It's the latest move by Time Warner Cable toward an entirely digital platform. Going digital increases what TWC can deliver over that cable that comes into your home.
"The purpose of the program is to change the customer experience. Really enhance it, add additional services, advanced services, but most importantly, bring higher speeds to our Internet subscribers," explained Time Warner Cable Northeast RVP of Operations Terence Rafferty.
They're Internet speeds about six times faster than what customers currently experience. But switching to "all digital" will require a few changes. Customers who now plug the cable line from the wall directly into a TV will soon no longer be able to.
"If they don't have a converter or a D to A device on their TV set today, they will need to get some form of equipment from us -- either a converter, DVR or DTA device in order to receive their signals on their TV set," said Rafferty.
In order to get this digital adapter, you can go to the nearest TWC store or you can call Time Warner Cable and have it shipped to you. There are also other options for customers who want to avoid the adapter altogether.
"Customers who have a Roku, who have an Xbox or Samsung Smart TVs through our Time Warner Cable TV app, if you download that app to your Roku or Xbox, you can receive the services through that and you don't need a digital adapter or converter box," Rafferty said.
Digital adapters will be free through June of next year and will then cost $3.25 per month. While some may see this as just a money maker for the cable company, Rafferty says that couldn't be further from the truth.
"We really think this is about improving network reliability, improving customer experience, improving internet speeds, and also adding more on-demand features, as well as other advanced services that will come out over time," he said.
Rafferty encourages Central New York customers to review their options in the coming weeks and reach out to Time Warner Cable with any questions.
Time Warner Cable is asking Central and Northern New York cable customers to get a digital adapter or other digital device as quickly as possible. Starting the week of April 11, some analog channels are being converted to digital and that process will continue until mid-June.
TWC will offer existing TV customers one or more digital adapters at no charge, through at least June 29, 2017. To qualify, customers must order their adapters by October 22, 2016.
TWC is offering residential customers several ways to order digital adapters through www.TWC.com/digitaladapter, by calling 1-844-483-6079 or in person at any Time Warner Cable store. Time Warner Cable is the parent company of TWC News.