Comcast bought out Richmond’s old cable company years ago. Back when it was AT&T, it never went out, the service was great, and it wasn’t that expensive. All that changed, of course, because Comcast sucks great big hairy you-know-what. And it’s a monopoly to boot: What other cable network can I get in my neighborhood?

That’s right. None.

So a few weeks ago, Comcast decided to force all us old-fashioned cable box subscribers to go digital by putting HBO on all-digital, effective June 1st. So what’s happening right after June 1st? The Soprano series finale. They did it in Philly, too.

Apparently, enough outraged Richmond-area Comcast customers called Comcast and threatened to switch to satellite, because now Comcast has backed down and changed the date to June 11th—the day after the series finale.

Mind you, I don’t watch the Sopranos, and don’t care about it at all, but I don’t want to go digital yet, either. I’m pretty happy with the old box. But I have no choice if I want to keep the premium channel.

Whoops, don’t care enough to do it. I can always rent my favorite movies and series.

But I have to say, I hate monopolies. Businesses have proven, every single time, that without competition, they’ll screw the consumer. Every single time. Unless the consumer gets off his ass and complains loudly enough. Great PR move, Comcast!