Cable provider changes its name | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

Perhaps that's one reason why Millennium Digital Media Systems opted instead to go with the moniker "Broadstripe" after an ownership transfer. It provides phone, Internet and TV services to 40,000 customers north of Route 50.

Millennium informed the County Council July 7 that a shareholder, Highland Crusaders Offshore Partners, which used to own about 40 percent of the company's interest, is investing further in the company, taking on 92 percent ownership. The two companies are applying for a transfer of control of the company's franchise agreement with the county.

While Broadstripe officials said customers shouldn't expect many changes outside of a new name on their bill, they are working to eventually add more services, such as more high-definition channels and videos on-demand.

This decision follows a failed business deal between Millennium and Comcast Cable of Maryland, whose holders wanted to take over Millennium last summer. Though the two companies had applied for a transfer of control, Comcast pulled out of the sale before the end of August 2007.

Three companies currently offer services to the 146,000 cable users in Anne Arundel - Broadstripe, Comcast and Verizon Maryland. Comcast serves the majority with about 100,000 customers.

A fourth company, Cavalier, has signed a franchise agreement with the county but has not begun providing services.

That Comcast did not follow through with the deal is probably in the county's best interest, said John Lyons, the county's cable administrator.

Mr. Lyons said customers have no reason to fear the new ownership will impact their services.

"It's just that a smaller owner became a larger owner, and they're putting more money into their system," he said.

Highland also stated in the County Council bill that it would be changing its name.

"Broadstripe is a powerful word," Broadstripe President and CEO Bill Shreffler said of the company's new name in a press release. "It is bold and steady. Reliable and friendly. It is simple and easy to remember."

Former Millennium customers have already started receiving bill statements from Broadstripe, but company executives said the only difference customers will experience is a new insignia on their bills and a different name to write on the "pay to the order of" line.

Meanwhile Broadstripe executives also have said they are working hard to offer more than a baker's dozen of new high-definition channels to their customers within the year. Mr. Lyons said in Anne Arundel County, Broadstripe is focused on getting out Video On Demand services expediently to customers.

Mr. Lyons added he doesn't anticipate any complaints from customers due to the transfer.

"Our office receives complaints from all the companies, and it seems we get very, very few complaints from Millennium - well, Broadstripe - customers," he said.

A County Council public hearing of the transfer bill will take place Aug. 4.