Cable television has from the start been perpetually in the midst of rapid technological change. Broadband and high-speed Internet is now viewed as a vital component of this country's basic infrastructure. Cable's digital phone service provides consumers choice in telephone providers, and cable's video offerings continue to expand to serve a diverse variety of customer and viewer interests.
As the world moves from the old analog world to digital technology, most cable companies, including Charter, are carrying the over-the-air digital signals transmitted by local broadcasters and duplicating that signal into analog formats that can be viewed on older TV sets. We do that while also staying on the cutting edge of new digital technology.
When first introduced, cable modems were the fastest Internet connection available to residences, but computer applications were immediately developed that demanded faster and faster download speeds. As a result, Charter now offers speeds 10 to 20 times faster than the initial 1.5 mbps download speed because the marketplace expects it.
Another example is the advent and growth of digital television. Recently it was reported that the majority of American households have at least one HD television set. For years, the number of Charter customers with digital service has outnumbered customers viewing analog cable, and the number of digital customers is growing rapidly.
To meet the demand for digital programming, Charter is rearranging local channel line-ups and adding more than a dozen new digital channels, as well as six new high-definition channels. To make room for these new services without sacrificing current programming, we will be rearranging our lineups to free up the needed space.
We will move TBN, EWTN, and Inspiration Network to digital channel locations from the analog spots they now occupy. We will also relocate channels 2 and 13, two of the local Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channels, to different locations on our basic analog channel line-up.
These moves free up enough space for us to offer two new "genres" of digital channels: The "Faith and Values View" will include EWTN, TBN, as well as nine other faith and values-oriented channels, including the Gospel Music Channel, American Life and others.
A new digital "Public Affairs Neighborhood" will eventually be home to all local PEG programming as well as commercial-free government affairs programming including C-SPAN II and III and Michigan Government TV from Lansing. Local PEG channels will also be available to non-digital customers, as they will be simultaneously broadcast on Channels 96-99 on basic cable.
We do not take a cavalier approach when undertaking changes like these. Many of these channels have been in their current locations since the advent of the cable system and we know that change is difficult for some.
Charter has a long history of supporting these channels in Traverse City and we wish to see them thrive. We very much appreciate our customers' patience during this time as we continue the transition from the past to the future and a rapidly growing digital environment.
About the author: Tim Ransberger is director of government relations for Charter Communications in Michigan. A resident of Grand Rapids, he has been in the cable industry for 28 years.
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