The ratings on Quincy, Mass.-based cable TV provider Atlantic Broadband Finance LLC reflect a highly leveraged financial profile, aggressive competition from direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV providers for video services and local telephone companies for high-speed data (HSD) and telephone services, and cost disadvantages from small company size. Tempering factors include the company's second-tier markets, which provide some protection from local telephone companies deploying facilities-based video offerings in the intermediate term; its position as the dominant provider of pay-TV services in its markets; and growth potential from advanced services, including HSD, digital video services, and cable telephone. Atlantic Broadband operates cable systems serving roughly 220,300 equivalent basic subscribers. About 60% of the customers are in mature, smaller markets in western Pennsylvania,
