Mediacom to add 41 new HD channels next week

Mediacom Communications intends next week to add 41 new high-definition channels to its Springfield area television lineup, a 70 percent boost in local HD programming for the company.

The additions will raise Mediacom's HD lineup to 100 channels.

“It’s a notable milestone to deliver 100 HD channels," said Steve Bennett, Mediacom area operations director, in a news release. "This achievement, along with substantial improvements made throughout our network, ensures that we continue to meet the needs of residential and business customers throughout Springfield and the surrounding area."

The change will effect the company's 11-county service area, which comprises Barton, Christian, Dade, Douglas, Greene, Lawrence, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright counties.

Among the HD changes occurring next week, Family Cable subscribers will gain HD reception for the channels for Outdoor and WE at no additional cost to customers equipped for HDTV. Mediacom's Digital Plus lineup will add seven sports channels and the Fox Business Channel, and several HD channels from Starz, HBO and Showtime will be added for Premium subscribers.

In separate but related news, Mediacom ended analog reception March 20 for 43 Family Cable channels, which are now delivered in a digital-only format. Bennett said the analog conversions are being made to meet consumer demand for HD video and increased speeds for broadband Internet service.

Since January, Mediacom has distributed more than 38,000 digital adapters to customers in the area with older, non-digital TVs. The adapters are available on a lease-free basis through January 2013, according to the release.