The FCC continues to have a frosty relationship with the cable industry. While the issue may be how cable companies are tiering channels into higher priced packages, using the transition from analog to digital as the rational, it may just open another can of worms. Consumer confusion over the transition provides perfect cover to push digital boxes to every TV set in a cable home, even though these boxes are not necessary. More boxes, more fees, more opportunity to sell in more services. As the FCC looks into pricing practices, what else might emerge.
And how high can cable pricing go. Under today's economic conditions, will we soon hit the mark where homes opt out of cable and back to their over the air antennae. With a high speed line to augment their viewing habits, cable subscription may start to see a real hit.
