But just like the first responder to your blog post, I still have some questions.

1) What is Time Warner actually doing in Wilmington now after the switchover to DTV last week? I have tried to call them several times and have not been able to reach anyone with any knowledge. Clearly per the mandates of the FCC 12/31/07 CS Docket No. 98-120 Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-170A1.pdf) they are either carrying analog versions of the local TV stations on their cable in accordance with §76.56(d)(3)(i) or they have given set top boxes for basic service to their subscribers in accordance with § 76.56(d)(3)(ii) and § 76.56(d)(4).

If they have not given free set top boxes for basic “must carry” service to all their subscribers, are they still carrying the usual basic cable tier such as C-SPAN, CNN and MTV in analog?

While your other writer views this as a pricing issue, I just want to know if elderly subscribers with cable service, analog TVs, and no set top box just lost most of their channels?

More importantly, what do cable operators plan to do on 2/17/09? Do most operators plan to meet only the minimum obligations of §76.56(d)(3) with respect to local “must carry” stations or do they intend to carry some or all of the the usual basic channels in analog for a while more?

The Digital TV Transition that takes place on 2/17 is about broadcast stations. Your cable operator has committed to delivering the same broadcast stations in analog on the 17th as you’ll get on the 16th.

The whole point of my post was that the two transitions are separate. Cable channels moving from analog to digital have nothing to do with Feb. 17.

I don’t have a “switching argument.” I’m simply asking that people not connect two separate activities and present them as one.

You then seem to be suggesting that the value of your analog service goes down if channels are moved from analog to digital, that you “pay the same price for less service.” I couldn’t answer that point on behalf of a cable operator, since I’d have more specific details.

But I will challenge your claim about DBS & the telcos that “they almost all include the necessary hardware for free when you switch.” You might get a special deal as a new customer, but I don’t think anyone’s giving away boxes for free. I think DISH lets you buy equipment, but I don’t DIRECTV does any longer. I’m almost certain that U-verse and FiOS lease you the boxes.

DIRECTV has language on their website about the system lease that includes this warning: “RECEIVERS ARE AT ALL TIMES PROPERTY OF DIRECTV AND MUST BE RETURNED UPON CANCELLATION OF SERVICE OR ADDITIONAL FEES MAY APPLY.” FiOS’ site has a line in the FAQ that reads: “At this time, rental is the only option for Verizon FiOS TV Set Top Boxes.”

I have an analog television hooked directly into the wall without a set-top box. I select channels directly with my TV set tuner.

I understand that switching to DirecTV, FiOS, or U-Verse would require me to purchase a set-top box, but what happens if I don’t switch? I currently receive over 70 channels just fine. Will everything except local channels disappear on Feb. 17 if I don’t have a box? Or will channels start disappearing gradually as you transition to all-digital?

I think the problem with your switching argument is price. I already pay a substantial amount to have one digital set and one analog. If I don’t do anything, my analog set will soon disappear–this means I will pay the same price for less service. In other words, to continue to support two sets, I will have to purchase another box–a de facto price increase. It doesn’t matter whether other services will require me to have boxes, because they almost all include the necessary hardware for free when you switch. Even if the price of the plans were identical (they’re not–U-verse is cheaper), switching will save me money.