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TMCNet: Many switch to cable, dish: Cable and satellite providers say they're seeing spiking demand for their products since digital conversion

[June 28, 2009]

Many switch to cable, dish: Cable and satellite providers say they're seeing spiking demand for their products since digital conversion

Jun 28, 2009 (The Free Lance-Star - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The recent switch from analog to digital television broadcasting seems to be benefiting cable and satellite TV providers.

Effective June 12, all U.S. broadcasters were required to shut off their analog signal and broadcast solely in digital. The switch was intended to free up space on their airwaves for emergency responders. Some TV stations made the switch to digital before June 12.

Many people who rely solely on over-the-air television, including numerous Fredericksburg-area residents, have reported problems getting the same signal quality since the switch. A Federal Communications Commission help line received nearly 700,000 calls the week of the switch.

The switch doesn't affect people who pay for cable or satellite television. These providers report an uptick in call volume since the switch was made, indicating that some have decided free TV is no longer adequate.

"We have seen a spike in orders," says Comcast spokeswoman Jaye Linnen. She attributed it to people deciding that going with cable was easier than the alternative, which sometimes involves buying a new antenna and a digital converter box, plus making sure they're all hooked up right.

Like other cable providers, Comcast has done extensive marketing to lure people in. The company is offering installations within 48 hours, and free basic cable for a year for customers who sign up for another service.

DISH Network is seeing a similar trend, said Francie Bauer, corporate communications manager.

"I can definitely say we saw a significant spike in call volume across the country the week of the digital transition, and we can certainly attribute some of that volume to the switch," Bauer said. English-language calls were up about 10 percent nationally, while Latino calls were up 40 percent.

Verizon regional spokesman Harry J. Mitchell said the company doesn't release numbers on a state or local level, but he said FiOS sales are "doing quite well." Cox Communications spokeswoman Gwen Sparks said the company hasn't noticed any "unusual uptick in new customers" attributable to the switch. But she noted that the company has been informing people about the transition for more than a year, so the new requests were spread out.

To see more of The Free Lance-Star or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://fredericksburg.com/flshome. Copyright (c) 2009, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

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