Published: June 25, 2009 11:13 pm      

Atlantic Broadband launching 16 new HD channels

CUMBERLAND — Atlantic Broadband has announced its biggest-ever advance in high definition service with the planned planned launch of 16 new HD channels in the Cumberland area, as well as a channel realignment that both simplifies finding HD programming and helps pave the way for even more high-definition channels later this year.

The new channels will make Atlantic Broadband HD service an even better value, following a move earlier this year that lowered costs for most HD customers, while making additional HD channels available.

"With Nielsen research showing that more than one out of three homes now have at least one HDTV, the time is right to dramatically expand our HD line-up,” said Atlantic Broadband Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Dane. “These new channels bring our total HD offerings to 52 channels, and they are just the first in a surge of coming additions that will totally remake our HD service.”

Effective July 6, Atlantic Broadband is adding the following high-definition channels:

WHAG (NBC), Hagerstown (HD as of June 12); Lifetime HD; CNN HD; ABC Family HD; CNBC HD; Travel HD; FX HD; Food Network HD; HGTV HD; Speed HD; Bravo HD; National Geographic HD; Biography HD; Starz Kids & Family HD; Starz Comedy HD; Encore HD .

With the new additions, Atlantic Broadband will offer the vast majority of the most popular HD channels— in fact, the networks that, collectively, garner an 80 percent household viewing share in prime time, according to Neilsen ratings. Atlantic Broadband digital customers also get scores of HD movies every month – both scheduled and On Demand –— at no extra charge through the Starz and Encore HD services for which satellite customers must pay a premium charge.

Also on July 6, Atlantic Broadband is re-organizing HD channel assignments to benefits customers in two ways. To make finding their favorite HD programming easier, most HD channel numbers will correspond with those of their analog versions within a range in the 700s and 800s. For example, A&E, whose analog version is on Channel 41, will be available in HD on Channel 741. The same is true of local broadcast stations: for example WTTG (Fox) is on Channel 5 in analog and 705 in HD. The channel re-organization also will make available a swath of digital channels to be used for the addition of even more new HD channels later this year.

Atlantic Broadband serves more than 150,000 customers in central Pennsylvania, western Maryland, West Virginia and western New York state. Its regional headquarters are in Johnstown, Pa, with additional customer service and technical support facilities in Altoona, Pa. It has local offices in Uniontown and Bradford.