[mythtv-users] Silly Question

[sdkovacs]

On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 12:58 PM, Michael T. Dean
<mtdean at thirdcontact.com> wrote:
> On 04/03/2012 12:46 PM, A Desai wrote:
>>
>> I have a question:
>> * Currently I have my myth recording via my Comcast Cable. If I disconnect
>> my cable, will I still be able to get the basic channels (ABC, NBC, WLS,
>> WGN, CBS) - I heard that the basic channels are supposed to be free?
>>
>> Thank you.
>
>
> If you disconnect cable, you will need to get your local channels from
> another source, such as an antenna.
>
> In analog days, cable companies offered a basic (or lower) level
> subscription for people who only wanted the local channels (usually for
> $10/mo).  I'm not sure if they do the same thing, now, in the age of digital
> TV.  However, they are not required (or expected) to provide any service
> free to people who are not customers (that's what broadcast over-the-air TV
> is for).  Check your cable company's terms for details, but unless you're
> paying them something, you almost definitely are not allowed to pull any
> signal from their cable lines.
>
> Mike

Comcast still offers a "limited" cable TV service ($12.95 a month) in
my area, which provides me with the local broadcast channels in
digital. They recently shut the analog channels off and sent a number
of letters urging me to upgrade to digital service, but I believe they
are required (as of now) to provide ClearQAM signals of local broacast
channels. So that's good enough for my purposes, as I have the cable
hooked into an HDHomeRun and can still get what I need.