Charter Digital Cable has debuted on-demand television programming for the North Coast.

Astoria, Cannon Beach, Warrenton, Hammond and Clatskanie are the latest areas that can now watch programs on-demand through the Charter system.

On-demand is what pay-per-view used to be, said Kevin Allen, Senior Communications Manager for the west region. But there are thousands of programs to watch or rent.

Existing Charter cable members with a top-set box can tune into Channel 1 to choose from a menu of options that include free content from cable networks, program options from networks like HBO and the History Channel that a customer subscribes to, as well as newly-released movies.

All on-demand programs have pause, rewind and fast-forwarding options.

The program is available automatically to all digital customers.

To subscribe or sign up for Charter Cable, visit www.charter.com/ondemand or call 888-get-charter