[mythtv-users] FCC Broadcast Digital Channel Requirements

[David Schlenk]

On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 1:22 PM, Chase Douglas <chasedouglas.lists at gmail.com
> wrote:

> On Aug 22, 2008, at 2:16 PM, Phil Bridges wrote:
>
> > On Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 2:06 PM, Chase Douglas
> > <chasedouglas.lists at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Hello all,
> >>
> >> It was my understanding that the FCC requires cable companies to
> >> transmit, unencrypted, all local broadcast channels over their cable
> >> network. For instance, I have the Time Warner Basic Cable package in
> >> Columbus, OH that gives me access to most of the analog channels.
> >> Although I have not ordered any digital package, I have also been
> >> able
> >> to receive the digital versions of the local ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS,
> >> and The CW channels. I just realized today that I can no longer
> >> receive FOX or ABC. Interestingly, they both are subchannels of the
> >> same ATSC channel. I called up the Time Warner Cable support line,
> >> and
> >> I was told that because I do not have any digital package I should
> >> not
> >> be receiving any digital channels.
> >>
> >> First, am I correct in my assumption that the FCC requires cable
> >> companies to transmit local broadcast channels in all circumstances,
> >> analog and digital? Second, if that's true, does anyone know of where
> >> I can find the FCC regulations stipulating this in case I have to
> >> lodge a formal complaint?
> >>
> >
> > Are you sure they haven't just remapped the channels?  Comcast is bad
> > about doing that in my neck of the woods.
>
> I am fairly certain as I have had my TV rescan for digital channels
> and I no longer receive FOX and ABC while I do still receive all the
> other channels. In fact, I think this all began because they realized
> they weren't encrypting Universal HD. I no longer receive that channel
> unencrypted, but that's fine with me as I'm not paying for it.
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IANAL but I think they only have to transmit it in the clear if you
subscribe to that service. So since you aren't paying for a digital plan,
just an analog one, they are required to transmit the local analog channels
that you pay for in the clear, but have no responsibility to provide you
with the digital ones since you are not paying for them. For example, I used
to have Comcast's poor man's plan - $10 but you get $15 off your internet if
you have it (so a net of $5 savings). It had local channels and like WGN or
something. The trap on the line for that package blocks the high channels
where their HD local channels live, but if I wanted to get those I could pay
an extra $7 a month to get those. And then they'd have to be in the clear.
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