Rogers cable said Thursday that it will continue to offer Ottawa residents the PBS broadcast out of Watertown, N.Y.

The company said earlier this month that it would no longer carry WPBS, which has been broadcast throughout eastern Ontario since 1971.

In its place, Rogers had decided that, as of Aug. 18, it would transmit the PBS signal out of Detroit.

Part of the reason for switching to the Detroit broadcast, said Rogers, was because that broadcast was available in a high definition format, while the Watertown broadcast isn't.

Some loyal WPBS viewers had said they were angry and saddened by the decision.

David Purdy, the vice-president of video services for Rogers cable, said a discussion between Rogers and the Watertown station are what changed the plan.

"What really made the difference was the fact that Rogers and PBS Watertown were able to work out a fibre connection and so we're now able to meet both customer groups' needs," said Purdy.

"Those people that really value the Watertown signal, they can continue to receive Watertown. And for those people who wanted the improved reliability and picture quality, they're going to get that — just via the WPBS signal now."