[mythtv-users] US cable companies and mandatory OTA channels

[Craig G.]

There are specific regulations on what they must carry and how on HD and SD content after Feb 2009, but there seems to be some pretty big loop holes.  Myself I put up an Antenna.  You will generally get more content with antenna then cable for your local stations, as the must carry rules don't extend to multicast channels but just the primary channel.   So if your local NBC affilliate has  10.1, 10.2, and 10.3 you will only get the 10.1 on cable.

Som reading:
http://www.dwt.com/practc/communications/bulletins/09-07_MustCarry.htm

http://dtvfacts.com/87/will-my-cable-company-carry-the-new-local-multicast-channels/


Craig
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Florin Andrei 
  To: Discussion about mythtv 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 10:09 AM
  Subject: [mythtv-users] US cable companies and mandatory OTA channels


  Question for the US users:

  I've heard that cable companies are required (by law? regulation? 
  agreement?) to include in their cable listing all stations that would 
  otherwise be accessible in that area OTA.

  My question is - does that apply to just the content, or the actual 
  format too? In other words, if a station can be received in HD OTA, does 
  that mean that it will be received in HD via cable too? Or can the cable 
  company just provide that station in SD, even though OTA it's being 
  broadcast HD?

  I'm asking because I need to decide whether it's worth the trouble to 
  install an antenna on the roof, or whether just using cable is fine.

  -- 
  Florin Andrei

  http://florin.myip.org/
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