Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
nateskate
Newbie

I subscribe to Fios Prime HD.  Some time ago, I noticed that when switching to some non-premium, non-HD, commercial stations (CNN INTL., Biography, Fox movie, National Geo.,etc.)  a message appeared, stating that I was not subscribed to the channel, but if I were subscribed, to call a number and enter a code number.

I entered the code number and a computer voice stated that I was  subscribed to the channel and I was transferred to a live agent.  The agent responded that many non-premium, non-HD, commercial stations were removed from the Prime HD package.  Of course, if I pay more money, the channels which were originally part of the package would be reinstated.

As, you can imagine, I felt cheated by Verizon because the removal of a large number of channels from a package, particularly commercial channels, is tantamount to an unannounced price increase.

Does anyone have any information on this subject?

Thank you

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Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

@nateskate wrote:

As, you can imagine, I felt cheated by Verizon because the removal of a large number of channels from a package, particularly commercial channels, is tantamount to an unannounced price increase.

Does anyone have any information on this subject?

Thank you


That is a common sentiment. However in the terms of service that you had to agree to when you set up service, Verizon reserved the right to remove and add channels at their descretion. Their response would be that they have added more channels than they have removed (over time). And just like they dont lower the price when they remove channels, they dont raise the price when they add channels. This is common on all cable providers. It has been a common practice ever since cable service first came out. And unfortuantly, it will happen in the future. Its just a fact of life with cable companies. And until such time as they get some kind of al-la-carte packaging (which will never happen) it will always be an issue.

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Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
prisaz
Legend

Yes. There are three channels available in Prime not available in Extreme but available in Ultimate. No one is happy about that either. You would think the number would go progressivly higher in a higher bundle, but nope.

Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

@nateskate wrote:

As, you can imagine, I felt cheated by Verizon because the removal of a large number of channels from a package, particularly commercial channels, is tantamount to an unannounced price increase.

Does anyone have any information on this subject?

Thank you


That is a common sentiment. However in the terms of service that you had to agree to when you set up service, Verizon reserved the right to remove and add channels at their descretion. Their response would be that they have added more channels than they have removed (over time). And just like they dont lower the price when they remove channels, they dont raise the price when they add channels. This is common on all cable providers. It has been a common practice ever since cable service first came out. And unfortuantly, it will happen in the future. Its just a fact of life with cable companies. And until such time as they get some kind of al-la-carte packaging (which will never happen) it will always be an issue.

Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
film111
Specialist - Level 1

@spacedebris wrote:

 And just like they dont lower the price when they remove channels, they dont raise the price when they add channels.  

We have been notified of a second rate hike in just a year.

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Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
Justin46
Legend

@film11 wrote:
We have been notified of a second rate hike in just a year.

I haven't. For what?

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416-P1, IMG 1.8, Build 02.54
Keller, TX 76248

Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
prisaz
Legend

Spacedebris

I didn't say it was ripping anyone off. I just said many were not happy about it. Can please some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time.

Still beats the pants off of cable.Smiley Wink

Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
film111
Specialist - Level 1

Justin wrote
I haven't. For what?

 Received a notice of a $1 or $2 dollar increase as of April 17th (tax day)  for movie package, I believe it was. (Don't have the notice in front of me).  This is on top of the increase from a few months back and losing MGM-HD (and others).  And of course, to get the new STB, I have to pay an additional $40 (which isn't justified by "shipping costs" since I can swap the box myself at a Verizon store).  

Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
Justin46
Legend

@film11 wrote:

Justin wrote
I haven't. For what?

 Received a notice of a $1 or $2 dollar increase as of April 17th (tax day)  for movie package, I believe it was. (Don't have the notice in front of me).  This is on top of the increase from a few months back and losing MGM-HD (and others).  And of course, to get the new STB, I have to pay an additional $40 (which isn't justified by "shipping costs" since I can swap the box myself at a Verizon store).  


OK, I also got the notice for the $2 price increase on the movie package, but that is not part of your "contract" (double or triple play) package one year or two year. That is a separate item, there is no "deal" for that, Verizon can change the price whenever they want. And you can cancel any time you want, without affecting your "package."

As to losing MGM-HD and a few others, I lost those months and months ago, close to a year I guess. No price increase, just a few mostly unwatched channels lost. I guess you can consider that a price increase, I really don't, but that is just me.

As to the new DVR, as far as I know if you walk into the store and ask for the new one, I think you will pay the $40 there too. But I haven't bothered to get the new DVR yet, I am actually pretty satisfied with my old 6416 DVR, it works pretty much perfectly, even after 5 1/2 years, and I don't really require that extra space.

I guess my reaction to your comments is "ho hum." Sorry....but thanks for the additional info.

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416-P1, IMG 1.8, Build 02.54
Keller, TX 76248

Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
bobbo527
Specialist - Level 3
It is the Verizon way to increase prices. They feel if you want thsoe channels you will subscribe to the next tier (i.e. PAY MORE), I think it is rather pathetic and just gets people upset. BUT they do this ALL the time, it is nothing new.
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Re: Removal of Channels from Prime HD Package
film111
Specialist - Level 1
OK, I also got the notice for the $2 price increase on the movie package, but that is not part of your "contract" (double or triple play) package one year or two year. That is a separate item, there is no "deal" for that, Verizon can change the price whenever they want. And you can cancel any time you want, without affecting your "package."

 

As to losing MGM-HD and a few others, I lost those months and months ago, close to a year I guess. No price increase, just a few mostly unwatched channels lost. I guess you can consider that a price increase, I really don't, but that is just me.

 

As to the new DVR, as far as I know if you walk into the store and ask for the new one, I think you will pay the $40 there too. But I haven't bothered to get the new DVR yet, I am actually pretty satisfied with my old 6416 DVR, it works pretty much perfectly, even after 5 1/2 years, and I don't really require that extra space.

 

I guess my reaction to your comments is "ho hum." Sorry....but thanks for the additional info.

 

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416-P1, IMG 1.8, Build 02.54
Keller, TX 76248


Unfortunately, my package deal is up, and my rate subsequently went up about $10 per month...so actually the movie increase would be my third increase!  I will probably have to cancel a couple of those channels...not a big loss, since channels like HBO/MAX only show altered (eliminating 30% - 60% of the picture) versions of the movies anyway and I despise that policy..

Also, I doubt that MGM-HD is one of the "mostly unwatched" channels.  The unwatched candidatess would seem to be the ,tv

channels...yet Verizon inexplicably RENEWED those contracts!!  (Putting more requested HD channels on hold). Anyway, from what I've read here and elsewhere, the loss of MGM, at least,  seems to have annoyed a large amount of people.

As for the box, I'm sort of with you there.  I've been making do with the space on the 6416,although I occasionally do inadvertantly lose some things due to lack of space...so am little more can be helpful.  And it would be nice to enjoy some of the advantages of the 1.9 upgrade (such as the widescreen guide) that will only be found via the new 7000 series boxes.  I just don't understand the $40 fee for swapping the boxes, if no shipping charges are incurred. (Since the cost of the new box is recovered via the monthly fees.)

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