The University of Alabama has expanded the television options of its residential housing.
The new cable service offers an increase in channels, incorporating a wide variety of channels never before offered. There are now 128 channels in the lineup, nearly doubling last year’s channel options. This package includes 20 high definition channels.
Additionally, HBO has been added at no additional cost to students. The new channel lineup also includes international channels such as Telemundo and Deutsche Welle.
Alicia Browne, director of division communication for Housing and Residential Communities, said the expanded lineup is a direct result of ongoing dialogue between residence hall administrators and UA students.
“We sought feedback from residents last year, as well as from the Residence Hall Association,” Browne said. “We took this feedback into consideration in selecting channels that have a broad range and address news, sports and entertainment, as well as foreign language channels.”
In order to provide an expanded channel line up without drastically increasing cost, all residence halls are in the process of changing from Comcast to Campus Televideo. Browne said she believes Campus Televideo makes the most sense recreationally as well as academically.
“We feel that this new service will better meet the needs of our residents and academic units who use television in the classroom,” Browne said. “Campus Televideo offers an expanded lineup of channels along with excellent service at a better cost.”
All additional costs related to the expanded channel lineups and offerings will be paid for by UA Housing and Residential Communities.
Daniel Hubbard, a freshman majoring in engineering, said he is not concerned the expanded TV package will distract from his studying.
“I didn’t watch TV a lot to begin with,” Hubbard said. “I may watch it a little more now, but it won’t be a big enough difference to take away from my focus.”
Taylor Blevins, a freshman majoring in business, said he is excited by the addition of HBO and is glad housing is covering the extra cost.
“It’s great because we can watch Entourage and movies,” Blevins said. “The HD channels are great too, ESPN, Discovery Channel, and I especially like having the NFL network without having to pay extra.”
David Cockrell, a junior majoring in biology, has lived on campus for three years and is glad the television options were finally improved.
“I’m sure it’s complicated whenever you change something for every room in every dorm, but really, it’s about time,” Cockrell said. “I don’t want to come across as thinking I’m entitled to high def or HBO, but it really sucks when you’re paying a lot of money to live in the dorms and you have a below average TV service”
