West Virginia Code Chapter 24D. Cable Television § 24D-1-12. Transfer of cable franchise

(a) No cable system and no cable franchise, including any system without a franchise and any franchise in existence on the effective date of this chapter, may be assigned, sold, or transferred, including a transfer of control of any cable system, whether by change in ownership or otherwise, except upon written application to and approval of the appropriate franchising authority or authorities. For purposes of this section “transfer of control” means a transfer of the majority interest, either directly or indirectly, in the entity holding the cable franchise. The form of the application for transfer shall be prescribed by the commission.

(b) Notice provisions may be prescribed by the commission for encumbrances creating potential transfers.

(c) The procedure for consideration of any transfer under the provisions of this section shall conform, as nearly as possible, to the procedures prescribed in sections six and seven of this article for the consideration of issuing cable franchises, including the application fee therefor.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the franchising authority shall have exclusive authority regarding the approval of transfers of cable franchises.