Cablevision Reprograms Boxes To Include Anti-ABC Channel

jantman writes "In the ongoing battle between Cablevision and ABC in the New York area, Cablevision has added a channel 1999 to display a looped anti-ABC ad. But, to take it a step further, Cablevision reprogrammed the cable boxes of all subscribers in the affected area to tune to this channel on power up."

Seems Reasonable

[MoriarGryphon]

Seems like a bit passive-aggressive, but somewhat reasonable action on their part.

If I was a customer, I'd be angry that my box wasn't on the channel I left it.

Re:Seems Reasonable

[natehoy]

I read the article, but I have a very different take on what's going on.

I do not pay Comcast a penny that I expect to be sent along to Disney for ABC, or anyone else for NBC, CBS, FOX, WB, or any of the "broadcast" media. I am not, in fact, paying them for content. The content is freely available to my rooftop antenna should I choose to get it that way.

I am paying them for taking a clear signal from ABC, CBS, NBC, et al and interpreting it into an analog signal that is then sent over miles of expensive coaxial cable and fed into my house. That way, I get a clear signal that always works with my analog gear, rather than depending on my old rooftop antenna and a digital signal conversion box.

If ABC decides that Comcast needs to pay $0.50 for every month I have access to that signal, and NBC and CBS and the others all do it, I'm looking at another $5 tacked on to my cable bill, because Comcast is charging me for maintenance and upkeep of coax cable and a distribution system, and a profit. If their costs go up, so will their prices.

I always have the alternative of rerunning the coax to my rooftop antenna and using a digital conversion box, and get ABC et al for free. I choose not to do that because Comcast makes it more convenient for me to receive ABC, a service which I gladly pay for, and from which Comcast makes a profit.

Comcast is a trucking company, in charge of distribution. They don't owe ABC any more money than they owe Slashdot for creating the Internet content I am now consuming.