Comment the nature of cable and government regulations (Score 1) 864
There are two main reasons that you currently pay for channels you don't want.
The first reason is because the government says so (in Canada anyway). The CRTC has "linkage" rules that demand that the cable company include certain channels in their basic lineup. See here: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/b303.htm and here: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2001/PB2 001-90.htm
So, your government is forcing the cable company to carry channels that you don't want. If you don't like it, complain to them about it.
The second reason that you pay for channels that you don't want is because with a standard analog system, it's not feasible to deliver individual channels. Filters exist to block out ranges of channels (the different packages available to you), but it's not feasible to create filters to block individual channels, and then go to each house and block out huge numbers of channels.
You would end up paying far more per month for the 4 channels you want than you currently pay for the 60+ channels you don't want.
With digital service it's very easy to allow subscribes to pick and chose individual channels. And, in fact, many cable companies do allow you to pick individual digital channels. There are often discounts if order a package, but you're not required to.
The disadvantage of digital is that you need a set top box to watch it. So, no longer can you have a couple of splitters in the basement to feed your 6 televisions. You need a set top box at each one. Which, you pay monthly rental fees for, or purchase outright for upwards of $400.
The industry is moving towards more and more digital all the time. But it will be a long time yet before analog disappears because there are still many many people out there who don't want to upgrade.
The first reason is because the government says so (in Canada anyway). The CRTC has "linkage" rules that demand that the cable company include certain channels in their basic lineup. See here: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/INFO_SHT/b303.htm and here: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2001/PB
So, your government is forcing the cable company to carry channels that you don't want. If you don't like it, complain to them about it.
The second reason that you pay for channels that you don't want is because with a standard analog system, it's not feasible to deliver individual channels. Filters exist to block out ranges of channels (the different packages available to you), but it's not feasible to create filters to block individual channels, and then go to each house and block out huge numbers of channels.
You would end up paying far more per month for the 4 channels you want than you currently pay for the 60+ channels you don't want.
With digital service it's very easy to allow subscribes to pick and chose individual channels. And, in fact, many cable companies do allow you to pick individual digital channels. There are often discounts if order a package, but you're not required to.
The disadvantage of digital is that you need a set top box to watch it. So, no longer can you have a couple of splitters in the basement to feed your 6 televisions. You need a set top box at each one. Which, you pay monthly rental fees for, or purchase outright for upwards of $400.
The industry is moving towards more and more digital all the time. But it will be a long time yet before analog disappears because there are still many many people out there who don't want to upgrade.
