I can't remember where I read this, but I read somewhere about a year ago that the Federal Government was going to require that (pardon inacuracies, can't remember specifics) by something like 2010 all Cable Television service providers would have to be fully upgraded to a completely DIGITAL system, with the ability to allow people to pay per channel or two, not by the handful. The article I read indicated (w/out specifics as to prices) that it would be like you would be able to choose a base package of 10 or so channels (locals, movies, sports, news, science, games, etc), and then you'd be able to add single channels for like $1 each.

Again, I can't remember where I read this, though I know I saw more than one article about it about a year ago, probably online, maybe even in a newspaper or something.

Having been a "Cable Guy" myself, It would really simplify things. Basically everyone would be hooked up through a Digital line, and us Cable Guys would no longer have to remember which system used the A42-filter to give HBO, and which one used it to give Playboy chanel. (no joke, I ran into problems like this). Rather once you're plugged in and have your digital box, it would have your information downloaded, and you'd get only the channels you ask for, nothing more.

Who knows, maybe this will actually happen, but at the rate the Cable companies where I live now are going, they'll not be done until 2150.