Local

Bright House customers without boxes losing signals as digital conversion continues

ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of Bright House cable customers are scrambling to keep their signal going strong after changes went into effect Tuesday.

The company started its conversion to digital service, which means customers cannot get programming unless they have special equipment.

The continuous changes aren't sitting well with local customers.

"They've come up with a new scheme to sell us another piece of equipment we don't necessarily need," said Bright House customer Chris Brown.

Brown said he is not making the digital conversion with Bright House, something the company now requires. An adapter is now needed on every television set that doesn't already have a box.

Two of the adapter boxes are free for customers through 2014.  Additional adapters cost $2.

Next year, Bright House will start charging customers $2 per box.

Bright House said the conversion is working, but it doesn't want to lose customers over the conversion box and said they'll take complaints around the clock to prevent people from turning off their service all together.

"I'm canceling my service with Bright House today," said customer Steve Cartaya. "Bills go up every month."

While Cartaya turned in his equipment, Channel 9 found many picking up the converters to make the last-minute switch.

"It wasn't really a problem for us," said customer Jackie Valencia.

Bright House said it has tried to make it a smooth transition for everyone, sending out letters and emails and airing bilingual commercials for four months preparing customers for the rollout.

Officials said hundreds of thousands of customers have already picked up the adapters.

The digital transitions are happening in different neighborhoods now throughout the summer.