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Cable Operators Take Step to Ease DTV Shift

Dec 16, 2008  •  Post A Comment

Cable providers are extending an olive branch to legislators concerned about confusion during the digital TV transition: They will not move any analog channels they offer to basic or premium digital tiers until March unless they also offer free converter boxes.
In letters to Senate and House leaders today, National Cable & Telecommunications Association President Kyle McSlarrow said the move was designed to lessen consumer confusion.
“These proposals will not eliminate every instance of confusion,” he said. “But it is our hope that these steps will provide needed assistance by substantially reducing confusion before, during and after the broadcasters’ DTV transition.”
The proposal affects consumers who get cable but not digital cable. After the digital transition on Feb. 17, those consumers wouldn’t be able to watch channels on older secondary TV sets without either connecting them to cable or buying a converter box.
Cable providers with limited bandwidth space have been hoping many of those customers would switch to digital cable, which offers additional stations but requires a cable box and can cost more. The digital channels use less bandwidth, allowing cable providers to provide more channels and high-definition services over existing “pipes.”
Today’s move means that if the consumers don’t get the cable boxes, cable-connected TVs would still receive their current channels at least through March 1.
Mr. McSlarrow said cable providers will also launch a campaign to get new subscribers for basic cable.
Consumers Union praised the move.
“This initiative is a welcome first step to help consumers navigate a costly maze of confusion surrounding the DTV transition,” the group said in a statement. “While the cable effort doesn’t resolve long-term consumer problems with high prices and discriminatory practices, it should offer welcome short-term relief to many consumers.”

4 Comments

  1. CABLE: GIVE BACK THE ANALOG CHANNELS YOU TOOK AWAY
    SUBSCRIBERS: HOOK “ANALOG” CABLE SERVICE DIRECTLY INTO HD SET…
    YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO GET BROADCAST HD CHANNELS AT NO EXTRA CHARGE.
    What about the cable channels that ALREADY have been moved from analog to more expensive digital tiers?
    Many basic cable subs are still getting less than they bargained for.
    When cable gives back what it’s already taken away, then Consumer Reports can “praise” the industry.
    Until then, Big Cable appears to be guilty of theft by deception when they told analog subs that “We’ve got you covered in the digital transition.”
    Doesn’t the FCC require cable MSOs to make available HD signals for broadcast channels at no extra charge, for subs who have an HD set with a digital tuner and who choose to plug the cable directly into the set and forgo cable-exclusive channels in HD?
    I don’t recall that regulation being rescinded. But consumers don’t know about it. Apparently, neither does Consumer Reports, or the magazine would be promoting that fact.

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