April 17, 2014

scottw@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- As TVs hooked up straight to the cable from the wall in this area now show only a black screen, the Sikeston Charter office is staying busy distributing extra cable boxes. The all-digital conversion for Charter Communications customers in Sikeston and Cape Girardeau areas was made Tuesday...

An employee with Charter Communications helps a customer Wednesday morning at the Sikeston Charter Communications office. Customers have endured long lines and waits  to get digital cable boxes. Charter made the switch to all-digital on Tuesday, forcing the need for the boxes. (Scott Welton, Staff)
An employee with Charter Communications helps a customer Wednesday morning at the Sikeston Charter Communications office. Customers have endured long lines and waits to get digital cable boxes. Charter made the switch to all-digital on Tuesday, forcing the need for the boxes. (Scott Welton, Staff)

scottw@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- As TVs hooked up straight to the cable from the wall in this area now show only a black screen, the Sikeston Charter office is staying busy distributing extra cable boxes.

The all-digital conversion for Charter Communications customers in Sikeston and Cape Girardeau areas was made Tuesday.

Wednesday things were still busy, "but not as bad as yesterday," said Regina Roberts, a contractor hired by Charter to help facilitate the digital switch. "Monday and Tuesday were the worst. We served about 600 people Tuesday."

Roberts said the Sikeston office has been busy since around the first of the month.

"We notified our customers probably 30 days ago through a letter in the mail and also with their bills," said Wes Shirley, senior manager of communications for Charter. "We were letting them know about the digital upgrade and exactly what that means, which is that they will need a digital cable box for every TV in their house."

Customers waited in line for 30-40 minutes at the Sikeston Charter office Wednesday to get additional digital cable boxes. (Scott Welton, Staff)
Customers waited in line for 30-40 minutes at the Sikeston Charter office Wednesday to get additional digital cable boxes. (Scott Welton, Staff)
Customers waited in line for 30-40 minutes at the Sikeston Charter office Wednesday to get additional digital cable boxes. (Scott Welton, Staff)
Customers waited in line for 30-40 minutes at the Sikeston Charter office Wednesday to get additional digital cable boxes. (Scott Welton, Staff)

Shirley said the heavy traffic is what they expected and prepared for.

For the complete article and more local news stories, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat. For the electronic edition click here to log on.

Advertisement
Advertisement