Phil Amicone, the Mayor of Yonkers, NY is concerned over the recent ruling by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) in regards to the moving of local PEG channels from analog to digital channels.

Cablevision, the local cable provider, moved all PEG channels as well as 16 other analog channels to the digital spectrum, thus moving them “further down the dial”. However, Cablevision’s own news channel (News 12) has not moved.

If it is so important for Cablevision to convert its systems from analog to digital in order to free up capacity for more services like high definition television, one can only wonder why important public service PEG channels were the first to be cut from basic analog service (both in Yonkers and in Eastern Long Island) while Cablevision’s own news channel (News 12) was allowed to remain.
Phil Amicone

Amicone’s issue isn’t with the inconvenience that the move makes, but rather the costs involved to watch digital television. Digital plans cost more because they require renting a set-top box. Those that can’t afford the increased costs are left with a degradation in Cablevision’s basic service plan. [ link ]