Why are local channels being encrypted? Will they start airing porn shows starting April 10th?

Edgar replies: Cable companies have been lazy, and don't always go out to a customer's house after they move and cancel service. That means the new owner/tenant can connect their TVs to the cable and will be get any of the unencrypted stations free. By scrambling everything, they will thwart cable theft, save trips to the house, force consumers to visit the cable company to pick up a new cable box when starting service (and save installation trips for the company), and give cable companies a new source of revenue for the additional boxes that will be required.