All cable companies requiring boxes for all users? (Comcast, Time Warner, HD)

[robertpasa]

Charter is currently saying all customers must have a box or cablecard or they will receive no channels. Are all cable companies in the US doing this, or have done it already?

[Bo]

Not Time Warner. That may change after the merger with Comcast.

If it happens, it may inspire this Time Warner subscriber to cut the cord, since I have 5 TVs and only one cable box.

It didn't used to be legal for them to require a box. But the law changed a couple of years ago.

[robertpasa]

Originally Posted by Bo

If it happens, it may inspire this Time Warner subscriber to cut the cord, since I have 5 TVs and only one cable box.

A lot of people feel the same way as you. Especially since you only get two boxes for free, for two years.
That means you will be getting the same things but at a higher cost.

I often hate those boxes as it's just one more thing that can break down. But you would have HD and the guide.

[Pruzhany]

FWIW The current generation of boxes from Comcast are pretty small now (6"x10"x2") and can be hung on the wall.