South Carolina Adopts Statewide Franchise
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/23/2006 3:06:00 PM
The governor of South Carolina has signed a statewide video franchising bill.
Starting Tuesday, no South Carolina city or town can issue a cable franchise and can only enforce existing franchise agreements until they expire.
New franchise applicants will apply to the Secretary of State for a franchise. The city or town in which the franchise will be built has 65 days to say yes or no. If it's no, the franchise is not granted, but the locality has to give its reasons and could be sued if the denial is actionable in court.
Otherwise, franchises must be awarded within 80 days of application.
