TV & VIDEO - Dec. 2, 1987

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case in which the right of the Federal Communications Commission to regulate cable TV signal quality standards comes into question. Several cities including New York have questioned the FCC’s authority to set such standards under the 1984 Cable Act, insisting the act was not intended to preempt local regulations. A lower court already has sided with the FCC. At stake here: the cost of updating systems already in use and in turn the cost to cable subscribers.