TCI CABLEVISION TO FOLLOW FCC PLAN

TCI Cablevision will adopt a Federal Communications Commission plan to allow additional channels for customers who subscribe to expanded basic service. However, unlike some cable companies, TCI will not be charging for it.

TCI will add the Disney channel for subscribers who have expanded basic service at no additional charge. This will go into effect Dec. 1.

The FCC said Thursday it would allow cable systems to increase rates when they add channels to expanded basic services, which are regulated levels of services above the lowest-priced basic tier.

Under the plan, cable operators could charge up to $1.50 a month or a total of $18 a year over a two-year period, FCC officials said. In return, customers could get at least six new channels.

In the third year operators could charge even more -- as much as $1.70 a month -- for additional channels.