Stay in the Game: Ohio Department of Commerce Highlights How Cable TV Subscribers Can Ensure They’re Ready for OSU vs. Michigan Matchup

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As the Buckeyes and Wolverines gear up for their annual matchup on Nov. 29, the Ohio Department of Commerce says now is the time for Ohio cable TV subscribers to ensure their game day plans don't get benched. The agency's Video Service Authorization (VSA) Program is highlighting steps Ohioans can take to resolve long-standing service issues as well as prepare for surprise outages should they occur leading up to kickoff.<_o3a_p>

To help address any surprise service disruptions, customers of Ohio's 44 cable TV providers are encouraged to have their cable company's contact information readily available so they can immediately report any issues. However, there are also steps customers can take themselves to get back to the game within a matter of minutes. With the noon game being aired on a local Fox affiliate, consumers who rely on cable service are reminded they can also access the game over the air free of charge by using an outdoor or indoor digital antenna and tuner. Testing the signal strength of the antenna ahead of game day will help to ensure you miss as few snaps as possible.<_o3a_p>

Meanwhile, customers who are experiencing ongoing issues with their cable service should contact their provider to alert them to those issues so they can be addressed. If there are issues that remain unresolved with the cable provider, Ohioans can file a complaint with the VSA Program at com.ohio.gov/vsa or call 877-207-2225. The Program engages cable providers as a mediator to help address and resolve customer issues and complaints.<_o3a_p>

So far this year, from January 2025 to Oct. 28, the VSA program has received and resolved 581 complaints, down nearly 25% from the 771 complaints it received during the same period last year. In all of 2024, the VSA program received and resolved 889 complaints.<_o3a_p>

"In the event an issue arises with your cable service - whether on game day or any day - we always advise you to contact your provider to make them aware of it," said Daphne Hawk, Superintendent of the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, which oversees the VSA Program. "The vast majority of the time, providers will act fast to resolve the issue. However, in the event an issue goes unresolved, that's where our VSA program can step in to help make things right."<_o3a_p>

Under Ohio law, cable companies must adhere to the following customer service standards:<_o3a_p>

• Restore cable service/fix service interruption within 72 hours after a subscriber reports the problem.<_o3a_p>
• Provide credits after four hours if the service interruption was caused by the company or after 24 hours if the problem was caused by another party.<_o3a_p>
• Provide notice to customers prior to disconnecting service.<_o3a_p>
• Cannot disconnect service due to failure to pay the cable service bill until 14 days have passed since the due date.<_o3a_p>
• Provide 30-day notice prior to raising rates and removing channels.<_o3a_p>
• Cannot establish a due date earlier than fourteen days after a video service bill is issued.<_o3a_p>

To see what cable provider options Ohioans have available in their community, click here to access the program's interactive map.

###

About the Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
The Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing is a state agency within the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at https://www.com.ohio.gov.