[mythtv-users] OT: FCC investigates cable companies' analog-to-digital migrations

[John Drescher]

On Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 5:37 PM, David Brodbeck <gull at gull.us> wrote:
> Thought this might be of interest to people here:
> http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/386398_cablepricing05.html
>
> Some of the more interesting passages:
>
> "The FCC wrote to Verizon and 11 cable companies last month about their
> practice of moving analog channels into digital tiers to free up bandwidth
> for other uses, such as high-definition channels.
>
> "To watch channels that have been moved, subscribers to analog service
> must either subscribe to a more expensive digital tier, rent a digital
> set-top box or use an adapter, which service providers are starting to
> offer free."
> ....
> "The agency also will investigate whether providers are misleading
> customers into thinking that when analog television channels move to the
> digital tier of service, the shift is related to the federal government's
> mandate that all broadcasts be digital by February, Martin said."
>
> "The two moves are unrelated. Linking the two in customers' minds could
> prompt more people to opt for digital video services."
>

Comcast forced us to move to a different tier and to get a cable card.
That they claimed would be $2.50 / month but this ended up costing $15
/ month for the cable card. I did not demand that they fix this yet.
Wow Comcastic!

John