Optimum Lowers Boom on TiVo

We were afraid that this would happen and it did.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently removed its mandate for cable providers to support cable cards and tuning adapters. While the technology is old and not without issues, it is a way for customer owned devices to view cable programming on their own device, such as a TiVo. It also gets the customer out of paying for a cable set top box.

For several weeks, I’ve been having a problem with an Optimum/Altice provided tuning adapter constantly rebooting. This has prevented me from watching channels delivered via switched digital video (SDV). It has also caused my TiVo to temporarily malfunction as the cable card attempts to remap channels each time the tuning adapter is not seen as available by the TiVo.

After numerous calls, disconnects, outright lies by customer service reps, and 2 FCC complaints, Boris from Optimum called today and said they do not have a replacement tuning adapter for me and that my only recourse is a cable box.

Here is the an excerpt of an email that I received as a followup to the call.

As per our today conversation, we need to inform that Channels that use Switched Digital Video technology are not available when using a CableCARD with a TiVo CableCARD-compatible device. These customers will need a digital set top box to view Switched Digital Video Channels.
Tuning Adapters are no longer available in Altice East Retail stores.

Also of interest to some readers:

In the Hudson, Newark / Elizabeth and Paterson service areas, we do not deliver programming through SDV technology.

This is not good. Wonder what TiVo’s play is going to be here? Wonder which providers are next to drop tuning adapter support.

As for me, at least I’m in a good over the air (OTA) antenna area.