Coming in November (maybe), what TWC could add (if it wants to)

[Tom Snyder]

Just got an email from someone who didn't want to post in the forums, but gave me this information:

I received an e-mail from TWC in response to my question as to why we have less HD channels than other parts of the country. Aside from all the typical responses that I expected, she did say that they are pleased to announce that as of November 14th they are adding HGTV HD on channel 537 and A & E HD on channel 542. Please let your viewing audience aware .

[gparris]

Yes, Mikey in a previous post was told that, too.
FoodHD normally gets added along with HistoryHD and Versus/GolfHD in most TWC systems, its never one (or more) without the other.
In Hawaii, TWC Oceanic added over a dozen HD channels this month, alone.

[Tom Snyder]

Mikey in a previous post was told that, too.

But it appears that this time they're committing to a day, not just a month...

[Jack 1000]

TWC Milwaukee is adding two more HD channels in November according to their TWC-Milwaukee website:

"Effective November, 1, 2007 Home & Garden TV in HD, channel 537 and A&E HD, channel 542 will be added to the Time Warner Cable High Definition lineup."

Not much, but for HD subscribers, it's better than nothing.

Jack

[Jack 1000]

Just got an email from someone who didn't want to post in the forums, but gave me this information:

Tom,

For the TWC Milwaukee division, according to their website, they have it listed as November 1st:

"Effective November, 1, 2007 Home & Garden TV in HD, channel 537 and A&E HD, channel 542 will be added to the Time Warner Cable High Definiton lineup."

So maybe the dates vary by division?

Jack

[gparris]

What Tom is trying to say is that TWC is finally (attempting) to give us dates on HD channel additions, something they don't normally do by their own (usual) practice.
Other "divisions" would mean those external to Wisconsin.
Both the NE and SE Wisconsin sections are combined as one (division), we just refer to the larger population of (HDTV) subs as Milwaukee.
The dates are off and haven't changed on the site (yet), but these will as more information is forthcoming.
As for the channels, I think (assumption) that there will be more than those two, since the other divisions in NY, TX, SC, NC and HI, have done so.
It will be a wait-and-see as to what really happens on the 14th (or whenever).
I sincerely hope that by the end of the year, we get those "10+ HD channels in October" before January.

[gb4fan92]

I sincerely hope that by the end of the year, we get those "10+ HD channels in October" before January.

Only 10??  Now what was that DirectTV phone number again??

[RLJSlick]

They need to move forward with something soon, because TWC name has really been dragged in the mud by the media lately. This got to be a PR nightmare for them, especially with the Dish Boys on their doorstep.

[gparris]

Honestly folks, TWC had time to upgrade its systems and sign contracts all along while Directv had some delays launching its D10 satellite that gave all those HD channels thier HD subscribers got recently.

The few HD channels TWC is actually launching NOW (those 10+ national channels)
-are what TWC Wisconsin HD subs could actually get if we are "lucky enough".
We aren't even asking for (maybe dreaming) for what DirectvHD offers (yet).

-So why is this concept so hard to understand from TWC Wisconsin's perspective?:confused:

[RLJSlick]

That is exactly why TWC lost 83,000 costumers in 3 months! They are out of date and out of time. Then you throw in the fact that Madison just passed that new cable bill, I think they know that times are changing and they may have to change or get out also of the business.
83,000 OUCH, that's like a whole small town like Racine or Kenosha canceling. Oh man!!!

Honestly folks, TWC had time to upgrade its systems and sign contracts all along while Directv had some delays launching its D10 satellite that gave all those HD channels thier HD subscribers got recently.

The few HD channels TWC is actually launching NOW (those 10+ national channels)
-are what TWC Wisconsin HD subs could actually get if we are "lucky enough".
We aren't even asking for (maybe dreaming) for what DirectvHD offers (yet).

-So why is this concept so hard to understand from TWC Wisconsin's perspective?:confused:

[gparris]

TW Cable has millions of subscribers, so 83,000 is a small portion to them.
But... it is enough to cause some worry (admitted to or not) when compounded with those other previous losses.

Once a cable customer (or any customer, for that matter) is lost, it is very difficult to get them back
(read: expensive).
So maybe TWC may have lost this perspective.

Time Warner is an excellent company, IMO and consists basically in two parts:
1) Time, the publishing part is a fine example of great periodicals and such.
2) Warner, as in Warner Bros.,  is a great media company for movies, DVD distribution and TV shows, among other business ventures.
Combined, this company is force that rivals its competitors.

Time Warner Cable is the "ugly stepchild", IMO, that needs to be "fixed" or sold.

[kjnorman]

Yep.  Here's our lineup:
169  NFL Network HD
173  ESPN HD  High-Definition TV  
174  MOJO  High-Definition TV  
179  HGTV HD  High-Definition TV  
181  Food Network HD  High-Definition TV  
184  WPWR-DT (MNT)  High-Definition TV  
185  Showtime HD  High-Definition TV  
186  HBO HD  High-Definition TV  
187  WLS-DT (ABC)  High-Definition TV  
188  WMAQ-DT (NBC)  High-Definition TV  
189  WBBM-DT (CBS)  High-Definition TV  
190  WFLD-DT (FOX)  High-Definition TV  
191  WTTW-DT (PBS)  High-Definition TV  
192  WGN-DT  High-Definition TV  
195  Cinemax HD  High-Definition TV  
196  Starz HD  High-Definition TV  
199  Versus/Golf HD  High-Definition TV  
200  Comcast SportsNet HDTV  High-Definition TV  
203  ESPN2 HD  High-Definition TV  
204  TNT in HD  High-Definition TV  
205  Discovery HD Theater  High-Definition TV  
206  National Geographic HD  High-Definition TV  
207  Universal HD  High-Definition TV  
208  A&E HD  High-Definition TV  
209  MHD  Music  
219  TBS HD  High-Definition TV  

We just got NHL network added, waiting to see if they will add NHL HD.  They show the NBA HD games on MOJO, 1st one scheduled for tomorrow night.

Rumor is 11/29 we will get History HD.  Hopefully CNN HD, USA HD & SCI-FI HD are included.

Not wanting to be left out, in the Chicagoland area WOW! Cable also offer the following HD Channels:

200 - ABCHD    
201 - CBSHD    
202 - FOXHD    
203 - NBCHD    
204 - MyNetworkTV HD
205 - PBSHD
206 - The CW HD
218 - A&E HD
220 - Comcast SportsNet HD               
410 - HBO HD**
449 - SHO HD**
471 - Cinemax HD**
493 - Starz HD

HiDef Pak (why can't they spell pack?  Is is trendy to write Pak in marketing speak?):
209 - TNT HD    
210 - HD Theater
211 - ESPN HD    
212 - HDNet         
213 - HDNet Movies    
214 - Wealth TV HD    
215 - NFL Network HD
216 - HGTV HD
217 - Food Network HD

I seriously was considering going with WOW with my move, but in the end I went with Directv because their DVRs are much better.

[gparris]

Kerry, competition is a great thing, witness what you NOW have available to you.
TWC here is thinking it is the late 1990's and nothing's changed or changing.

This is a point in "HDTV history" for us all, especially in our area (your previous location):
1) Directv had promised dozens of HD channels and delivered.
2) DishHD is a good value, too, as alternative choice for many.
3) U-Verse is coming to many new neighbourhoods, too.
4) HDTVs are selling like crazy as folks' get one for the holidays and upcoming games
-or they replace aging CRT sets for the new "flat panel" sets (which are HDTVs).
-These "flat screen" sets, as clients like to call them, have their prices drop to less than half of what they cost even a year or so ago:
-so these are selling, very well, I might add.

So what does TWC do, in the face of more HDTVs sold than ever before and competition is knocking at their every "door"?
It wants to give us a couple more HD channels, not the 10 or so telemarketed, just a couple more and that is what they want to sell?

Oh come on now, give us what at least the other TWC locations are getting (see signature below) and then it might be worth the 2008 price increase!

[tencom]

The reason that TWC doesn't have many HDTV channels is that they have no were to put them. Most of  there bandwidth is used up. Unless they create more bandwidth by dropping analog channels  or spend millions to modify the system to either increase the bandwitdh by converting from a 750 MHZ to above 850 MHZ system or by going to a completely IP switched digital system like UVERSE has.
either way would require a considerably long time to implement and can't be done overnight .
Direct TV was able to accomplish there HD upgrade quite rapidly because it mostly involved just putting up a couple of satellites, whereas cable has to go to each system  indivudally and make the necesary changes. If some posters on this site can't wait for TWC to make the necessary adjustment to there demands then they have the right to change providers and not constantly coming to this site and complaining about the situation.

[gparris]

Bogus: : not genuine : counterfeit, sham

That is what TWC offers in information when a subscriber asks when TWC is adding more HD channels, especially in the light of the 2008 price and other competitor HD channel level increases.

Honestly, this is a local HDTV forum about HDTV and even if one TWC subscriber goes to an alternate source, be it Directv, Dishnetwork or U-Verse reading how bogus TWC's claims are about adding more HD channels:
My posts have worked.

If TWC HD subscribers understand that other TWC locations are rolling out more HD channels for the same price levels as we pay here in Milwaukee, they become informed consumers and make more educated decisions.

If you don't like my posts, tencom, no one is asking you to read them, okay?