Cable and DTV

Updated 5:40 PM EDT, Wed, Nov 12, 2008

Digital ready television sets for sale.
Getty Images

Digital ready television sets are for sale. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

 

Do cable networks, like CNN, MSNBC, Lifetime, etc., have to switch to digital broadcasting too?

No. The current requirement to switch from analog to digital only applies to full-power broadcast TV stations, which use public airwaves to provide free over-the-air programming.

However, as cable providers convert to digital transmissions over their systems, you may need to subscribe to their digital tier to continue to receive non-broadcast programming.


Can my cable system move programming to a digital tier that makes me subscribe to digital service?

Your cable system decides when and whether to carry programming on a digital tier, which may mean that you will need digital equipment. However, all of your local stations will continue to be available in analog format for as long as your cable system offers any analog service.

Comments (6)

Sort by: Most Recent | Oldest
  • Carlos Thursday, Jun 11 at 10:19 PM FLAG COMMENT My cable tv provjder in Puerto Rico USA, LIberty Cablevision gone all digital in 2006.
  • narkspud Wednesday, Feb 25 at 7:19 PM FLAG COMMENT ss847 - It's the local government (city or county) that regulates cable rates. Have you looked into getting an antenna? Once it's installed and working, everything's free.
  • ss847 Tuesday, Feb 24 at 6:22 PM FLAG COMMENT I am getting so used to utility companies (including cable providers) raising fees while reducing service that I fully expect that I will soon give up TV altogether. I've already cut back to the cheapest option the Comcast offers, but soon that option will go away. I do not understand why such utilities are allowed to be so expensive and monopolistic -- don't the FCC and the State Corporation Commission regulate them in some ... MORE >
  • narkspud Tuesday, Jan 13 at 4:27 PM FLAG COMMENT mdent - You have good reason to be concerned. Sounds like your cable company is falling down on the job. I recommend bumping your complaint up to management level, and perhaps also contacting the local government agency who oversees the cable franchise.
  • mdent Tuesday, Jan 13 at 11:26 AM FLAG COMMENT I have charter cable, but when the "test" was run last night, none of my TV's worked and they're all hooked up to cable. I called charter and they said the test is for people who use rabbit ears and I asked why it says call your service provider. She didn't know, but insists it will work. I don't have faith that it will.

Post a Comment

Name


Comment - You have 2000 characters left

Enter both words below, separated by a space, in the field located to the lower right. Can't read the words below? Try different words or an audio captcha. What's this?