BLOOMINGTON - In an effort to add high-definition programs, Comcast is moving some channels to digital-only. | Comcast to roll out faster Internet speeds

The changes mean the minority of Comcast's Illinois customers who are not digital cable subscribers, including those in McLean County, will need digital equipment or will need to switch to a digital service to view shows on about six stations, said Rich Ruggiero, vice president of communications and public affairs for Comcast Illinois.

The transition frees up capacity for Comcast to add HD channels, the company's most requested service, Ruggiero said. One analog channel consumes the same amount of capacity as 10 to 12 digital channels or up to three HD channels.

"These changes are all about the world, in general, is going digital," Ruggiero said. "The future of what we offer in home entertainment is digital."

In November, changes will occur with C-SPAN2, MTV2 and SOAPnet. Comcast made similar changes with National Geographic, ION and EWTN this summer.

As of Nov. 11, C-SPAN2 will continue to be part of Comcast's basic service but will require digital equipment. Comcast made the same change with ION and EWTN in August.

Basic cable customers can view ION, EWTN and C-SPAN2, as well as the recently added channel TLN, if they have the digital equipment, which means either a digital set-top box, a television with a cable card or a television that can tune digital channels, Ruggiero said.

Customers can lease a set-top box from Comcast for $1.13 a month.

Also on Nov. 11, MTV2 and SOAPnet will become part of the digital classic service. Comcast now offers those channels with its standard cable package.

National Geographic also used to be part of the standard package and now is part of the digital classic service.

Customers automatically receive one digital set-top box if they subscribe to any digital service, Ruggiero said. Digital classic costs $66.74, and additional set-top boxes are $7.95.

The fee for basic service in McLean County will remain at $14.50 a month, while the price for the standard cable package, which includes basic and expanded basic, remains $51.75 a month.

Comcast does not expect to consolidate other channels this year, Ruggiero said. Instead, the company will focus on adding HD channels. During the second week of December, Versus HD and Golf Channel HD, which now share cable space, will have their own full-time HD networks.

At the beginning of December, Comcast also will eliminate MOJO HD but replace it with Local Origination HD, part of the $53.74 digital starter service.

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Flip of a switch

Comcast has moved or plans to move a number of television stations from analog tiers to the digital-only realm. To view these channels, customers will need a digital set-top box or compatible equipment. The chart below details line-up changes in the company's Bloomington-Normal territory.

Past changes

National Geographic: Offered only with digital classic, instead of with standard cable

ION: Offered in basic service, but only in a digital format

EWTN: Offered in basic service, but only in a digital format

Changes Nov. 11

C-SPAN2: Will be offered in basic service, but only in a digital format

MTV2: Will be offered only with digital classic, instead of with standard cable

SOAPnet: Will be offered only with digital classic, instead of with standard cable

Source: Comcast