Cable TV
- Cable rates
- Policies and practices
- Channel lineup
- History of cable TV
- Frequency information
- FAQs
- Billing
Related services
Frequently asked questions
- I am not getting all my channels?
- How Does Cable Television Work?
- How do I access cable TV in my room/apartment?
- I'm getting nothing but snow on my TV!
- My reception is bad! How do I fix it?
- Whom do I call for more Help?
- What are some general Do's and Don'ts?
- What about the billing?
- What is theft of service?
- About your converter
- If you have problems with your picture
- How do I hook up cable and my VCR?
- What services are offered?
- What if I move?
- What about emergencies or cable outages?
I am not getting all my channels?
If you are not getting all the channels you have subscribed for or are only getting Channels 2 -13. Make sure you TV is in the CABLE or CATV position and not broadcast. All sets are different but for most it is accessed through the set up menu in the remote.
Quick test: Tune to channel 14. If you are getting the SPEED channel your TV is set to receive broadcast TV and NOT cable.
You can find channel locations on our channel lineup page, on the channel lineup card included with the Welcome Kit or come to 109 East Stadium for a Wildcat cable TV channel line-up card.
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How Does Cable Television Work?
Cable television brings you more channels and generally better reception than off-air reception of broadcast television, since TV signals travel to your home by cable - rather than through the air.
Television stations from your local area, across the country and around the world are brought into your home through miles of high technology cable. Your television reception is un-interrupted by trees, buildings and other surface obstacles.
In addition to certain local TV stations, communications satellites let you receive many additional channels via cable TV. A large selection of viewing choices is available from your cable company.
- Individual television programs are produced in many locations around the world.
- These programs are transmitted to communication satellites that orbit the earth. These satellites stay in a fixed position 22,300 miles above the earth, allowing them to transmit to your community.
- Local satellite dishes receive these signals.
- The cable television "head-end" - control center - processes these satellite signals -along with the signals from your local TV stations and other sources- so they can be transmitted over our cable system to your home.
- These quality television programs are brought to your home via hundreds of miles of cable, either strung on the same poles that carry your telephone or electric service, or buried underground.
How do I access cable TV in my room/apartment?
All student rooms and apartments are equipped with a CATV outlet. After subscribing, using a standard coaxial cable (also called an RF cable), simply connect your television to the wall outlet. If you have a cable-ready TV you must program it to recognize all of the CATV channels in order to see them all. Follow the instructions that came with your television.
If you are using an older, non cable-ready TV that only receives channels 2-13, you will have to acquire a VCR or converter box to use as your tuner, if you wish to see the other channels. Connect the VCR or converter box to the CATV wall outlet with one length of coaxial cable and then connect this to your television with another length. Wildcat Cable TV will rent you a converter box, if one is needed.
If you have difficulties connecting your cable, you can call the CATV voice mail box at 2-7300, and leave a message with your name, building, room number and phone number. One of the Wildcat Cable TV Installers will call you to set-up an appointment. Please note: There will be an installation fee if a Wildcat Cable installer hooks up your TV/VCR.
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I'm Getting Nothing But "Snow" on my TV.
Make sure the RF cable is securely attached to the wall outlet and to the TV or VCR. Check your channel lineup card to make sure that the channel selected has programming. If using a VCR or converter box make sure that your TV is tuned to channel 3. If you continue to have trouble, call our customer service number 2-7300. We will assist you over the phone or, if necessary, send one of our Service Technicians to your room. Please note: Wildcat Cable TV may charge you for a trouble call if the problem is with your equipment.
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My Reception Is bad! How Can I Fix It?
If you have a converter box, make sure your TV set and/or VCR is tuned to channel 3. Also make sure the switch on your TV that says "Cable/TV" is in the "Cable" position. Make sure all connections to the converter, TV and VCR are secure,
Check another channel it may be a station problem.
Come to room 106 East Stadium and pick up a NEW cable jumper wire. If it is still bad call us at 532-7300 and we will set up an appointment to fix the problem.
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Whom Do I Call for More Help?
Call our customer service number 532-7300.
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What are some general Do's and Don'ts?
We have installed cable in your home in a manner that is consistent with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. Here are a few tips to keep it operating safely and reliably:
- During severe electrical storms you should unplug your TV set and cable converter to avoid damage. Your cable company and set manufacturer are not responsible for damage which occurs due to acts of nature.
- Remember, your cable converter operates on 110 volts, so take all the precautions which you would for any small appliance - such as checking to see that the cord is not worn or damaged.
- For your own safety, do not attempt to open or otherwise tamper with your cable converter.
- If you have someone other than us install the inside wiring in your home, or if you do it yourself, ensure that it complies with applicable governmental regulations (such as the FCC signal leakage rules) and does not interfere with the normal operations of the cable system and other communications systems (such as radio used by the police and fire department) and other devices.
What about the Billing?
Your monthly cable bill not only gives you a listing of your charges, payment and credits, but it may also contain special messages. Take time to review your bill to make sure your name and address are correct. You generally will be billed at the same time each month.
Your first statement will include a monthly charge for the upcoming month. It may also include:
- Your installation charge.
- A partial charge for your first month's service if you are connected in the middle of a billing cycle. For example, if your monthly cable fee was $25 and you connect to cable on the 10th day of a 30 day month, you would be billed for 2/3 of a month. The amount shown next to the line entry "prorate" or "partial month" would be $16.67.
- Please be sure to remember your payment due date.
- Please include any written requests in a letter to your cable company.
- All prices for services will be subject to applicable franchise fees and taxes.
- Please refer to material provided to you when your cable was installed, and from time to time thereafter, relating to billing and complaint procedures of your cable company, including the address and telephone number of the local franchise authority's cable office.
Practices Notice for more information.
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What is Theft of Service?
The Federal Cable Act created both civil and criminal penalties for manufacturers, suppliers and users of unauthorized cable devices. This federal theft-of-service law supplements any existing state or l local laws, and provides a federal remedy against any person who, without authorization, intercepts or receives any communication service which is provided over a cable system.
This federal law prohibits the unauthorized interception or receipt of any communications service over a cable system. This would include the theft of audio, video, textual data or other service, including data transmitted to or from a customer over a system that has interactive capability. The law applies to both manufacturers and distributors of equipment, as well as to individual subscribers.
The Cable Act provides both civil and criminal penalties for theft of cable services. Under this federal legislation, a cable operator may seek substantial monetary damages for the theft of its cable services. In addition, if the violations are willful and for commercial advantage or private financial gain, the court may award damages of up to $50,000 in civil cases and a maximum of $100,000 for certain criminal violations, in addition to a maximum of five years imprisonment for subsequent offenses.
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About Your Converter
Many television sets cannot receive the large number of channels offered by cable television, so we lease an electronic channel selection device called a "converter."
The converter is simply a tuner; it converts the cable channel selected by the customer to a low numbered channel, typically 2, 3 or 4. Tune your television set to the "output" channel of the converter (we recommend channel 3). Programs may then be selected by tuning the converter to the desired channel. The converter sends the channel through to the television set on the output channel. (for example: Ch. 3). We offer converters and remote controls for lease.
Watching your television after connection to cable is easy. Just turn on your television set and the converter (if your converter model has an on/off switch). Make sure that your television is tuned to the output channel of your converter 3, then select the channel you want to watch by using the controls on either the converter or the hand-held remote control device. To ensure reliable operation, make sure the converter is plugged into a "live" electrical outlet, not one which is controlled by a light switch.
If your converter is provided by us and is owned by us, you must return it when you are no longer a customer. You generally may also choose to buy a converter from us or from a store. Top of Page
If You Have Problems With Your picture
From time to time, you may experience a problem with your television picture that can easily be fixed. Trying to fix it yourself will save you time and may even save you money on television repair. Please refer to this list before you call your local cable office's customer service department.
- No Signal from Converter
Check to make sure your TV channel selected for the proper converter output channel (example: Ch. 2, 3 or 4). - Rolling Picture
Adjust "vertical hold" on your TV set. - Picture Leans to Side
Try adjusting "horizontal hold" on your TV set. - Wrong Channel
Check TV dial and converter for channel setting. Make sure TV is set to the output channel of your converter box or VCR. - Snow on Screen
Check to make sure cable connections are tight, and if you are using a converter make sure the converter is turned on and plugged into a working outlet. - No Picture, No Sound
Make sure TV set is plugged into "live" electrical outlet, and not controlled by a wall switch. Push red "reset" button on back of TV set, if your TV has one. Adjust "brightness" control on your TV set. - Picture Shrinks
Power circuits in your TV set are not operating properly. - No Picture/Blue screen
Check channel setting on converter and TV set. Check listing to make sure channel is broadcasting during this time slot. Wait for TV station announcement of difficulty. Check other channels to compare reception. Check VCR cable connections.
How do I hook up cable and my VCR?
If you are a VCR owner, you can use your VCR to receive additional enjoyment from your cable television service.
Basic Hookup:
- Cable from wall outlet to Cable/Antenna in on VCR. Cable from VCR to antenna in on TV. Older style set may need a 300 ohm to 75 ohm matching transformer available from us. See your VCR's owners manual for complete hookup procedures.
- Additional equipment - such as cable jumpers, signal splitters or A/B switches - may cause picture distortion if it does not meet our system's standards. Please call our technicians in our repair department before you purchase additional hookup equipment.
- We recommend against cutting cable jumpers and putting on your own end. An improperly cut cable may cause picture distortion.
- All cable connections must be tight. If using the push-on type cable that came with your VCR make sure it is pushed on securely.
What Services Are Offered?
Please see our Cable Rates page for a list of Cable TV packages and prices.
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What if I move?
BEFORE YOU MOVE
Please call your us. We cannot service anyone who resides off K-State property. However we can help you make arrangements to get cable service from a franchised cable provider off campus. If the cable is in your name and you move out of a dorm room be sure and let us know, you are responsible for the service until you let us know that you want your service terminated.
Converters, remote control devices and any other equipment provided by us should be returned to us immediately, should you decide to disconnect your cable television service. You are liable for these items, and will continue to be billed until the equipment is returned. Or, if you have lost it, or are otherwise unable to return it, you must pay us for it.
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What About Emergencies or Cable Outages?
Emergencies such as fallen power poles, violent storms or subfreezing
weather may interfere with reception of cable service. We will
promptly have one of our crews correct an emergency situation.
When you call about a service problem during normal business hours,
a Customer Service Representative (CSR) will attempt to determine
the nature of the problem. If possible, the CSR will help you resolve
the problem over the telephone. If the problem cannot be resolved
during the call, the CSR will schedule a Service Technician to visit
your home, usually within 24 hours of the time of the call. If our
workload permits, the Service Technician will be dispatched the same
day.
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