Cablevision's CableCard No-No
Cablevision appears to be delving further into switched digital video.
Over the past two months, customers using CableCARDS or Sony set-top boxes have received notice that they will not be able to receive sports packages, such as MLB Extra Innings or MLS Direct Kick, without a Scientific-Atlanta digital box.
Cablevision declined comment on the move, but it would appear to signal that the operator is using switched digital to offer the packages.
Last year, the New York based-operator entered the switched digital landscape by launching 60 international channels across its footprint using SDV technology.
The New York-based operator also announced this month it’s planning a whopping 500 high definition channels (meaning streams, not full-time HD networks) by year-end.
That ambitious move will require SDV to increase its network capacity to deliver bandwidth-hogging HD video streams.
It now offers 40 full-time high-def nets, including 15 of its own Voom HD channels.