The development of cable television (CATV) requires more decisionmaking by local communities than other relatively new technologies. The nature of CATV and its potential influence on the immediate community demands that local interests--business, government, community groups, and individuals--have a voice in shaping the terms of the community's franchise and determining the programing and services the system will deliver. The assurance that public uses of cable television are not pre-empted by a too rapid development of strictly entertainment and other commercial services is imperative. This handbook extensively reviews all the facts of CATV systems and discusses the variety of relationships that arise between them. It presents cable systems economics that are based on simulated model cities complete with budgets and financial data for a ten year period. It also discusses the ownership options available, the planning and franchising processes, public access, and the instructional television potential. The handbook concludes with an annotated list of references and organizations which can provide further information on CATV. (MC)