more HD channel removals?

[julesism]

Did anyone else get the email below? I didn't, or perhaps I missed it. I came across it in another forum.

Dear FiOS TV Customer,

From time to time channel lineup changes are necessary to improve our content offerings. We will therefore, be making some changes to our current TV service packages on or after August 19th, 2010.

If you ordered the FiOS TV Extreme HD package prior to January 17, 2010, the channels below will no longer be available in your TV package.

Channel Name Channel Number
Cars.TV 599
Comedy.TV 695
ES.TV 558
Gospel Music Channel 224
Hallmark Movie Channel (SD/HD) 239 / 739
MGM HD 744
My Destination.TV 674
Pets.TV 633
Recipe.TV 676
World Fishing Network (SD/HD) 317 / 597

Discuss...

Some folks are saying that MGM-HD and HMC-HD are already gone. I just checked and I still have them. Good riddance to the .TV channels. I hope we get decent replacements. My fingers are crossed for FSC-HD and BBCA-HD.

[prisaz · Accepted solution]

They are not being removed from FiOS, but only removed from the Extreme package. There were some West coast premium feeds that were removed and replaced with new channels already.

The Ultimate HD line up includes those removed from the Extreme HD. But when the .TV channels kept saying comming soon, people like me complained that the HD channels never came for like six months. Now I wish the Infomercial type .TV channels would never have come.What a waist of QAM space. I have not seen anyone that had anything good to say about them. I am sure Verizon has a contract to carry them, and I could only hope it expires and they go down the dain where they belong.

[julesism]

Ahh... I apologize for the confusion. I'm a FiOS TV noob. 

[prisaz]

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@julesism wrote:

Ahh... I apologize for the confusion. I'm a FiOS TV noob. 

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No apology required. Welcome to FiOS. I have been around since launch in I think 2005. First FiOS Internet and Phone, then TV. Yes I like the service. There are always things that could improve.

[ekem015]

Yet the Gospel Music Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel are still available in the Prime HD package, but not the Extreme HD package. One of the most head-scratching moves I've ever seen Verizon makes.

This change affects me. Seems unfair that the channels I agreed to in the contract last year are now being taken away from me.

[prisaz]

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@ekem015 wrote:

Yet the Gospel Music Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel are still available in the Prime HD package, but not the Extreme HD package. One of the most head-scratching moves I've ever seen Verizon makes.

This change affects me. Seems unfair that the channels I agreed to in the contract last year are now being taken away from me.

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I know it does not make sense to many people. Which includes me. But I upgraded to the Ultimate for the 35/35 speeds.

[ekem015]

How much more did it cost you?

[prisaz]

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@ekem015 wrote:

How much more did it cost you?

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It all depends where you are in your current bundle agreement. If your bundle has expired and you start asking about cost of service without phone, or cutting services, it could vary. What I did was ask for the bundle at the $119 cost advertised for "new customers, or or customer receiving a new bundle", or give me 35/35 with TV and drop the phone service. They may have changed the wording on the bundle web site. The retention department gave me a $30 discount for 1 year on a two year commitment. So that is $109 a month for the first year, and what I was paying, and then the full $139 price during year two. Divide that over two years my bill cost $5 a month more. A deal I was happy with. So it depends on your current agreement, and how well you can barter. I have heard of Verizon working with customers to keep them happy, and be fair. But your mileage may very.

[kanders801]

What I don't understand is there are 4 channels including the HallMark Movie Channel that are available on the Prime (cheaper option) and the Ultimate (more expensive option).  Why have these available in the Prime and also not on the Extreme?

[myword]

My reaction to them removing channels from my package will be to reduce the package. 

I have the Extreme Package and still have MGM and Hallmark HD.  My suscription ends in October.  If they take any channels away, I will move to a lower tier, less expensive package.   I will NOT pay more for LESS.  Everyone should do the same.  They will get the message quick enough. 

And please no one post that they have to pay more for the channels -  they are offiering those channels in the less expenisve prime package.