[Discuss] Comcast gets rid of the remaining analog channels

[bogstad at pobox.com (Bill Bogstad)]

On Sun, Jan 15, 2012 at 4:05 PM, Tom Metro <tmetro-blu at vl.com> wrote:
> Jerry Feldman wrote:
>> On 01/14/2012 08:23 PM, Bill Bogstad wrote:
>>> As I understand it, they are required by FCC regulations to transmit
>>> rebroadcasts of over the air channels in the clear.
>>
>> They must provide free equipment to their basic subscribers...
>
> Yes, the letter reiterated the same deal they provided when the
> "extended basic" channels went digital: all subscribers can get up to
> two DTAs for free, with no rental fee.

Just got my "all digital" letter for Cambridge.   The cutover date is
April 17th.  The details seem similar to Tom's letter except for the
fine print at the very bottom of the page:

"... QAM Tuner TVs will continue to receive Limited Basic channels
2-22, 58, and 95-99 without a digital device. ..."

So they are NOT going to encrypt at least some of the channels.   It's
an interesting mix:

1. Downsized SD versions of their retransmission of local over the air channels.
2. Local access (CCTV, city government, public school)
3. SD versions of HSN and QVC  (got to have your shopping)
4. SD version of NECN (their captive regional news channel)
5. SD version of NBC Sports channel (their captive sports channel)

 I suspect that #1 and #2 are a result of federal regulations and
contractual issues with the city of Cambridge.  #3 is probably because
they get paid for the widest possible access by the shopping networks.
  #4 and #5 is because they (indirectly) own those channels and every
nickel of advertising revenue derived from them (larger audience ==
higher advertising revenues).  Except for the local access channels,
just about all of those also have HD versions which I think I
currently get as clear QAM as well.   Not certain if that means they
plan to encrypt some (all?) of the HD versions or just didn't bother
to say anything about it.  Never can tell with Comcast.  I'll also
note that there are other channels in the "Limited Basic" package
which are currently only sent as clear QAM (and I believe documented
as such at some point).  My guess is that won't change.

Another question is what are they going to do with all of that
bandwidth?   Every single one of those channels is already being sent
as an SD digital channel right now.  So they are going to free up
about 25 analog channels of bandwidth.   More on-demand?    Higher
bandwidth for the Internet?  More obscure cable network channels?
Tom:  It looks like you are a month ahead of me on this.   Has Comcast
sent you anything implying their plans for the extra bandwidth?

Bill Bogstad