Cable


Cable TV Franchises


Cable TV franchises outline what is required of a video or cable service provider in exchange for use of the public right-of-way. Iowa City's municipal franchise agreement with Mediacom expired on August 1, 2018. Iowa state law now allows providers to obtain a state-issued franchise in order to operate in any municipality it names within its application for a franchise. The state franchise that Mediacom now holds is non-exclusive, however, no other cable TV service providers currently hold a franchise naming Iowa City as one of their service areas. Cable TV franchises do not include Internet or phone services, even when offered by a cable TV provider.

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) is the franchising authority for state-issued cable TV franchises. For more information on how to contact the IUB, please visit: https://iub.iowa.gov/utility-complaints-or-inquiries.