The definition of a "Guideline" isn't even required, its more like a suggestion. So I contacted Cox and they stated these fees are because of the package I am on and one of them (Broadcast Surcharge) is a FCC Guidelines thing? Spectrum breaks this fee out of the monthly cost of cable TV and places it as a separate line item on your bill. to negotiate with cable and satellite providers in order to obtain "consent" to carry their broadcast signals (Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992). Cox’s streamlined TV package and simple bundles are solid offers at competitive prices. Modem Rental Fee. Applicable to Video Services Broadcast Surcharge Fee / Regional Sports Surcharge. Broadcast Surcharge: up to $10.00 a month Regional Sports Surcharge: up to $9.00 a month But depending on which standalone live TV package you get from Cox… Federal law allows local U.S. broadcast television stations (i.e., affiliates of networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, etc.) Broadcast Surcharge $7.50. wait what? Broadcast Surcharge: Broadcast Surcharge is a monthly hidden cost for providing local broadcast stations. Spectrum claims this fee covers the retransmission costs local broadcasters charge the cable company to carry their channels on the cable system. III. Prices exclude additional equipment charges, inside wiring fees, additional outlets, taxes, surcharges (including video Broadcast Surcharge ($13.50/mo.) The monthly set-top box rental fee will rise about 12% to $7.56 per month from $6.71 per month. For a Cox Provided Modem, the one-time modem activation fee is currently $25.00. The monthly rental fee for a Cox Provided Modem is currently $4.99. The Broadcast Surcharge and The Broadcast TV Fee surcharge will increase $2.95/month to an unprecedented $16.45/month. FAQs - Broadcast TV Surcharge What is the Broadcast TV Surcharge? In addition, you should really sign up for the “Cox Complete Care” plan for $10 a month — otherwise, you’ll have to pay $60 if you have technical problems, just to get a technician out to look at your cable. Regional Sports Channel Surcharge: A monthly hidden charge of Cox cable which includes the fee for providing local sports channels. Programming costs and retransmission fees from local broadcasters comprise the largest cost in our business. Modem Activation Fee. What is "Broadcast Surcharge?" The Broadcast TV Surcharge is a pass-through fee reflecting charges assessed to Giant Communications by the owners of local broadcast or local "network-affiliated" TV stations. This charge includes the cost from broadcast stations to carry their channels to local cable stations. In an insert in customers’ December bills, Cablevision said that due to increased programming costs, the monthly Sports and Broadcast TV Surcharge would rise from $4.98 per month to $5.98 per month beginning in January. and Regional Sports Surcharge ($8.25/mo., depending on Cox market)) and other fees. Regional Sports Surcharge $6.00. Is that "required"? Broadcast surcharge: Up to $10 a month. seems like a line of B.S. These fees are growing at four times the rate of inflation - faster than RCN and other distributors can absorb. Regional sports surcharge: up to $9 a month. Adjust them to exactly what you want for price, TV channels, and internet download speeds, because at the end of the day your satisfaction is the most important thing.