Comcast announced Wednesday that it had moved 30 analog cable networks to its digital lineup in Washtenaw County, clearing the way for more On Demand, more High Definition, faster Internet speeds and other digital benefits for local customers.
The upgrade, which has already resulted in the launch of 15 new HD channels in this area with many more to come, is slated to roll out in other cities and towns across Michigan over the course of the next year.
The communities in Washtenaw County that are benefiting from this digital upgrade at this time include: Ann Arbor; Ann Arbor Township; Scio Township; Pittsfield Township; Barton Hills; Webster Township; College Park; Ypsilanti; Ypsilanti Township; Superior Township; Clinton; Dundee; Milan; Manchester; Saline; Saline Township; Dexter; Chelsea; Lodi; Lima; and Sylvan.
This most recent 30-channel digitization effort follows a similar move on October 13, when Comcast initiated the first phase of its digital network enhancement by moving 13 channels from the analog to the digital lineup. Now, with Comcast’s Standard Basic channels 32 through 72 fully digitized, the company plans to launch even more programming, including more HD channels, in the coming days. After the first channel move last month, Comcast launched 15 popular HD channels, including E! HD, Lifetime HD, ESPN News HD and Disney HD.
Though the vast majority of Comcast’s local customers already have digital equipment on at least one of their televisions, many may still require digital equipment to continue watching these digital channels without interruption. Comcast is offering customers digital equipment for up to three TV sets (one digital cable box and two digital adapters) at no additional cost. Customers who have not yet obtained their digital equipment may visit www.comcast.com/digitalnow, call the company at (877) 634-4434 or stop by Comcast’s local service center in Ann Arbor at 4659 Washtenaw to learn more.
Comcast’s Limited Basic Cable service, the only low-cost, no-equipment analog video service locally available, will not be affected by the digital network enhancement. Limited Basic Cable customers do not need to obtain digital equipment to continue watching their lineup.
Once Comcast’s network upgrade is complete and customers have installed their new equipment, they will see immediate enhancements. Comcast’s continuing HD expansion will soon bring local customers more than 100 HD channels alone.
With this upgrade to Comcast’s fiber-optic network, the company is making it easier for consumers to access the benefits of digital cable – superior digital picture and sound quality, interactive services like On Demand, more than 46 music channels, parental controls and the interactive program guide. The upgrade will also allow Comcast to boost the size of its On Demand library, which already offers digital cable customers more than 17,000 programs every month, the vast majority of them at no extra cost.
The equipment that Comcast is providing to customers for no additional charge includes up to two digital adapters that allow customers to watch their favorite digital channels with superior digital picture and sound quality. Analog customers without digital equipment may also receive up to one digital cable box at no additional charge. Customers with more than three TVs may obtain additional digital equipment for an extra fee.
More at www.comcast.com.
Comcast's Michigan Region serves more than 1.2 million customers statewide and employs more than 4,200 people. Comcast has three major call centers located in the state and houses its Michigan Region headquarters in Southfield.
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