Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
yupkos
Newbie

Is there a fee to change the 2 free channel packs? And does this affect the 2 year agreement terms.

E.g. switching from Channel Pack A to Channel Pack B, then from another Channel Pack to another. I only watch particular shows that are broadcast on particular days. I have one channel pack that I wouldn't continuously change.

Unfortunately Verizon split up the popular channels into different channel packs. We're not big sports watchers and also rent cable card. 

Also without having a set-top box, is the only way to change channel packs via online or the FIOS app? It seems the system treats these are "new orders."

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

Not sure if they would let you change channel packs multiple times a month (I assume that is what you are implying).

Don't beleive there is a charge.

Only other way I can think to change channel packs (outside of online or via app) is via phone call. What other way would you want to change?

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
SinCara
Specialist - Level 2

@yupkos wrote:

Is there a fee to change the 2 free channel packs? And does this affect the 2 year agreement terms.

E.g. switching from Channel Pack A to Channel Pack B, then from another Channel Pack to another. I only watch particular shows that are broadcast on particular days. I have one channel pack that I wouldn't continuously change.

Unfortunately Verizon split up the popular channels into different channel packs. We're not big sports watchers and also rent cable card. 

Also without having a set-top box, is the only way to change channel packs via online or the FIOS app? It seems the system treats these are "new orders."


You can easily change the channel packs anytime you want online within your account under add/change services. It will not change the contract terms.

There are no fees to do it.

When one has Custom HD the only rule is that they have to have it for 30 days before changing to another package such as preferred, extreme or ultimate. You can change the custom packs anytime without a fee though.

If you are talking about changing channel packs several times during a week or month then they may not allow you do it more then a few times or even once during a months time.

If you are wanting to switch a lot you'd be better off upgrading to a higher package tier above custom.

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
yupkos
Newbie

I had FIOS, but am considered a new customer. Had Triple Play (Prime HD, 50/50 and Voice) - out of contract, so the price increased to 124.99 -- this is WITHOUT DVR or STB, only renting cable card; Fees & Other "charges" is 20% of the bill, making it $151 !!! 

Since we do watch much network TV except for a few channels for which we need to have subscription in order to watch Live TV and / or record the shows, we still have to subscribe to FIOS TV. Already invested in over $500 for tuner, PC.

We were going to cancel the account & switch to Xfinity (Comcast) because the cost would be substantially less. Was talked into staying with VZ. The Custom TV Plan seemed like a good deal at the time. And the rep was able to offer discounts / credits for signing up with 2 year agreement contract ($50 - 65 worth of discounts / credits & $350 Visa prepaid card).

Now when I go online to look at options of just changing the TV plan from Custom TV to their "basic" Preferred HD Plan, the monthly plan costs $129.99 !!! This defeats the purpose and the expected cost savings of cutting the cord.

Really regret staying with VZ... And I'm not even sure what my monthly bill will be. One representative was EXCELLENT, as he provided me his contact information and even sent follow up emails detailing that my installation AND activation fees would be waived, and I qualified for the Visa prepaid card. However, subsequently, the second representative was shady and wouldn't send me details of changes that were accidentally made to the account afterwards. 

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
SinCara
Specialist - Level 2

I dont understand why the rates went so high from custom to a non custom package unless the discounts are specific to custom and go away when changed.

I was using custom for 2 months after downgrading before changing back to extreme and it only went up $25 from $50.

Ever since custom hd came out prices did go up, but how Verizon's coming up with their pricing sure doesn't make much sense.

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

Most likely the reason you saw XFinity rates so low is that they are for a 2 year contract.

If you don't want a contract, I would make sure you ask what the no contract price is before switching.

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
yupkos
Newbie

@SinCara wrote:

I dont understand why the rates went so high from custom to a non custom package unless the discounts are specific to custom and go away when changed.

I was using custom for 2 months after downgrading before changing back to extreme and it only went up $25 from $50.

Ever since custom hd came out prices did go up, but how Verizon's coming up with their pricing sure doesn't make much sense.


I did explore my options. One extremely helpful representative helped me find the package that would offer me the best value -- but by the time we were done, my head was about to explode from all the number crunching. But did not realize how some shows are exclusive & must be subscribed to watch on demand. I was signed up as a new customer -- they cancelled my service, arranging for the installation date to occur the very next day. In the morning, everything was up and running. Technican came for the "install" -- he was totally confused on why he needed to come out LOL 

Because I use my own tuner & rent their cable card, the only way I can change channel pack is through submitting a new order - which I fear breaches my contract, and everything else (the account portal is horrendously slow). And I think I may have inadventertenly cancelled out $15 valued customer credit.

This is what's even weirder and something I didn't notice.. the price to change from Custom TV plan to the basic Preferred is $129.99 for first month, THEN it jumps to $144.99 for months 2-24. This is even if I choose "retain current contract" OR "sign up for new 2 year agreement." 

This totally defeats the purpose of being able to cut the cord. Also, the recent EPG changes have made watching TV awful. Audio keeps dropping -- and it actually caused damages to my receiver - which is being sent to the manufacturer for repairs!!! Thankfully that's covered by warranty ...

Most likely we're going to just cancel as I'm within my grace period. I don't want to deal with having to spend another 2 hours on the phone with a rep that will say and promise anything. Xfinity seems to be anything better than FIOS now. 

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
Rickpub
Newbie

Verizon refuses to let me switch to the cheaper custom tv package.  Guess you need to be a new customer to get treated well and it is 'to hell' with long time customers.  I even offered to pay the ETF fee of around 80 bucks... Still no go.  I've currently have the $99.99 triple play plan with TV service that I don't necessarily want or need, and an old Internet speed plan of 25/25, plus a phone.  They did offer me a $15/mo additional discount as a 'valued' customer.  Which would bring my plan down to ~$75 bucks which I may have taken if they also had offered to upgrade my 25/25 internet plan for free.  Guess they would rather lose a customer to Cox rather than retain a customer...  Will be calling Cox Monday and will try dealing with Verizon one more time maybe...  Why do they have to make things so hard, been with them for years now you would think they would value their existing customers a little more...

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

What reason did they give?

Did you try changing online?

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Re: Custom TV Plan: Changing Channel Packs
Av8r75
Newbie

I am extremely upset with Verizon. It seems no one can fix this relatively easy problem, after hours online and hours speaking with various VZ Reps. I would like to change my channel packs for my custom TV package. When I click the link under "Manage TV plan", the red bar that says "CHANGE CHANNEL PACKS"...it redirects me to change my entire plan! BROKEN LINK. ON VERIZON. And no one can seem to help me with this. What do they tell me? They can change it FOR me on the phone. I dont want to have them change it. I would like to review and change the channel packs on my own. Hours on the phone. Hours online with chat. So I go to send an email through the support page. Oh wait, it asks me to slect a category, but when I click on the down arrow to select a category? NOTHING. No options to select. So I cant select a category, therefore the site will not let me send an email. CONVENIENT. Dollars to doughnuts I hear nothing from Verizon about this. BUT I AM IMPORTANT TO THEM right? NOT. When contract expires, see ya Verizon.

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