effect of must-carry HDTV on private cable operators

Matthew T. · 01-19-2005, 01:40 PM

Can anyone steer me toward some information regarding whether or not small, private cable providers will have to have digital, HD-ready plants after December 2006? I work for a cable company that supplies service to about 3,000 apartment units using analog systems. We have been unable to find details on how the FCC's regulations effect us in this instance.

Any help would be appreciated.

**rbinck** · 01-19-2005, 03:52 PM

You can poke around in the FCC site http://ftp.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/ and see if they have any regulations that you would have to follow, but it is my understanding that cable and satellite providers will not be forced to carry HDTV. As I understand it, the analog cable can still be the delivery system even when all of the OTA stations have to go to DTV. You will, of course, have to supply DTV tuners in lieu of the analog tuners.

Also you can check out http://www.dtv.gov/

Even though you don't have to comply, many cable companies are making HDTV available. It may be you should check out the 256QAM technology.

Remember DTV is what is mandated for OTA, not HDTV.

01-19-2005, 01:40 PM	#1
Matthew T. bottom dweller Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1	effect of must-carry HDTV on private cable operators Can anyone steer me toward some information regarding whether or not small, private cable providers will have to have digital, HD-ready plants after December 2006? I work for a cable company that supplies service to about 3,000 apartment units using analog systems. We have been unable to find details on how the FCC's regulations effect us in this instance. Any help would be appreciated.

01-19-2005, 03:52 PM	#2
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,993	You can poke around in the FCC site http://ftp.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/ and see if they have any regulations that you would have to follow, but it is my understanding that cable and satellite providers will not be forced to carry HDTV. As I understand it, the analog cable can still be the delivery system even when all of the OTA stations have to go to DTV. You will, of course, have to supply DTV tuners in lieu of the analog tuners. Also you can check out http://www.dtv.gov/ Even though you don't have to comply, many cable companies are making HDTV available. It may be you should check out the 256QAM technology. Remember DTV is what is mandated for OTA, not HDTV.