Comcast pay more get less

They did it again. Things have been stable since 2010 when Comcast upgraded their system requiring customers to get a box to hook up that was a bit of a pain. I was actually pleased with the upgrade because we got many more channels including some (not all) of the one's that had been previously been deleted. About 2 weeks ago Comcast raised the price again but worse some of the channels we have come to enjoy are no longer available without upgrading our service. So much for Sundance, Fox movie Channel and IFC unless we pay more.

I was looking around the Comcast website when an employee started chatting with me. 

Chris: Hi, I'm a live Comcast product specialist. Would you like my help checking out?

Chris: Just type your question below.

You: Why have Sundance, Fox Movies and IFC been taken away?

Chris: All technical issues with Comcast Service are handled by our Technical Support Chat Agents. I can guide you through the path of connecting to this group.

Chris: Are you ok with me sending you to the appropriate webpage to connect to that group?

You: It's not a technical issue. The channels are no longer available on Digital Starter

Chris: Sundance nd IFC is included in our Digital Preferred plan. While, Fox Movie is on our Digital Premier plan.

You: Those channles were on my Digital starter until about 2 weeks ago

Chris: Thank you for being a current Comcast customer. Customer service will be able to assist you with the help you need. You can reach our Customer Service team by calling 1-800-comcast (1-800-266-2278).

You: I'm getting a Dish

Chris: I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I can provide you with our Customer Service team's number to help you or discuss alternative options. Please don't hesitate to initiate contact and call them at 1-800-Comcast (1-800-266-2278). They will be able to pull up your account and process the changes just for you.

Chris: Our Customer Service team is available Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 7 PM. Please call them at your convenience.

You: I'm blogging about this at Gort42.blogspot.com Pass it along to your PR people

Chris: My apologies for such change in your programming.

Chris: I recommend calling our Customer Service Team. They've got all your account information and they also have the expertise to better assist you. That number is 1-800-comcast (1-800-266-2278).

Chris: Thank you for your time! Are there any other questions I can answer for you?

Chris: How are things coming along?

You: No. I'm just upset that channels that I enjoy are no longer available unless I pay more.

Chris: I understand, please call our Customer Service team at your convenience.

Chris: Do you have any other questions I can answer for you?

You: What's the point? If I want those channels back I have to pay more.

Chris: I suggest that you call our Customer Service team so they can offer you options in getting back the channels.

You: Thanks Chris, get some sleep.

Chris: You're welcome, that's so sweet of you.

Chris: I will in a bit. Take care.

Chris: Thank you for visiting Comcast today.

Chris: Have a great evening.

Comcast

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.

The Big Ten Network vs. Comcast

Now Comcast is blocking some kinds of internet activity.

NEW YORK - Comcast Corp. actively interferes with attempts by some of its high-speed Internet subscribers to share files online, a move that runs counter to the tradition of treating all types of Net traffic equally.

The wag that sent me this asks a good question. When will they start blocking content? Like some blogger berating them for not carrying the big 10.

The Inky has the latest rundown of the dispute and this is what it boils down to:

The Big Ten Network says it expected to take in more than $60 million a year in revenue by appearing on Comcast's expanded basic tier. Instead, the Philadelphia cable company has offered a deal for basically $2.5 million by placing it on the sports tier, which costs an additional $5 per month and is seen by only 4 percent of Comcast's subscribers.

A plague on both their houses. This is still an argument over money between 2 giant corporations. More pressure will mount when basketball season starts and people in Indiana can't watch the Hoosiers. The controversy has taken on the overtones of a "nasty political campaign." Complete with negative ads run by Comcast opposing the Big Ten Tax.

All I know is that they better come to a deal by next football season or other people might act like this woman. (h/t The Pennsylvania Progressive)

Big Ten Network and Comcast

Will cable dispute sideline Lion fans?

It still comes down to the sports tier vs. $1.10 a month for everyone. Comcast wants to put BTN into a sports package that people who are interested pay an extra $5 a month and BTN wants to be on basic cable at $1.10 per suscriber. The Chicago Tribune has a good rundown of the dispute. Comcast says that the BTN has a limited appeal and should be put off on a specialty band and BTN calls bullshit on this argument pointing out that they already carry limited appeal channels such as Versus and a bunch of religion and shopping networks. Since Comcast took over from Adelphia they have cut four channels from my local lineup; the WE network(38), ESPN Classic(67), UPN-57 (11) and Newswatch16 (63) and the price went up. Comcast also has entered The Customer Service Hall of Shame.

The Big Ten network vs. Comcast

My fellow Penn State fans should be on alert.

Big Ten network to carry PSU

I don't know who to mad at in this one. Since Comcast took over from Adelphia they have cut 2 stations from my basic cable. The WE network is no big loss but the elimination of UPN-57 means I don't get the Phillies games on the weekend. I'm listening to it on the radio right now.

But until Comcast comes to an agreement with the Big Ten 3 Penn State football games may be out of reach. Unless you want to pay extra for them.

The burgeoning Big Ten Network, which is slated to launch nationally in August, announced Tuesday it will broadcast the Nittany Lions’ season-opening game against Florida International on Sept. 1, as well as the third game of the campaign, Sept. 15 against Buffalo. Both are scheduled for noon kickoffs at Beaver Stadium.

And a confrence game is also slated for this new channel.

Just after Comcast took over from Adelphia I had 3 cable/ISP outages within 2 weeks. Coincidence? I'm not sure. The NY Times has a rundown.

Comcast is not the only company I don't like. Any monopoly sucks. My battles with the Pennsylvania Water Company are wearing me out. But I will continue.

Eventually the Super Bowl is going to be on pay-tv with commercials.

Comcast and Keith Olberman

This started out on my Facebook page and I will mix in some comments from some friends.


I've had enough of Comcast. They sent me a piece of mail today saying I won't be able to watch TV unless get one of their boxes. Blackmail. My TV's aren't that old but they are moving more channels to the digital tier that I will need a box to tune in. I miss Adelphia, they were run by a bunch of crooks but we had great service but I'm actually happy with the internet service. I've had it for 5 years and only had one brief outage. I'm reluctant to get a dish because many of my friends tell me they have weather issues and my late father-in-law would roll over in his grave if we defaced his brickwork on our house.

Keith Olberman has been suspended by MSNBC because he gave some money to Democratic candidates. A host of another MSNBC show gave money to Republicans

Joe Scarborough did the exact same thing


IOKIYAR

My friend Tony quotes Rachell:


"I know everybody likes to say, 'Oh, that's cable news, it's all the same. Fox and MSNBC, mirror images of each other.' Let this lay that to rest forever. Hosts on Fox News raise money for Republican candidates. They endorse them explicitl...y, they use their Fox News profile to headline fundraisers. Heck, there are multiple people being paid by Fox News now to essentially run for office as Republican candidates....They can do that because there's no rule against that as Fox. They run as a political operation; we're not."- Rachel Maddow

This should be a case of don't do that again because you violated company policy so take a few days off and don't do it again. But even MSNBC will grovel before the FoxNews/TeaParty/Republican noise machine.


What Role Did Comcast Play in Keith Olbermann's Suspension?--UPDATED with Comcast response

Good news Penn State fans

And the whole Big Ten.

Via I’ve Made a Huge Tiny Mistake

Comcast, Big Ten reach pay-TV deal

The nation’s biggest cable company and the Big Ten Network reached a deal today that will put the new college sports channel in millions of Comcast Corp. homes in Pennsylvania and other states.

The Big Ten Network will launch on the Comcast network on Aug. 15, in time for the Penn State football season.

Last year 3 PSU games were on The Big Ten Network forcing me to abandon the comfort of my recliner to seek out a watering hole with a dish package that carried them. As luck would have it the one place that I've found that had the games was Big Ugly's in Wilkes-Barre which is owned by Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak's dad. I didn't run into Skrep on those Saturday's because he was probably home watching Michigan on ABC.

Now the question is will I need a box to tune them in?

Big Ten and Comcast not close to a deal

Lafayette Journal & Courier

When the Big Ten Network makes its debut Aug. 30, Comcast cable customers could be in the dark because the new network and the cable corporation are at an impasse in negotiations. "I can tell you, if Comcast is agreeable to putting it in basic carriage, we can sit down behind closed doors and negotiate a deal with them,” Big Ten Network president Mark Silverman said Monday.“If they're adamant about (the BTN) only being on a sports tier, then we're in a stalemate."We have told them if they're willing to talk about being on expanded basic we can sit down and get this thing going. And they have said, as of last week, publicly, it's sports tier or nothing."

The college football season is coming up fast and it looks like 3 Penn State games may be out of reach for the average fan unless one of the local broadcast stations makes a deal to carry them. Another argument over money between 2 giant corporations and we get screwed. Yes people, the Big Ten Conference is a big corporation that has always been a collection of football/basketball factories and now has it's own TV network. Now tell me why the players shouldn't be paid?

Comcast update

I broke down and ordered the boxes from Comcast that are supposed to restore my TV viewing to what it once was in the days when Adelphia was my cable provider with the promise of more channels. They arrived today and I hooked up the first one and followed the instructions provided but I still don't have the upgraded service. Nothing worked. Even worse, after I plugged in all the wires and boxes then waited the required time it knocked out my internet connection. I'm usually pretty good with electronic devices but I can't figure this out. I disconnected everything to get things back to normal.


I'm sure that Comcast will offer to send over a tech geek to make it all work for a "modest service charge" sometime between 6Am and Midnight someday next month if I ask.

Update: I figured it all out. So now I can be enticed to buy first run movies for a low. low price.

Comcast responds

From the inbox:


Hello,

I came across your post and wanted to reach out to you regarding your concerns. First, we are going all digital so that we can reclaim some of our bandwidth for more programming and increased internet speeds. For every 1 analog channel on our system, we can fit up to 10 SD channels or up to 2 HD channels. Also, we are working to bring speeds of 105mbps in Xfinity areas. If you are subscribing to our Expanded Basic tier and are losing channels as a result of the changes, we are offering up to two DTA devices (digital transport adaptors) to each home at no additional cost. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns regarding the changes and the options available to you. I’d be happy to have one of my colleagues from the regional corporate office reach out to you.

Regarding Keith Olberman, Comcast is not in any way involved with the decisions made currently by NBC news. As this transaction is still in negotiations and awaiting approval, the law prohibits our involvement.

Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with. Our team is here if you need us.


Kind Regards,

Melissa Mendoza
Digital Media Analyst
National Customer Operations

Comcast does something right

CN8 has the Phillies game on our local cable feed. This is the one game of the year that is on a broadcast station in Philadelphia and I usually have to find a local watering hole with a satellite package to watch it. But today it's on channel 10. Thank you Comcast.

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J-Roll led off the game with a double and scored on a sac fly hit by Pat Burrell. It's now 2-0. The Nats have a player named Lastings Milledge who was on the Mets last year. Gotta love the name, it's right up there with Mrs. G's favorite Vladimir Guerrero and NASCAR legend Dick Trickle, who should be driving the Viagra car.

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Milledge hit a 2 run homer to make it a 6-2 Nats lead.

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Chase Utley just hit one out and the score is 6-3. MVP! MVP!

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The catcher just drove in a run to make it 6-4 and the Nats brought in Ray King to pitch. He's been around forever.

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J-Roll smacked one out to tie it in the 7th inning.

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JC Romero put them down in order in the 8th.

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Just to give me a heart attack the Phils brought in Tom Gordon to pitch in the 9th. Lastings Milledge beat out an infield single and started all sorts of chaos. Gordon gave up 4 runs in the 9th. He used to be good.

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Nationals 11 Phillies 6

Are you ready for some football?

I'm not. Penn State will open with Coastal Carolina at Noon today and it should be a blowout. I love football but always have mixed emotions when the season starts because it means the end of summer. With all the political news I haven't paid much attention to this year's Nittany Lion team but will catch up with the help of the PennLive PSU blog.

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The good news is that Comcast and the Big Ten Network have made a deal so I don't have to wander out to find the game on TV. I'm still thinking about getting a dish but Mrs. G has threatened to strangle me with the all the new wires that would be involved.

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A few months ago Comcast told us that to view Turner Classic Movies and Toon Disney we would have to get a box because of a technical problem that forced them to move them to a digital format. When we were on vacation in Delaware both channels were on the basic cable without the need for a box. Somehow I think that that we have been lied to.

Kudos to Comcast

I bet that's a headline my long time readers would never expect to see.


Earlier today a Comcast technician showed up on my doorstep saying that the company's remote diagniostics detected a week signal on my internet connection. He came in and did some measurements and decided we needed some new cables to replace the same wires we have had since 1996. He also replaced the splitters with dead ends that I had jury rigged over the years.

I really can't complain about the signal service as we have rarely lost our connection to cable or the internet. The pricing, boxes and other hassles is another story.

The last time I did a post about this media bohemeth one of their press flacks contacted me the next day. Let's see if that will happen again. Are you out there Melissa or have you moved on?

This and that

I got a robo call from Comcast a few days ago saying that that they were going to change my cable lineup and tonight it has started. The first thing to disappear was Turner Classic Movies and now at 2:30 AM most of the channels have the same infomercial runninng. We'll see what channels we lose this time and if they really butcher it I might get a dish. Since Comcast took over from Adelphia we have lost 5 channels from our basic cable and the price has increased about $10 a month. Mrs. G just said "I'll take the Adelphia crooks anyday."

My inbox has been flooded with a few hundred messages over the last few days, I'm a popular guy. Many were the usual garbage that slipped through the spam filter and pleas from various campaigns begging for money. Every time one of you, my dear readers, takes the time to leave a comment blogger lets me know and you have been busy. My apologies but I just can't respond to every one. And many thank you for adding to the discussion. As far as some of you that have asked me specific questions if I haven't responded yet please re-send it because I may have accidentally deleted your message.

Charlie's Angels marathon

WGN (96 on Comcast) is playing the 1st season of Charlie's Angels. When it was first on I watched it with the sound off. Like many teenage boys growing up in the 1970's I had the poster and still do.

Off to the beach

See you in a week. Thanks to J-Walk for the pic.

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Before I go there a few things on my mind. Chris Carney continues to disappoint me. The slots money keeps going to everything but what it was intended for including convention centers, the Penguins and a fantasy Airport. Can anyone say property tax relief?

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The W-B city council dismissed a proposal for a skate park for the kids but then voted to look for more corporate welfare to develop the Murray complex. They also need a pool at Coal St Park.

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I can't get the Phillies game on TV tonight because Comcast dropped UPN-57 from my lineup. And someone forgot to throw the switch at our local local radio station that carries the Phillies games so we're still getting the national feed. Heads should roll!

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A week can be a long time in politics so if anything interesting happens while I'm gone please let me know in the comments or email. Mrs G has outlawed computers while we are away.

Carney taking fire from both sides

Washington, D.C.--Congressman Christopher Carney received word this week that he has been promoted from Lieutenant Commander to the rank of Commander in the United States Navy Reserve. One of only two Members of Congress serving in uniform in the reserves, Congressman Carney has been in the Navy Reserves since 1995 when he was commissioned as an Ensign. Carney was activated for Operations Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom.

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I hope the Navy provided him with a flack jacket because he needs one.

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The Chris Hackett camp sent out a release today pointing out that he is having a big-dollar fundraising breakfast hosted by a Washington, DC lobbying firm whose major clients include the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, which has fought for placing tolls on Interstate I-80. The implication is that Carney is for tolling I-80 even though he is on the record as being opposed to it.

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On the same day that David Urban, the former chief of staff to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), is hosting the fundraiser for Rep. Chris Carney the GOP is having a shindig that includes Chris Hackett. The event is part of the Republican scheme called Regain Our Majority Program (ROMP) and TPM points out that Hackett is one of only two challengers that is listed on the program. I haven't seen the guest list for this event but I'm willing to wager a box of donuts that 5, 10, 50 or a few hundred lobbyist will be in attendance.

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Carney and Rep. Paul Kanjorski have been the target of robo calls and radio ads from an outfit called Freedom Watch which distorts the energy issue. They think we can just drill our way out of this mess. Another outfit called Freedom Works is planning to attend Carney's next town hall meeting:

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Representative Carney from PA will be making a Town Hall appearance on July 14. Also in attendance is local Freedom Works members from PA. They will be critiquing Carney on his support of the Mortgage Bailout Bill. Carney claims to be a Blue Dog Democrat, who espouse fiscal responsibility. Yet this bill raises the Federal deficit by $22 billion dollars. They will ask him what the deal is.

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Does every Republican front have Freedom in it's name?

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July 14, 2008 @ 10:00 am

WHERE: Middle Creek Community Center
67 Elm St .
Beaver Springs , PA

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On the other side Blue America PAC is still going after Carney over the FISA issue but this time strips any reference to my favorite cable company, Comcast. Who's trimming their sails now Howie? The last round of ads fell on deaf ears and was a big waste of money. If you want to meddle in Pennsylvania politics maybe you could put the money where it would do more good like shoring up Patrick Murphy, Joe Sestak or Allyson Schwartz.

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I've suggested a campaign song for Carney:

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Stealers Wheel - Stuck In The Middle With You

Update:

Washington, D.C. Congressman Christopher P. Carney has issued the following statement opposing tolls for Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania.

"I oppose tolling I-80. While Pennsylvania roads and bridges are in need of repair, tolling places an undue burden on families, small businesses and local manufacturers. As we grow Pennsylvania's economy, we must do so in away that does not undercut our local economic base."

"There is clearly a critical need to rebuild the infrastructure in Pennsylvania, our roads and bridges are in dire need of repair. I look forward to working with our Governor to make sure that Pennsylvania transportation needs are being met."

Gort on TV

I was the guest of Tiffany Cloud on the WYLN show Storm Politics today. This was first TV show for me although I have been a on few radio shows before and as the old joke says I have a face made for radio. It was fun and Tiff was a gracious hostess who is also a long time reader of Gort42. I made sure I gave a shoutout to my blog buddies in NEPA.

The show can be seen on Service Electric W-B channel 7, Service Electric Hazelton channel 35 and Metrocast channel 7. It is not available to those of us who have Comcast but you can see it online at this link:

http://www.wylntv.com/

Or just go to the WLYN home page and click on Watch Online on the top bar.

Air Times:

Tonight 8PM

Thur 9:30PM

Sat 5PM

Sun 11AM

Mon 8:30PM

Tues 9:30PM

So many choices

There is a so called debate of the Republican Presidential candidates on the FOX Noise channel. The Phillies are playing the Brewers on Comcast and WILK's election coverage with Sue Henry and Steve Corbett starts at 8. And Jerry Falwell death will be all over the other cable news channels. WNEP's website will have the results all night.

Update: Ruiz hit a walk off Home Run in the bottom of the 9th. I called into WILK and Sue was familiar with the blog. As I'm listenening to WILK the Yonk is giving the results in the W-B council races. Kane and Thomas won. Rick Cronauer beat Shirley and Mike Merritt won the north end.

I love Cindy

We have seen Cindy Lauper in concert 3 times and I can say she is one of the best showman I've ever seen . She opened for Cher in one of her farewell tours and stole the the show and both her shows at the Kirby were both professional and fun. Just a great entertainer.



Every time I post this video the evil Viacom Company gets it deleted. So I'll keep posting it and the lawyers for Viacom will get richer. Yes, Viacom is evil and I don't even have words to describe Comcast.