Cablevision Wants to Lock Up QAM By Mark Fleischmann September 28, 2009 — Look out, Cablevision customers in New York City. If you're using a QAM-tuner-equipped TV to receive unencrypted basic cable channels without a set-top box, your boxless days may be numbered. Cablevision is lobbying the Federal Communications Commission for permission to lock up QAM tuners.

In addition to encrypting basic channels, Cablevision also wants to go all-digital, eliminating analog channels. This would allow it to reallocate spectrum currently used for analog channels to more digital channels, innovative network-DVR service, and probably more video on demand. The cable op announced in March that it will stop marketing the basic tier in analog by the end of this year.

What should concern DTV owners is the encryption of QAM digital channels in the basic tier. Currently they can simply connect their cable feeds directly to their TVs. If Cablevision gets its way, these viewers will have to get a box and accept the expense of renting or buying it. They might also get a CableCARD-enabled set if Cablevision is willing to provide the card.

Cablevision has a long list of reasons but the main one is that extending encryption from premium channels to all channels would let it "activate and terminate service without appointments." The cable operator also cites enhanced security, meaning less theft of service, and fuel savings, estimated (ahem) at 3.5 million gallons per year.

The FCC will entertain alternate views till October 22, and Cablevision must get in its replies by November 6.

Given that the 20 channels involved are almost entirely broadcast free over the air, the best solution for Cablevision's basic subscribers may be to buy an antenna—if they live in a place where they can get a usable DTV signal.

See lightreading.com's Cable Digital News.