From: none@nowhere.com   
      
   On 28/04/12 12:06 PM, Sid Elbow wrote:   
   > On 4/27/2012 11:45 PM, JF Mezei wrote:   
   >> Analogue channels require hardware filters for every home that   
   >> block/enable a range of frequencies (aka: channels).   
   >>   
   >> This shuffling may enable Rogers to free up a block of channels which   
   >> will no lonegr require a filter since that block would no longer carry   
   >> any analogue channels   
   >   
   > I think it's a bit more than that. Rogers wants to dump analogue cable   
   > altogether (why wouldn't they?). However, the CRTC won't let them while   
   > they still have a sizeable customer base for analogue. They can't just   
   > pull out the rug; they need to get that base down to an "acceptable   
   > minimum" first.   
   >   
   > So for years, Rogers has been trying to tempt those customers onto basic   
   > digital. It costs the same but many resist it because of the   
   > disadvantages (ugly set-top box, additional controller and inability to   
   > record one program while viewing another).   
   >   
   > By making this move, with a couple of "who cares" channels, there's an   
   > implied threat that this may be just the start. It's coupled with an   
   > offer of a converter box for free. So the thinking goes: "Perhaps when   
   > Rogers finally removes stations that I care about, the box won't be   
   > free. So I may as well get one now even if I don't plan to use it"   
   >   
   > So, "smart" customer (like me, I fell for it) goes on line and orders   
   > the box .... absolutely free like they say, including delivery. And now   
   > he's officially a digital customer, not analogue.   
      
   But they are also converting analog customers to digital when they move.   
     I know that when the time comes for me to move, Rogers will come in   
   and convert my service to digital so there's one less customer that uses   
   an analog signal.  As people move from place to place, it's just going   
   to be a matter of time until the number of analog customers will be minimal.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)