Cable Bahamas announced today that subscribers in Abaco are set to see a major upgrade to their cable TV services effective November 21, 2003. The company will now be offering 53 channels of basic cable service, plus “Freedom TV” premium services will be available for the first time. The company also announced their partnership with Solomon’s SuperCentre in Abaco to distribute products and services to residents there.
General Manager of Cable Bahamas in Grand Bahama and Abaco Erik Russell said that this change will bring the Abaco channel lineup more in line with Grand Bahama. “We’re excited to be upgrading Abaco’s cable service and standardising our offering for both islands,” Mr Russell said. “It means that Abaco subscribers will get 30 per cent more channels on basic for the exact same price, plus have a lot more to choose from in premium services.”
Mr Russell said that this enhancement has been a part of the cable company’s long-term plan. “We built a high capacity submarine fiber optic link over the last year that connects Grand Bahama to Abaco. This has made a lot of new things possible,” Russell explained. “Now we can bring more cable services from Grand Bahama to Abaco, just as our customers have been asking for.” Mr Russell noted that Abaco is the first Family Island to receive this upgrade.
“Abaco subscribers will now be able to choose from 89 total channels of cable TV,” Mr Russell stated. He said that it may take some time adjusting to the new channel locations but that he expects customers will quickly realise all of the benefits of the new services, particularly the company’s “Freedom TV” services.
Freedom TV is a collection of the top premium channels in the market including movies, special events, sports, and family channels, designed to give consumers the freedom to choose how they want their channels delivered. Starting November 21, Abaco residents will be able to purchase a set-top box and receive Freedom TV just like Grand Bahama and New Providence subscribers. Freedom TV premium services are available as individual channels, in groups of channels called “packages” or in a combination of packages, called “Bonus Bundles”. Discounts are provided as more services are added.
Access to Freedom TV services is provided using a cable set-top box. The set-top box delivers a fully interactive on-screen programme guide with extensive parental control features that allows parents to control content based on ratings or channel. The set-top box is sold for a one-time cost of $29.95, including a universal remote control. First-time purchasers will also receive a free month of all of the premium cable channels.
With the switchover to the enhanced cable TV lineup there will be some channels that will no longer be available on basic cable. Mr Russell explained that this is part of the evolution of cable services for the Abacos. “Until we were able to bring the full lineup of basic and premium cable services to Abaco subscribers, we included several channels on basic cable that are actually premium services in Grand Bahama and New Providence,” he stated. He claimed that the new choices being offered would be of significant value to subscribers. Russell also noted that the company’s SelectVISION Home Theatre pay-per-view service would be added in early 2004.
Cable Bahamas will host a special launch day event on Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22, at Solomon’s SuperCentre in Marsh Harbour. At that time, interested persons will see hands-on demonstrations of the new products, services and equipment, and will have the opportunity to ask questions and sign up for the new services.
In the future, customers may purchase the premium cable boxes in two ways: by visiting Solomon’s SuperCentre and purchasing the box there; or by calling Cable Bahamas customer service toll free at 1-242-300-2200 and scheduling the installation of the equipment. Customers who purchase at Solomon’s SuperCentre can pick up the equipment and perform a self-install at home; each box includes detailed instructions and information.
Cable Bahamas Ltd. is majority owned by 2,500 Bahamians and the Government of the Bahamas. The company’s 270 employees provide world-class cable television service on 16 Bahamian islands; high-speed Internet access services in Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera and New Providence; connectivity between the Bahamas and the rest of the world with a 600-kilometre, submarine, fibre-optic system owned and operated by wholly owned subsidiary Caribbean Crossings Ltd; and Web-hosting, data centre, and disaster recovery services through wholly owned subsidiary Maxil Communications Ltd. Cable Bahamas’ ordinary shares trade on the Bahamas International Stock Exchange (symbol: CAB).
