His administration sued the local cable franchise and won reduced rates for customers.

There are no more exclusive local cable franchises, for instance.

Transfer of cable franchises generally takes about six months.

The regional phone companies are now prevented by Federal law from owning cable franchises.

The bill would also let telephone companies buy the local cable franchise in any area serving fewer than 50,000 homes.

But he was able to buy only one cable franchise.

Johnson sold the cable franchises for $10 million in 1983, Florida property records show.

He has the authority to take such action without the board's approval, although the board must act on the awarding of cable franchises.

Administration officials had even suggested that the company's cable franchise was in danger of being revoked over the issue.

While this may help protect a cable franchise, it has the prospect of spreading viewing levels out even more.