Cable Television Update

North Castle Television (NCTV)
Our new Government cable channels, launched in October, 2008, are transmitted from Town Hall. All Town Board and Planning Board meetings are cablecast and we have recently developed and aired segments covering: Supervisor Berman’s report on the 2009 Town Budget, the Case for Hiring a Town Administrator, recycling and composting information, and a variety of North Castle Library concerts and lectures. We hope to increase the variety and number of segments aired on NCTV and to expand and improve the bulletin board. Stay tuned!

Cablevision News
Cablevision subscribers in Armonk and the Eastern District receive NCTV on Channel 18.  There have been recurring audio problems on this channel. Cablevision is aware of the issue and is working to resolve it. System testing has determined that the static and/or lack of sound are not related to equipment at Town Hall. We know that you expect and deserve more reliable cable service and we continually relay this dissatisfaction to Cablevision. 

Cablevision subscribers in North White Plains currently receive Town Board and Planning Board meetings in two hour time slots on Channel 78.  As part of our renegotiated Cablevision franchise renewal, residents in North White Plains will soon receive all NCTV programming on a new cable channel. The franchise agreement mandates mid-June, 2009 as the effective date for this coverage, and the system is being tested. Notification of channel number and start date will be provided to residents as soon as confirmation is received from Cablevision. 

Many residents have complained about the loss of Cablevision channels. Due to Cablevision’s migration from analog to digital feeds, many channels are available only on televisions with a digital set-top box or CableCARD. Cablevision claims that more than 91% of their subscribers are digital customers. To ease the transition for the remaining analog customers, Cablevision is offering a digital cable box and iO navigation – free for one year.  There are two ways to get the free digital equipment: 1) Call 1-888-776-3135 and press “3” when prompted to add additional services, or 2) Visit an Optimum Store (see optimum.com/stores for locations).

Verizon FIOS TV News
All residents who are able to receive Verizon FIOS TV tune in to NCTV on Channel 39.

Many residents are now able to receive 100% digital FIOS TV, which provides market competition to Cablevision and satellite TV. The Franchise Agreement specifies a graduated build-out schedule with coverage to reach 87% of North Castle homes by July and full penetration of the Town by January 2012.

Eastern District residents have been waiting for Verizon to activate a wire center in  Bedford, which is required for activation of FIOS TV to homes in that area. We expect that work to be completed in the near future and will publicize information as soon as confirmed by Verizon.