Comcast has eliminated all analog TV channels in its Sacramento, Calif., system -- part of the operator's companywide Project Cavalry initiative -- allowing it launch 18 HD and two new standard-definition channels.
The operator distributed more than 46,000 digital terminal adapters (DTAs) to Sacramento-area subscribers, which let Comcast convert 28 limited-basic channels to digital. The DTAs, supplied by Motorola, Cisco Systems, Pace and Technicolor, are a low-cost alternative to set-top boxes that convert digital TV into analog format for older analog-only TV sets.
Comcast does not disclose how many subscribers are in the Sacramento area. The MSO has about 750,000 subs in the Central California region.
At this point, Comcast has completed migrating expanded-basic cable TV channels across about 95% of its entire footprint. The next phase of the operator's digital migration will focus on eliminating the limited basic (B1) tier, which is about 20% completed nationwide. Comcast expects all systems to be all-digital by the end of 2012.
In Sacramento's Capital Region, subscribers in more than 30 communities will now have access to the expanded programming lineup.
The new HD networks include: BBC America HD, Bloomberg HD, CBS Sports HD, Fox Soccer HD, Galavision HD, Game Show Network HD, Gospel Music Channel HD, History International HD, Investigation Discovery HD, National Geographic Wild HD, NBA TV HD, NHL Network HD, Outdoor Channel HD, Oxygen HD, Sprout HD, Telemundo KCSO HD, The Hub HD and The Movie Channel HD. The two new standard-definition networks are Daystar, a faith-based Christian television network, and ReelzChannel.
The new programming will be available to residential homes and businesses in the following cities: Sacramento, Antelope, Cameron Park, Camino, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Cool, Davis, Diamond Springs, El Dorado, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Elverta, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Galt, Georgetown, Gold River, Mather, McClellan, Natomas, North Highlands, Orangevale, Placerville, Pollock Pines, Rancho Cordova, Rescue, Roseville, Rio Linda, Shingle Springs and Wilton.
Davis and Roseville were already carrying some of the HD networks, according to Comcast.
