Rogers Moving Golf Channel to Digital, MTV moves to 52

[Wayne]

My latest Rogers bill containts the following statement:

Rogers Digital Cable is improving your programming!

On July 6th, Rogers will be making changes to your channel line-up. After a free preview of MTV on channel 59, MTV will move from channel 59 to 52 and the Golf Channel will move from channel 52 to 410.

This isn't an improvement if you prefer golf to MTV as i do!

Does anyone know why they are doing this - are they required to carry MTV on analog?

[BayStBoi]

MTV is operating under the old TalkTV license which was authorized as an anaolg channel. They are moving it from its current location of channel 59 as most apartments / condos use this channel to display the lobby security camera.

[Wayne]

Can they just transfer a license like that when the mandate is totally different? And how does this improve my service?

[57]

This is improving your service because moving 1 analogue channel to the digital tier frees up enough bandwidth for 2 HD channels or 7-11 SD digital channels (roughly, since it now takes up about 1/10th of the bandwidth it does as an analogue channel).

I say Hooray, keep moving non-basic analogue channels into the digital tier.

[ryans]

As BayStBoi said, if they're using 59 as the security camera....there's no way they could use it for "extra channels", because the deletion filter to put in the camera would mean those in apartment buildings wouldn't recieve "new programming", I thought you'd realize that 57?

It does suck that Golf is moving into digital....I guess I should be quiet about the fact that TCM is in analogue in my area (Channel 49) lol . I'm surprised its allowed as such, but...hey am I the CRTC?

Does anyone know if its going to be in the basic package, or is it going to be more as a digital channel?

[timbo]

This isn't an improvement if you prefer golf to MTV as i do!

You said it all right there, Wayne.

Ditch the useless MTV. Increase bandwidth for digital/HD. Bring back the preview channel on 59 or give us an apartment lobby to look at.(It would be as interesting as MTV)

But for heaven's sake, The Golf Channel? Is nothing sacred anymore? Thanks Rogers (sic).

[57]

Originally Posted by ryans

As BayStBoi said, if they're using 59 as the security camera....there's no way they could use it for "extra channels", because the deletion filter to put in the camera would mean those in apartment buildings wouldn't recieve "new programming", I thought you'd realize that 57?

Sorry, let me clarify. If MTV had been put into the analogue tier (as apparently required by contract) without removing another channel, that would have utilized the bandwidth which can now be used elsewhere.

Since the OP has several digital STBs, the only harm would come if there's a charge for the channel, which is a different matter.

[wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by ryans

I guess I should be quiet about the fact that TCM is in analogue in my area (Channel 49) lol . I'm surprised its allowed as such, but...hey am I the CRTC?

Is your cable ops Rogers? If so, how come you guys get TCM and no one else. Lots of people served by Rogers are anxiously waiting for TCM in Analog or Digital. I just wonder how Silver Screen Classics even survives.

[57]

Probably a typo. Probably meant TMN, which was (and apparently still is) analogue in some areas.

[bigoranget]

No, I think he has Shaw Cable. TMN isn't on analog anymore in any market.

[lajohn27]

SSM Ontario is Shaw cable.. (go figure) and TCM is indeed available there on 49.

[bigoranget]

TCM is only available on Shaw Cable and StarChoice. The main reason why is because TCM will only allow their channel to be in a high penetration tier. I'm guessing that Rogers and Cogeco do not want to displace another analog channel for TCM.

In Hamilton both Mountain Cable and Source Cable have had the Golf Channel on digital cable for years. Even before digital cable came out, it was a premium pay station that required a descrambler.

[57]

Got a note from Rogers today about the channel change. If you have

- Sport Theme Pak

or

- Choose all specialty channels package.

You'll get Golf. If not, you'll need to subscribe. Effective July 6.

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by 57

You'll get Golf. If not, you'll need to subscribe. Effective July 6.

Explain to me again how this is an improvement in my Rogers service!

[Kloraff]

Originally Posted by Wayne

Explain to me again how this is an improvement in my Rogers service!

It frees up bandwidth by removing an analog version of a channel already being provided digitally on channel 410, which in turn is eliminating redundant duplication to make room in the lineup for wonderful new channels like TCM on the analog dial perhaps should they be seeking that kind of penetration as a condition of carraige.