We had 12 channel cable (2-13) during the 70s and 80s, sometime in the mid 80s they expanded to 20+, then later to the 36 channels and eventually up to the 70 or so chanels we have now on analog. Since about 2000 we had a digital lineup too.
Jim
I had dish network and sky angel kept the dish up and only get free PI package with Dish and I kept Sky Angel but Directv is my main service.
I suspended Directv for the summer months and got a cable promotion to save money but next month Directv is back and cable will be downgrade d limiited...
Comcast in my area isn't planning 100% ADS for the near future. They got a local deal from some 3rd party to offer a digital feed of all the local Sacramento stations but other semi-local stations and all the cable channels are still analog for 2-99. And get this 2 digital channels TCM and GSN...
Current has been on directv since day one, Al Gore bought Newsworld International and turned it into a national public access channel they show viewer submitted programs.
Jim
For me Directv offers wider variety of channels (non-premium) and better cost then comcast. I don't have a HD tv but do have a HD comcast box with limited basic cable, I do like watching local broadcast channel HD broadcasts in 16x9 dvd quality video.
My directv bill is $56 including dual...