Let's count the NFL misses on TWC ESPNHD

[syrett4]

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I have requested, and requested, and requested, and requested, and requested, and requested, and requested more HD channels from TWC.  My jump would not be because I have a "Football Jones"  I am perfectly fine watching my Lions about 5-6 times a year and the Pack each week (minus the bye week) Sunday and Monday Night Football.

I have no interest in watching all of the other games on the NFL package.  

My move to Direct TV will be a direct result of TWC lack of responsiveness to its HD customers.  Not just because of ESPN HD, even though I have missed a baseball game each week and the College World Series in HD, but because we are the only TWC market (except for NY, NY) without Discovery HD, them having no plans to add HDNet.  TWC claims to be on the leading edge of  HD, but the facts are that they are on the tail end.

THIS IS NOT A KNEE JERK REACTION.

Football season is just my line in the sand 9/7/2003

[syrett4]

Also in an eariler posting Kenshin wrote:

I would suggest that the same people who are raising their blood pressure because of a lack of a HD channel to watch football on, to go to satellite and get your NFL jones fixed.

This statement is part of the problem!!!!  A complete lack of any value to the customer by TWC.

What TWC and their employees should be saying is:

I talked to my boss about it and he called someone he knows in programming, and they are very aware of their lack of HD programming.  Please don't jump to Direct TV just yet, I have directed other employees to this forum so they can see the anger that is out there.  I am just one employee, but I am doing my part.  Hang in there guys, it will come.

[mhz40]

Originally posted by syrett4
[clip]Also in an eariler posting Kenshin wrote:

I would suggest that the same people who are raising their blood pressure because of a lack of a HD channel to watch football on, to go to satellite and get your NFL jones fixed.

This statement is part of the problem!!!!  A complete lack of any value to the customer by TWC. [/clip]

In a way, I see your point.  On the other hand, it's a simple and unfortunately sad statement of the facts right now.  I reiterate:  TW never even mentioned ESPN-HD on the HD roadmap released a month or two ago.  Only Fox Sports, Discovery and iNDemand (if memory serves...).  IMO, this issue with the non-launch of ESPN is completely out of left field.  If you need it /want it in the short term, move to satellite.  But I have a feeling you will be back...

Relative to the 'complete lack of any value to the customer by TWC...'  I can only point to the fact that TW still does not charge extra for either the HD set top nor overhead on receiving HD programming---so IMO, they are fostering HD growth and your claims are bogus, but understood under the immedate circumstances.

The fact is; we are talking to other employees about HD product (and/or lack thereof), so what we say or don't say within the confines of a paragraph or two here on the forum is not a good indication of our efforts.  On the other hand, we all don't have a whole lot of time to just sit around and lobby either...

MHz

[gparris]

I just called into my TWC service advisor that said she had been there awhile and didn't even KNOW what Discovery HD Theater was! Talk about training!  Kenshin: What training?:confused:

Then there is the matter of telling us TWC users to get satellite:
WRONG ANSWER!  It is better to RETAIN the customer, not irritate them-the basic rule of any business....

If a customer goes out and spends $$$ for a HD receiver and possibly, a dish if they aren't even a sat customer, what do you think they will do? Throw the thing out or sell it for a Fraction of what the paid for it once TWC realizes the error of its ways?
Once you lose a customer, business sense tells you that it is very DIFFICULT to win them back.  Especially if they shell out a significant investment like an HD receiver to get what they thought they were getting all along-competition with  satellite, meaning, HD channels like Discovery, HDNET, ESPN-HD, etc..:p

[Kenshin]

To address the matter of TWC telling you to go to satellite, I ask you this: What do we want to say to you that you want to hear? You clearly don't want to hear be patient. You clearly want ESPN-HD now, we clearly didn't have a plan to implement it and we don't at the moment either. So are we supposed to lie to you and say we have a plan? I would rather tell you the truth. Am I forcing you to go out and spend a lot of money on satellite? No. I am offering you an option that would solve your immediate need to have ESPN-HD that we can't provide for you at this time.

I agree with Mhz in that you can go and get satellite if you really really want it now, but you'll be back. Why? Because TWC offers all of our HD content (with the exception of HBO and Showtime, you have to purchase HBO/SHO to get the HD versions of those channels) and the hardware needed at no cost to the customer. Satellite isn't doing that anymore. They are migrating their content into a pay service.

So with that let's hear some more TWC bashing.

[Gregg Lengling]

Kenshin,  
 You need to go back and read some of the posts regarding the cost of satellite vs. cable.  One of our members did a very good cost analysis of the difference..with amoritization of equipment....pay now pay later.   And believe it or not even with the charges for the HD package (HDNET, DISCH Ect.), satellite is still cheaper than cable.

And the only free HD on cable is basically the locals from what I can tell......and the box is only free if you are a digital cable subscriber which ups the cost.

I am not biased one way or the other, it is up to each person to choose his own way to receive HD content.....but the final decision lies with the consumer and their relationship with the vendor the choose and right now.....I'd have to lean towards satellite as they are providing better content and most good sat boxes have an ATSC over the air receiver built in to get the locals for free.


Just my .02 worth.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by Kenshin
Because TWC offers all of our HD content (with the exception of HBO and Showtime, you have to purchase HBO/SHO to get the HD versions of those channels) and the hardware needed at no cost to the customer. Satellite isn't doing that anymore. They are migrating their content into a pay service.

So with that let's hear some more TWC bashing.

Isn't the only HD content that TWC offers besides HBO-HD and Showtime-HD the local digital stations that anyone with an antenna can get for free?  Well except Fox 6-DT, but they aren't HD anyway.

DirecTV used to offer only HD-Net for free as far as I know.  Since they added a few more channels it became a paying package.  Dish Network never offered free Discovery HD that I know of.

Are you honestly implying that TWC (if/when they offer some real HD channels) will provide them for free?  As part of what tier?  

Starving

[Kenshin]

Yes, but DiscoveryHD, which should be out sooner than you think, would be included with your HD lineup at no charge. When In-Demand starts to offer their titles in HD, there isn't a price difference. If and when TWC decides to offer ESPN-HD it would most likely follow the same path. Traditionally, if you have the regular version of a channel in your current package and we offer the HD version of it, you get it at no charge.

As far as the quality of the local channels in HDTV, that is something you should bring up with the local channels themselves. If someone like Fox 6 wants to just skate by and cheap out to comply with the FCC, it is their choice. Does it suck? yeah because people who expect HD quality but get crap get frustrated and feel they wasted their money on a TV for a handful of channels.

Bottom line, my advice is this: patience is a virtue that Americans as a whole know little about. I admit when I want something bad enough I'll pay through the nose just to get it. That's capitalism. Will TWC lose money for not offering as many channels? Probably. Will it be gained back in the long run, probably. What can you do to get more HD channels on your lineup? Talk to you "connections" in TWC. If they have that hookup that I don't have, have them put pressure on the powers that be. I'd love to have more HD channels as well!


As a side note, I want to say that I am very proud of this place, not once was I personally attacked for my opinions .

[gparris]

Quote:
And the only free HD on cable is basically the locals from what I can tell......and the box is only free if you are a digital cable subscriber which ups the cost.

No free box-you pay $6.95 per month with required remote plus tax and franchise fees to even get digital or HD-anything on top of your cable fees. And if you think you can go and buy one like you do for satellite boxes and "shop around"- think again.

After some time, the ---- box rental fees add up and you could have bought one, complete with an extended warranty and STILL be ahead.

[mhz40]

Originally posted by gparris
Quote:
And the only free HD on cable is basically the locals from what I can tell......and the box is only free if you are a digital cable subscriber which ups the cost.

No free box-you pay $6.95 per month with required remote plus tax and franchise fees to even get digital or HD-anything on top of your cable fees. And if you think you can go and buy one like you do for satellite boxes and "shop around"- think again.

After some time, the ---- box rental fees add up and you could have bought one, complete with an extended warranty and STILL be ahead.

Way off topic again, but since we hit another fork in the road...

I'm not into satellite hardware, but the web price at Best Buy for the Samsung SIR-TS160 is $600.  It's the only reciever specifically mentioned as HD capable.  So, yes you could pay off that unit in a little over 7 years at $6.95/month---if you got an interest free loan.  You also couldn't simply swap it out after your kid uses it as a piggy bank, or dumped his sipper cup on top of it in 2years (unless you were stupid enough[/] to buy an extended warranty, which is way off topic here).

I don't know for certain, but I would think TW set tops are somewhat cheaper---but even if they are $300, that's still a 3+ year payback.

Getting back on-topic:
Your comments have been relayed to several TW managers...

MHz

[The Law]

It's all a conspiracy on TW's part.  Kenshin is actually an amalgamation of CEOs from TWC that is trying to keep us all on the couch rivetted to the idiot box (granted, a 65" big f*in box).

You know, I bet he/they know the HD implementation schedule from now until 2010 and we're not being told so we can sit on forums and fight about it or munch doritos with our eyes fixed on the channel guide waiting for a new channel to pop up.

Kenshin, thanks for your input on these forums.  WIth the next guy, I'd love to see ESPN-HD (even more so - Fox Sports Soccer!) and I appreciate you letting us know it is not going to happen for a while.

as for the rest of ya...I quote a famous drunk and poor driver:

"Why can't we all just get along"

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by Kenshin
Yes, but DiscoveryHD, which should be out sooner than you think, would be included with your HD lineup at no charge. When In-Demand starts to offer their titles in HD, there isn't a price difference. If and when TWC decides to offer ESPN-HD it would most likely follow the same path. Traditionally, if you have the regular version of a channel in your current package and we offer the HD version of it, you get it at no charge.

As a side note, I want to say that I am very proud of this place, not once was I personally attacked for my opinions .

Which HD lineup is the one that DiscoveryHD will be included with?  You mean the local digital channels or a larger package?

I'll keep my attacks focused on AOL/TW  

Starving

[Kenshin]

Not that this is totally official or anything, but going on past info, if you have the discovery digital channels (which is in the Digital Value Package) you would be able to get the Discover HD included.

I want to thank The Law for making me feel big today. It's kinda nice to be "the man". I look forward to keeping the HD people down from this day forth. :hug:  <- That's us huddling to decide how to best screw the customer btw.

Have a good weekend y'all.

[mhz40]

I have to second what Kenshin mentioned.  I do appreciate the quality of discussion here.  Kudo's to all for continuing to keep things from getting personal.

I will admit, I can understand the frustration of some regarding HD carriage and I'd like to see more content as well.  For now however I am content, but will be expecting more as fall approaches.

Unfortunately for the few TW employees on this forum, your requests are akin to a moviegoer telling the ticket guy he wants to see 2001 Space Odyssey re-released.  Some issues are simply our of our direct control or influence.  We nor anyone else knows for sure what the deal with Discovery HD will be in terms of packaging (or lack thereof), so we all will have to wait and see.

With respect to the customer service comment made earlier of not knowing what Discovery HD was, I am not surprised nor shocked.  The reps have to know everything about the services we DO carry, DVD, VOD, subscription VOD, Roadrunner, pricing structures, packages, promotions and more.  IMO, I think they have demonstrated significant improvement over the last 10-12 months and continue to get better as a group.  Expecting them to know services not carried on the system seems like a stretch to me.

:hug: <-- is not a conspiracy committee, its my buddies planning a scheme to come over and watch Monday Night Football in HD.

Have a good weekend all!


MHz

[digdugm]

The whole problem with cable (and even satallite to some extent) is the whole bandwidth issue. I don't know, but when record a program with my pci card, it's a transport steam (no encoding) and it records at about 8.5 to 9.0 GIGABITES PER hour, thats alota damn bandwidth (excuse my french). Are people going to live with fewer channels for 90% of viewers for the added HD channels, and who's watching them?
They either need to encode the transmision (degradation?) or make room some other way. And with the speed that cable co.s move, your better off going with off-air for locals and satallite for bandwidth (just starting on the third satallite for Directv).


p.s. (totally off topic) Whats up with advertitising a dvr like its some new super machine, its been available for many years!!
I know cable's quicker, but I can live with DSL, just so I never have too give them another red cent. And quit sending the junk mail and the door to door people that know thier annoying.
Well, thats enough rant.
for now..:bang:


and none of its worth  a s*** if you can't time shift