CABLE subscribers in the western end of the island who are supplied by Cornwall Communications Ltd have slowly been losing access to some channels as the company phases in their new ‘black box’ system.

Several channels have been scrambled and access to them can only be gained by purchasing a box that attaches to the subscriber’s television set.

According to a message being scrolled along the screen on community channel 66, the cable provider has started the process by barring access to CBS, Fox Sports, ESPN 2, Sci Fi, Starz, USA, HBO and Cinemax.

Those who wish to view programmes on these channels are advised to pay a $700 refundable deposit for a black box. Black box users will also have to pay an additional $100 rental fee per month, pushing the monthly cable costs to $800.

Cornwall Communication Ltd’s CEO, Roxroy Sinclair was unavailable for comment, but the changes appear to be in keeping with the direction in which the Broadcast Commission is moving. Under the new system, parents will have better control over the programmes that are fed into their homes as they can choose packages that block stations that have programmes that they deem inappropriate for their children.

The commission has long mandated cable providers to block programmes with strong adult content if they are broadcast too early. The black box will now enable parents to block access to channels, like HBO, that offer mostly adult-oriented movies, some of which have strong sexual content.

Cornwall Communications Ltd previously offered a package of channels from two to 78 with only the adult channel scrambled. Now, channels have slowly begun to disappear as access is curtailed. And while customers are told that the box is optional, it is clear that it is in their best interests to get the device.

As made clear in the onscreen message, the channels now scrambled are just the beginning, and more are expected to become unavailable without the use of the black box. The box will also provide the cable provider with the added benefit of disconnecting a delinquent customer’s service from the office, as well as sending personalised messages on the TV screens of those whose bills are overdue.