Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
lrsachs
Enthusiast - Level 3

Here are links to two online petitions to get MSNBC on FiOS.  For those who haven't been following, MSNBC is not available to customers in Cablevision areas b/c Cablevision originally had an exclusivity contract with MSNBC back when it was first broadcast.  That was a looong time ago and it shouldn't be relevant any more.  Put the pressure on so we can get MSNBC wherever FIOS is available and not let your former less-favored cable company dictate what channels you can watch!

I'm not sure how effective these petitions are, but please contact Verizon at your local 914.890.2100. 

  • Additionally you can contact MSNBC at 212.664.4444, ask for MSNBC and they will put you through to their viewer comment line where you can record a message
0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
CharlesH
Specialist - Level 1
This is some good information, however I must make a few comments...Verizon already contacted FCC publicly about this so more pressure on MSNBC would be the best way to go.  Spamming our customer service line wouldnt be the best way to go.
0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
lrsachs
Enthusiast - Level 3

Charles,

Agreed.  I guess the only thing I would suggest then is, whenever you're on the phone with a Verizon rep for anything (tech support, billing, etc.) when they ask you, "Is there anything else I can help you with?" can't hurt to put in a plug and just say, "By the way, we'd love to have MSNBC!"  I didn't mean everyone should go ahead and hammer the customer service line.  

BTW, I was not aware that VZ had solicited the FCC publicly.  Do you have a link or press release regarding that?  Would help to see that.  

Thanks!

0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
Tested
Enthusiast - Level 3

I'm not sure you understand: Verizon agrees with you.  They would love to have MSNBC available in all their areas.  Commenting or complaining to Verizon customer service won't help.  Commenting or complaining to Cablevision and MSNBC might help.  Point your frustration away from Verizon and toward those two companies.

0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
skottey
Enthusiast - Level 2

I'm not going to get political here but I will say that I don't like MSNBC. Having that said, everybody deserves their favorite channels in HD.

But there are MANY HD channels available that we still don't get. I feel that since MSNBC is newly going to HD, it should go to the bottom of the add-me list. 

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for AMC HD. It doesn't really matter now until winter but I would really like AMC HD before Breaking Bad Season 3 begins. I have FIOS and DirecTV and neither carries AMC HD, but the local cable company added it amongst their new HD channels. This isn't make or break for me. I am with FIOS for all the premiums in HD that nobody else has. But they should look at existing HD channels we are missing before adding MSNBC HD. 

G4 HD

We HD

Fuse HD

IFC HD

CRIME AND INVESTIGATION HD (coming soon to Verizon since Nov 2008)

Sundance HD

There are others. I mainly care about AMC HD but G4, Crime and Investigation, IFC, and Sundance would be nice adds. MSNBC should wait. 

0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
MisterBill
Enthusiast - Level 3

Can someone explain exactly what the history is here? Does Cablevision have some sort of exclusivity deal with MSNBC? I know that they (CV) refuse (or are unable) to carry FOX Business, presumably it is also part of this mess.

And it does appear that MSNBC is on *some* FiOS systems, since it is listed in the paper channel guide. Which are those and how did they manage to get it?

0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
skottey
Enthusiast - Level 2

@MisterBill wrote:

Can someone explain exactly what the history is here? Does Cablevision have some sort of exclusivity deal with MSNBC? I know that they (CV) refuse (or are unable) to carry FOX Business, presumably it is also part of this mess.

And it does appear that MSNBC is on *some* FiOS systems, since it is listed in the paper channel guide. Which are those and how did they manage to get it?


Cablevision had an exclusive to carry MSNBC in some or all of their markets so other providers such as FIOS couldn't (or still can't) carry MSNBC. But we have it in non-Cablevision markets. I am in the Florida Gulf Coast market and have MSNBC here on FIOS. 

As far as Fox Business, are you sure Cablevision can't carry it? Or they WON'T carry it? There is a big difference. Fox Business, while I enjoy it and get it in HD on both FIOS and DirecTV, is farily new and has low ratings so if a system has limited space to add new HD channels, they are not putting Fox Business Network HD as a priority. They are adding more popular channels first. 

0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
TR-Tim
Enthusiast - Level 3

Not that I really care, as I never really watched MSNBC when we did have it, so I haven't missed it, but I noticed as of last night (at least that's when I first noticed it ) we have MSNBC available here in Toms River, NJ, where we hadn't had it before.

Our area is NOT served by Cablevision but we still didn't have it, I believe because the channel line up where we are covers areas served by both CV and Comcast.  Never saw any notices about it, but it is there, at least on our digital adapter sets (will need to check the real STB set later).

0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
lrsachs
Enthusiast - Level 3

Since I started this topic, I'm going to try to answer all the other posts:

Re Skottey: getting other channels like AMC HD, etc.  Start a topic for any channel and then gather your troops around that.  Respect your not getting political and understand the frustration getting the channels you want.  I was in another discussion around MSNBC and someone else jumped on and launched into a whole tirade against MSNBC and red states/blue states ... don't get me started. 

Re TR-Tim: Did you say you receive MSNBC on sets that have a digital adapter, i.e. TVs using the new converter boxes and the digital signal, meaning not through cable & the STB, but through that adapater?  That would be a great workaround if true.  

Re Tested: I wasn't saying to jam up the lines at VZ with complaints or comments, but as customers, if we are talking to a rep we are free to inquire, comment about any other matter and reps should be aware of common issues that occur frequently.  Even if a tech rep hears about billing complaints or vice versa, it's useful feedback.  There may be many reps that never heard a word about the MSNBC issue.  If the customer is brief and respectful and the rep is receptive no harm should be done.  Let's face it, both the customer and rep usually want to complete the call in short order without idle chatter.

0 Likes
Re: Petitions to get MSNBC on FIOS!!
TR-Tim
Enthusiast - Level 3
We never had MSNBC from day one of my FIOS install in December '08.  I just happened to notice last night that I got it on a set that has the digital adapter rather than a full set top box.  I never had it before.  I checked on the other set with a digidaptor and got the same, I simply didn't have access to the other set which has the HD set top box (someone was asleep in the room, didn't wish to disturb them).  I can't imagine why it wouldn't be on that too, but sometimes the more "sophisticated" equipment needs to get signals from on high to get new channels.
0 Likes