HBO on Comcast ANALOG?(!)

[netringer]

I got a "a lineup change has occurred" message on my Series 2 DT on Comcast Waukegan (IL) Basic analog cable that I have some new channels - some new and renamed local access at 17 and 19 and HBO on channel 78!

Needless to say, since there's no way for me to authenticate my sub for HBO on analog, the channel is black.

Is there a chance that they actually went back to blocking filters? Should I call to ask?

I can wish, can't I?

[mattack]

I'm guessing they just messed up the lineup. You could call, but they probably won't understand what you're talking about.

I'd suggest waiting a week or so to see if it goes away, and if not, if you have confirmed it's a goof, sending a lineup change with tivo.

Though personally, I *did* get HBO (and sometimes a few other premiums) on analog long ago. I stopped getting permium channels when they went to digital only back then. I have personally never had a cable box as a regular customer -- I have a few times tried them when they were literally free for a short period of time.. But I finally have cablecards in one of my Tivos.

[gastrof]

Comcast is going to be getting rid of all analog channels over a certain LOW number (usually around the mid twenties to thirty...depends on how many OTAs your area has...the OTAs will remain on analog at low channel numbers...for now).

They're changing different areas at different times.

It could be that channel 78 actually IS going to be the new channel for HBO, but that it's a DIGITAL channel which you'd need a cable box to get.

[bpurcell]

It could be that channel 78 actually IS going to be the new channel for HBO, but that it's a DIGITAL channel which you'd need a cable box to get.

This is likely the case. In my area, anything over 25 is now digital. Even if HBO offered a free weekend, which they sometimes do, you wouldn't be able to see it without a cablecard (S3/TiVoHD) or cable box (S1/S2).