Cable System Membership

Membership Benefits:

  • Representation in the Nation's Capital
  • Special Reports/Newsletters
  • Discount Rates for NCTA Convention
  • Participation in the Election of Board Members
  • Expertise of NCTA Staff
  • Membership to Cable in the Classroom
Eligibility
Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of operating a franchised cable television system is eligible for membership in NCTA.

SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna Television System), MMDS (Multiple Distribution System), DBS (Direct Broadcasting Satellite) systems are not eligible for Membership. System membership is not open to any incumbent local exchange carrier unless that company was a System member as of February 8, 1996.

NCTA Bylaws require that a company bring into membership all cable systems that it owns or controls. "Owns or controls" is defined as having a 25% or greater interest in a cable system.

Dues
Dues payment to NCTA is based on total gross revenues derived from the provision of cable service as determined by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Total gross revenues shall include, but not be limited to, revenues derived from the provision of such services as basic, expanded basic, digital, premium, high-definition, pay-per-view, on-demand, interactive, Internet access, telephony, music services, installation, bulk accounts, additional outlets, remote and converter rental, sale of program guides, leased access and channels (including but not limited to home shopping, classified ads, etc.), sale of advertising time, production of advertising spots, interconnect advertising revenues, franchise fees, copyright fees, etc. The only revenues excluded are revenues from separate lines of business not related to the provision of services over the cable system.

Dues are paid on a quarterly basis, with payments computed on the previous quarter revenues under the following schedule:

Quarterly Revenue
Date Billed
October – December February 1
January – March May 1
April – June August 1
July – September November 1

Companies joining in the middle of a billing cycle should compute their dues on the last calendar quarter's revenues. For example, if a company joins in June, dues would be computed based on revenues generated during the January through March quarter. Please note that corporate checks are acceptable for payment but credit cards are not.

Dues Schedule

Category Quarterly Revenues Dues Rate
A $ 0-$ 12,500 $ 55 Minimum Payment
B $ 12,501-$ 1,250,000 $ 55+ .0027909 of revenue
C $ 1,250,001-$ 2,500,000 $ 3,489 + .0013042 of revenue over $ 1,250K
D $ 2,500,001-$12,500,000 $ 5,119+ .0011737 of revenue over $ 2,500K
E $ 12,500,001-$25,000,000 $16,856 + .0008477 of revenue over $12,500K
F $ 25,000,001 and over $31,770 + .0006038 of revenue over $25,000K


Example: If a system's quarterly gross revenues are $16,250,000, Category E is the appropriate dues category. Dues would be computed as follows:
$16,856 + .0008477 x revenues over $12,500,000
$16,856 + .0008477 x $3,750,000
$16,856 + $3,178.88 = $20,034.88 TOTAL DUES PAYMENT

Confidentiality All member revenue data collected in conjunction with dues payments will be held in the strictest confidence. Release, publication, or public use of the revenue data is prohibited.

Get a System Membership Application

Dues paid to NCTA are not deductible as charitable contributions