Midco cable adapters available for pickup.
This week marks the anticipated digital conversion of Sioux Falls' major cable television provider.
Midco, formerly Midcontinent Communications, began sending notices of its plans to convert its channels to an all-digital format in April.
Customers who don't have a DVR hooked up to their television now need a digital adapter to pull in channels like A&E, Animal Planet, Fox News and Nickelodeon.
The adapters are free for most customers, but some subscribers hadn't ordered by Tuesday, when the conversion was complete.
The fastest way to get an adapter is to visit the company's customer service center at 5111 S. Louise Ave. in Sioux Falls, said Midco spokeswoman Erin Johanning.
The city represents the largest market the Midwest provider has converted to digital so far, Johanning said. The largest market to convert prior to Sioux Falls was Bismarck, N.D.
"It was really all hands on deck in Sioux Falls," Johanning said.
The conversion is meant to clear bandwidth for internet users, she said, who are downloading and streaming more content over the company's network.
The adapters don't require installation and most customers can plug them in themselves, but Midco technicians can help if necessary, Johanning said.
Nish Kannan, Midco Operations Manager, said there were 3,300 Sioux Falls-area customers listed as needing assistance as of Thursday morning. That includes customers who haven't gotten adapters and customers whose account information has yet to be updated. The company has brought in assistants from as far away as Bemidji, Minnesota to assist customers, alongside assistants from Watertown, Mitchell and Yankton.
"Overall, customers have been understanding and receptive to the change," Kannan said.
Customers who need an adapter but can't make it to the customer experience center can call 800-888-1300 to order one or visit digitalnow.midco.com.
John Hult is the Reader's Watchdog reporter for Argus Leader Media. Contact him with questions and concerns at 605-331-2301, 605-370-8617, twitter.com/ArgusJHult or Facebook.com/ArgusReadersWatchdog
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