“Behind The Music” and “South Park” fans in Ames have reason to celebrate with AT&T’s announcement of additional cable channels.

The Ames cable universe will expand in August with the addition of 10 analog and 14 digital cable channels.

AT&T Cable Services will offer Fox Sports Chicago, the Home Shopping Network, The History Channel, Encore Plex, The Learning Channel, BET, VH-1 and Comedy Central to the Ames and Nevada channel lineup starting Aug. 8. The Cartoon Network and American Movie Classics will become full-time channels on the system.

AT&T’s digital cable lineup will also expand with the addition of Encore True Stories, Encore Action, More MAX, Showtime 3, Showtime Extreme, The Movie Channel 2 and eight pay-per-view channels.

Debora Blume, spokeswoman for AT&T Cable’s regional office in Des Moines, said the new channels will bring more to Ames consumers for less.

“There’s more value definitely because [consumers] will be getting more channels for their cable dollar,” she said. “I also think the channels that have been added are quite popular, so customers will find programming that they like and they will enjoy some of the new services.”

Blume was unaware of whether the added channels would lead to a price adjustment. She added that customer demand played a role when deciding what channels would become part of the lineup.

Some ISU students said they’re looking forward to the additions.

Steve Sass, graduate student in mechanical engineering, said he was happy to see VH-1 back but was otherwise indifferent to the other channels. “I’m glad to see VH-1 back. It used to be here like in 1994, so it’s good to see that back,” he said.

John Downing, senior in management information systems, said the new channels will be positive for the Ames community.

“Having the comedy channel and VH-1 just adds more variety to the television programming,” he said.

Cori Inman, senior in chemical engineering, also approves of the additions. “The more channels, the better,” she said.

The WB channel will also be added to the Ames television lineup this fall as part of basic network programming. Its launch is scheduled for mid-October under the name of KPWB. It will be broadcast on Channel 23.