http://www.comcast.com/
I'm really getting tired of being shit on by Comcast. This week they dropped Turner Classic Movies and Toon Disney from my basic lineup and told me that TCM is still on basic cable if I get a box that will be will provided to me free for a year.
But there is a catch and DB caught it:
And for just $2 per month PER TELEVISION, you can get a digital converter from Comcast that will permit you to view these channels, and all the others that Comcast will eventually change. They'll allow you to have ONE converter free of charge for twelve months, but after that, it's $2 a month. (Prices subject to change without notice.)
Not to be confused with the changeover to HD broadcasting, which shouldn't affect your cable signal...unless your local cable monopoly decides it does. Too bad there isn't some sort of Public Utilities Commission designed to protect consumers from predatory and monopolistic practices by service providers.
Save your receipts for the eventual class-action suit...
Since Comcast took over from Adelphia they have cut some channels from my local lineup; the WE network(38), UPN-57 (11) and Newswatch16 (63) and the price went up. Comcast deserve's it 's place in the The Customer Service Hall of Shame. And now we lost Toon Disney and TCM with the friendly 1-800 rep explaining it was some sort of technical thing that requires that those 2 channels have to have a box. Such bullshit. They're just trying to shove a box down my throat so they can sell me more TV channels that I won't watch and many pay-per-view options that I'll never buy.
A good source has informed me that Comcast has hired a new consultant that designed this brilliant strategy. This is outsourcing taken to the extreme because they have contracted with the Marketing Division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation.
The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy electronic guidebook defined the Marketing Division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation as "A bunch of mindless jerks who will be the first up against the wall when the revolution comes"....
So help me out folks. What kind of Dish shall I get? Is the the Big Ten Network available on both Direct-TV and the Dish Network? I'm reluctant to make a switch because I really don't need more devices, wires and remotes but they leave me no choice.
But Comcast's strong arm tactics must be working:
Comcast profits soar in first quarter
Note: This is the 3rd the third version of this post because my trusty proofreader, Mrs. G, objected to all the F-Bombs and other expletive's in the first two drafts. I haven't been this pissed off about something since Bob Cordaro chased the Phillies farm team out of town.
I hear ya Gort. I was lucky enought to get away from Adelphia right before the change. I went with DirecTV and while they too have their problems and sometimes are annoying, I'm getting much more for the money and I can't believe I didn't do it sooner.
ReplyDeleteI have Directv. It goes out during severe thunderstorms and snow storms. I don't care so much, but since kid TV is on 24x7 the kids get a little nutty (THANK GOD FOR DVDS). Directv charges extra for local channels, Dish Network does not. Dish network charges you a service fee if your receivers are not constantly hooked up to a phone line, Directv does not. Directv charges for extra receivers, I'm not sure if Dish Network does, but I'm thinking not. I guess its just a matter of finding what package you like best and what is the cheapest for you. But just know the satellite gets wanky during storms. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteGort,
ReplyDeleteProbably not a lot of areas where we agree, but this is one of them.
I have Com-cast,and was disappointed to see that TMC was no longer available, it was one of the last refuges for "free", no commercial movie watching, I miss it already.
"They were Expendable" was on the other night, seen it dozens of times, but that's not the point.
Oh, and another thing we agree on, I think, is the movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still", one of my all time favorites, and one of the few films I own, "The Quiet Man", and "Field of Dreams", being the others.
Oh well, back to politics.
Ciao
Thanks for the details Michelle. It sounds like you and RW are mostly happy with Direct-TV.
ReplyDeletekar, I'm sure that you and I have many things in common. We both love politics and old movies for starters. Hopefully sometime, somewhere we can a few cocktails and discover that we agree on many things. Thanks for adding to the discussion, your loyalty to your guy is admirable.
Hi KAR,
ReplyDeleteIt's TCM not TMC. However, I'm on the same page with you. I love the movies they show on Turner Classics. No commercials and uncut was always a big plus with me. They show great movies, and we have lost them. Comcast sucks. They just keep raising our rates and everytime they do that they take more and more channels away from us. It's too bad there is a monopoly on cable. If I had a choice I would choose Service Electric.
Relax people; it's only TV. REad a book.
ReplyDeleteReceived my Comcast Cable Bill, and after seeing a Rate Increase I finally just said, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ALREADY!" I read everything thoroughly and knew what my rights were and then I called to DOWNGRADE for free. The Comcast Representative was trying to pleasantly pressure me to either change my mind or to UPGRADE... I'm tired of paying so much for so little!" This DOWNGRADE IS FREE OF CHARGE." ...YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT ANYMORE! It is time for the people to let their voices be heard and to take action against ALL THESE MONEY AND POWER HUNGRY ORGANIZATIONS! NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU AND ALL TO TAKE ACTION! Send your message, by hitting them where it will hurt the most! DOWNGRADE OR DISCONTINUE NOW! By the time February 2009 comes, they will be ready to listen to and work for the people!
ReplyDeleteRise Up And Let Your Voices Be Heard!
Just been on phone with comcast after losing my AMC, TMC and Tv Guide. They blame AMC and TMC saying they only going to send in Digital not analog signal anymore.
ReplyDeleteI (20year comcast customer, can't get dsl in my location) have a digital/HD tuner and can recieve free digital and HD signals. Comcast tells me I have to upgrade to their digital package now to recieve channels that they used to say I would get with analog package. Yes they used to state which channels you would get with your package.
I believe if I signed up with a digital package, I would get the AMC and TMC without their rental boxes. I still get the digital/Hd feee networks .
I don't think AMC etc. is charging them extra fees, their just not sending analog.
Thanks for your ear!