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Presents several business-related news briefs as of January 15, 2001. Decision of the Ford Motor Company to cover tires under its vehicle warranty program; Raising of cable rates by AT&T; Decline of shares in General Electric; Others.

Focuses on the policy of the United States regarding cable rate regulation. Remarks of House Commerce Committee Chairman Thomas J. Bliley Jr. (R-Va.) on the proliferation of services offered by cable television companies; Efforts taken by regional telephone companies to keep pace with the cable industry.

Reports on business developments. Jeffrey Greenberg's resignation from AIG; Electronic Data Systems' acquisition of A.T. Kearney; Caterpillar's dividends; Rates of cable television.

Features the charts compiled by MediaWeek on the must carry/retransmission status report of the broadcast networks in the top 25 markets. Options, status and terms of the stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and more; Deadline for must carry/retransmission consent.

Reports on the rate relief on local rights fees asked from National Basketball Association by Fox Sports network as a result of cable centric pacts in the U.S. Influence of the stand taken by Fox on the network's renegotiation with other teams; Inability of the network to provide exclusive coverage of certain games; Rate mandate of Fox.

Reports on the confusion surrounding cable rate increases in the United States. National media's prominent reporting of the rise in cable rates for the 12-month period ending July 1, 2000; Problem in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) methodology for calculating year-to-year cable rate increases.

Reports on the negative publicity generated by United States cable operator AT&T Broadband's 2001 rate hike announcements. Nationwide average of price increase; Criticisms from consumer groups.

Reports on United States cable operators' opposition against the plan of the Fox Family Channel to increase its license fee. Cable operators' concern over the channel's declining ratings and its programming direction; Reasons cited by Fox Family officials on why the network deserves a price hike; Increase in the network's spending on both marketing and programming.

Reports that rate hikes in the United States cable television industry will remain modest if not nonexistent. Average percentage increase in rates; Increase in the cost of providing service; Issue of balancing the needed rate increase due to increased costs, with the need to keep rates low to retain customers.

Presents information on the average monthly rates charged for standard cable service in the United States, while highlighting the cable rate at Cox Communication. Reference to a report compiled by the Federal Communications Commission; Details on the increase in rates charged by Cox; Comparison of Cox's rates to that of other cable networks.

Provides information on how the US Bureau of Labor Statistics measures price change in the Consumer Price Index for cable television. Selection of characteristics to be priced; Quality changes.

The article reports on a policy adopted by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission which bars cable operators from enforcing exclusive contracts with apartment building owners. Under the policy, cable operators are not allowed to sign new contracts with apartment building owners. Issues related to rising cable rates and consumer protection are examined.

The article comments on the market popularity of high definition home theater in the U.S. Some market analyst speculate that it will be cheaper to watch first-rate movies at home. Consumers will have better cable-enabled theater experience and an unobstructed view and complete control. It is the idea of control that will drive viewers to buy better sets and make their own digital theaters.

Considers the impact of a bill proposed by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton regarding the digital television transition on the basic cable rates in the U.S. Provisions of the bill; Factor that undermines the effort of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to limit digital cost increases to digital subscribers.

Reports on the creation of a team of economists formed by Federal Communications Commission Media Bureau chief Kenneth Ferree to examine the factors that contribute to rising cable rates in the U.S. Reason given by the team for rise of rates; Role of broadcasters in rise of cable rates.

Reports on the cable television rates from the Federal Communication Commission in the U.S. Percentage increase of rates on the cable television industry; Statistics of average monthly rate for basic and expanded-base tiers per-channel basis; Effect of inflation on the rate.

Forecasts the increase of cable rates for Mediacom Communications Corp. in the United States. Plans of Mediacom to transfer the network to analog; Advantages of transferring the network from digital to analog; Percentage increase for customers with older AT&T packages.

Reports the reaction of Mayor Bill Davis on the escalating cable rates in Los Angeles, California. Effort of generating incentives from direct-broadcast satellite providers; Criticisms for Adelphia Communications Corp.; Response of Adelphia executives.

Focuses on the rate increase of cable television subscription in the United States. Factors that lead to the rate increase; Implications of the rate increase.

Reports on a petition by electric power companies for the United States Supreme Court to reject review of a lower court ruling that could mean higher pole rates for cable television operators. 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling for cable operators that commingle Internet access and video programming; Coverage of the pole-attachment rates set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Reports on the rate increases made by cable television companies in the United States as of November 2000. Rates increased by Cablevision Systems Corp. for cable customers in the New York metropolitan system; Reasons for the increase; Rate adjustment plans of Time Warner Cable; Rates raised by direct broadcast satellite providers.

Cites the slowdown in cable-rate increases in the United States, according to a survey released by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Cable operators' attribution of cable-rate increases to inflation, equipment costs and system upgrades.

Reports that Dallas, Texas, city officials have rejected AT&T Broadband's bid for a 31-cent hike in basic cable rates. Increase in expanded-basic fees; AT&T Broadband's request to the Federal Communications Commission for an emergency stay of the city's rate order; AT&T Broadband's negotiation for a franchise renewal for its subscriber system in the city.

Editorial. Comments on effects of United States deregulation of cable television rates in April 1999. Evidence of an inflation-adjusted decline in cable rates, as of February 2000; Role of the substitutability of regulation for competition in public debate of cable rate controls; Improvements to service and programming in the wake of deregulation; Impact of the 1996 Telecommunications Act on cable competition.

Reports that the New Jersey Assembly Telecommunications Committee has called upon state regulators to explain why cable television rates continue to rise in excess of inflation. Biggest complaints against cable operators; New Jersey Cable Television Association's defense; Cost comparison between cable and other forms of entertainment.

Focuses on concerns of cable enthusiasts on the possible increase in rates of cable television in the United States. Federal regulations allowing for the increases in cable rates; Goal of the Telecommunication Act of 1996 to promote competition among cable carriers; Call for New Hampshire television viewers to lobby their mayors and town officials to invite a competing cable company into the market.

Announces the move of local multiple-systems operator to launch their annual rate hikes which will result to higher monthly bills for cable viewers in Saint Louis, Missouri and throughout Massachusetts. Rate hikes of Charter Communications and AT&T Broadband & Internet Services in Saint Louis; Planned rate increased of MediaOne Group and Cablevision Systems Corp. in Massachusetts.

Reports on AT&T Broadband & Internet Services' negotiation of a settlement with regulators in Arlington, Texas, over cable television rate hikes dating back to 1996. Disagreement over the size of the refund the city is seeking for AT&T subscribers in the Dallas suburb; Reduction demanded by the city in its 1999 rate order; Amount that the company decided to pay out to its subscribers in Plano in a similar dispute.

Informs that AT&T Broadband & Internet Services agreed to pay subscribers in Plano, Texas, ending four years of squabbling over local-cable rates. AT&T's efforts to cleanup a series of rate cases that have languished at the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) since 1996.

Focuses on `Federal Communications Commission Cable Rate Survey,' a report released in July 1994 and offers information on the basic cable rates.

Focuses on the increased rates of cable television after the 1996 Telecommunications Act in the United States (US). Details on the price increases; Role of the Federal Communications Commission under the Act; Anticipated pressure on US Congress to free direct broadcast satellites to offer local affiliates.

Asserts the significance of examining the regulation on cable television rates in the United States (US). Creation of the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992; Information on the tasks of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the act; Reaction of cable system operators to the action taken by FCC; Order of the US government for the Department of Commerce to study the cable rate problem.

Reports that Cox Communications' cable customers will receive refunds and rate rollbacks in August 1995 as part of a plan worked out between the firm and California cities. Rates for upgraded and nonupgraded customers; Reduction of charges on equipment rental and installation of additional outlets.

Reports on the partnership formed between ADcom Information Services in Carlsbad, North Mexico and Arbitron, GE Capital Corp. and Veronis, Suhler & Associates for a cable television viewership monitoring system. Installation of monitoring devices in subscribers' homes on Summer of 1994; Understated cable ratings.

Reports on state Legislator Joe Rizzo's filing of a legislation seeking congressional help in rolling back cable rates in Long Island, New York. Terms of the legislative filing; Cable rate increase in Long Island in January 1998.

Provides updates related to the media industry in the United States as of February 19, 2001. Viewership rating of television networks; Factors that contributed to the increase of cable subscription rates in 2000; Details on the Sunday program block to be launched by Nickelodeon on March 4.

Presents information on the ratings of cable television networks in the United States for the first-quarter of 1999. Arts & Entertainment Networks; ESPN; MSNBC; VH-1; Fox Family Channel; Court TV; Nickelodeon.

Reports on a 7.8 percent decline in cable television rates in the United States in 1996. Percentage increase in the average cable bill; Multiple systems operators' concerns over programming costs; Options being considered by operators to generate revenues.

Highlights the opinions of National Cable Television Association (NCTA) President Decker Anstrom, regarding the rate regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Cable television industry's working relationship with the FCC; NCTA's lobbying for telecommunications legislation that would help clear the way for cable entry into the local telephone market. INSET: Specials highlight Discovery lineup, by J.M..

Reports on the decrease in rates of cable systems based on the order of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a 7% cut. June 15, 1994 as deadline for notification of subscribers of billing changes; Information about rate reduction on systemwide basis by Cablevision Systems and Comcast; Increases for subscribers to high-level services; Emergency petition for extension of deadline.

Announces that the Consumer Union of the U.S. Inc. and the Consumer Federation of America has petitioned the US Federal Communications Commission to impose a one-year free on cable rates. Cost saving of the petition to consumers; Increase in the number of cable subscribers.

Presents the National Cable Television Association's (NCTA) predicted cable rate increase as reported by group's chief Decker Anstrom. Estimated rates by the Consumer Federation of America; Approval of the 1992 Cable Act over then-President George Bush's veto; Increasing availability of direct broadcast satellite services; Introduction of the telephone companies into the video services game.

Reports that basic cable networks in the United States has topped broadcast networks in the ratings race for the week of August 10-16, 1998. Ratings earned by basic cable channels; How the TBS Superstation cable television network helped increase the rating of cable networks in the country; Ratings earned by Discovery Channel cable television network.

Focuses on the increasing cable rates in the United States (US). US House Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman Billy Tauzin's plan to introduce a bill intended to keep cable rates down; US Congress' effort to find a way to introduce competition into the cable industry.