Sporting events are some of the most popular shows on cable television.
You don't have to be a part of a conglomerate to break into the media. You can start your own cable company. Basic economic theory suggests that providing cable services can be a profitable business. Consumers welcome competition: with multiple cable companies in the market, companies often have to lower prices and offer better services.
Instructions
Independent Cable Company Start-Up Guide
1. Organize your partners to craft a business plan. If you are starting the business alone, hire a professional business writer. Gather research that supports your idea that the business can be profitable. Visit research libraries and gather public records.
2. Contact the Revenue Services department of your city and request a business license application. Complete the application and return it with any applicable fees. Some cities offer online filing.
3. Establish a plan for providing the actual cable service to subscribers. If you have to build an infrastructure to support your service, hire freelance engineers and cable technology experts. Get recommendations from other business owners or search the Chamber of Commerce directory to find professionals.
4. Search the Chamber of Commerce directory in your state and the national Chamber of Commerce database, and make a list of venture capital firms that invest in technology companies. The "New York Times" reports that in the first quarter of 2009, Time Warner Cable spent $1 billion to acquire rights to transmit channels like MTV and CNN. It spent $360 million for equipment like cable boxes, modems and other installation equipment. It also reports that Comcast Cable spent $120 million to provide high-speed data services to its subscribers in the same year. Submit your business plan and request for funding to them.
5. Get licensed as a cable operator. Sign up for the COALS online system offered by the Federal Communications Commission. Complete the application forms. Track the status of your application while you await approval.
6. Apply for building permits. Contact the zoning department and review the building codes with a representative. Explain the construction plans for your cable infrastructure. Marlyn Kemper Littman explains in the book "Building Broadband Networks" that the "conventional coaxial cable network" uses a regional cable headband and regional caching servers to transmit their signals and bandwidth into IP Switch/Router. Fiber optic cables are used to transmit to residents. Show the representative where you will build your regional hub and how you will install your fiber optic cables. Address any issues that prevent compliance with the code.
7. Contact networks and cable station's media sales departments to set up a meeting to discuss cable carriage agreements. Employ a legal team to help you negotiate terms. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the cable operator is prohibited from carrying that station's signal until the cable operator and the television station reach an agreement. Once an agreement is reached, the station can be immediately put on the cable system.
8. Once approved for cable operator's license and building permits, build your cable service system. Appoint a foreman to lead the construction and report back to you daily.
9. Buy or manufacture supplies to sell or rent to consumers to be able to use your cable services. Most subscribers rent a cable modem from their cable company, and the cable company includes the rental fee in their monthly bill.
10. Work with an advertising agency to get your message out to subscribers. Create a marketing message that differentiates your company from other cable companies in the market. Focus on price, speed of installation and setup, or reliability.
