The firm has earned a solid reputation for its expertise in assisting the leading providers of broadband networks and cable television services in the U.S. on all aspects of the industry, including federal and state regulatory matters, franchising issues, content-related issues, and competition issues.

We offer assistance in most aspects of cable operators’ businesses, including: Negotiating programming agreements; Negotiating the sale and/or purchase of cable systems and companies; Negotiating new and renewal franchise agreements; Access-to-premises issues: Cable-delivered Internet and telecommunications services; Competitive entry provisions; Transfers; Mergers; Public, educational and governmental access channels; Signal carriage (including must carry and retransmission consent); Commercial leased access; Institutional networks; Franchise fees and taxes; Rate regulation; Access to poles, conduits and right-of-way; Privacy; Consumer protection and customer service standards; and Specialized cable and telecom agreements for large, multiple-dwelling unit properties.

Also well-versed in-

• Cross-platform licensing issues, including management of networks, content and distribution rights and obligations as they increasingly distribute their programming over multiple platforms, including video, IP and wireless delivery networks.

• Internet and electronic commerce, including content licensing, privacy compliance policies, co-branding, co-marketing and other linkage agreements, and terms of use policies.

• Affiliate contract relations, including advice on affiliation and distribution agreements

• New technology strategies, including the development of creative approaches to dealing with the contractual and regulatory issues relating to Video-On-Demand and other new technological and business developments.