RCN (News - Alert) Corporation switched over to offering only digital cable TV programming on July 4, as part of its “Analog Crush” initiative. All former analog channels were switched over to digital, expanding the total number of digital channels available to subscribers.

 

Peter Aquino (News - Alert), CEO and President at RCN said that, by going all-digital, the company is able to double the number of high definition (HD) channels from roughly 40 to more than 100.

 

A similar process is also underway in Chicago, where more than 80 analog channels are being reclaimed and being duplicated with digital simulcast.

 

The company will be able to deliver up to 10 standard-definition digital or three HD channels per analog channel. It will also use some of the reclaimed spectrum to support growing demand for high-speed data services. 

“With the Federal Communication Commission’s mandate that all broadcast channels be transmitted digitally by February 17, 2009, digital is the future direction of the industry,” Richard Wadman, general manager at RCN Boston, in a statement. “While RCN’s exciting new services will require subscribers to have a digital converter box or cable card, RCN’s all-digital network opens up an exciting world of opportunities and choice for our customers.”

 

Once the digital conversion has been made, Boston-area customers will need a standard digital converter box or cable card to view the new line-ups. HD and HD/DVR converters can also be used and are necessary to view HD channels.

 

Customers can receive the boxes via mail with self install instructions, pick up the boxes from Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park, Union Ave., or Framingham, or schedule an appointment to have it fixed.