Does this mean the end of clear QAM for US cable subscribers?

[usually_quiet]

I ran across this article yesterday http://www.missingremote.com/news/2012-07-03/boxee-and-comcast-reach-agreement-develop...asic-cable-cha

It is good news and bad news. The good news is obvious, but the bad news is that it is more likely that most US cable subscribers will loose all clear QAM local channels in the near future.

Currently, US cable operators must provide local broadcast channels unencrypted unless they obtain a waiver from the FCC. (The FCC has granted waivers in the NYC metropolitan area and some others.) The cable industry has been trying to change that regulation for a few years so they can encrypt all digital service. The consumer electronics industry has been fighting against it, but now it looks likely that their opposition is probably going to end. The regulation is under review by the FCC and apparently the FCC chairman is not opposed to eliminating it. http://www.multichannel.com/article/477203-NCTA_to_FCC_Let_All_Digital_MSOs_Encrypt_Basic_Tier.php

I am not looking forward to explaining to my parents that they have to either pay Comcast $10 a month to watch the same HD local channels they currently have for free with their SD subscription using the TVs clear QAM tuner, or connect some rabbit ears to the TV.

[sanlyn]

Does this mean the end of clear QAM for US cable subscribers?

It sure does. It ended in my NY county 2 years ago.

I am not looking forward to explaining to my parents that they have to either pay Comcast $10 a month to watch the same HD local channels they currently have for free with their SD subscription using the TVs clear QAM tuner, or connect some rabbit ears to the TV.

When I told my basic-cable father in law he raised hell for a month.

Wanna buy a useless $280 Samsung HD tuner?