Why is Cox doing this?

• By removing the analog feed and keeping only the digital feed on the public access, education and government channels, we’ll be able to free up bandwidth, or “space,” on our network to launch additional advanced services that our customers have been asking for.

What kind of services?

• We’ll be able to add more HD channels, 3D channels, and launch even faster Internet speeds.

Why are you moving the channels?

• We are not moving the channels. Our customers will continue to have access to public, education and government channels on Cox’s lowest tier of service. Customers have three options to continue watching the channels in the digital format:
• Rescan your television if it has a built-in digital tuner;
• Use a CableCARD;
• Rent a digital receiver. To assist customers who prefer to use a digital receiver, we are providing a special offer for one free digital receiver for one year. This includes access to Music Choice channels, On Demand programming, and the interactive programming guide. 

What happens after the one year is up?

• Once the one free year expires, if the customer chooses to continue using the receiver, there will be a regular monthly charge for the rate in effect at that time.

I thought Cox was required to carry the public access, education and government programming on its most basic tier of service?

• We do, and will continue, to carry it on our lowest tier of service – TV Starter. There is no requirement that the channels be transmitted in a particular format (analog or digital). 

How will I know if I will be able to view the educational and government channels in my home after they switch to digital format?

• If your television already has a digital receiver, you won’t need to do anything. If you have a television with a digital tuner, you just need to make sure and rescan your television on or after December 13, 2012. If your television doesn’t have a receiver, built-in digital tuner or CableCARD, we can provide you with one digital receiver free for one year. 

How do I know if my television has a digital tuner? 

• The majority of televisions sold after 2007 include a “QAM” or digital tuner which enables free reception of digital cable channels without the use of a digital receiver. If you have purchased a television since that time, most likely the only action you will need to take is running a scan for channels on your television.  Once you do so, the educational and government channels will appear in the same channel location as they were on analog: Channel 16, 23 and 24 (16, 18, 19 North). 

If my TV does have a digital tuner, how do I run a scan to locate these channels on the digital lineup? 

• Open the television’s auto program feature. This is usually located in the setup menu. Follow the prompts to run “autoscan.”  The television’s tuner will automatically pick up both the analog and digital signal and then assign it the corresponding channel number. Televisions vary, so make sure you check your manufacturer’s manual.

If I only have an analog television in my home, how can I view the public, education and government channels? 

• Analog televisions will need a digital receiver in order to receive the PEG channels after December 13, 2012.  As a courtesy, Cox is offering one (1) digital receiver at no cost for one year. The offer is available through January 31, 2013 to Cox TV Starter or Essential residential customers. Receivers can be drop-shipped with free self-installation.  

Do other video providers require their customers to have a digital receiver?

• Yes. Satellite (DirecTV and DISH) do not even carry PEG channels, and AT&T carries them only on demand, so U-Verse customers need a digital receiver.

Which channels will I be able to see if I get a free digital receiver?

• Customers could see additional channels appear with the addition of a digital receiver, depending on whether they have the TV Starter or TV Essential lineup. These channel lineups can be viewed on our website at cox.com. 

Will the free digital receiver enable Cox customers to access all digital channels?

• No. The digital receiver will provide Cox TV Starter and Essential customers with access to view channels in those packages only. The other digital channels can only be accessed through subscription services.

How were customers notified?

• Cox has made several efforts to notify our customers including a bill message, postcards, web updates and a notice in the UT San Diego and North County Times.  

Additional Instructions on How to Tune your Television

Most televisions purchased after 2006 have a digital tuner, so your TV may already be able to display these channels without a digital receiver.

If your TV has a built-in digital tuner, press CHANNEL UP on your television remote. If you do not see the channel, you may need to perform a channel scan on your TV.

To perform a channel scan:

• Press the MENU button on your remote;
• Scroll to CHANNEL, SET-UP or RF, and select that option;
• Scroll to AUTO PROGRAM or AUTO SCAN and select that option;
• Select CABLE and then select START;

The TV will begin scanning all analog and digital channels. This could take only ten minutes, or up to one hour to complete. DO NOT interrupt the process.

When scanning is complete, the television will be ready to use and you should be able to begin viewing the public, educational and government channels in digital format.

If this did not work for you, please refer to your television manual for scanning instructions.

It's a good idea to perform a channel scan periodically to ensure your television is displaying a full channel lineup.

If you have followed these steps and still do not see an image, you may need a digital receiver. At this time, you can rent a digital receiver from Cox free for one year. Please call 1-888-307-4089 or for North County, call 1-866-939-5637.