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28.3.24 0609
The W - Random - I hate my cable provider
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emma
Cherries > Peaches








Since: 1.8.02
From: Phoenix-ish

Since last post: 445 days
Last activity: 167 days
#1 Posted on
So I called up today to order No Way Out. The customer service representative politely informed me that they no longer offer PPVs to analog cable boxes. If I want to get a PPV, I have to upgrade to digital cable. (Which of course you can't just do in real time, even if I did want to.) What kind of moronic business practice is it to take away features from customers to induce them to upgrade service?!? You can dangle new services only with the upgrade -- that's standard procedure. But taking away something that the customer already has is just going to piss off the customer (Trust me, it has.) & to drive the customer away to one of the 3 competitors (Trust me, it is.)

Grrrrrrr. Colour me crabby.
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PeterStork
Sujuk








Since: 25.1.02
From: Chicagoland with Hoosiers, or "The Region"

Since last post: 3290 days
Last activity: 3053 days
#2 Posted on
While on the subject, if anyone is ever told by a provider (especially Charter) that they have to subscribe to a digital tier to get premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc,) that's a lie. Charter will imply that you have to purchase the digital service and receiver, but the law says cablers are required to offer all customers premium channels and all you have to do is rent the cable box. It's still an additional fee, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper than buying a bunch of extra Discovery Channels. Although BBC America is nice. COUPLING~!

Our Charter had to take the PPVs off of analog not because they wanted you to upgrade to digital, but because they couldn't scramble them properly. Up until Over The Edge 99, I had free PPVs every month, only in B&W. Hell, they completely unscrambled WM XV. No one was buying them, so they actually discontinued offering PPVs until they got digital boxes installed a year-and-a-half later.



{ exit 670 dot com }

If you watch American Idol instead of Gilmore Girls you should be SHOT WITH A GIANT CANNON.

Teppan-Yaki
Pepperoni








Since: 28.6.02

Since last post: 4381 days
Last activity: 4351 days
#3 Posted on
While we're bitching about cable nets, I'll go off the board and bitch about Dish Network.

We've been subscribers for over three years or so, and we've heard about the free upgrade promotion to the 150. However, our receiver is pretty ancient. Therefore, if we wanted to upgrade, it's an extra $149 for receiver/installation.

However, if our neighbor wanted to subscribe, they'd get the same hardware for free.

HUH?

So, I've been a loyal/on-time customer for three years, and I get hosed for archaic hardware?

We will be going to Insight, soon.

PS -- I've got your Charlie Chat... right *here*.





Brian P. Dermody
Liverwurst
Moderator








Since: 20.9.02
From: New York, NY

Since last post: 4381 days
Last activity: 3803 days
#4 Posted on
That's nothing, I have AT&T Broadband/Comcast digital, and one night I ordered two hours of the Playboy Channel, and they cut it off after one!

[/mock righteous indignation]

It did happen though. The bastards.



Modern Humorist
Cerebus
Scrapple








Since: 17.11.02

Since last post: 2460 days
Last activity: 2182 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.74
Why would you NEED two hours of Playboy channel? I thought it only took 8 to 10 minutes?

Er... nevermind, forget I said anything.

(wc-24)



Cerebus: Barbarian, Prime Minister, Pope, Perfect House Guest.

"Graft is as necessary as throwing up when you drink too much."
bubblesthechimp
Boudin rouge








Since: 22.3.02
From: Weymouth, Ma

Since last post: 3178 days
Last activity: 3052 days
#6 Posted on

    Originally posted by Cerebus
    Why would you NEED two hours of Playboy channel? I thought it only took 8 to 10 minutes?

    Er... nevermind, forget I said anything.

    (wc-24)



It's all about the stamina! Think of it as crosstrainong for the missus.



HUH?
JWstorm
Kolbasz








Since: 23.10.02
From: Tarheel State

Since last post: 6495 days
Last activity: 5773 days
#7 Posted on
just like with mobile phone service, my nokia was fubar and i called Cingular and they told me they couldnt do anything so i said fine end my service ill go to US cellular where they will give me a good deal on a new phone



If someone gets urinated upon do they get pissed off or pissed on?




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Wolfram J. Paulovich
Frankfurter








Since: 11.11.02
From: Fat City, Baby

Since last post: 6400 days
Last activity: 5770 days
#8 Posted on
Emma, just be happy that you live in an area where you have other major providers vying for your custom.

Thoughout most of Florida, towns are largely one-shop for cable. I lived in Gainesville for a while, and if you didn't like Cox Cable charging you $90/month for digital and one premium channel, you could go to "Bill's Cable" the only alternate provider. Of course, Bill's only had access to cable lines for a twenty-square-block area in one part of Gainesville — where, coincidentally, Cox cable had no purchase or access. So you could jump from a name-brand gouger to a local gouger.

It drove me mad, because I had friends in New York who were paying $40 less for the exact same service. Why? Jillions of competing cable companies.

But, with any luck, our FCC chairman will deregulate local media even more, so that companies like Verizon can buy all major radio stations, cable companies, broadband companies and other telephone companies, thus crushing competition, competitive advertising, and anyone wanting to pay a reasonable price. 'Cause if there's one thing deregulation does, it's increase competition and lower prices. Right. Tell that to anyone paying an electric bill in California.



The Obtuse Angle Archive.

Burns: Smither's this beer isn't working! I don't feel any younger, or funkier....
Smithers: I'll switch to the tablespoon, sir.
EddieBurkett
Boudin blanc








Since: 3.1.02
From: GA in person, NJ in heart

Since last post: 63 days
Last activity: 22 hours
#9 Posted on
Has anyone considered that as cable companies relegate PPV to be available only to those with digital boxes and premium services that this will affect the WWE's and NWA:TNA's bottom lines? My friend in NJ has to order tapes of TNA since he can't order the show with his current set-up, and I know that he (and I) would have ordered at least one or two WWE PPV's in the last year if we could have. We may be one or two buys, but I'm thinking that one the whole, there may very well a sizeable fraction of revenue that the WWE is being denied as a result of this.

Of course, the next step is to attempt to get the WWE to use their PPV clout to lobby the cable companies to offer PPV to the analog masses, but I doubt that would happen...



I apologize for being a Buffy/Angel mark.

EddieBurkett 316 says HOT DAMN!!!!!
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 15 hours
ICQ:  
#10 Posted on
Just remember when you change from cable to dish that you are going to miss out on the new services offered in the cable realm over the next few years.

In the last year, the cable company that I get service from has launched local HDTV, HBO HDTV, and Showtime HDTV. They also have added Video on Demand for about 7 digital tier free channels and they have subscription Video on Demand for HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc. For $7.95 it's like having a mini-PPV selection of features and movies.

If things go to plan, in May I will be renting a TIVO type box from them for a small fee each month. This is the expected launch date from their web site.

They have a Music Video channel that is Video on Demand which is pretty cool too.

Personally, I prefer ordering PPV off of my digital box instead of having to call up a phone system or talk to a CSR.

Most of the channels that I watch (BBC America, G4TV, Gameshow network, VH1 Classic) are in the digital tier.

I can't imagine not having digital cable at this point. It costs a little more, but it is well worth it for what you get.

(edited by Guru Zim on 24.2.03 1818)


Willful ignorance of science is not commendable. Refusing to learn the difference between a credible source and a shill is criminally stupid.
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1675 days
Last activity: 1675 days
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
VOD is DOA....i'm looking for the link on hive4media.com now...but long story short, people just aren't interested...



I think there are crocs in the sewers. Great big honking ones...
R-D-Z
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 15 hours
ICQ:  
#12 Posted on
I can only speak from my personal experience, but I like it. I think it's a bit early to proclaim it dead. I'm sure HBO took a while to take off when they first launched it as well, and if the internet had been around long enough, I bet there would have been web sites saying it wasn't going to last.

I'm currently paying $7.95 so I can watch Sex and the City re-runs. I doubt they are losing any money on that transaction. Why would they stop offering a way to get $8 a month more from me?

//edit: From the site you mention -

Click Here (hive4media.com)

Click Here (hive4media.com)

grrr... the story titles are "Cablers Making Good on VOD Promises" and "VOD Still Cable’s Killer App, But Hit Movies No Longer Drive It". Neither of those seems to say that VOD is dead, and they are both pretty recent. Maybe you are remembering something different?

(edited by Guru Zim on 24.2.03 1843)

Willful ignorance of science is not commendable. Refusing to learn the difference between a credible source and a shill is criminally stupid.
ges7184
Lap cheong








Since: 7.1.02
From: Birmingham, AL

Since last post: 2178 days
Last activity: 2166 days
#13 Posted on

    Originally posted by Teppan-Yaki
    While we're bitching about cable nets, I'll go off the board and bitch about Dish Network.

    We've been subscribers for over three years or so, and we've heard about the free upgrade promotion to the 150. However, our receiver is pretty ancient. Therefore, if we wanted to upgrade, it's an extra $149 for receiver/installation.

    However, if our neighbor wanted to subscribe, they'd get the same hardware for free.

    HUH?

    So, I've been a loyal/on-time customer for three years, and I get hosed for archaic hardware?

    We will be going to Insight, soon.

    PS -- I've got your Charlie Chat... right *here*.



I feel your pain. I'm sure you've also noticed the dwindling amount of PPV movie channels. I think I'm down to about 4.
drjayphd
Scrapple
Moderator








Since: 22.4.02
From: New Hampshire

Since last post: 766 days
Last activity: 350 days
ICQ:  
#14 Posted on
Eh, I don't really see how well all of these new cable services are gonna migrate here. It was about a year ago that they finally updated the software (I think), so that it (on-screen guide, etc.) actually looks halfway decent. And they haven't added any decent channels to digital since BBC America. Instead, we've been getting Trinity Broadcast Network (even I can't stand watching it long enough to mock it) and Citizen's TV. And yet, they STILL won't shell out enough to give us back MSG and bring us NESN.
Just out of curiosity, what cable company do you have, Guru?



Today's Out-Of-Context Quote, Courtesy of Bullitt:

"NOTHING'S funnier than midget porn."
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 15 hours
ICQ:  
#15 Posted on
It's one of the big ones. How's that for ambiguity?



Willful ignorance of science is not commendable. Refusing to learn the difference between a credible source and a shill is criminally stupid.
Stephanie
Landjager








Since: 2.1.02
From: Madison, WI

Since last post: 614 days
Last activity: 54 days
#16 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.22

    Originally posted by Guru Zim
    It's one of the big ones. How's that for ambiguity?


One of my friends has cable through Time Warner, and she showed me pretty much everything that the Guru described (except the Tivo box). So I'll guess it's Time Warner.

Sure beats Charter, Home of the Cable Outage. Blah.

Steph




I'm going twenty-four hours a day...I can't seem to stop
- "Turn Up The Radio", Autograph
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1675 days
Last activity: 1675 days
#17 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
i remember one of their articles slamming VOD because i was eating dinner reading Video Store Magazine and i nearly spit my Dew...

at $7.95 a show for Sex and the City is a rip off IMO

we rent the tapes and dvds at work and we charge 3.50 for the new tapes (4 per season) and 2.50 for the 1st season tapes

for the dvds it's a 3.50 charge for the WHOLE SEASON and it's a 5 night rental....and i think we only paid 33 for the whole collection and it it's 12 shows, it's about $3 a show anyway...

buy the dvd...and if you get sick of it, there's always half.com or ebay.com

i'm gonna look for back issues at the store, assuming they havn't been pitched already....i do remember the 2 articles you mentioned though...



I think there are crocs in the sewers. Great big honking ones...
R-D-Z
mountinman44
Sujuk








Since: 8.5.02
From: San Diego, CA

Since last post: 4695 days
Last activity: 3010 days
#18 Posted on

    Originally posted by Guru Zim
    I can only speak from my personal experience, but I like it.


I'm a big fan of it. Life without digital cable SUCKS! No Fox Sports World, no BBC, no PPV's, no ESPN Classic. I'm going to be back on digital in a couple of months. I can't stand 70 channels. I have seen the future, and it is Digital cable.



Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- 2002 NFL Champions... feels good, doesn't it?

"The NFL should permanently move the Super Bowl here." -- Al Michaels, ABC Sports, during the Super Bowl

"Yet PETA weeps for the ass." -- Kerry Dougherty, PilotOnline.com
pieman
As young as
he feels








Since: 11.12.01
From: China, Maine

Since last post: 120 days
Last activity: 6 days
ICQ:  
#19 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.21



    Originally posted by Guru Zim
    It's one of the big ones. How's that for ambiguity?


Don't you also draw a paycheck from this nameless big one?



He's Rolie Polie Olie - and in his world of curves and curls, he's the swellest kid around.
Jaguar
Knackwurst








Since: 23.1.02
From: In a Blue State finally

Since last post: 1903 days
Last activity: 1903 days
#20 Posted on
Yes, TimeWarner has all those services that Guru mentioned. I know this because they run their goddamned commercials all the time here in Chapel Hill, NC. Where the only thing we have is Time Warner, and they're forcing everyone to upgrade to digital and pay more money.

Of course, I will say that Charter is worse. Just for the fact that for the few months I lived in Asheville and had Charter, they subjected me to commercials featuring Lewis Black on the Daily Show set!

I can never forgive Charter for corrupting one of my favorite comics to shill their damn online service.

-Jag



No matter how obvious the trap, you can't complete the game unless you fall into it.
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