NEW ULM Comcast's nationwide digital enhancement project is now under way in the New Ulm, Courtland and Madelia area, immediately bringing viewers more channels at no additional charge.
All customers with Comcast's Basic 2 tier of service will need to make certain they have a digital device connected to their TV sets by Tuesday, Sept. 28 in order to continue receiving all channels in the Basic 2 lineup.
Comcast is providing the necessary digital devices for up to three televisions at no additional charge; customers have until Sept. 28 to install the digital equipment before the first Basic 2 channels are transitioned to digital-only delivery. In other Comcast service areas where the digital transition has already occurred, approximately 90 percent of customers have installed the necessary digital equipment themselves. For those that need help, Comcast customer service teams are ready to provide support and assistance.
Customers who subscribe to the Basic 1 tier of service, which includes local broadcast TV stations and community programming channels, will not be affected by this digital enhancement project.
When customers plug in and activate their new digital equipment, they will have immediate access to more than 15 new channels at no additional cost," said Mary Beth Schubert, Comcast Twin Cities vice president of corporate affairs. "These new channels include PBS Kids Sprout, Lifetime Movie Network, Bloomberg TV, Biography, G4, Biography, TPT Minnesota and more."
The digital transition will be completed in the New Ulm, Courtland and Madelia area by mid-October. At that time, Comcast high-definition customers will have access to over 100 HD channels, as well as thousands of hours of HD On Demand content. New international and multi-cultural programming choices will be available to customers as well. Comcast expects to finish the digital enhancement project in Minnesota by the end of 2010.
Dozens of communities across the Twin Cities area have already completed the switch to digital and are now receiving additional programming. "Across the board, customers are asking for more programming, more options and more control. The work we are doing now ensures we can continue offering innovative services in the future," said Schubert.
As the channel migrations begin, customers that have not installed the digital equipment will see a message notifying them that equipment is required to view impacted channels, along with instructions on how to obtain the necessary devices - either through a self-install kit, or by appointment from a Comcast technician for a small fee. Once equipment is installed, customers will continue to see the same channel lineup numbers they are accustomed to using.
For more information about Comcast's World of More digital transition, customers are encouraged to visit www.comcast.com/digitalnow.
Customers can order a self-installation kit online at www.comcast.com/digitalnow, or by calling the project hotline at 1-877-634-4434. The company says it takes about 15 - 20 minutes per TV and Comcast customer service and technical support teams are ready to assist by phone or in-person. Customers can also pick up their digital devices at a local Twin Cities Comcast payment center.