[jfman]

The quick explanation is that 256 QAM offers an extra 30% capacity over 64 QAM. Until recently Virgin only used 64.

Scaremongering on forums had no capacity for HD channels at all at one point in 2007. Closing analogue back in the day, moving to 256 QAM, MPEG 4 for HD all represent a constant evolution of the cable network. To the average user they will have been unaware for the most part.

There are under utilised frequencies in use, there are frequencies out of use that would be activated if required.

Beyond that in the far future there’s plenty of quick wins: reducing legacy boxes moves the on demand content into the “internet” bandwidth from TV, duplicate SD and HD channels (BT Sport and Sky Movies being obvious candidates), plus one channels (necessary in the 6 tuner and on demand world?).

I can’t imagine there’s much value in the porn channels or music channels as viewer behaviour changes (online).

Add into the fact there’s very few “new channels” on the horizon anyway.