You may not think about the On-Screen Program Guide every day (the interface that connects you, via your remote control, to all the channels and On Demand programming you enjoy) and that’s ok because I do (along with a team of people here at Comcast).

When you do share your opinions and ideas – through direct feedback, blog posts, forums and research – my colleagues and I gather all that information and work it into our planning and design of upgrades and new Guides.

We heard loud and clear from customers that live in what we call Scientific Atlanta/Cisco (or SA) markets (that’s you, if your Guide looks like the one pictured here) that you want your Guide to have more shortcuts, load On Demand faster, and have a user-friendly interface.

We listened and starting this year, customers in those SA markets are going to get a new and improved on-screen experience. The Guide will be launched on a rolling basis, market by market, throughout the year. We’ve been testing the Guide with some of our employees (often our toughest customers!) who live in Connecticut, and the verdict is in: they love the new Guide.

So, what’s new? For starters, check out the color-coded TV grid, a new On Demand menu that loads faster, more detailed program information, an improved search feature and a convenient menu of shortcuts (we call it the Quick Menu).

Some other new features include:

  • expanded parental control options
  • multiple favorites lists
  • additional channel grids
  • a message center
  • local weather available anytime, right in the Guide

Customers who will be getting this new Guide will see TV commercials (see below) and will get a booklet in the mail explaining all the new features. In the meantime visit the Web page for the new Guide to learn more.

I look forward to your feedback!