It’s been a long hot summer, though not over yet by any means. WOW!’s video teams have been very busy with the digital video transition, which is complete in Michigan and Ohio, and in full swing in Illinois and Indiana. The transition should be complete in Illinois by the end of August, with the Evansville market complete the following week. We anxiously await the completion of this massive undertaking, which will allow expanded programming options for our customers. High Definition channel lineups particularly will be beefed up as a result of this process.
I admit that I’m a selective TV viewer–part of this selectivity is that I seldom watch a program that isn’t in Hi-Def anymore. Just can’t hardly bring myself to do it. I relax that standard, obviously, as I enjoy some older content that didn’t have the benefit of HD technology when it was filmed, but even here, there are some pretty amazing HD transfers of older, film-based content. The stuff that can’t be helped much is that which was shot with analog standard-def video production techniques in the 70’s and 80’s.
Interestingly, video took a significant uptick in quality in the 90’s, driven by improvements in professional video gear that supported upwards of 540 scan lines. Most of the video produced in the 20 years previous to that was between 240 and 300 scan lines–read: “not that great”. These aforementioned production upgrades may have been as a result of anticipated demand for analog “Laserdisc” recordings that were offered to consumers in the 90’s.
Considered obsolete in this digital age, Laserdiscs looked pretty amazing on “enhanced definition” sets of the time. Based on optical disc technology, the Laserdisc was, nonetheless, an analog format that had been refined to a “fare-thee-well”, and it still looks pretty good on present day HD sets, for that matter. It was the pinnacle of analog-based consumer media. I still have, though do not use, a Sony player and about 20 discs–big 12 inch diameter numbers that could be used as lethal weapons if thrown like a frisbee at an unsuspecting target. DVD’s and Blu-ray are much more convenient–and safer 
So as WOW! officially retires its analog lineup with the completion of the digital transition, I may put my LaserDisc collection up on ebay to celebrate. I hope that you find a way to celebrate the new HD content and viewing options this transition enables.
Until next time….
VN:F [1.7.4_987]
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Rating: 2.4/5 (7 votes cast)
Over the course of the last two weeks, there has been quite a bit of blog activity around various aspects of the digital video transition. The primary concern voiced by many customers has been the encryption of the basic cable channels moving to digital. The requirement for a Digital Terminal Adapter (DTA) that would both decode the encryption and convert the signal to analog was obvious for older analog sets. But many customers correctly pointed out that newer sets with digital QAM tuner capabilities could tune the signals directly if they were unencrypted. This approach would save customers lease fees for DTA equipment, and save WOW! the capital expense of deploying that same equipment in many cases.
In light of customer feedback on this issue, our executive team revisited various issues surrounding the encryption of digital content. Since I’m a technical guy, I’m not sure precisely what went on “behind the scenes”, but the determination was made that WOW! digital signals in the basic tier will no longer be encrypted in any market post digital transition.
This means that if you have a digital television with a digital QAM tuner, a DTA will not be required to receive the basic cable tier of channels that was historically transmitted on the analog spectrum. This change has already been effected in the Columbus market, and will be implemented in the Cleveland market within the next two weeks. Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois customers have not yet gone through any phase of the digital transition, so digital channels there will be unencrypted from the “get go”.
I have included a channel grid for the Columbus market below. Most of the new QAM tuner televisions will display the actual WOW channel number, but some older digital sets will display the actual RF channel followed by an MPEG ID shown in the grid below. A fewer number of older sets will display the RF number followed by a number internally generated by the set itself, indicated by a “?” in the grid below. Customers may need to perform channel “rescans” after channels become available, also indicated in the grid below.
We appreciate your patience with this process. As I’ve indicated before, this is necessary to provide the channel line ups that our customers request, including new HD channels.
Until next time….
|
Service
|
WOW channel #
|
RF/MPEG
|
Other
|
Date Avail
|
|
PAX – WSFJ
|
2
|
115-
|
2
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
NBC – WCMH
|
4
|
115-
|
4
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
CW – WWHO
|
5
|
115-
|
5
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
ABC – WSYX
|
6
|
115-
|
6
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
PBS -WOSU
|
7
|
115-
|
7
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
FOX – WTTE
|
8
|
115-
|
8
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
WGN
|
9
|
114-
|
9
|
114-
|
?
|
|
|
CBS -WBNS
|
10
|
115-
|
10
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
QVC
|
11
|
115-
|
11
|
115-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
USA
|
12
|
110-
|
12
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
NICK
|
13
|
110-
|
13
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
ONN
|
14
|
115-
|
14
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
HSN
|
16
|
115-
|
16
|
115-
|
?
|
|
|
TBS
|
17
|
110-
|
17
|
110-
|
?
|
|
|
Inspiration
|
18
|
114-
|
18
|
114-
|
?
|
|
|
CSPAN 1
|
19
|
114-
|
19
|
114-
|
?
|
|
|
TOON
|
23
|
110-
|
23
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
DISNEY
|
24
|
114-
|
24
|
114-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
Lifetime
|
25
|
110-
|
25
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
ETV
|
26
|
110-
|
26
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
Comedy
|
27
|
112-
|
27
|
112-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
VH-1
|
28
|
110-
|
28
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
MTV
|
29
|
110-
|
29
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
FSN-Ohio
|
30
|
110-
|
30
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
Golf
|
31
|
110-
|
31
|
110-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
ESPN
|
33
|
111-
|
33
|
111-
|
?
|
23-May-11
|
|
ESPN2
|
34
|
111-
|
34
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
TNT
|
35
|
111-
|
35
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
AMC
|
36
|
111-
|
36
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
Bravo
|
37
|
112-
|
37
|
112-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
Food
|
38
|
111-
|
38
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
HGTV
|
39
|
111-
|
39
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
TCM
|
40
|
114-
|
40
|
114-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
Family
|
41
|
111-
|
41
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
TLC
|
42
|
111-
|
42
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
Nat Geo
|
43
|
111-
|
43
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
SciFi
|
44
|
112-
|
44
|
112-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
E&E
|
45
|
112-
|
45
|
112-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
History
|
46
|
112-
|
46
|
112-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
NOGGIN
|
47
|
114-
|
47
|
114-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
Discovery
|
48
|
112-
|
48
|
112-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
CNBC
|
50
|
112-
|
50
|
112-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
CNN
|
51
|
112-
|
51
|
112-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
Headline
|
52
|
111-
|
52
|
111-
|
?
|
25-Apr-11
|
|
MSNBC
|
53
|
112-
|
53
|
112-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Animal Planet
|
54
|
112-
|
54
|
112-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
FOX News
|
55
|
112-
|
55
|
112-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Sports Time Ohio
|
57
|
112-
|
57
|
112-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Spike
|
58
|
113-
|
58
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
BET
|
59
|
113-
|
59
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
CMT
|
60
|
113-
|
60
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Travel
|
61
|
113-
|
61
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
The Weather Chan.
|
62
|
111-
|
62
|
111-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Shop NBC
|
63
|
114-
|
63
|
114-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
FX
|
64
|
113-
|
64
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Disney
|
65
|
114-
|
65
|
114-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
TV Land
|
66
|
113-
|
66
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
CRTV
|
67
|
111-
|
67
|
111-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
OWN
|
68
|
113-
|
68
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
MTV2
|
69
|
113-
|
69
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Speed
|
70
|
113-
|
70
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Hallmark
|
81
|
113-
|
81
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Big 10
|
87
|
113-
|
87
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Versus
|
88
|
113-
|
88
|
113-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
Nick Toons
|
93
|
114-
|
93
|
114-
|
?
|
28-Mar-11
|
|
WBNS2
|
101
|
95-
|
101
|
95-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
Telemundo
|
102
|
76-
|
102
|
76-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
Uni Sports
|
103
|
76-
|
103
|
76-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
RTV
|
130
|
114-
|
130
|
114-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
OSUO
|
150
|
92-
|
150
|
92-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
CBSHD
|
201
|
82-
|
201
|
82-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
NBCHD
|
203
|
94-
|
203
|
94-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
WHODT – CW HD
|
204
|
96-
|
204
|
96-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
OSUHD
|
205
|
92-
|
205
|
92-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
ABCHD
|
206
|
71-
|
206
|
71-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
FOX HD
|
208
|
71-
|
208
|
71-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
ABCNN
|
317
|
95-
|
317
|
95-
|
?
|
Available
|
|
PPVB
|
399
|
71-
|
399
|
71-
|
?
|
Available
|
VN:F [1.7.4_987]
Rate Me
Rating: 4.5/5 (15 votes cast)
There have been quite a number of comments on the Facebook page of WOW! which run the gamut from excitement at the potential of additional channels and HD content to concern about what this all means. I thought I would take a few FAQ on the digital transition and address them here.
Question: Is this technology going to translate into a rate increase?
Answer: Absolutely not! The move to all digital is prompted by numerous requests from customers to increase our content options and HD line up. It is all about getting additional bandwidth on the cable system to allow increased content options for our customers. Here’s the thing: The same bandwidth required to carry a single analog channel can carry between 3-6 standard definition digital streams, up to three HD streams. or a combination of the two types (one HD channel and 3 standard Def channels, for example). So moving to an all digital line up is absolutely the thing to do to allow future customer options. Rate increases will occur from time to time as content providers increase their rates to WOW!, but not as a direct result of this transition activity.
Question: How about the Digital Terminal Adapters? Are we going to be charged a monthly lease?
Answer: Up to two DTA’s will be furnished by WOW! at no charge to the customer until 2013, at which point a $1.99/month per DTA will be charged. Additional (more than 2) DTA’s requested will be charged at $1.99 per month from day one. But here’s the thing. If the DTA is placed on an old analog set, it will be as if nothing changed–all basic cable channels would be available. Further, if for some reason you do not want a DTA on a particular analog set, the set will still be able to receive a limited basic line up which will include your local broadcast channels and public access channels. as well as other content (approximately 20 channels). This effectively extends the useful life of these older technologies either way you go. While we can’t furnish customer equipment for free, we’ve endeavored to build a value equation that multiple TV households will embrace.
Question: If we have digital televisions for our 2nd and 3rd sets, will we need the DTA or other customer equipment?
Answer: If you have a cable card equipped QAM digital tuner, you would be able to receive not only the basic tier but other services to which you’ve subscribed. If the set is not cable card equipped, but has a QAM digital tuner (not just an ATSC tuner), all unencrypted content would be available (including local HD content) without any additional equipment. Most cable channels these days are encrypted, so you would require a digital set top box to view these channels, even on the digitally equipped sets.
I hope this has been helpful in further explaining this transition.
Until next time…
VN:F [1.7.4_987]
Rate Me
Rating: 3.3/5 (9 votes cast)
I’ve written in the past about how we love feedback and love hearing what you think about the customer service experience you’ve had with our company. Did you know that we also love to hear from you about the channels you’d like to receive? Yes! We have a place where you can give us feedback about channels you’d like WOW! to offer. Click here to link to the online form to give us this feedback. We regularly receive numerous requests for adding specific channels and we do take this into consideration when making programming decisions. And although it doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll add it to our lineup, we will use your feedback to prioritize which networks we think would best meet the needs of our customer base. So, if there’s a channel or network you’re really wishing for, please let us know what it is. Sometimes wishes do come true!
VN:F [1.7.4_987]
Rate Me
Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
In case you haven’t gotten your fill of political voicemails and snailmail flyers and are looking for a bigger dose of politics, you’re in luck if you’re in our Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland, or Evansville markets. Tune to Channel 1 and click My Community>Politics On Demand or for Evansville, tune to Channel 701. This special free VOD content will feature several programs on the upcoming elections and will be available through November 2nd. Go check it out if you’re someone who just can’t get enough politics.
VN:F [1.7.4_987]
Rate Me
Rating: 4.5/5 (2 votes cast)
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