Cable companies salivating over digital TV switch
- May 16th, 2008
- Read 2897 times
- 4 Comments
Cable companies are excited about the impending switch to digital TV. It’s not just about broadcast, but also the elimination of analog signals via cable as well. That means the operators will require a set-top box for all customers, not just digital subscribers as it is now. This frees up much valuable bandwidth for more digital services, such as HD programming.
Not only that, but many basic broadcast customers will become cable subscribers in the switch when their sets no longer work with the analog signals.
The cable companies could also resell much of this national bandwidth to the government or other communications providers.
In short, the cable indsutry’s lobby is paying off.
JOSH (Who am I?)
2 months ago
So Matt let me get this straight. My (friend) whose house purchased last year seems to have an unlimited supply of cable T.V. (Friend) have an HDTV with built in HD Tuner and he gets all the HD channels as well as regular channels and even on demand stuff for freezy. So does this mean I’ll I mena he will lose all of his channels unless I have a set top box or will my hd tuner cut it? I mean his.
Chris Taylor Jr (Who am I?)
2 months ago
I hope your wrong man because it will mean I will stop paying for TV and be stuck with torrents only. I REFUSE to get a digital box. I refuse to surrender that much control.
Dave C (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Analog cable is not going away in 2009. According to a Sept. 11, 2007 FCC ruling, cable companies are mandated to continue to provide analog cable service until at least 2012.
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070912-fcc-to-cable-you-must-support-analog-tvs-until-2012.html
Chris Taylor Jr (Who am I?)
2 months ago
Great so I am screwed come 2012 :-) well at least thats 4 more years.