Comments on: Concerns over Comcast TV

By: SMC

SMC — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:57:12 +0000

What people need to know is that Comcast’s eventual plans are to move everything to encrypted digital cable. In other words, we’ll all be required to rent boxes to get programming beyond local channels. In my area, Comcast has already started to add and switch to encrypted digital channels on the “basic” cable service (so most everyone is paying for them without being able to receive them, since most everyone who gets Expanded Basic does not have a converter box). So, despite the fact that most TVs sold today have QAM tuners which could receive digital cable channels, Comcast’s plan is to encrypt everything and require box rental.

By: Flamingo

Flamingo — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:47:09 +0000

Yes, MSNBC, CSPAN2 and the TV Guide channels are all gone from Comcast in the Denver suburbs, at least. I was really suspicious and am glad to have found this site so I know it wasn’t just me! I keep paying more and more for less and less. This is slightyly off the subject of MSNBC (I miss you, Keith!!) but Comcast also recently sent Jewelry Television to digital with no warning or explanation. That was my personal last straw. I emailed them to voice my outrage. I have a feeling a lot of others did the same thing because, shortly after the crime, the replacement Jewelry Channel ran a continuous crawl for days and days telling us where JTV went. And then, JTV suddenly reappeared on extended basic on a couple of obscure channels that only creative surfing could have found. I think they were inundated with complaints and actually listened. A woman scorned. . . .

By: carl cirillo

carl cirillo — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:03:34 +0000

Go to http://www.dolphingroup.info to see what they are doing in Illinois. Add your name and
E-mail address to those fighting Comcast, who is trying to justify moving cspan-2 to a digital group (called: entertainment group??!!) by Comcast, but not requested by Cspan-2. Join us in this effort, $14.99/month is a penalty not a fee for service. Thanks for your help.

ccarl76@Yahoo.com

By: mhregor

mhregor — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:45:14 +0000

And the fit hit the shan here in Portland(OR)/Vancouver(WA) market for some Comcast subscribers on 10/30/07 — but didn’t get to us until sometime after Countdown’s 5pm run on 11/01/07 (last night)…. My calls to Comcast this morning finally yielded the story/excuse/lie that MSNBC (and Hallmark and one other channel) is corporatly OK with the change, wanting to get ahead of the all-switch-to-digital coming up in 02/09…. But, after reading your comments from around the country, I’m back to compiracy theory big time…. Heck, FOX is killer ubiquitous in the the dinkiest towns/motels everywhere in the USofA — but even CNN and HNN and MSNB are missing…. Does MSNBC have a comment someplace that I might have missed?… Thanks.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 20:49:20 +0000

Wow! If you take the time to actually read the ratings you can see what a horrible job MSNBC is doing. I’m surprised they actually remain on the air. Is it possible that despite your political conspiracy theories the real reason behind this move by Comcast is driven simply by the dollar?

By: mike regan

mike regan — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:39:54 +0000

I’m in Portland, Oregon, as well. Having not read my mailer a few weeks back (as I never do), I didn’t know that when I raced home tonight to watch the Democratic debate on MSNBC, my usual Channel 47 MSNBC station would be gone, with a scrolled message that I’d have to pay $1 for a digital conversion box if I wanted it back. Now I’m buying the technological argument, and I assume capitalism always trumps politics….but come on guys…..on the night of the advertised Clinton-Obama face-off you leave me empty and wanting. No conversion from this guy. You are already ripping me off. By Keith. I’m going to miss you.

By: MF

MF — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:58:26 +0000

Comcast in Porltand, Oregon just switched MCNBC from cable 47 to digital 128. I called about it and they said they did so becuase it was one of the lesser viewed news channels, which seems contrary to other rationals that others have been provided.
A switchis in order and they have threatened me with a fee for breaking my contract with them..can they do that if they in essence broke their contract by removing MSNBC from standard cable?

By: Chip

Chip — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:00:25 +0000

No conspiracy here, folks, but rather these decisions always come down to ratings/revenue.

Q: I received a notice from Comcast in the mail today that if I want to continue receiving MSNBC, EWTN, Court TV, C-SPAN2 and Hallmark Channel, currently included in standard cable, that I’ll have to get the digital starter tier which requires a box. They presented this as “a wonderful opportunity” and will give it to me for free for 12 months, no charge, on one television or $1.99 per month on other TVs. After 12 months it will cost $3.99 per box. There’s no mention of cost for the digital starter tier.

When I called Comcast to complain, they told me it was because MSNBC raised its rates. Is this discrimination against liberals so we can’t see Keith Olbermann?

– Julie, Edgewood

Rob: Hmmm, I haven’t gotten that notice myself. Then again, Comcast hasn’t sent me an updated channel lineup in years, so I’m not too surprised.

As for the conspiracy theory aspect, no, this is not discrimination against liberals. If it were, EWTN, a Catholic station, and Hallmark, a comfy, conservative-friendly family channel, would not also be getting moved. When it comes to decisions like this, it’s all about money.

A Comcast spokeswoman said the reason for the change is because of the “high demand by customers for HD programming. It is necessary to move some existing channels to create space for the new HD channels.”

I’m not sure why some customers who subscribe to less expensive cable packages have to be punished to satisfy HD customers who routinely pay more, but there you have it.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07285/824693-238.stm

By: Web 2.0 Announcer

Web 2.0 Announcer — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:23:48 +0000

Comcast accused of trying to kill MSNBC / Olbermann…

[...][...]…

By: Mike Wauge

Mike Wauge — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 22:24:06 +0000

I live in Salem, Oregon and have just received the word of what Comast is doing with MSNBC. I currently spend over $150. a month on their bundled services (tv, internet, and phone). I’m really fed up with their prices and now with their politics. Anyone have good ideas for internet and tv replacement (think I’ll just cancel phone service in favor of cell). I sent the following message to Comcast but haven’t received a response:

I see that Comcast is moving MSNBC to a more obscure location making it
unavailable to extended basic customers Why are you doing this? I hope
not for political purposes. Rupert Murdock hasn’t purchased Comcast, I hope.

If you are going to remove MSNBC from extended basic, I request that you also
move FOX.

I should let Keith Obermann know what you’re up to so h e can hopefully include
you on one of his world’s worst/best persons of the world segments.

My mother, who is nearly blind and 93 years old watches Keith Obermann every
weekday. She isn’t very happy with the
cost of extended basic and now you are taking one of her favorite channels away.

I, too will probably finally make the break from Comcast. I’m currently
spending over $150. a month for bundled services. This really upsets me, in
case you didn’t notice.