Hi Jim_MI (nice name! LOL). We can only hope clear-QAM becomes a WOW distinction and, thus, a major selling point. Only then will it stick around.
But WOW is not free of competition by any means. One can shout all day long how competition is good but it does have a negative side when real costs and revenue protection starts being needed - which is exactly why hardly anyone else has clear-QAM.
There's a big picture at work making cable companies quite aware they will degrade into "bit-haulers" exclusively with media profits drying up. It really will be something to watch over the next decade.
Sorry if I got on a soap box. Wish I knew the answer to your question, too.