[mythtv-users] No More Free DTAs From Comcast

[Gary Buhrmaster]

On Wed, Sep 11, 2013 at 1:50 AM, Tom Hayward <esarfl at gmail.com> wrote:
....
> This is exactly why they want to encrypt everything.

Well, yes, and no.  While those MSOs with variances
(which allowed those MSOs to "test the waters") did
see an uptick in subscribers after encrypting basic,
from what is reported the numbers were not collected
in a way to prove statistical significance(*) (although
unofficially one particular MSO did tend to suggest
that the new subscribers were clustered in the locations
they long suspected to have high rates of use without
contract; but that claim could have been institutional
bias).  And while theft of service is an issue, the bigger
issue/cost for most MSOs is actually the truck roll.
Eliminating the need to connect/disconnect cables,
and to add/remove filters, has a much larger savings
over the long haul (if you have to roll a truck you have
lost any profit for at least a year).  In fact, one of the
repeated claims by the MSOs was that eliminating
those trucks rolls would be a "green" thing to do, and
save lives (fewer emissions into the air).  Those MSOs
with high customer turnover will see large savings as
they "allow" (aka make) the customer do the install
work for them, for an initial roll-out cost (to the MSO)
of a few "free" (HD) DTAs.  And in many cases, the
MSO will likely up-sell the customer to a full STB
(the customer will trust the MSO to recommend what
is best for them(**)), so even the initial investment in
"free" DTAs may not be that large (and yes, a STB
costs more than a (HD) DTA, but the MSO already
has them in stock).

Gary

(*) Obligatory xkcd ref:  http://xkcd.com/552/

(**) The interest/needs/requirements of the members
of this list are, almost by definition, different than the
"average" MSO customer.