[mythtv-users] Can someone explain digital limbo?

[Gary Buhrmaster]

On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 11:39 PM, James Miller
<gajs-f0el at dea.spamcon.org> wrote:
....
> So I thought I'd ask the experts here for an explanation of what I'm seeing.
> Was the advertised deadline date somewhat arbitrary--by which I mean that
> the intention was to, at some point after the stated date, begin switching
> all broadcasts to digital?

The deadline was marketing to get you to pick up your
(newly required) DTA and/or STB.  It was really a "not
before" date.

> If so, how long might the process take?

First, it should be accepted that these were always
targets, and not absolute commitments.  If delays
occurred in markets before yours, it could cause
your market to get delayed a bit because (among
other reasons) TWC did not want to overload their
central support staff who have to handle the "My
TV is broke" calls.  But to your question, I believe
the answer is: 'until it is done'.

In the one market where I have some remote
devices, it took them a number of weeks after the
"deadline" before they actually started, but once
they did, it proceeded (reasonably) quickly (I mean
in terms of a cable company quickly).

BUT with (New) Charter taking over, and surplussing
a bunch of (remote) support staff, schedules for a lot
of things have reportedly gotten a bit "squishy".

(New) Charter made it (very) clear that any previous
TWC plans/statements were subject to review after
the merger was complete, and now that it is complete,
some actions have been suspended.  I believe the
digital transition is proceeding in markets where it
has started, but future ones might get shifted a bit
(I expect all will happen, eventually).

btw, these delays and (potential) backsliding on
plans has infuriated some people who (thought)
they were "promised" an internet speed upgrade
that has now been placed on hold too.