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Religion channels to change on Cox: New "Faith and Values" tier will have more offerings, but customers may pay more.Nov 15, 2008 (The Wichita Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Cox Communications will move its faith-based networks off its expanded channel lineup this week, and customers may have to pay more if they want those networks. Effective Tuesday, Cox will move the Inspiration Network (currently Cox Cable Ch. 49) and the Eternal Word Television Network (Cox Ch. 50) to a new "Faith and Values" tier that is free with Cox Digital Cable. That tier will include four new channels: BYU Television, Trinity Broadcasting Network, FamilyNet Television and The Word Network. Customers who already have Cox Digital Cable will receive all those networks -- whose channel numbers will be in the 150s. Customers who have only the Cox Expanded channels -- channels 23 to 72 in Wichita -- and want the faith and values networks have these options: Upgrade to Cox Digital Cable at a cost of about $12 more per month, without tax. Purchase only the Cox Limited channels -- which run from channels 2 through 22 -- and add the Faith and Values tier. That would give customers a monthly bill of about $24, before tax. That's a lower cost than what customers who have Cox Expanded now pay -- about $47 per month. But, customers who go that route would not have the Cox Expanded channels -- channels 23 through 72. Cox Communications said the move is intended to meet the demands of customers, many of whom say they want a "faith and values" tier of channels. "We are looking at ways that we can better serve our customers," said Sarah Kauffman, Cox spokeswoman. But it's a move that not everyone is happy with. "They are a business, they have a right to do that," said the Rev. Michael Gardner, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Wichita. "But I think that's an unfortunate choice." First United Methodist broadcasts its 11 a.m. Sunday service on KAKE, Ch. 10.Gardner said he knows there are many who enjoy religious programming and some who may find it difficult to pay more for the faith cable channels. Kauffman, of Cox, said the faith-based channel changes are part of other changes that allow Cox to increase the number of high- definition, or HD, channels. "There is a customer demand for more HD channels and a demand for just more variety of channels," she said. "Placing a Faith and Values tier (on Cox Digital Cable) is the best use of our bandwidth." Kauffman said that if customers decide to add Cox Digital Cable, the installation is free for customers ages 55 and older. She said it has yet to be determined what networks will be shown on channels 49 and 50 on Cox Expanded Cable after Nov. 18. Reach Joe Rodriguez at 316-268-6644 or [email protected]. To see more of The Wichita Eagle, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.kansas.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Wichita Eagle, Kan. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |