No. 1 Problem Is Not Having Cable; No. 2 Is Having It

The cable television industry held a national convention this week at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

There were elaborate exhibits and even more elaborate parties. A visitor could see that this is an industry that has not only made an impact, but also one that has become very successful.

But cable television has its problems, too.

The big one is still lack of availability: Satellite transmission is available everywhere; cable TV is available only where cable has been laid.

Cable is becoming more widespread, having recently passed the 50% plateau--meaning that cable is now in more than half of the nation’s homes. But there are still many areas, particularly inner cities, without cable.

The City of Los Angeles, for the most part, has no cable television. So, many of the city’s citizens who want cable programming, such as National Football League games on ESPN, are deprived while city politicians, who award exclusive franchises, haggle with various cable companies.

The second major problem the cable television industry faces is bad service.

Too many cable operators don’t seem to care much about service and public relations. To them, the bottom line is all-important.

Two systems--Paragon, in the South Bay, and Simmons, in Long Beach--recently dropped Prime Ticket for economic reasons, despite complaints from customers.

Here’s another problem: Some systems put more than one network on one channel.

For example, some cable systems carry the Financial News Network until 5 p.m., then switch to another network. For sports fans who want FNN’s sports programming, packaged in a program called SCORE, that is an outrage.

SCORE offers some attractive sports programming, such as a recent fight involving former heavyweight champion Michael Dokes. A fight fan, noting that the fight is listed on FNN/SCORE, thinks he will get to see it because his system carries FNN.

But when he turns his set on at that time, say 5:30, he will instead get a shopping channel, or the like.

Another problem with cable television is that often systems are computer-operated. Computers demand a smaller hourly wage than a person does. But computers can’t think.

Here’s a recent example of what can happen: The Atlanta Hawks were playing on TBS, and their game was to be followed by a Braves’ game from Dodger Stadium, which was supposed to be blacked out. But the basketball game went into overtime.

Meanwhile, the computer at many cable systems was programmed to black out TBS at 7:35. But at that particular time, the Hawks’ game was still on. The computer didn’t know that, so off went the picture.

Keep in mind that cable operators have monopolies. If a customer doesn’t like the service, he can’t switch cable companies. There is only one company per area.

Maybe you are lucky and live in an area where a cable operator cares about service. But then again, you may not. You get angry but you have no options, as long as you want cable.

It used to be that you could cancel cable and buy a satellite dish. But then along came scrambling--signals jumbled by programmers--and suddenly satellite dishes weren’t a very good option.

But there apparently is good news on the horizon. Within a year or two, people who can’t get cable, or are tired of poor service, may have an alternative.

Technology is now being developed that will give us more powerful satellites, smaller and more reasonably priced antennas or dishes, decoders priced at less than $100 to unscramble signals, and reasonably priced pay-per-view programming.

General Instrument Corp.’s VideoCipher division, based in San Diego, will begin a test venture July 1, using some of the new technology. Later in the year, the company plans to start selling a service that will make movies and sports available via satellite dishes through pay-per-view programmers.

VideoCipher has agreements with a number of such programmers, including the Houston-based Home Sports Entertainment regional sports network.

It will work in much the same way you select a movie in a hotel room. You just punch a button, and then you are billed for that program.

Esther Rodriguez, VideoCipher vice president, says VideoCipher eventually hopes to offer a variety of movies and sports. “Everybody will benefit--programmers, dealers and consumers,” Rodriguez said.

General Instrument isn’t the only company experimenting with such satellite technology. It’s not that cable will go away, but there at least may soon be an alternative.

It could become possible to spend only about $500 for a small receiver and small decoder box and then, without a middleman cable operator, be able to touch a button and see movies and sporting events of your choice, with a crystal-clear picture in stereo.

After the initial outlay, the monthly cost probably would be about what you’re paying for cable now.

Nothing is ever perfect, but at least it’s something to think about.

If nothing else, companies such as VideoCipher will provide needed competition for cable operators, who, if they aren’t already doing so, will have to start providing good service, or possibly lose customers.

TV-Radio Notes

The trouble that Cincinnati Red broadcasters Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall found themselves in for their biased call during last weekend’s Pete Rose incident shows that homerism is alive and thriving in major league baseball. It’s to be expected, though, since clubs pay at least part of announcers’ salaries.

Somebody please get Al Conin a crying towel. He cries after almost every Angel loss. “It’s so frustrating,” he’ll say. “We know the Angels are a better ball club than this.” Oh, do we? Conin is another example of homerism running rampant. Surprisingly, Conin did give credit to Cleveland’s Greg Swindell for the two-hitter he threw against the Angels earlier this week. . . . Over in the Dodger booth, where 39-year veteran Vin Scully sets the tone, there is considerably more objectivity and professionalism.

Somebody please get aging Stu (I Bleed Dodger Blue) Nahan some glasses. He’s been claiming on KABC radio this week that umpire Dave Pallone never touched Rose, even though Rose had a cut on his cheek to prove that Pallone, while pointing a finger at the manager, did nick him. Also, Nahan has taken an anti-Rose stance, saying he was the one who came out of the dugout to provoke Pallone. Had it been Tom Lasorda rather than Rose, do you think Nahan would be backing the umpire?

ABC’s Kentucky Derby coverage begins at 1:30 p.m., PDT, Saturday, with post time set for 2:33. Working the telecast will be Jim McKay, Jack Whitaker, Al Michaels, Charlsie Cantey, Dave Johnson and Lynn Swann. Johnson will call the race. . . . Attention, tennis buffs: Next Tuesday at 10 p.m., HBO offers an hour special, “The History of Tennis.” Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King are the hosts. Bud Greenspan wrote the script and his brother, David Perry, narrates the piece.

Prime Ticket has a new sports talk show, “It’s Your Call,” with Rich Marotta serving as host. The show, which will make its debut Monday at 6 p.m., will be on every Monday and Thursday, sometimes at 7 p.m. The guests Monday will be basketball’s Marques Johnson and boxing’s Michael Nunn.