TWC "free HD Channels"??

[Greg Oman]

Maybe this is old news to some of you, but this morning I saw a TWC/FOX-6 ad reminding us to watch the Kansas City game this Sunday at noon on TW 506 for high def.  Then it lead right into a comment that peaked my interest, they said that TWC offers 11 free HD channels...... presumably they're referring to locals that they pass along.

So, I was just curious if anyone built up a list of the "free" channels.  And can they really be free since you need to get a HD box to get them (and I think that costs a little more than a standard box).

I'm pretty sure we also pay for the HD package too, so I'll be anxious to look tonight to see how this all maps out.

Curious if anyone else caught this ad too.

Greg O.

[kevbeck122]

I saw the ad that said they are "free".  They're probably trying to say that they don't charge the same $10-$15 that other providers are charging.  The HD package consists of Mojo, HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD... the rest of the HDs are included with the lowest digital package and up.

[HDefinicktion]

I did not see the ad yet.  I have basic cable passed through just because I pay for Road Runner.  On my QAM tuner enabled sets, I am able to get all the locals free without a tuner box.  So, I guess that customers could get locals for free with just basic cable.  I keep a list of QAM channels at home, but TWC seems to change their channels all the time.  I do have friends that have HD boxes from TWC cable that do not pay for the HD package and get the locals for free.

[jjallou]

I'm willing to bet if you called TWC you'd get nothing for "free". :rolleyes:

[gparris]

Speaking of "free" and "new HD channels":
- TWC just sent me the 2008 pricing guide with the "NEW HD CHANNELS":
1) ESPN2HD
2) TBSHD
....Wait a minute here!:eek:

-ESPN2HD came out MONTHS ago! Not "new" at all...just a deception.
-TBSHD is something almost every provider got for the baseball games, so it's not really a big deal!

If you think that's bad news, note this:

In the pricing notice, there were NO new HD channels (as in "coming soon") listed anywhere.
For me, I only got a $3 increase in my "Digital Standard" service (no longer called "DigiPic")
and the DVR fee (service-only) is going from $7.95/month to $8.50/month per box charge ,
which does NOT include the actual cable box charge of (still) $7.95/month with the remote control.

So I got a 3.3% Rate increase (for my upcoming 2008 bill), but I do not get any more HD channels
-as many other TWC locations get for approx. the same pricing.:mad:

If anyone is still "on the fence" with a decision for going to satellite from cable (or  to U-Verse) next year (or now),
they should consider doing some switching, if that is what they want to do upon reviewing this pricing notice/ad brochure now available.

For me, this whole brochure is just ridiculous!:rolleyes:

[vegasvic]

Incredible.

[RLJSlick]

Hmmm, I haven't seen that yet, that would put me over the fence, in the next yard, and down the street!

Speaking of "free" and "new HD channels", TWC just sent me the 2008 pricing guide with the "NEW HD CHANNELS":
ESPN2HD
TBSHD
Wait a minute here!:eek:

-ESPN2HD came out MONTHS ago! Not "new" at all...just a deception.
-TBSHD is something almost every provider got for the baseball games, so not really a big deal!

If you think that's bad news, think again:

NO new HD channels (as in "coming soon") were listed, only a $3 increase in my "Digital Standard" service (no longer called "DigiPic) PLUS the DVR service going from $7.95/month to $8.50/month per box charge which does NOT include the actual box charge of (still) $7.95/month with remote.

SO....I got a 3.3% Rate increase (for my 2008 bill), but do not get any more HD channels (as many other TWC locations get for approx. the same pricing).:mad:

Anyone on the "fence" with sat or cable (or U-Verse) next year should consider doing some switching, if that is what they want to do...this is ridiculous!:rolleyes:

[gparris]

So we TWC subs are getting a pricing increase for what?
Greg Oman:
In this new brochure:
- TWC is advertising that they have 13 free HD channels with the Digital Packages, not the 11 so-advertised:
This could be because TWC really DOESN'T know WHAT they actually offer here and it shows.
FYI, they still include that FoxSportsNews HD as a HD channel listed as FSNHD, though it's almost-never on (<1% of the time).

So we as HD subs get nothing more from TWC for these price increases, except for more excuses and deceptions from TWC:

This time, these were actually printed on the pricing folder!:eek:
They really have some nerve, don't they?

[RLJSlick]

Did this come in the mail? I haven't seen it yet?

[gparris]

Yes, it came in the mail with a note attached.
-It is a blue folder,  mini-brochure titled:
"Important Pricing & Programming Information 2008", dated December 2007.

You will either get one or you won't, but you can request one if you are missed somehow.

I just find it odd that since really nothing was added to justify these price increases, IMO, the oddball insertion to the folder showing the "New HD Channels", one of which is not new at all -  it is just like rubbing salt in an open wound.

Another irritating example:
In the new pricing, TWC added $1 to the Starz premium add-on, but TWC here doesn't offer it in HD like most of the other TWC locations get
- much less Directv's multiple-HD channel pack for Starz, if you wish to subscribe.

See the TWC locations for Texas or the Carolinas, or even New York and you will see much more "new" for HD channels at about the same pricing levels.

[RLJSlick]

Yeah they are making the decision to move to Direct TV much easier for me.

Yes, it came in the mail with a note attached.
-It is a blue folder,  mini-brochure titled:
"Important Pricing & Programming Information 2008", dated December 2007.

You will either get one or you won't, but you can request one if you are missed somehow.

I just find it odd that since really nothing was added to justify these price increases, IMO, the oddball insertion to the folder showing the "New HD Channels", one of which is not new at all -  it is just like rubbing salt in an open wound.

Another irritating example:
In the new pricing, TWC added $1 to the Starz premium add-on, but TWC here doesn't offer it in HD like most of the other TWC locations get
- much less Directv's multiple-HD channel pack for Starz, if you wish to subscribe.

See the TWC locations for Texas or the Carolinas, or even New York and you will see much more "new" for HD channels at about the same pricing levels.

[gparris]

It's anyone's choice to "accept defeat" and stay with TWC, hoping that at very least, we will get the newer HD channels (see my signature) sometime soon.
This price increase would make it more worthwhile to keep them with those 2008 price increases.
Some posters at avsforums say they got 2 HD DVRs and even a third, HD standard box from Directv, free for the asking with a two year contract:
It's anyone's guess if they are telling the truth (maybe they should work for TWC).

So your own "mileage" with DirectvHD will vary with any "deal" you get from them.
Now, I would suggest that you make sure you get the Directv boxes that add OTA to your guides for viewing and recordings, the HR20 and HR20,
because Milwaukeeland DirectvHD offers no CBSHD/CWHD (like other cities get) when you do your "bidding" with those Directv CSRs.

Honestly, I really think that call Gregg got in early October for that "10+ HD channels coming in October"
-was from a TWC telemarketer from some other state, probably a TWC area that did get it by now or is soon, for those new HD channels:
It definitely wasn't a call about TWC Wisconsin...sad.

[Robert Sabinash]

Just to add my 2 cents. and an interesting development.
I lowered my commitment to from a Digital tier to the standard level TWC subscriber when I purchased my HD TV  because I found that I receive the Local HD channels through a direct connection from wall to TV.   I did not need to spend an extra $10 an HD converter to receive local HD content except channel 10's.  I think I am only missing espn hd, tbs hd and perhaps tnt hd, not worth the extra 10 bucks for the converter (IMO).

Yesterday, I started getting Channel 10's digital and HD channels  10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5 and 36-1.  Those were the only ones missing from the local landscape as far as I could tell.

Small victory.

[gparris]

You are missing some HD channels you get included or "free" (TWC's lingo) with Digital Basic service and the standard HD box, that's true.
ESPNHD and ESPN2HD are important to many, along with Discovery's HD Theater, an excellent HD channel for many.

TBSHD and TNTHD are clearer in picture than their awful analogue channels, but for the most part, uncomfortably stretched (for some), so not as big of a deal missed.
TNTHD offers some great original programming, but has way too many commercials, IMO.

If you are the type of subscriber that likes recording your HD (or want to use their DVR)
- then TWC's 8300HD could be of use, but its a personal choice thing for everybody.

For me, if it was that easy to just get very limited service for HD locals, I would still want to record them somehow, but that's me.
For example, if the HR20 from Directv offered an input for the TWC HD locals via QAM to record vs. adding an antenna, that would work for many.