No more clear QAM channels from Comcast in the west

[Wolfgang]

I have told earlier to a lot of my friends they could watch the local channels for free on digital cable as long as they have internet connection cable hookup and a newer TV that has built in a cable tuner. Unfortunately I have reports that now most of these areas are affected with the threat that became true, Comcast has discontinued the free local channels to the HSI subscribers, they are all encrypted now. There is one open channel that runs an add which recommends you to call them a get a digital transport adapter (some of their DTA small boxes) if you want to keep watching the Limited Basic Channels programming (not for free anymore).
What can I say, it's time to put an antenna in the attic and get most of those channels (and some more) for free in fantastic High Definition, instead of the crappy SD channels from Comcast. Cheap alternative to subscribing to your local caco. The above recommendation was not meant for advanced "testers" of this community.

[gone]

From about a year ago:

Cable companies led by Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) won U.S. permission to encrypt their basic service to fight theft and reduce service calls.

The Federal Communications Commission voted 5-0 to allow encryption, the agency said in an order released yesterday. Cable companies already encrypt offerings on more expensive channel packages that feature more programming.

The FCC had prohibited encryption on basic service so customers wouldn’t need to rent a set-top box to view local stations. The prohibition didn’t hold for satellite providers DirecTV (DTV) and Dish Network Corp. (DISH) or for cable competitors such as TV services offered by AT&T Inc. (T) and Verizon Communications Inc.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association in 2004 estimated that about 5 percent of homes near cable lines accessed service without paying, resulting in almost $5 billion in lost revenue. That was more than 8 percent of industry revenues that year, according to a filing at the FCC by the Washington-based trade group. The organization’s members include the biggest U.S. cable operator, Comcast, No. 2 provider Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC) and Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC), a New York-area provider.

“By permitting cable operators to join their competitors in encrypting the basic service tier, the commission has adopted a sensible, pro-consumer approach that will reduce overall in- home service calls,” Michael Powell, president of the trade group, said in an e-mailed statement. “Encryption of the basic tier also enhances security of the network which reduces service theft that harms honest customers.”

Encrypting basic service would let Comcast start and stop service remotely, which customers prefer to scheduling an appointment with a technician, Philadelphia-based Comcast said in a filing at the FCC.

Cablevision found that, when it encrypted basic service under a waiver from the FCC, it almost eliminated the need to send crews in trucks to disconnect service, the Bethpage, New York-based company told the agency in a filing.

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-12/cable-operators-can-fight-theft-by-encrypting-signals-fcc-rules.html

Here in TWC land, they've stopped all analog broadcast channels, but offer an STB to those who want 'em back. They also went thru a phase of continuously remapping the clearQAM channels. Right now, you can get the broadcasts stations, along with Showtime's Family channel and Nick