BasicCable
Latest
FCC to allow encryption of basic cable, with a few strings that Boxee approves of
As you might expect, the cable industry has been taking measures to protect its business by asking the FCC to allow encryption of basic cable -- something that has never been done and that many have rightly opposed. The FCC responded by releasing new rules on Friday and while cable operators will be allowed to encrypt all its channels, it isn't without a few strings. The Boxee blog voiced its approval of those strings, which basically amounts to a requirement that when an operator encrypts, it also needs to make basic channels accessible via IP -- with or without some hardware in your home -- so that Boxee and others can still tune in. The other, less interesting stipulation, is that you might be entitled to at least one free set-top box or CableCARD for up to five years, depending on what package you subscribe to or if you are on Medicaid. The free hardware will only be for existing customers who apply within four months of when your provider rolls out the basic cable encryption. The real loser here are those few who actually use the Clear-QAM tuner in their TV, or perhaps those that use HTPC software that'll never get an update.
Boxee, Comcast agree to a workaround for encrypted basic cable channels on third party boxes
Boxee usually doesn't get along with the existing media / pay-TV conglomerates, but now it's telling the FCC it has come to an agreement with Comcast. The solution agreed to lets live TV-friendly Boxee access encrypted basic cable channels thanks to a DLNA-controlled high definition digital transport adapter that would connect to the box via Ethernet, with an eye towards no longer requiring an adapter at all down the road. Multichannel News quotes Boxee CEO Avner Ronen as saying it was "good to work with Comcast" on a deal that gives third parties like his company continued access to basic cable. The benefit for Comcast and other cable companies is that they could progress with encrypted all-digital solutions that would open up bandwidth for things like higher speed internet, something Boxee was arguing against previously. What this means for existing standards like CableCARD or the long awaited AllVid is unclear, but if it's one step closer to a legitimate option to ditching the cable box, we'll take it.
Big cable companies considering packages with, wait for it, less channels
At one end, we've had the race to add more channels, more VOD and higher speed internet, but according to report by Reuters the next step for cable companies -- in the face of growing over the top competition -- could be smaller basic cable packages. It's not that we don't all want to spend $100 a month to subsidize Jon & Kate's divorce... wait, that's exactly it. Of course, even if this trend does take off, we're sure it will be hard to get exactly the right channels for exactly the right price. Until then, let us know what channels are in the dream basic cable lineup, or do you prefer your Cable Television World of Hell package of six hundred and sixty six channels?
NFL Network & Comcast could be close to a deal, moving channel to digital basic
Not that we usually put much stock in Peter King's NFL rumors, but word is the NFL Network and Comcast are close to working out a deal that will put the channel right where the NFL wanted it all along, on the regular digital cable package instead of the added-price sports tier. Since the channel didn't disappear May 1 as threatened, it would seem an agreement on pricing has been reached and according to King things were nearly finished on Thursday and Friday but the two have been hammering out final details even today. We'll see if this really happens, and not a moment too soon negotiations also under way with Fox, CBS and NBC and labor talks due to get under way with the Players Association.
