Comments on: Cable TV bills will go up if Fox, CBS get their way

By: RA

RA — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:29:51 +0000

Foxs doesn’t need another dime. As they can do is yell. Another over seas company trying to get into our pockets.

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:45:53 +0000

Its too bad Verizon fios isn’t in our area – I’d go with that one.

By: Bobomo

Bobomo — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:52:32 +0000

You show up in every cable post and bitch about Time Warner’s Spanish ads. I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less from The Register, but it’s still mind boggling. Please realize that they aren’t “anti-American”, but “pro-profit”. Assuming you are some kind of conservative/libertarian, this is exactly the kind of thing you people are always going on and on about: “The Free Market”. Well, guess what!? Spanish speaking households are a “market” and any company doing business here is not doing their job if they don’t attempt to tap that market for profit. I assure you they’ve done research telling them that the number of Spanish speaking households who would pay for cable is larger than the number of angry, racist cranks who would cancel it because of a silly TV ad.

By: Smithee

Smithee — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:06:26 +0000

“Something’s not right with this story”

Something’s wrong, alright, but it’s not with this story. Search for “Retransmission consent” and “Must-carry rules” for the whole story. A brief version is here.

How could something this stupid happen? Basically, the politicians were more afraid of the broadcast stations and networks than they were of the cable companies. And look at the comments in this thread. The vast majority of the comments automatically blame the cable company for this. I hate the cable company as much as the next guy, but how anyone could see this as their fault is beyond me.

By: Eric Cooper

Eric Cooper — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:45:03 +0000

Tamara,
What is the difference between this and “retransmission rights” which also involves payment of fees to local over-the air tv stations? As I understand it, retransmission rights are usually paid by cable and satellite companies once a year or sometimes for a longer contractual period.

By: syscom3

syscom3 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:52:18 +0000

My choices are history channel, discovery channel and nickelodian. Think that is over the air? Go back to your thinking on the matter and come up with a more intelligent comment.

BTW, I dont do any of those things you suggest after 9:00PM. Nor do most people.

By: irvinesbest

irvinesbest — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:43:47 +0000

Indeed it is. It’s called the OTARD rule — here is the link:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

A portion of the rule reads: “The rule applies to antenna users who live in a multiple dwelling unit building, such as a condominium or apartment building, if the antenna user has an exclusive use area in which to install the antenna. ‘Exclusive use’ means an area of the property that only you, and persons you permit, may enter and use to the exclusion of other residents. For example, your condominium or apartment may include a balcony, terrace, deck or patio that only you can use, and the rule applies to these areas.”

CableH8tor, I would suggest following up on this and showing this to your apt manager/landlord. If he/she still resists, the FCC has a toll-free number you can call and I’m sure they can assist you further.

By: Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress

Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:32:48 +0000

Apartment dwellers can put a satellite dish in their personal area (balcony), but not in common areas (the roof). Here's what the FCC says: Click HERE.

By: George

George — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:54:15 +0000

It’s against the law to not allow a Dish, isn’t it?

By: CableH8tor

CableH8tor — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:57:42 +0000

Stan says: October 28, 2009 at 10:16 am
>What Fox and CBS don’t comprehend that Cable TV as well as Dish & Direct TV are doing them a Service by providing in many cases a better signal to people in each broadcast area<
.
Exactly!
All of the renters in my apartment in north OC have to rely on cable for local TV because rabbit ears will not pick up a single channel off the new digital TV!
(the apartment owners wont allow Satellite and are not smart enough to put up a master antenna)
I wish Totally Worthless Crap would stop paying for all the Home Shopping, Cooking, Music and Hispanic channels that I never watch (maybe they can drop the price from the $65 I am forced to pay now!)

By: [Blocked by CFC] Proudrepublican

[Blocked by CFC] Proudrepublican — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:48:58 +0000

Time Warner is horrible! If you call to ask a question you will get India.

By: [Blocked by CFC] ingodwetrust

[Blocked by CFC] ingodwetrust — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:46:26 +0000

Time Warner is horrible! When I call to ask a question I get India. Whatever… Satellite sounds better and better everyday.

By: johnb

johnb — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:20:52 +0000

Never get the “all in one package”. You don’t want all your services with one company. If TimeWarner cable goes down, you could lose ALL your services. At least keep your phone service with someone else.

By: poneeboy53

poneeboy53 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:20:47 +0000

diddly-squat for naught says:
October 28, 2009 at 10:45 am

Dog-Gone-It! No wonder Time Warner can’t give us clear viewing channels without video distortion…everyones complaining and threatening to leave them….putting them into panic mode!!!
Not worth their prices if it continues, I might add!

I am having that same problem on many channels for about a month. Fine on the regular TV’s but screwed up on the on with the box. The same thing happens at my mom-in-laws tv w/the box ‘s but far fewer distorted channels.

By: Chas

Chas — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:19:00 +0000

DirectTV’s parent company was News Corp. Liberty Media now owns DirecTV.

It had to do with untangling some assets between the two, and Rupert wanted out of DirecTV.

By: cox hater

cox hater — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:59:05 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. Cox is the worst I have ever used.

By: FVTM

FVTM — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:53:15 +0000

After years of high costs and terrible service, I left Time Warner for DirecTV. I was able to get DirecTV into two homes for a total cost that was less per month than what I was paying TW, and after almost 5 years have had zero problems – best move I could have made!

There are better alternatives – search them out!

By: Surprised

Surprised — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:46:20 +0000

I say dump Faux. It is worthless.

By: Suck my Cox!

Suck my Cox! — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:43:40 +0000

Cable TV Sucks! Never go with Cox Communications! They are the worst!

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:34:43 +0000

Hulu was founded in March 2007 by NBC Universal and News Corp (FOX)

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:31:29 +0000

Que? en ingles por favor

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:29:49 +0000

DirectTV’s Parent company is News Corp.