New HDTV Channels for TWC

[Dean La Grange]

I called TWC yesterday and asked about additional HDTV channels. The TWC rep said that by the end of June, ESPN HD, Discovery HD and HD Net will be available. I asked if they were going to charge an additional cost and he said no, it would be part of the normal package. I know we have heard this in prior posts, but if a few of you would call in, we can see if we get a consistent statement and this is really true.

I am hoping!

Dean

[gb4fan92]

I hope you are right! I've been anxiously awaiting new channels. Especially ESPN-HD

[gparris]

As I move into an apartment in 2 weeks, losing my Directv service and getting stuck with only TWC as an option..... I am only hoping this post is not an "urban legend".

It would figure, the way life goes (and I DO have a life outside HDTV), that the moment you get what you ask for (DIRECTV HD PKG), you have to move (sold house faster than expected).

I only hope the next (new) owners use my triple LNB dish including the 4-leads from the dish to operate the TIVO's and HD choices. I had them up for a year, waiting for DIRECTV to get its act together...now, of course, it has. TOO LATE!

Now all I have to look forward to is the LOCAL HD's, which are great and the SHO and HBO for choices. IF and REALLY IF, TWC gets as nervous about competing with Directv as it has what with is past competing offerings of NBA and Masters, now TIVO vs. DVR, then this could happen soon.  

There are  series and presentations on  HDNET I have gotten used to so I don't want to give them up and I am STILL WAITING for Discovery HD Theater, from last year- to appear-then there are the  lastest in HD offerings like HDNET movies and ESPN HD!

So I do not know WHO you called, as I have called MANY TIMES about this for WEEKS--- knowing I will be moving soon, and have got NO SUCH ANSWER like that!!!:bang: :rolleyes:

[Dean La Grange]

Unfortunately I did not get the persons name. It was a guy. He seemed knowledgeable. I even pressed him a little and said something like "Is this just rumor or have you actually been told this by your managers?" and he said he was told by his managers, but they could not specifically promise a date but they were told by the end of June it would be available. I also asked if HDTV subscribers would be notified of the new channels and he said yes, but I did not ask him how we would be notified.

Dean

[Matt Heebner]

If, and I repeat the word IF,  true, that would definitely be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me with DirecTV. I already have $20 added to my bill for non-programming cost's (4 receivers, 3 at $4.99 mirroring fee's, $5.99 for local channels). Another $11 added to that would be too much as I already am considering dropping HBO to pick up the HD Package through D*.

Going this route with TWC would end up saving me a chunk of money over D*.


Matt

[Bebop]

TW giving free HD channels?  

I don't think they get to broadcast those new channels for free.

[gparris]

Please do not dream of no monthly fees per  room with TWC. First of all, each digital box w/remote (and they do make you take that remote as it is specific to the box) is $6.95 PLUS 5% franchise fee and (in Kenosha) 5.5% sales tax:so the total is $7.69 box/month.  So Directv is cheaper at $5.24/room/month using 5% for Wisc sales tax. Unless you will be able to buy the SA3100 (or whatever) box in the future, there IS a per room charge per digital box rented! I was told by many a CSR that eventually, to completely negate the analog, everyone will need a digital box. This could free up the bandwidth to allow many more digital and HDTV programming options in the future.
Before you start dumping your Directv service for whatever reason - PLEASE read the TWC brochure for ACTUAL pricing-then do the math. :eek:  This in not say TWC is expensive to satellite choices, just different. :p

[Dean La Grange]

Thats true, but the rep said no additional charge. I did not include this in my original post, but I did not name the HD channels. The rep did, so for me it gave it an air of authenticity. We won't truly know until the channels are available. I am going to call again today and see if I get the same answer. I will post my results later today if I have a chance.

Dean

[oz]

I wonder what they consider their "normal" package to be. Although I have the HD box and get the local HD channels, I don't subscribe to digital cable. In fact, I don't even get regular ESPN or the Discovery Channel. I doubt that Imm going to get the HD versions of these for no extra cost.

[randro]

Dean, thanks for the new TWC HDTV information. We know they will be on eventually, let's hope it'll be in June.

[Matt Heebner]

Ignoring any programming for now lets say that TWC charges $8/mo for their HD boxes. To get D* HD channels you have to buy the box ($399 to $999 a piece) and then you have to pay $4.99/mo mirroring fee.  Take an average of 3 rooms with HD and lets take a look at a 5 year commitment.

TWC @ 5 years = $1440

Directv @ 5 years (using a $299 HD box price) = $1797

And thats using a conservative estimate for the STB's. I know that prices will come dramatically down in the next five years for these.

I've had D* for 6 + years now, and I honestly have been happy with them overall. Unfortunately to have my HD and one of the few channels I actually really enjoy (HBO) it's going to cost me over $80/mo ! Anyone else thinks this is just a tad on the expensive side ? I think it is considering how little TV programming I watch. (The wife certainly won't give up her channels !)

Anyways, I am going to wait a while and see how this is going to play out and then make a decision. I guess we'll see......

Matt

[mhz40]

Sorry about being the bearer of bad news, but I have not been able to confirm the rumor.  As far as I know, there are no plans for any June HD launches.
Historically speaking, the HD has always been packaged in with the SD service... subscribe to HBO, get HBO HD... subscribe to to basic off-air package, get the off-air HD's.  By the hisotory of TW packaging, you may be able to come up with what packages ESPN-HD, Dicovery HD etc... may fall.

[Youth Minister]

I subscribe to Basic package only from TWC, and in April I received the Masters coverage only on 505.  There was a channel set up for USA's HD broadcast, as well, but I wasn't receiving that HD signal.  I figured since I didn't subscribe to digital service (including regular USA), I didn't get the HD channel.  So....... I'm betting you have to subscribe to digital cable to get ESPN-HD, Discovery HD, etc.

[gparris]

You must have the basic digital cable package of $39.95 plus the HD box for $6.95 to get the HD pictures on your HDTV. The local HD channels 504-512 are at no extra charge and the special NBA and Masters came in on whatever channel 500+ that was not being used in HD at no extra charge to compete with Directv and Dish's offerings. Remember there is an additional franchise fee and sales tax like with basic cable on these prices.

I have been told by many a CSR that the cable box will be a requirement soon for everyone as the analog channels take up too much bandwidth and they want to go all-digital with more, hopefully, HD offerings. :cool:

So get the HD box and pay the extra bucks for digital. The upfront cost is minimal compared to satellite.

Hope this clears up any other ideas you have about HD cable service and how it is acquired.

[Dean La Grange]

I called again this evening and this time I got a young girl. She said yes new HDTV channels were coming, but she didn't know when or what channels. I asked her to ask her supervisor, she put me on hold for a minute or so and then came back and said her supervisor said ESPN and Discovery were going to be available soon, but she could not provide a date. I am just going to have to wait.

If Tim C from the Journal scans the forums, maybe he has a contact within TWC that can provide more information.

Waiting for more HDTV.

Dean