EPlus Broadband Releases Channel Line-Up

Press Release: February 4th, 2004

Staying on track with its ‘first customer connected’ launch date of April 2nd, EPlus Broadband - Jackson Energy Authority’s advanced telecommunications network – has released its official channel line-up.

The line up starts with 22 basic channels. The next tier is the Expanded Basic which adds an additional 56 channels to the line. EPlus will also offer packages of premium channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and STARZ), Hispanic channels, digital programming, and high definition channels.

“It’s an attractive line-up that’s easy to use with a lot of conveniences customers will enjoy,” says Kim Kersey, JEA’s Senior Vice-President of Cable.

A few of those conveniences include channels that are grouped by subject matter such as all sports and news programming to make it easier for viewers to channel surf within one grouped section. As an added perk, Channels 14, 15, and 16 are reserved for HBO, allowing a customer to purchase HBO and be able to view it without a converter box.

Weather information is another highlight of EPlus’ programming. E+ Weather on Channel 20 will offer weather constantly and Channel 7 will offer weather radar and emergency alert systems.

Kersey says the line-up chosen was a result of surveys sent to customers thru their utility bills. “We asked what they wanted to see and that’s what we chose.” Some channels such at Prevue Guide are displayed on several channels as “place holders” for future channels customers may request from annual surveys we plan to perform.

JEA will offer a “super deluxe” converter box, explains Kersey. It will offer the capability of doing several fantastic functions for the TV viewer. This converter will allow you to see high definition programming and perform digital recording.

For example, Kim explained, let’s say you’ve been watching a move all night, there’s two minutes left and the phone rings. No problem. Just hit one button on your TV controller, and the box begins to record your movie. “When you are done with your phone call, you can catch the ending of the show.”

Another example he gave is if you’re in the middle of a football game and the doorbell rings. “Hit the record button, answer the door, and then return to your TV.” You continue the football game where you left off and by fast forwarding, you can catch up to real time.

This built-in digital video recorder also allows customers to select shows ahead of time to record and will store up to 60 hours of programming.

The goal of JEA’s EPlus Broadband is to have fiber to every home by fall of 2005.