MrMoody
Carbon Based Lifeform
join:2002-09-03
Smithfield, NC
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| Significant number?
Basically there are 4 groups of TV watchers in this country. In decreasing order of quantity:
A) Cable subscribers using set top boxes.
B) Basic cable subscribers connected directly.
C) Satellite subscribers.
D) Over the air broadcast.
Groups A and C are not affected, they already have STBs which will continue to work; satellite is already all digital and the few remaining analog cable boxes are rentals which will be replaced by the cable company if they stop serving them, or can continue to be served.
Group B is not affected directly because cable can continue to provide analog signals if they want. However as Rick says, most cable companies would love to be rid of this service and the broadcast changeover is the perfect excuse. So these people will have to rent an STB.
Group D is a small percentage of the population consisting mostly of very low income people, many retired seniors. These are the people whose old, cheap TVs will go dark unless they buy a new STB with their insufficient $40 voucher. It will be almost as cheap to buy a new, small DTV. Luckily I don't think there are a tremendous number of these people, except maybe in the deep South.
Another problem this creates that I haven't seen mentioned is disposal. My local landfill won't take color TVs. Where are all these suddenly obsolete, dangerous, toxic hulks going to go?
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"It is a future in which globalization really does work ... and everybody winds up getting to be part of the third world." - William Gibson |
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Jwobot
join:2002-08-14
Sterling Heights, MI | You forgot to mention when the cable goes out. |
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halfband
Premium
join:2002-06-01
Huntsville, AL
1 edit | reply to MrMoody
said by MrMoody  :Luckily I don't think there are a tremendous number of these people, except maybe in the deep South. Nope. Mostly cable or a Dish. Everyone in the south has multiple TVs with lots of channels. Now indoor plumbing, that is another matter 
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MrMoody
Carbon Based Lifeform
join:2002-09-03
Smithfield, NC
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| reply to Jwobot
I also didn't mention my own group: people who bought a new ATSC TV and dropped cable to watch over the air only, with better picture, almost as many useful choices, and much more attractive price ($0 per month) than cable.
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"It is a future in which globalization really does work ... and everybody winds up getting to be part of the third world." - William Gibson |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK | reply to halfband
I read a statistic somewhere then even people who are "Below the poverty line" Average 3 TV's per house in the USA. |
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Arctic nut
join:2006-11-26
Thief River Falls, MN
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| reply to halfband
said by halfband :said by MrMoody :Luckily I don't think there are a tremendous number of these people, except maybe in the deep South. Nope. Mostly cable or a Dish. Everyone in the south has multiple TVs with lots of channels. Now indoor plumbing, that is another matter Oh Nooooo.....yous mean I's gots to by me a new boobtube for my outhouse. first telefones, then lite bubs and now this. what's a deep south, redneck like me to do. 
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