A switchover from old-fashioned analogue TV signals to new digital format means The Movie Channel and Showtime channel, which appear as channels 70 and 72 respectively in Bermuda, will no longer be available to analogue CableVision viewers from November 3. The decision by CableVision to pull the plug on the old analogue signal has been taken as part of an upgrading of TV networks to all-digital service around the world, particularly in the US where the cable channels originate.

According to Alan Smith, CableVision assistant general manager, the majority of subscribers in Bermuda have already chosen to upgrade to the digital service and will not be affected by the change.

However, those customers who have not upgraded will no longer be able to view the two channels when the analogue signal is switched off at the start of next month.

?We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause affected subscribers. This will not affect our digital customers or those analogue customers who do not subscribe to TMC and Showtime,? said Mr. Smith.

Affected customers will receive similar programming and be encouraged to convert to digital cable. For those that do decide to make the switch the company says it will waive the $100 upgrade fee.

?For affected subscribers who choose not to upgrade to digital service we will remove TMC and Showtime from the channel line-up and decrease their monthly billing accordingly,? said Mr. Smith.