Charter Communications Inc. said Wednesday that it has launched
high-definition television in five markets, following through on the
HDTV-rollout plans it announced in March.
The MSO will charge a monthly rental fee for use of an HDTV-compatible
digital-cable set-top box, the Scientific-Atlanta Inc. 'Explorer 3100HD.'
Initial HDTV programming will include premium services Home Box Office and
Showtime Networks Inc. In addition, Charter plans to add HDTV programming from
local broadcast stations shortly, senior vice president of engineering John
Pietri said in a press release.
Charter's first five HDTV markets are Alhambra/Pasadena and Glendale/Burbank,
Calif.; University Park/Highland Park, Texas; Miami Beach, Fla.; and Birmingham,
Ala.
In the third quarter of this year, Charter plans to bring HDTV to Kalamazoo,
Mich., and St. Louis using the Motorola Broadband Communications Sector
'DCT-5100' HDTV-compatible set-top box.
