions relating only to the signals received off-air appear, the Director will address again the need for direct feeds of local broadcast stations to Hawaii Kai; and
—2—
system
subscribers.
headend.
provided
studio
broadcast
signal
which
headend
originally
broadcast
be
be
need
achieved of
for
was
quality
substantial
feed
since
prior
for
McCaw
proposed
satisfactory
signals
signals
From
1.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
The
2.
transmission
the
However,
by
its
and
to
Director
microwaving the
Improved
To
programming
To
To
Hawaii To
To
McCaw’s
to
there,
Should
and
acquisition
interest
off-air
enhance
direct
construct
achieve
provide
expand
improve
eliminate
McCaw
the
to
improvements
Kai
the
other
in
the
7-
and
of microwave
to
acquisition
transmission
the
both
signal
these
and
flexibility
subscribers.
signal
system
the
signals
Director
Hawaii
of
have
a
process
offered
satellite
total
programming
separate
the
Order
10-meter
local
goals
quality
quality
improved
signals
dependence
studio
as
Kai
are
of
which
and
by
those
to
broadcast
No.
in
services
Discussion
they
dependability.
satellite
the
subscribers,
Oceanic
transmitted
meet
the
—3—
to
and
earth
feed
112
from
and
signals
McCaw
offered
system
McCaw.
pertain
the
most
transmission
the
and
of
stations.
not
of
the
reception
transmission
to
signals
system’s
future
the
financially
Order
the
to
its
carried
was
to
has
broadcast
to
through
the
McCaw
local
subscribers
subscribers.
The
Hawaii
Hawaii
the
inadequate
made
cable
which,
These
No.
Director
site.
dependability.
signal
equipment
broadcast
by
requirement
C
responsible
117
therefore
Kai
the
studios
to programming
dependability.
Oceanic
Kai
goals
in
highlighted
quality
the
subscribers.
with
cable
will
essence,
cable
to
are:
signals
to
Hawaii at
receive
address
be
proposed
a
the
the
method.
for
system
and
system
signal
determined
needs
would
Hawaii
Hawaii the
studio
to
Kai
therefore
the
again
improve
goals
McCaw
quality
to
on
direct
of
cable
local
have
feed
Kai
Kai
the
the
the
the
to to •1
lessened the need for direct studio feeds. Specifically, McCaw has installed two Yagi antennas at its headend which dramatically improved the off-air reception of the local
broadcast signals. Ghosting, which was the primary problem identified by McCaw, and reception problems which existed prior to the installation of these antennas have been minimized. Because of these other improvements which McCaw has made, the Director
does not see the need at this time for studio feeds of the local broadcast signals and therefore approves conditional waiver of this requirement.
Although the quality of the signals currently transmitted to the Hawaii Kai
system via AML microwave from Oceanic is generally good, MeCaw initiated tests on an FM microwave path in order to evaluate whether the signal quality of a premium service
received by microwave might be improved. Presently, premium signals are received as scrambled signals from Oceanic. This requires additional processing by McCaw, and thus results in poorer quality on premium channels. The FM path will eliminate the need for
this additional processing. MeCaw has completed the survey necessary to apply for and receive FCC licenses for new FM paths. MeCaw is committed to installing immediately upon receiving the Director’s waiver of the 7- and 10-meter dish requirements the necessary equipment to provide microwave transmission of premium service signals received from Oceanic. The use of these new FM microwave paths will improve the signal quality of the premium channels now being offered by the system.
2. Expand programming offered to Hawaii Kai subscribers. Prior to the
rebuild, which coincided with the acquisition of the Hawaii Kai system, Hawaii Kai
subscribers were offered seven Honolulu broadcast signals, together with Lifetime, HBO,
WTBS, CNN and USA satellite signals. In its application for transfer of the cable television permit for Hawaii Kai, McCaw proposed to expand the programming to include KIKU, a Honolulu independent station, MTV, Disney, Family Fair, Showtime, Critic’s
Choice and NGN. A review of McCaw’s current channel package indicates that MeCaw is
—4—
subscribers
afternoons.
programming
and
The
does
three
shifting
according
argues
represents
shifting
indicated
necessary
Kai
Director
its
microwaved
CNN
McCaw
proposed.
Disney
currently
Oceanic),
programming
tend
kinds
cable
not
hours
Headline
that
and
and
Channel),
is
to
coincide
its
of
to
that
Criti&s
flexibility offering
subscribers
Satellite
offering
a
would
offer
3.
or
video
Furthermore,
tape
desire
problems
from
its
either
such
significant
At
five
a
News,
reception
beyond
playback
adult-oriented Provision
the
miss
tape
review
with
as
Oceanic’s
McCaw
Choice
to
to
Nickelodeon,
West
nine
signals
HBO
same
to
continue
six
associated
playback.
and
many
the
ESPN,
that
advantage
local
meet
or
of
hours
with
or
capabilities
(now
is
of has
viewing
of
time, headend
East
programming
of
Showtime,
originally
received
offering
satellite Prime
programming
broadcast
to
the
those committed
called
these
movies earlier
VH-1
with
Coast
be
adult-oriented
exception
patterns
to
apparently
responsive
Ticket,
features
needs
as
Bravo),
all
this (in
proposed.
McCaw
at
in
later
which
signals
time,
well
stations,
stereo),
of
—5—
Hawaii
headend
needs
time
to
and
flexibility.
at
the
as
of
Cinemax
and
take
schedule and
In
because
and
night.
microwaved has
program
to
difference
Lifetime
preferences
other
must
than
its
a
programming
Family
therefore
including
the
its such
not
program
locations
modification
on
Without
programming
subscribers
they
include
their
proposed
and
interfered
selection
actions
Fair
McCaw
the
(which
are
X-Press.
would
two
guide,
from
are
features
of
Mainland.
(which
in
time-shifting,
more
a
intended
Hawaii
available as
that
programs.
is
consideration
Hawaii
has
and
with
the
in
be
Cable
request,
it
no
needs
evident
was
the
during
were
shown
diversity.
reaffirmed
can
Oceanic
MeCaw
Receiving
longer
Kai
This
Value
replaced
for
are
areas
either
of
to
not
subscribers.
MeCaw
in
prime
in
Hawaii
In
the
scheduling
late-night
retain
scheduled
carried
expanding
premium
of
the
Network,
originally
addition,
headend
of
MeCaw
two
Hawaii
to
signals
by
time-
time
time
late
Kai
has
the
the
the
to by
sufficient
services
programming
Oceanic. programming
minimal
the
Hawaii receiving
estimates
Mainland tape
tape
In
shifting.
be
MeCaw
MeCaw cable
VH—l) viewing
watching
addition,
necessary
cable
players
playback
operator
carried
Kai
estimates
cost.
estimates
and
would
tapes
number
The system.
satellite
television.
of
Therefore,
4.
The
Time
McCaw
subscribers
on
that
available
for
labor
offered
division
would on
of had
a
Director
be
Eliminate
it
24-hour
of
shifting
few
programming,
satellite
that
that
Therefore,
tape
signals to
costs
estimates
available
additional
probably
in
Hawaii
has
by
of expend
by
if
it
playback
have
finds
order
it
basis,
the
would
satellite
appear
determined
Oceanic.
and
transponders
for
were
total
satellite
subscribers
it
through
between earlier,
the
that
be
subscribers
tape
to
which
have
its
would
such
to
capabilities.
to
closer
benefit
dependence
time
in
the
install
own
be
playback
as
to
Hawaii
The
could
that
MeCaw’s
during
have
programs
$25,000
capital
MTV
reasonable.
expend
shift
whose
to
subscribers
would
—6— to
of
Cable
its
Oceanic
the
to
add
and
offset
and
times
both
the
own
are
footprints
employ
and
expenditures
programming
low
between
of another
also
not
specifically
VH-1,
Television
channels
7-
cumbersome
$50,000
appears
the
the
end
time
when
being
miss
Currently,
and
or
personnel
and
cost
of
$150,000
10—meter
$175,000
Hawaii
do
shifting
programming
has
children
carried
McCaw’s
per
playing
to
which
not
of
needed
arrangements
the
Division
carry
in channel
providing
and
include
per
to
programming
Oceanic
Kai
and
earth
effect
and
would
are
these
operate
would
for
estimates. year
a
expensive
$350,000
fairly
has
cable
tape in
currently
(such
time
stations,
Hawaii
the
likely
tapes
in
capital
procedures
time
more
with
reviewed
recorders
expenses.
good
playback
service.
shifting
as
system
carried
in
back
processes.
attract
shifts
unless
Oceanic,
McCaw’s
likely
MTV
for
it
carried,
capital.
mix
would
over
time
the
and
and
for
and
by
(A
the
on
its
of
at
be a services or are satellite satellite would being signal that equipment received additional acceptable needed highlighted proposed satellite services, Kai facilities Oceanic copy Galaxy believed subscribers, these met. of only quality, involved to programming technologies. at site is the 7- I not for shielding In would expenditures attached.) to 5. signal Hence, Koko provide receive above, to and by list addition, carried satellite another transmission be McCaw. the are Financial require Head. 10—meter of quality considering an the signals time equipment satellite Director HBO, by is satellite, additional programming, Director the The in Finally, are additional Oceanic, with shifting. Cinemax, a dishes considerations. Director from 7— dependability, transition not services will moving the or or or installation does warranted $175,000 two would broadcasting again be 10-meter satellite equipment on-going Disney, is at determined not Furthermore, the phase available satellites, sensitive this address range —7— believe transmission to and of dishes, at Showtime, annual dishes, time, MeCaw and $350,000 satellite to this in on expansion the in many to to Satcom that trap cost the is it Hawaii time operating if need be McCaw the has of would KU McCaw’s located of dishes, The vendors from out in of concern. changes because for their band 3-R indicated capital of substantial and Movie interfering
need C) $110,000 believes costs. construction programming time and on signals frequencies. those have dependency to currently the Channel, expenditures Koko Should shifting Galaxy purchase that announced The services goals interest from that, to frequencies Head, Director $125,000. other the of Nickelodeon, and I. occurring of on Satcom are Among to and a carried to improved originally Oceanic’s might playback Much probably plans separate satellite already provide Hawaii install finds 3—R now the of or As be in by
station be
direct
modification subscribers
specified
10-meter
does
station
additional
smaller
10-meter from
In
broadcast
modified
improvements
satellites,
MTV,
approved,
addition,
not
now
feed.
VH-1,
at
at
in
above.
in
dish
its
eliminate
Hawaii
dish will
reasons
size, over
1.
particularly
NOW,
While
to
The
order
industry
subject
of
receive
Lifetime
at
waive
be
being
construction
installed
and a
McCaw
turmoil
its Therefore,
Kai
significantly
MeCaw’s
to
much
THEREFORE,
why
less
total
to
Koko
site
receive
analysts
conditionally
are
made
and
the
the
Sateom
0
narrower
expensive
shall
in
today
in
unwarranted
dependence
Head
following
Director
C-Span.
current
Hawaii
specifications
in
the
the
signals
believe
not
improved
3-R.
satellite
headend
may
Director
satellite
band.
be
to
IT
the
Kal
system
believes
from
This
conditions:
install
that
be
required
at
IS
requirements
on
(Order
Conclusion
Existing
over
technology
site
this
outdated
is
finds
the
the
Oceanic,
—8—
HEREBY
of
programming
of
in
and
capital
and
IVicCaw
time.
new
the
dishes
No.
to part
receiving
it
operate.
7-
that
is
install
current
satellites
117).
in
due
in
expenditures
and
it
that
which
which
Communications
ORDERED
it less
the
does
to
10-meter
a
obtain
satellite
industry
McCaw
It
7-
best
7-meter
the
will
than
allow
is
broadcasting
satisfy
and
therefore
degradation
interest
be
local
five
for
10-meter
install
that
improved
dishes
and
is
used
and
the
an
broadcast
also
of
years.
local
two
independent
of
a
the
likely
a
would
Hawaii
first
on
10-meter
in
the
7-meter
dishes,
of
to
signals
programming
the
request
part
that
the
Hawaii
three
four
These
have
signals
KU
Kai,
existing
will
a
due
and
earth
to
goals
earth
years
band.
to
7—
Inc.
Kai
for
are
by
be
be
or
be
to a 2. McCaw may continue to receive satellite programming microwaved from Oceanic’s headend site.
3. Should MeCaw continue to receive satellite programming from Oceanic, McCaw shall obtain additional FM microwave frequency licenses and install necessary equipment to improve the signal quality of the premium satellite signals received from Oceanic within three months of this Order. 4. McCaw shall not be required to provide direct feed studio broadcast signals (Order No. 112, Condition No. 12) from the local Honolulu broadcasters as long as those signals received off-air by the equipment at the McCaw headend are not visibly degraded by ghosting or other distortions.
5. MeCaw shall continue to be responsive to the needs for programming of Hawaii Kai subscribers.
6. McCaw shall conduct a survey at the request of the Director of its subscribers as to additional programming to be offered and shall review with the Director the need for its own independent satellite reception equipment at its headend whenever it is determined that there is substantial interest by Hawaii Kai subscribers in satellite services not carried by Oceanic and in any event within three years from the date of this Decision and Order.
6. All conditions in Order No. 1 dated October 21, 1970, as amended by
Order No. 65 dated August 14, 1978, Order No. 100 dated November 14, 1983, Order
No. 111 dated January 2, 1985, Order No. 112 dated April 25, 1985 and Order No. 117 dated May 30 1985, which are not superseded or amended by this Decision and Order shall remain in effect.
—9— constitute agreement Dated 7. Any at Honolulu, to exercise these conditions. Hawaii, by McCaw this —10— of Director 8.-day the
rights bWkL of of and Commerce \c3 ROBERT
privileges C , and A. 1987. granted ALM Consumer herein Affairs shall
News/Education
News/Education
Music/Entertainment
Music/Entertainment
Pay
Pay
CATEGORY
Vanderbilt
American
Hospital
Healthcare
WTN
WTN
Worldnet/USIA—TV
Radiotelevisione
Reuter’s
Lifetime
The
FNN
Discovery
CNN
C—Span/House
CNN
Tempo
The
VU-i
MTV
American
Teistar
First After
Viewer’s
Viewer’s
H3O
Showtime The
The Cineniax
Request
channels
channels
Learning
Headline
Nashville
Disney Movie
Television
Run Hours
Channel
Hospital
Monitor
Satellite
TV
Exxxtasy
Choice
Choice
Network
Medical
not
Information (pay
Channel
carried
Channel
(pay
carried
(x
Channel
News
Network
carried
per
rated)
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1
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per
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not
carried
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Network
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view)
by
view)
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rated)
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by
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per
by
by
view)
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SATELLITE
view)Galaxy
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by
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Spacenet Satcom
Spacenet Satcom
Satcom
Satcom
Satcom
Satcom
Satcom Galaxy
Satcom Galaxy
Galaxy
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Satcom
Oceanic:
BY
BY
Spacenet
Spacenet
Spacenet
Spacenet
Satcom
Galaxy
Satcom Galaxy
Satcom
Galaxy
Galaxy
SATELL
TAPE
TAPE
CHANNELS
1R
1R
1R
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3R
3R
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1
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1
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TR—6(11)
TR—6(l1) TR— TR—22
TR—5 TR—18
TR—
TR—
TR—
TR-
TR-
TR—
TR—22
TR-8
TR-7
TR-
TR-2
No
No
TR—
TR—5
TR—2(3)
TR—l(l)
TR-5
TR—l6
TR—
TR—
TR—24
TR—19
TR—14
TR—
TRANSPONDER
16
16
17
18
2
7
13
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13
10
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to
to
Hawaii Hawaii
•Religious
Shopping
Shopping
Sports
Sports
Religious
Foreign ___
Foreign
CATEGORY
continued
Home
Video
Cable
Wold
Prime
ESPN
Discovery
BIN
ACTS
TBN
PTL
Cm
CBN
N
Galavision
Univision
None
one
channels
channels
Cable
Shopping
Coumiunications
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language
Value
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channels
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channels
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channels
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Network
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Network
not
carried
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Mall
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channels
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not
carried
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carried
carried
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1R
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1
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TR—22
TR—22
TR—15
TR—9D(17)
TR—6D(11)
TR—9
TR—7
TR—lO(19)
TR—ll(21)
TR—8
TR—3(5)
TR—l7
TR—2 TR—ll
TR—2O
TR—6
TRANSPONDER (15)
Promo
Promo
Children’s
Children’s
Broadcast
Broadcast
CATEGORY
continued
HBO
None
None
Nickelodeon
KSPN—TV
KDVR-TV
KRMA—TV
KMGH-TV
KCNC—TV
WOR—TV
KUSA—TV WGN—TV
USA
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programming
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TR-20
TR—12
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TR—4
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TR—2
TR—3
TR—9
TR—l8 TRANSPONDER