Mediacom Upgrades to All-digital Channel Lineup

Mediacom Upgrades to All-digital Channel Lineup

·         Some customers will need digital adapters to continue receiving TV signals

WEWAHITCHKA, FL – February 11, 2016 -- Mediacom Communications continues to upgrade its video network with an upcoming change that primarily affects the way subscribers view local broadcast television channels on analog TVs. Beginning Tuesday, April 5, 2016, analog signal will no longer be used to deliver lower-numbered channels, including local Panama City-based television stations.

While placing an emphasis on digital and high-definition (HD) channels, Mediacom has continued to support customers using older, non-digital TVs by also delivering analog signals for a subset of channels. Those channels will now convert to a digital-only signal and older-model TVs will need to connect to a digital adapter for continued reception.  

Mediacom is aiding this conversion by making Digital Tuner Adapters (DTAs) widely available in both standard (SD) and high-definition (HD) formats. The HD DTAs include HDMI ports, all DTAs include remote controls.

Subscribers who already use a Mediacom DTA or a Mediacom digital converter box (cable set-top box) will not be affected; nor will viewers who connect a newer-model digital ready TV directly to Mediacom’s cable. But by using an adapter, Mediacom officials explain, customers can access more channels. Adapters also make it possible for older-model TVs to receive signals for higher-numbered channels such asOWN (Ch. 202) and Investigation Discovery (Ch. 204). For Family TV subscribers, an adapter or converter box delivers additional digital channels, including CBS Sports Network (Ch. 171), National Geographic(Ch. 207) and others.

“The net result is that customers receive more channel choices and can gain the superior quality of HD television signals when they use an HD digital adapter or converter box,” said Lisa Wagoner, Mediacom’s director for area operations.

Depending on the community, 13 channels will convert to digital-only signal (listed below). At the end of 2013, Mediacom implemented a more extensive digital-upgrade affecting channels 23 and above. Since then, adapters have evolved to now include an HD version. Current customers can receive at least one DTA on a lease-free basis throughout a transition period that extends through March 2017. Beginning April 1, 2017, fees to lease the electronic device will be $1.99 per month for HD DTAs; $0.99 per month for SD DTAs. The lease-free transition period applies to adapters ordered on or before May 31, 2016.

SUMMARY:  Mediacom will convert the following Local Plus TV channels to digital-only signal on or around April 5.

            WECP (CBS 18)                        3

            WPCT (IND Beach TV)               5

            WJHG (CW)                              6

            WJHG (NBC)                             7

            WJHG (MyNet)                          9

            WPGX (FOX 28)                        10

            WFSU (PBS 11)                        11

            WMBB (ABC 13)                        13

            WEWA (IND)                             17

            QVC                                         18

            EVINE Live                               19

            WBIF Daystar                            20        

            C-SPAN                                    95

In some areas WCTV (CBS 6) from Tallahassee will be affected.

Local access channels for Public, Education, and Government (PEG) also convert to digital-only reception in communities where those channels have not yet converted to a digital format.

IMPACT AREA: 

Bay County:  Mexico Beach; Southport-Panama City; Tyndall A.F.B.

Franklin County:  Alligator Point, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, Lanark Village, St. George Island (and Franklin County franchise)

Gulf County:  Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka, (and Gulf County franchise)

Holmes County:  Bonifay (and Holmes County)

Walton County:  Sandestin, South Walton County

Washington County:  Vernon

To receive Digital Adapters: Please call 1-866-936-2225, go to: https://mediacomcable.com/site/getdigital/adapter_order.html or visit a local Mediacom office. Free shipping is provided to customers who order online or call in.

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