Cable TV announced a voluntary delay to stop moving analog channels to digital service between December 31 and March 1 so as to avoid confusing customers.

The Cable TV companies are trying to avoid adding a “layer of complexity” to an already confusing transition.

Apparently, moving analog channels to digital allows them to use their increased bandwidth for more HD content and other services. This is unrelated to the national switch occurring February 17. Regulators are investigating whether providers are misleading their customers into thinking the two events are connected.

Once cable operators resume moving the analog channels to digital (March 2 – June 30) the companies will give analog households at least one free piece of equipment to allow them to continue watching in analog.