Charter Shifts Some Channels, Prepares for Transmitting Digitally
Posted on: Wednesday, 20 July 2005, 00:00 CDT
Jul. 19--Basic cable customers will need to upgrade to Charter Communications' digital service if they want to keep the Hallmark Channel or Soap Net on their TV channel lineup.
There is a way to keep the channels for free, but only until the end of the year.
Charter Communications last week moved the channels so it eventually could transmit all its channels digitally. The digital upgrade will be offered free to analog customers until the end of the year, Charter spokesman Anita Lamont said.
"Engineering tried hard to figure out a way to do the simulcast without moving any channels," Lamont said, "but realized we couldn't keep them all in the spectrum when we digitized signals for KTVI, KSDK, KMOV and the rest."
Hallmark Channel moved from 51 to 129 and Soap Net moved from 67 to 130.
Customers will gain a clearer picture and sound when Charter does launch its all-digital simulcast sometime next year, but higher quality picture and sound takes up more space. Charter's limited bandwidth meant some channels would need to move.
"It wasn't done without a great deal of thought," Lamont said. "Obviously you don't want to move anybody's channel if you don't have to."
Lamont said those still looking to keep the Hallmark Channel and Soap Net have one of three options:
--Subscribe to the "Family and Information" tier. It costs $39.99 a month for the digital package that includes the Hallmark Channel and Soap Net. Digital receivers for additional rooms cost $6.95 a month.
--Upgrade to the "Family and Information" tier on a temporary basis. The upgrade will be free until the end of the year when customers must decide to either pay for the digital service or return to analog service without the Hallmark Channel or Soap Net.
--Continue without the channels. A digital receiver isn't necessary for this option. Monthly rates will remain the same.
The Federal Communications Commission in 2002 prodded media companies to start moving toward digital broadcasts. The government commission gave companies until the end of 2006 to complete the transition. Charter starting planning its switch in July 2004.
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Source: Belleville News-Democrat (Belleville, Ill.)
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