Channel shuffling by Comcast cablevision has riled some mid-valley customers, who say they shouldn't have to rent a digital converter box to watch programs that were included in their original service package.

Comcast says it notified customers several weeks ago that Hallmark, Oxygen, MSNBC, Jewelry TV and TV Mart would move to a high definition programming package beginning last Tuesday.

Customers with expanded basic cable can rent a digital converter for $1 per month. Those with other packages are advised to call 1-800-COMCAST.

The channel change also includes adding the Comcast SportsNet that features the Portland Trail Blazers and Oregon Ducks in addition to other Northwest sports coverage.

Nancy White of Sweet Home said she previously tried digital service and was so frustrated trying to get her television's remote control and VCR to work properly that she went back to her regular cable package.

"I tuned into the Hallmark channel and instead of my programs, there is an information ribbon that I have to get a digital box," White said. "I can't find some of my programs, they're not on the right channels anymore."

White said she called Comcast and although the person she spoke with was "very nice" she didn't get an answer as to why the changes were being made now, more than a year before television programs will no longer be broadcast in analog format, replaced entirely by digital signals.

"I say no to the box," White said. "We had one and it was just too hard to use. I had to call tech support twice just to play a DVD. I'm just not going to do it. As much as I enjoyed the Hallmark channel, I'm not going to pay the extra dollar, hook up the box and fight the remote control."

White said friends who visited her home last night said they do not plan to rent a digital box either.

The national switch to digital television will come on Feb. 17, 2009. Cable TV subscribers will be able to buy converter boxes for about $50 to $70, or rent them from their cable providers.

People whose televisions receive signals over the air will probably not have to switch to a digital TV if they purchased their current set after March 1 of this year.

A Comcast representative was not available this morning for comment on the digital switch.

OREGON FOOTBALL

The television coverage plans for this weekend's game between Oregon and Arizona State have changed more than once this week.

Early in the week it was expected that KEZI would televise the game as part of the Oregon Sports Network. This changed when KEZI announced it would not be able to show the game and would instead be broadcasting the Oregon State game at USC.

ESPN picked up the UO/ASU game nationally and is sending its College GameDay crew to Autzen Stadium, but does not have the rights to show the game in Oregon.

The final answer is that the Oregon/Arizona State game will air on the newly minted Comcast SportsNet (37), which requires a digital converter, and FSN (34), which does not.

More on both games in Sports today.