Abstract The main purpose of this article is to explore the policy influence of cable TV franchise combination. In order to break the local monopoly of Taiwan¡¦s cable TV as well as considering the advance technological convergence proposed, Government Information Office (GIO) proposed the adjustment of the existing 47 franchise districts to a single franchise area in three phases in its Jan. 2003 report. The re-arrangement of the franchise region will cause a revolution in the industry. How will it influence those system operators? Is it possible to develop into another cable TV war by cutting prices to gain benefits of audiences? Do system operators have any action plans for the change? Can this policy benefit the industry¡¦s development? This article will provide detailed discussions on these major issues. There are two ways to go about the research. The first is by the means of questionnaire; distribution of questionnaires to 62-system owners in Taiwan results in 54 effective samples gathered. The second is by means of in-depth interview; conducting interviews with industrial, legislative, and academic experts. After statistical analysis and content analysis, the research findings from these interviews are as follow: 1. The re-arrangement of cable TV franchise regions might cause significant competition between system operators. In the long run, it is unlikely that the cable TV industries will apply vicious competition tactics as previously done. It is believed that strategic alliance, stock exchange, and multiple service strategies will be implemented instead. 2. Under the influence of re-arranging franchise region policy and increasing new entry competitions, most system operators will focus on strengthening their network upgrade, customer service, and professional employee training. They are also likely to develop new business opportunities and to engage in cost-saving activities. 3. Most system operators support the policy with positive anticipation. The regulatory authority expects tremendous benefits for both audiences and cable industry. The scholars project an improvement in operators¡¦ customer service quality. In summary, the policy is expected to have a positive influence on cable industry¡¦s overall development. Since the policy has a major impact on the industry¡¦s future, it is essential to meet all development needs of the cable industry. As research suggests that the authorities should communicate with all related parties before rolling out the franchise regional adjustment policy.

The journey towards insolvency is often a gradual process, thus enabling a business or person in most circumstances to be aware of the danger ahead if adequate precautions are not taken. This position is recognized by the Statute, hence the definition given to a financially distressed company under the Companies Act1 to mean inability to pay all its debts within the immediately ensuring six months or the likelihood of going insolvent within the immediately ensuring six months. Rescue mechanisms are therefore aimed at ensuring that when faced with the signs of insolvency, a business for instance can be properly driven to become solvent again or at least restructured to achieve better realization of assets.2 Indeed, providing alternatives to insolvency is fast becoming a global trend as many countries now appreciate the need to give a person or business experiencing difficult times, the opportunity to rise again without necessarily going through the rigors of liquidation or sequestration. South Africa is not left out in the quest to assist over-indebted persons and provide them with alternative measures beside insolvency. The National Credit Act3 for instance seeks as one of its objectives to prevent over-indebtedness and where it occurs address same by means of debt rearrangement. This is in addition to certain provisions of the Magistrate CourtP a g e Act4 which allow a debtor the option of applying for an administration order and where granted make payment in instalments. The Companies Act also provides for business rescue as well as compromise between company and creditors.5 This research in brief analyses the above mentioned laws in South Africa that provide alternative measures for financially troubled or over-indebted debtors as applicable to corporate and non-corporate entities. The research considers whether these laws are sufficient to assist debtors in financial crisis, the effectiveness of these laws, challenges as well as loopholes taking into consideration what is applicable in other jurisdictions such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The end of this research contains recommendations that would assist in achieving effective rescue mechanisms or alternatives to insolvency beneficial to both corporate and noncorporate entities in South African. Copyright / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Mercantile Law / unrestricted