Midcontinent Communications launched its family-friendly tier of 17 digital channels the week of May 22.
The MSO serves an estimated 200,000 customers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska. The tier is available to most of that base except a few isolated systems that are off the main programming network, vice president of public policy Tom Simmons said.
The channels in the tier were already part of Midcontinent’s cable lineup. The networks included were based on past subscriber surveys where consumers identified their favorite networks.
The operator offers the tier with the caveat that parents can be “reasonably assured” they will not be subjected to offensive programming. The networks selected generally have no live programming and less than 30% of programming that would be rated “PG” or higher.
The digital family tier includes CNN Headline News, C-SPAN, C-SPAN 2, C-SPAN 3, Discovery Kids, Disney Channel, DIY, Discovery Science, Food Network, Home & Garden Television, National Geographic Channel, Nick Games and Sports (GAS), Nickelodeon, PBS Sprout and Toon Disney.
To gain access to the family tier, consumers must subscribe to broadcast basic, priced at $13.95 per month, and rent a digital box for $7. The family tier is $10, for a total price of $30.95.
