So, I gather that after the February digital transition deadline next year, my local cable provider (Comcast Berkeley) is required to offer certain stations under the "really, really Basic" analog cable service I subscribe to.

But it seems this depends on the stations themselves--i.e., the stations have to declare or obtain "must carry" status. (Some background. (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6477710.html))

Question: does anyone have any idea how to find out which stations have this status in my area? And/or which ones will still be offered in analog via separate agreement with my cable provider. Yes, I tried calling Comcast, but the person I spoke to didn't have any information.

If it turns out it's just going to be a few local broadcasters, it seems I might as well turn off the cable entirely and use a digital converter box, as the main reason I have cable right now is the spotty reception in my apartment. Digital over the air signal will probably help a great deal in that respect.

The only other benefit of getting analog cable would be the ability to keep using my Panasonic ReplayTV (no subscription fees)--but then again I could just invest the cable fees in a more modern DVR or DVD recorder with a digital tuner.

Any thoughts?

PBS is, by law, must carry. You can pretty much bet on the other major networks (ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC) being in there as well. With the LPTV stations, you'd probably have to wait and see.

I'd get an amplified indoor antenna and enjoy all of the stuff that is multicast (free doesn't hurt, either.

That is not the case. Many of the major network, in major markets, have elected retransmission consent instead of must-carry. It is the affiliate's choice -- the MSO has no say in it.

That is not the case. Many of the major network, in major markets, have elected retransmission consent instead of must-carry. It is the affiliate's choice -- the MSO has no say in it.
True about it being up to the station, not the cable provider. I was including retransmission consent in the group of must-carry.

Don't. They're opposites. It is must-carry or retransmission consent. One or the other. Calling a retransmission consent station "must-carry" will mislead readers.

If it turns out it's just going to be a few local broadcasters, it seems I might as well turn off the cable entirely and use a digital converter box, as the main reason I have cable right now is the spotty reception in my apartment. Digital over the air signal will probably help a great deal in that respect.
To see what OTA DTV channels might be in your area as of 12/31/07, here is FCC Appendix D, List of Stations identified as Ready to Commence Post-Transition Operations (small FCC pdf download). (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-228A2.pdf)

Here is FCC Appendix F, Stations Granted Extension Requests or Use-or-Lose Waivers (small FCC pdf download). (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-228A3.pdf)

If a station elects retransmission consent and the contract negotiations with the cable company fail can the station choose to go back to must carry to avoid being dropped from the cable system? Or is going with retransmission consent an irreversible calculated risk that could result in getting booted off cable?

What is an MSO?

Thanks for all the replies, by the way.

Multi-system operator, or "really big cable company." Think Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox, etc.

WGBH,the PBS affilate in Boston chooses retransmission consent.
They choose the trasnmission (digitally) of WGBX's multiplex channels as a condition of carrying WGBH (and WGBH-HD)
The traditional WGBX is must carry.