Cox Communication's President, Pat Esser, set a goal for the multisystem operator to offer its customers a minimum of 50 HD channels across all channels by the end of 2007, with planned expansion to 100 by the end of 2009.
To accomplish this high-definition programming roll-out, Cox is utilizing BigBand Networks and Switched Digital Video (SDV) technology in the Northern Virginia market, expecting to eventually expand this technology to additional systems in 2007.
SDV is unique in its capabilities. It allows cable operators to deliver more channels to its subscribers using the same amount of bandwidth, but instead of operating the same as other digital video technologies, SDV sends a specific channel to those who choose to view at that given time. This allows cable programmers such as Cox to offer numerous, additional channels on its customers' TVs without them knowing it. This system works primarily on the theory that not every single channel in an operator's subgroups will be watched simultaneously.
The SDV system should be available in the next 30 days, though Cox is remaining flexible on the type of top-box technology it plans to use to deliver SDV to its customers.
