HBO Multiplex Cable Test Ends at United Artists

An East Valley cable company has withdrawn as one of the few cable systems across the nation to offer an experimental technology called multiplexing.

From October until early this month, United Artists Cable offered three channels of HBO, each channel drawing from the network’s monthly pool of films and programs but with varying schedules. Subscribers could sign up for the test at slightly higher rates than one-channel HBO.

The experiment came at a time when cable networks are preparing for new technology that will allow systems to expand from their current average of 37 channels to 150 or more. MTV has announced plans to split itself into three channels, one likely devoted to rap music, by mid-1993.

United Artists was chosen for the HBO test because, as one of the city’s newest systems, it has a capacity for 78 channels. Officials gave no specific reason for canceling the multiplex broadcasts.

“We launched it as a trial,” said George Noel, United’s general manager. “Now we want to take a second look.”

HBO expressed disappointment.

“Our hope was that we were entering into a long-lasting arrangement,” said Jim Noonan, a vice president of corporate affairs. “Every other place we have had multiplexing, it has lasted. But (United Artists) is the one running the day-to-day stuff. We are not in the business of second-guessing our customers.”

About 10,000 of the system’s 83,000 subscribers, who live east of the San Diego Freeway, signed up for the three-channel package. Noel said that few customers have complained since the test ended.

“I have probably received 15 or 20 letters, not real testy letters,” Noel said. “I’ve gotten reactions from both sides. Some feel it is duplicated programming and just an excuse to charge more. Some people like it for the convenience.”

HBO’s multiplexing experiments will continue in other areas. Systems in Inglewood and Compton have agreed to join in coming months.