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 the company's relatively small scale. Tempering factors include its operations in less populated 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 HSD, digital video, and cable telephone services. Atlantic Broadband operates cable systems serving roughly 195,600 equivalent basic subscribers. About 60% of the customers were in mature, smaller markets in
