Copyright 2003 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
Alameda Times-Star (Alameda, Calif.)
October 25, 2003 Saturday
Cable provider RCN Corp. on Friday launched its high definition television service to cable TV customers on the Peninsula.
The service includes six channels featuring “cinema-quality” high-definition technology said to offer more than six times the picture clarity of standard definition television.
Consumers will get movies, sporting events, concerts and original programming such HBO’s “The Sopranos” in the HDTV format. The cost for the service is about $12 per month and $10 for a converter for non-subscribers. People who currently have one of RCN’s cable TV packages can add the service for about $5 per month.
RCN is offering the new service in its Peninsula cities of South San Francisco, Daly City, San Mateo, Redwood City and Burlingame.
Some of the beefed-up picture service includes sports on ESPN and the so-called Discovery HD Theater, which offers nature, wildlife, science and technology programs. HDTV tier customers who also subscribe to HBO and Showtime will automatically receive HBO and Showtime HD as part of their HD lineup.
“With today’s HDTV launch, customers in the Bay Area have another choice to add to RCN’s services and offerings,” said David Hankin, RCN’s vice president of regulations and government affairs.
The service also includes of Dolby surround sound for home theater systems.
RCN provides competition for the area’s dominating cable TV service, Comcast.
The group provides bundled phone, cable and high-speed Internet services delivered over its own fiber-optic local network.