Cable enters brave new world

Eight-track tapes, cassettes, even compact discs are going the way of the dinosaur with today's new Internet download options. The way we watch television has changed, too. Remember sitting in front of the old black and white and having to reach out and turn the knob every time you wanted to see another program? Some of us are that old.

Today's issues have to do with cable versus satellite, regular signal or high definition. If you don't have a gaggle of remotes, wires and converter boxes filling your living room, you're probably just not with it. And if you don't carry at least a hundred channels, it's time to call the cable company and open your wallet.

Currently impacting the local cable scene is Time Warner's acquisition of thousands of Adelphia subscribers in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Camarillo. Time Warner and Comcast purchased Adelphia last year for $16.7 billion after founder and CEO John Rigas and sons plundered the company and forced it into bankruptcy. Time Warner has pledged to provide the best customer service possible as it brings aboard a host of new services, but the jury is still out on the switch.

Initially, the company hasn't made it easy. Former Adelphia Internet customers have been told to call after a certain date to set up their new Time Warner Roadrunner accounts. If you were new to Adelphia to begin with, this means suffering through your second e-mail address change in just a short period. As for cable TV, customers can expect a major lineup change to be accompanied by higher prices. A video on demand feature looks promising, but won't be offered immediately.

In the old days, the guy with the biggest rabbit ears got the best programming. Viewers today have better technology choices, but they're still subject to the whims of the local cable monopoly. Fortunately, that too is changing. Companies like Verizon are combining video, Internet and telephone. DISH Network brings together phone, Internet and satellite TV. Expanded choices can mean only good things for consumers.

It's a brave new world. Are you plugged in? Please see story on page 28.