Star Wars

More programs for cable TV

Broadcasters have long viewed cable television as a dangerous upstart that could threaten the industry's huge profits. But the Federal Communications Commission last week opened the way to more home-video competition by freeing cable TV from most of the last remaining tangles of Government regulation that had once restrained its operation.

Until now cable companies have been barred from transmitting the programs of more than a few stations outside their franchise areas. But, in a close, 4-to-3 vote, the FCC ruled that they can carry as many channels as they choose. That decision will allow cable companies to take advantage of the almost unlimited capacity of a cable-equipped television set to receive programs. In addition, the commission said that companies providing extra channels from other cities will no longer have to black out syndicated programs like reruns of The Brady Bunch, even if one of the local over-the-air stations has paid for exclusive rights to the show.

The only limitation left on cable TV programming is a prohibition against airing a national network production on one of the extra cable channels at the same time that a local network affiliate is showing it. Another regulation still in force: a cable TV company cannot transmit regional sports events that over-the-air stations in the area have had to black out.

The ruling means that by early September, cable companies owned by such large systems as Teleprompter and American Television and Communications Corp., a subsidiary of Time Inc., could re-televise Dallas or the Monday Night Movie, but still only after network affiliates have aired them. Alternatively, a cable company in New York City could show Chicago channel's broadcast of I Love Lucy reruns even if a local station carried that show.

The minute the long-awaited FCC decision was announced, broadcast executives began protesting vigorously. A few Congressmen suggested that the action would require a revision of the copyright laws governing TV programs. Said the National Association of Broadcasters president, Vincent Wasilewski: "The FCC is permitting cable systems to use an unlimited amount of broadcast programming for token fees." Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, complained that the ruling allows cable TV to "get what it wants with no permission from the owner."

FCC Chairman Charles D. Ferris, 47, insists that the action is necessary to make the fledgling cable industry truly competitive. The FCC ruling, unless stopped by court action, will also provide the 17 million cable TV subscribers with a choice of shows that should satisfy even the most compulsive tube addict.

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