Comcast encrypts extended basic channels

[shankar.viswan-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org (Shankar Viswanathan)]

On Fri, May 7, 2010 at 10:09 AM, Derek Atkins <warlord-3s7WtUTddSA at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> At least this is better than RCN, which encrypted the OTA HD channels
> too!!!!

As an RCN customer, this annoys me greatly. I'm guessing it is legal
for them to do this ... but why isn't there some FCC rule that all OTA
channels have to retransmitted *as is* by the cable/satellite
companies?

Also, does anyone know if Verizon FIOS provides the OTA HD channels in
clearQAM?

Thanks,
Shankar (who would have dumped cable long ago if he were single)