Cablevision Looks to Lock Up Basic Video Tier

Lee Stewart · 09-24-2009, 03:44 PM

Cablevision Looks to Lock Up Basic Video Tier

Quote:

Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) wants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to lift a rule that keeps it from encrypting its basic video tier. If the FCC does so, consumers who use digital TVs with embedded QAM tuners to receive basic channels "in the clear" today would be forced to rent or buy a set-top box capable of displaying the newly encrypted programming.

Cablevision wants the rule lifted as it makes plans to convert its New York City system to all-digital, claiming the move will "have virtually no negative impact on customers" while reducing costs and helping the MSO to improve customer service. On that last point, Cablevision's emphasizing that a waiver of the encryption rule coupled with an all-digital cutover would also help it "activate and terminate service without appointments," while also beefing up the overall security of the network.

http://www.lightreading.com/document...treading_gnews

bicker · 09-25-2009, 05:20 AM

Yes, this is very interesting. I originally was quite shocked by the prospect, but after thinking about it for a while, it is a reasonable request, one I selfishly hope is rejected.

The real question that came up in other discussions about this is that there doesn't seem to be any alternative that would achieve the same (very reasonable) objective, effectively attacking cable theft. Apparently, in big cities (perhaps due to multi-path interference), there is a significant amount of cable theft, even for just limited basic service. What can be done (other than encrypting the basic tier) to turn back that tide? That's the question.

The other objective served by this request is elimination of the need to physically disconnect subscribers from the network when the cancel service. That aspect I think can be rejected easily. There are negative ramifications of leaving extra connections to the network, and the cost associated with that physical disconnection can be readily charged as a form of tax on installations. Let new customers pay the cost for disconnecting departing customers; I think that's fair enough -- better than leaving these loose ends hanging.

Sykotic · 10-01-2009, 11:53 PM

Addressable taps. Allows the provider to turn off your cable service by turning off the port its connected on at the tap. This is a great step in preventing service theft without signal leakage.

bicker · 10-02-2009, 05:46 AM

Interesting idea. How much will installing such technology raise our rates?

Loves2Watch · 10-02-2009, 10:35 AM

This would be very bad for consumers. The cable company monopoly is bad enough as it is with rising prices and such. This would only add to their income and force subscribers to pay more for their service not to mention DRM and ICT concerns...It's all about their greed, as it always has been.

oblioman · 10-02-2009, 11:10 AM

But what about those that pay for basic,,,,,with no box required? With comcast, in order to get HS internet, one must also subscribe to basic cable. Not so sure about cablevision. If this goes through, then one would think that comcast would drop it's demand that in order to get HS internet, one does not have to subscribe to basic cable. Nah, who the hell am me be kidding, this is comcast,,,they'll just start sucking up the rental fee's for the boxes.

bicker · 10-02-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

This would be very bad for consumers.

Definitely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

The cable company monopoly

Cable companies aren't monopolies. The US Court of Appeals confirmed last month that it is wrong to ignore satellite providers as competition for cable companies. Since satellite providers provide service in practically every municipality in the nation that cable companies offer service in, cable companies are not monopolies.

If you don't like it, go argue with the US Court of Appeals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

is bad enough as it is with rising prices and such.

Have you see the recent price increases in airfares? Holy crap! And I just paid over $40 to fill up my gasoline tank!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

It's all about their greed, as it always has been.

What about your greed?

They have an obligation to their owners. They're fulfilling it. Stop trying to make it sound like they're doing something wrong.

Sykotic · 10-04-2009, 08:41 PM

There have already been several markets converted to addressable taps. These wont negatively affect paying customers. It will prevent theives from stealing cable, it will save a truck roll each time a customer decides to disconnect.

Loves2Watch · 10-04-2009, 08:47 PM

Have you ever heard the expression "A wolf dressed in sheep's clothing"?

Sykotic · 10-04-2009, 09:39 PM

Theft of service not only affects paying customers but also the local economics. Cable companies pay a royalty to the local township for each customer that is "legally" connected. Theives deprive your local community of these royalties. Also in the cable companies contract with the local township is a provision for market saturation. If theives are stealing thier service, it will negatively affect market share. Why would it be a concern for a paying customer?

johny09 · 10-05-2009, 02:37 AM

Thank you a lot i can belive you if you want to know more

bicker · 10-05-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sykotic

There have already been several markets converted to addressable taps. These wont negatively affect paying customers.

Except to the extent that service providers capitalize on the higher value that that technology represents to consumers (fewer waits for truck rolls, for service upgrades). However, overall, given that they have a significant impact on reducing labor cost (the cost of truck rolls) it should be good, overall, for both consumers and the companies. As long as the money is there to install them in the first place.

Of course, bad for field techs. Nothing's perfect.

Sykotic · 10-06-2009, 08:38 PM

Theres always ultility work. Things break. Phone boxes get hit buy trucks. Squirrels chew through wires. Some guy tries to wire his own house. I think the current trend of amount of work vs number of employess to perform the job will continue.
And besides there still alot of dumb people that cant screw in a coax line.

10-02-2009, 10:35 AM	#5
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,972	This would be very bad for consumers. The cable company monopoly is bad enough as it is with rising prices and such. This would only add to their income and force subscribers to pay more for their service not to mention DRM and ICT concerns...It's all about their greed, as it always has been. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

10-04-2009, 08:47 PM	#9
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,972	Have you ever heard the expression "A wolf dressed in sheep's clothing"? __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

10-05-2009, 02:37 AM	#11
johny09 What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	help me Thank you a lot i can belive you if you want to know more

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09-25-2009, 05:20 AM	#2
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	Yes, this is very interesting. I originally was quite shocked by the prospect, but after thinking about it for a while, it is a reasonable request, one I selfishly hope is rejected. The real question that came up in other discussions about this is that there doesn't seem to be any alternative that would achieve the same (very reasonable) objective, effectively attacking cable theft. Apparently, in big cities (perhaps due to multi-path interference), there is a significant amount of cable theft, even for just limited basic service. What can be done (other than encrypting the basic tier) to turn back that tide? That's the question. The other objective served by this request is elimination of the need to physically disconnect subscribers from the network when the cancel service. That aspect I think can be rejected easily. There are negative ramifications of leaving extra connections to the network, and the cost associated with that physical disconnection can be readily charged as a form of tax on installations. Let new customers pay the cost for disconnecting departing customers; I think that's fair enough -- better than leaving these loose ends hanging.

10-01-2009, 11:53 PM	#3
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	Addressable taps. Allows the provider to turn off your cable service by turning off the port its connected on at the tap. This is a great step in preventing service theft without signal leakage.

10-02-2009, 05:46 AM	#4
bicker High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burlington, MA Posts: 1,532	Interesting idea. How much will installing such technology raise our rates?

10-02-2009, 11:10 AM	#6
oblioman OTIS,,me hero Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Someville TN Posts: 4,570	But what about those that pay for basic,,,,,with no box required? With comcast, in order to get HS internet, one must also subscribe to basic cable. Not so sure about cablevision. If this goes through, then one would think that comcast would drop it's demand that in order to get HS internet, one does not have to subscribe to basic cable. Nah, who the hell am me be kidding, this is comcast,,,they'll just start sucking up the rental fee's for the boxes.

10-04-2009, 08:41 PM	#8
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	There have already been several markets converted to addressable taps. These wont negatively affect paying customers. It will prevent theives from stealing cable, it will save a truck roll each time a customer decides to disconnect.

10-04-2009, 09:39 PM	#10
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	Theft of service not only affects paying customers but also the local economics. Cable companies pay a royalty to the local township for each customer that is "legally" connected. Theives deprive your local community of these royalties. Also in the cable companies contract with the local township is a provision for market saturation. If theives are stealing thier service, it will negatively affect market share. Why would it be a concern for a paying customer?

10-06-2009, 08:38 PM	#13
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	Theres always ultility work. Things break. Phone boxes get hit buy trucks. Squirrels chew through wires. Some guy tries to wire his own house. I think the current trend of amount of work vs number of employess to perform the job will continue. And besides there still alot of dumb people that cant screw in a coax line.