Digital TV switch will boost subscriptions

July 08, 2008 Observers say that overall, cable companies -- rather than their satellite TV and telecom rivals breathing down their necks -- look best positioned to sign up a portion of the estimated 14 million U.S. homes who still only get free over-the-air television rather than paying monthly fees to multichannel providers. Collins Stewart analyst Thomas Eagan and others estimate that cable firms could win over about 1 million-2 million of these homes, or 7%-14%, starting in the fall, followed by a crunch closer to the February switch deadline. Consumers in over-the-air homes have several options come the switch to all-digital TV signals Feb. 17: use "rabbit ears" set-top antennas for every set in the home, use rooftop antennas, sign up for multichannel service or give up TV.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.