Time to switch?

[Chinatown]

News Analysis
Will Cable Offer 100 HD Channels In 2007?
Cable operators have boasted of higher capacity.
By Swanni
 
Washington, D.C. (October 2, 2007) -- DIRECTV says it will have 70 HDTV channels this month and 100 high-def channels by year's end. (It now has 31 national HD channels).

So, will your cable TV provider be able to match it?

Short answer: No.

Cable operators now offer anywhere from 15 to 40 HD channels and it's highly unlikely that most of them will even reach the 50 mark by year's end. (Cablevision is now the cable industry leader with 40 HD channels, which includes the 15-channel Voom lineup.)

That might be a surprise to cable viewers who heard cable executives earlier this year boast that they would have as much high-def capacity as DIRECTV. And some went as far to say that their HD lineups would be "as compelling" as DIRECTV.

"I'm 100 percent confident that we will have as  compelling a HDTV lineup as DIRECTV," Melinda Witmer, Time Warner's chief programming officer, told TVPredictions.com last March.

Witmer added that Time Warner would have the capacity for 100 high-def channels by year's end. And Time Warner Cable CFO Landel Hobbs told an investors conference in June that the cable operator would have "virtually unlimited" capacity for high-def by year's end.

But Time Warner, which now has around 30 HD channels in some markets, was not the only cable operator talking a good game earlier in the year.

Cox President Pat Esser said in June that he hoped the cable operator would have the capacity for 50 channels by year's end. (Cox now offers around 20-25 HD channels in some markets.)

And Comcast President Steve Burke said last year that his company would offer 32-35 HD channels by the end of the third quarter of 2007 (end of September). Comcast came up short with about 25 HD channels.

So what's holding the cable operators up?

Two things:

1. Capacity
Cable operators have spoken loud and often about new technologies such as Switched Digital Video that will enable them to expand their high-def capacity. And while the cable ops have experimented with SDV in a few markets, most local systems are still bandwidth-starved, barely able to add a handful of new HD channels to their lineups, much less dozens.

DIRECTV has been able to expand its HD capacity with the launch of a single satellite (albeit an expensive satellite). However, cable must reconfigure every local system before it can compete with DIRECTV in each market.

2. Programming Deals
Even if a cable service has the capacity for more HD channels, it must negotiate the rights to carry them with the individual networks. That takes time -- and money.
DIRECTV last year made a (time and financial) commitment to get those programming deals, which is why it will be able to add so many basic cable HD networks later this year. The cable operators are now playing catch up.

Although it's unlikely that most cable operators will add more than 10-15 HD channels by year's end, you will see them add some of the more popular new HD networks.

For instance, there was a rush over the last week to add TBS HD in time for the baseball playoffs. And Comcast confirmed last week that it will add CNN HD.

The cable operators will try to stay competitive with DIRECTV this year by adding the best of the new HD -- and bolster that with an expanded HD On Demand lineup.

But just don't expect 100 HD channels anytime soon

[Mikey]

Is there a list somewhere that has the number of HD channels by each of the Time Warner Cable markets?

I'd be willing to bet Milwaukee is in the bottom 10% of that list...

[gparris]

That's right, Mikey, TWC Milwaukee is well at the bottom of the list.
Time to switch?
Yes, if you can get all the HD locals OTA, then Dish or Directv is your best option, assuming trees and apartment dwellings are on your side.

Even if the management at TWC Milwaukee added all the HD channels that I list in my signature, it would still total less than two dozen HD National channels running full time.
This total is exclusive of the PPVHD channel or oddball channels like 502 and 531 which are almost never available and none of the HD locals, which it (finally) carries, all of them, after a very long waiting time like we had.

Cable plays a "good game" like the article says - it comes with deceptions as with claims of abilities to have capacity for more HD channels.
Its is a matter of can't - or - won't...and TWC - won't.

As for time for that 1) Capacity and 2) Programming Deals, cablecos have more time than ever to do what Directv has done because if anyone remembers, Directv has been saying it will offer what it is now beginning to do, but had some difficulty and delays.
During the Directv delays, did anyone see cablecos running any faster to get capacity and programming deals?
Obviously not, even with the extra time they actually had to run with it and get back into the "game".

Even if TWC locally had the capacity to carry 100 HD channels, even if there were that many actually available:
-It would try to carry the very least amount of HD channels - because that is the business model they operate.:rolleyes:

[Jack 1000]

My question is,

Why does it seem like Direct TV as a Dish provider doesn't have to do as much negotiating for its programing as the cable companies need to do?  Do cable company grandfather clauses in contracts with the networks somehow prohibit them from being able to negotiate at a faster rate?

Jack

[Chinatown]

My question is,

Why does it seem like Direct TV as a Dish provider doesn't have to do as much negotiating for its programing as the cable companies need to do?  Do cable company grandfather clauses in contracts with the networks somehow prohibit them from being able to negotiate at a faster rate?

Jack

I believe bandwidth has more to do with TWC and other cable companies not opting to add NFL/Big ten network.

After all, you can only cram so much into that wire and have 1st class audio/video.

Remember, you dont SHARE with satelite.

[gparris]

Odd thing is, despite that fact that a satellite company like Directv has the ability to offer as many as possible HD local channels, it can still offer 70+ HD channels, too.
Cablecos like TWCable, offer only one-selection-one city-of HD channels,  along with a dozen (or less) HD national channels offered, finding it "difficult" to add more.
One would think that the local cable company with 7+ HD locals (depending on locale), would have more than enough capacity for all the HD nationals.
Afterall, its not providing all the HD locals for an entire country like the satellite services, so what could be going on?

One reason is the analogue channels that never went digital still exist;
contracts for some of them have not run out that make it happen to change to digital delivey only (requiring a box).
Analogue channels eat up bandwidth:
Some at avsforums say 2, maybe 3 HD channels can be allocated per 1 eliminated analogue channel, depending on "rateshaping" and other factors.
So if analogue channels were eliminated or reduced, the issue would be about contracts and delivery of HD channels-only, not bandwidth.

Cable companies could insist that all their subscribers get cable boxes, like in the "old days" of cable (before cable-ready sets), but now they "run scared" to do so:
These cablecos are afraid if boxes were required for all subscribers' TV sets, they would leave them.
By this, they don't want to "alienate" some of their customers by requiring cable boxes for every set.

If these analogue channels would either go down to a basic 20 or so, depending on the amount of analogue channels in their systems:
-it could leave 40-50 open "spaces", or 80-100 HD channel "slots".
For some these analogues could be all gone forever, no analogue at all.
Sat companies have no analogue channels to eat up space and aren't as bandwidth restricted.

Other cable locations are more "brave", for example, TWC in Staten Island, NY and Comcast Chicagoland have done or doing this right now:
Eliminating analogue channels for digital delivery, leaving that digital "door" open, allowing for more bandwidth and of course, more HD channels.


The fact that satellite and teleco TV services are growning every day and the requirement for a set top box at every set for service
 -seems to escape the cablecos in their equation.:rolleyes:

[Jack 1000]

Odd thing is, despite that fact that a satellite company like Directv has the ability to offer as many as possible HD local channels, it can still offer 70+ HD channels, too.
Cablecos like TWCable, offer only one-selection-one city-of HD channels,  along with a dozen (or less) HD national channels offered, finding it "difficult" to add more.
One would think that the local cable company with 7+ HD locals (depending on locale), would have more than enough capacity for all the HD nationals.
Afterall, its not providing all the HD locals for an entire country like the satellite services, so what could be going on?

One reason is the analogue channels that never went digital still exist;
contracts for some of them have not run out that make it happen to change to digital delivery only (requiring a box).
Analogue channels eat up bandwidth:
Some at avsforums say 2, maybe 3 HD channels can be allocated per 1 eliminated analogue channel, depending on "rateshaping" and other factors.
So if analogue channels were eliminated or reduced, the issue would be about contracts and delivery of HD channels-only, not bandwidth.

Cable companies could insist that all their subscribers get cable boxes, like in the "old days" of cable (before cable-ready sets), but now they "run scared" to do so:
These cablecos are afraid if boxes were required for all subscribers' TV sets, they would leave them.
By this, they don't want to "alienate" some of their customers by requiring cable boxes for every set.

If these analogue channels would either go down to a basic 20 or so, depending on the amount of analogue channels in their systems:
-it could leave 40-50 open "spaces", or 80-100 HD channel "slots".
For some these analogues could be all gone forever, no analogue at all.
Sat companies have no analogue channels to eat up space and aren't as bandwidth restricted.

Other cable locations are more "brave", for example, TWC in Staten Island, NY and Comcast Chicagoland have done or doing this right now:
Eliminating analogue channels for digital delivery, leaving that digital "door" open, allowing for more bandwidth and of course, more HD channels.


The fact that satellite and teleco TV services are growning every day and the requirement for a set top box at every set for service
 -seems to escape the cablecos in their equation.:rolleyes:

Good points,

I am still surprised at the number of people who are perfectly content with their analog lineup only. (For TW here in Milwaukee, that is 2-99) although  I think that a few of those channels come in digital with a digital box.  The "analog" people will swear by their home shopping channels or whatever.  They don't feel the need to upgrade to digital and most likely, these people aren't going to be interested in going to a package deal for Digital cable service, or an "All in One" cable,  phone, Internet, package.  They would be hard-pressed to even get a digital box, let alone an HD TV.  Many can't afford that level of service or equipment.

TWC fears losing the "Standard Cable" population who aren't interested in upgrading.  Because analog cable eats bandwidth, they have no choice but to limit the number of HD offerings compared to dish.  But TWC wants people to believe that standard service with a non-digital box doesn't even exist anymore.  Speaking of which, does TWC still rent out non-digital boxes?

But what about companies like Cox, who like Direct TV, has every one of their channels in digital?

Jack

[bubbaridesfast]

The majority of TWC customers that I know, and sounds like many on this board, cannot do without their analog channels. How many more tv's do they have than set-top boxes?
This is what TWC banks on, as long as people don't have to have a box for every tv, they will not switch, yet some of you insist that you do need 3 HD dvrs plus non dvr HD boxes? You don't have that now I'd bet, if you do, how much does that add per month? Doesn't TWC charge per box AND per remote?

Folks complain about D*'s 2 year commitment but what about the committment you all accept for subsized purchase prices on your cell phones? You're afraid of commitment but HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBBED FROM TWC? 2 years? Likely times 10. That's what TWC counts on, they rightly believe most of their subs have a half-dozen or more tv's and will put up with analog on the majority of them.

[gparris]

The majority of TWC customers that I know, and sounds like many on this board, cannot do without their analog channels. How many more tv's do they have than set-top boxes?
This is what TWC banks on, as long as people don't have to have a box for every tv, they will not switch, yet some of you insist that you do need 3 HD dvrs plus non dvr HD boxes? You don't have that now I'd bet, if you do, how much does that add per month? Doesn't TWC charge per box AND per remote?

Folks complain about D*'s 2 year commitment but what about the committment you all accept for subsized purchase prices on your cell phones? You're afraid of commitment but HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBBED FROM TWC? 2 years? Likely times 10. That's what TWC counts on, they rightly believe most of their subs have a half-dozen or more tv's and will put up with analog on the majority of them.

Personally, the box rental isn't an issue outside of the increases each year for it.
If CBS58HD was available on the dish and D*'s up-front lease charges were lower, it would save about me some money over TWC.
That would mean a payback of over a year or so, if each HR20 was $99 x 3 (if I got ever got that "lucky"with D* CSRs).
Commitment with D* doesn't scare me, either, since cell phone companies stick that to you anyway and nobody seems to mind, either.
I had D* from 1996-2003 and it all started with a need for more channels and clearer (SD then) pictures and sound.

Yes, TWC will be charging $16.45/month per HD DVR, DVR box and service, remote included for 2008, a 3.4% increase.
Every TWC DVR box has a service fee attached to it, unlike Directv's single-charge for no matter how many DVRs you lease.

[Talos4]

I'd be willing to bet that those with analog gear could care less about changing over to anything digital.

My father is a good example, He's been a loyal TWC Sub for well over 10 years.  When I ask him about changing over to the digital package you'd think I was asking him to cut off his nose.  

"I'm not changing my TV just to get a digital signal!"  Trying to explain a better picture on the same TV is like trying to explain astro physic's to me.

Another reason he won't change is "It's cable, the pictures always been a little fuzzy anyway"

Now, in the same house (duplex) they have D*. Nothing fancy, No HD :eek:
but they do have a DVR. on a nice Sony CRT, 5.1 Audio. Pretty good PQ. He see's no difference.

When he's over by me to watch football in HD :rock:  "looks pretty good" but not that much better:huh?:

There's probably alot of them out there.

[gparris]

Talos4, sometimes as people age, their eyesight fails them, too or they get stuck in their ways, so to speak.
There will always be some folks out there who equate anything different with increased cost or cannot accept change.
-and I'll bet your HDTV set is well calibrated and all, so that is not it for the "looks pretty good" part.

On the other hand, I have some age 60+ folks that really DO see the HD difference and got very excited over DirectvHD's new channels.
They had a new dish and box installed with their 50" plasma, including an HTiB setup for DD5.1 and love it.

My brother got a HDTV awhile ago and is getting Directv out to "fix" his connections since he's having some difficulty getting the new HD channels from his H20 setup in duplex setting (all-Directv, he's the landlord).
I think the BBC is connected wrong or something, he has their protection plan-their problem.
But...
Can he see the difference?
Yes (even with the MPEG-2 HD channels).
Does his renter want it, now, too?
Absolutely.

[Chinatown]

The majority of TWC customers that I know, and sounds like many on this board, cannot do without their analog channels. How many more tv's do they have than set-top boxes?
This is what TWC banks on, as long as people don't have to have a box for every tv, they will not switch, yet some of you insist that you do need 3 HD dvrs plus non dvr HD boxes? You don't have that now I'd bet, if you do, how much does that add per month? Doesn't TWC charge per box AND per remote?

Folks complain about D*'s 2 year commitment but what about the committment you all accept for subsized purchase prices on your cell phones? You're afraid of commitment but HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUBBED FROM TWC? 2 years? Likely times 10. That's what TWC counts on, they rightly believe most of their subs have a half-dozen or more tv's and will put up with analog on the majority of them.

Point on the committment scenario. I myself had TWC from 1980 to 1999. I then switched to Satelite, and of course, will never go back.


Afterall, the cost is the just about the same. Why put up with an inferior product.

Oh!, and by the way I am 60 years old.

[gb4fan92]

Count me in as another former TWC subscriber as of 11/23/2007. I just made the call and I will have Direct TV installed the day after Turkey Day!!! :guitar:  Many reasons for the change with lack of HD Channels the major reason. No BTN and  NFL Network also come into play. Just seemed like the time was right.

[gparris]

gb4fan92: Congradulations!
Are you getting just one D* box, the HR20 (?)and could you swing a deal with them?
What Directv plan are you getting, anything with premium channels or that "HD Extra" plan?

[gb4fan92]

gb4fan92: Congradulations!
Are you getting just one D* box, the HR20 (?)and could you swing a deal with them?
What Directv plan are you getting, anything with premium channels or that "HD Extra" plan?

Thanks
She couldn't tell me if I would get the HR20 or HR21. I asked for the HR20. I get my 1 HD box and 3 standard boxes.  $199 for the HD box, I went in as my bro-in-laws referral and we both received a $50 discount -  $10 per month for 5 months. I am getting the Plus HD/DVR package with STARZ and Showtime.  This package includes "HD Access" Looking forward to a better TV experience.