Some of us can remember the introduction to the classic 1960s TV show “The Outer Limits.” It “warned” viewers that they were losing control of their TV sets and were being pushed into, well, The Outer Limits.
Fast-forward to 2013 and folks on Catalina are learning that the opposite is happening on the Island, thanks to a major expansion of cable TV service by Catalina Broadband Solutions.
Some of us can remember the introduction to the classic 1960s TV show “The Outer Limits.” It “warned” viewers that they were losing control of their TV sets and were being pushed into, well, The Outer Limits.
Fast-forward to 2013 and folks on Catalina are learning that the opposite is happening on the Island, thanks to a major expansion of cable TV service by Catalina Broadband Solutions.
The Island’s original cable TV company, which was started by longtime Island resident Ralph Morrow, was sold on Sept. 20 of last year to the larger firm.
On Wednesday of this week, Michael Piasecki, vice president of Catalina Broadband Solutions, was in the company’s new offices at 222 Metropole Ave., across from the former site of the Old Avalon City Hall.
The three-story building is still undergoing a remodel and transformation into a control center and administrative facility to house the workings of the big plans the company has for providing cable TV on Catalina.
Morrow, who started providing cable TV on the Island when the service and technology was still in its adolescence, if not its infancy, in 1984, was able to bring the service up to where it was providing about 16 channels of high definition channels.
“I did not have the time any longer or the money to expand it any further,” Morrow said.
“This new company is prepared to take it to new heights. I’m really excited about what they are doing and where they are taking things. This is like a godsend from the clouds. After six months, I’m convinced they are the ones who can do what I had hoped to someday be able to do. I just ran out of money to make it happen,” he said.
The new cable company has hired Morrow to act as a consultant during the transition.
Piasecki said that he is equally bullish on the prospects for the future.
“This is a major upgrade,” he said.
Indeed it is, and one he expects will be pleasing to many Island residents and visitors – especially if they are sports fans.
When completed, the company will offer between 35 to 40 high definition TV channels.
“The new sports programming will include the PAC 12 sports,” Piasecki said.
That means that sports fans will be able to sit at home or wander down to their favorite local sports bar and view the USC and UCLA games like never before in Avalon. “We are also adding Time Warner sports and that means The Lakers games will be able to be seen in High Definition,” Piasecki said.
Piasecki said he hopes the physical upgrades can be completed by the spring or mid-year if not earlier.
It depends on when they can get all of their “technical engineering” work done.
According to Piasecki, the company was eager to work on the Island and to provide improved cable TV service.
Catalina happened to register on their radar thanks to a former technical employee of Morrow’s who suggested the company might be interested in purchasing the Catalina franchise.
“What we like to do is come into an environment that is undeserved and see how we can help that market reach its potential,” Piasecki said.
The company, Piasecki said, is in it for the long run.
“This is not a two-year venture,” he said. “We are here for the long term. It may take 20 years for us to realize our goals. We will still be at it after I retire.”
Another upgrade the company will offer is an improved and expanded high speed internet service.
Piasecki described his job as being the person in the company that spearheads opening up new markets such as Catalina.
Piasecki said he is enjoying working in Avalon.
“I’m here about two weeks out of the month,” he said. “I love it here. I’ve actually considered buying a vacation house here. Once you get over the Island fever it’s great. I enjoy meeting all the friendly people and the small town community atmosphere.”
