Channels scramble as Comcast takes over cable service
Friday, November 10, 2006 7:22 AM PST
By Evan Caldwell
Printable version
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Local Adelphia subscribers to basic cable package should prepare to pay more to keep those channels -- or accept fewer channels in exchange for a lower bill.
Comcast bought local TV service from bankrupt Adelphia earlier this year and plans to make the switch official on Dec. 21. Next week, Comcast will mail local Adelphia TV customers information about the changes, which will include a reorganized channel structure, new subscriber packages and rates.
Subscribers to Adelphia's basic cable service will notice the biggest change. They now pay $38 a month for 58 channels, including network channels and many well-known cable outlets.
Those subscribers now will have to choose between two Comcast packages:
• The "limited basic" package, which will cost $15.50 a month for 29 channels, including network, public access and home shopping channels
• A "standard cable" package, which will cost $51.64 per month for 71 channels. It includes most well-known cable channels on top of the basic package.
If basic Adelphia subscribers want to continue watching channels such as CNN, ESPN, Cartoon Network and TLC (the Learning Channel), they'll need to sign up for Comcast's standard cable package -- and pay an extra $13.64 a month over what they're paying now.
"After that they'll need to choose," said Theressa Davis, Comcast director of communications for Oregon and Southwest Washington. "If they don't make any choice, they will be bumped down."
Comcast, the nation's biggest cable company, has made similar lineup and package changes after taking over cable TV systems in other cities across the nation, Davis said.
"In fact, we've found that many customers enjoy the opportunity to have a lifeline cable service for only $15.50 per month," she said. "And we haven't heard negative customer feedback."
Comcast won't disclose the number of subscribers to Adelphia's basic package, saying only that it's "not anywhere near the majority. "
Adelphia customers with packages above basic ---- such as ClassicPak, BronzePak and GoldPak --- automatically will be switched to Comcast plans at a similar cost and with many of the same features, such as on demand, interactive TV guide and premium movie channels.
Comcast also will reorganize the channel structure, grouping together like stations, such as news, sports and movies.
"We think the tiered (grouped) system is easier to navigate. For instance, all the sports are clumped together," Davis said. "So it might take some time to find you favorite channels again."
Comcast will take over Adelphia's Internet service in January and add phone services later in 2007. The pricing for Internet has not been announced.
As Comcast takes over, several Longview employee's jobs were changed and "unfortunately, some have been eliminated," said Davis, adding they were given severance packages. She declined to say how many jobs were cut.
Like Adelphia, Comcast does not have a local phone number. Instead, customers are urged to call 1-800-COMCAST for inquiries, service outages and new service.
Comcast already serves many customers in the Portland Metropolitan Area, including Columbia County. Adelphia was the nation's fifth-biggest cable company when it filed for bankruptcy in 2002.
Comcast and Time Warner jointly offered about $17.2 billion for Adelphia. Under the deal, Comcast will get Adelphia cable outlets near markets it currently occupies. Time Warner will get outlets near its current systems.
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