TWC new Themed-based lineup

[Jack 1000]

Guys,

This is more information from TWC's website on the new "Digital Choice" package.  Read this over, and tell me if you think Southeast Wisconsin subscribers are getting "screwed" here: (or  Northeast Wisconsin subscribers are getting "favored.")

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Q: Will there be any changes to the Digital Packages?

 A: Southeast Wisconsin: Digital Standard will now be called Digital Variety.  We also added Digital Choice, a new digital package that will include channels coming soon to your area, including RFD TV, Crime & Investigation, Military History, Ovation, Nick2 and more!
 

A: Northeast Wisconsin: Digital Standard customers will receive all the channels in the Digital Variety and Digital Choice packages.  Great new Digital Choice channels include RFD TV, Crime & Investigation, Military History and CNN International, along with all the NEW channels available with Digital Variety package.

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So here is the thing for anyone who may call to ask about this? Why do Northeast Wisconsin subs according to the website, get rewarded with all the channels in the Digital Choice Package.  But they seem to say for Southeast Wisconsin:

"We are gonna call Digital Standard, Digital Variety now, and oh, if you want Digital Choice, even though we don't say it on the website, based on people who have called, you have to pay $4.95 a month, that's an optional package."

Note that the above quote is how I interpret this wording, not what is set in stone as to what TWC is doing.  Personally, the ONLY channel that I would care about in Digital Choice is the C & I Network (Crime and Investigation.)  Even though I don't subscribe to it, I'd rather take the Encore Movie Lovers Package for $6.95/mo, rather than $4.95/mo for Digital Choice with only five channels, and only one that I would be interested in watching.

If TWC keeps Digital Choice optional, I cannot see too many people subscribing to it.  They might have needed to do that rather than raise the rates if they would have grandfather claused Digital Choice into a pre-existing package.

Jack

[gparris]

Right on, but for TWC to introduce different packages and/or names for packages with new digital channel lineups and additions is just a big error on their part.
-Where is the new pricing and notice on this?
Nowhere!

-Outside of the Sports Package, HD Package and that Encore Package, "Digital Standard" was what gave you everything, unless Movie Premiums were added, as is the case with what I get on my billling: "Digital Standard plus # Premiums".

Calling them is something I refuse to do when I get that number on my screen as last time, TWC added $1.50 to my billing, thinking I actually WANTED to add something (more). C&I would be fun to have, but more money for only that channel, forget it.:rolleyes:

[gparris]

Right on, but for TWC to introduce different packages and/or names for packages with new digital channel lineups and additions is just a big error on their part.
-Where is the new pricing and notice on this?
Nowhere!

-Outside of the Sports Package, HD Package and that Encore Package, "Digital Standard" was what gave you everything, unless Movie Premiums were added, as is the case with what I get on my billling: "Digital Standard plus # Premiums".

Calling them is something I refuse to do when I get that number on my screen as last time, TWC added $1.50 to my billing, thinking I actually WANTED to add something (more). C&I would be fun to have, but more money for only that channel, forget it.:rolleyes:

NOTE: The new November TWC billing is on line for those with Pay-Express paperless statements - included is the new rates, which will be on your next December-due billings - those with paper statements should be getting these soon if not already.

DVR charges per cable box DVR go up a dollar a month, premium charges per additon after the first one go up a dollar a month and it looks like Starz is no longer $11.00 by itself, rather, included with the other premiums as a regular adder, so that could make that less expensive for those who want it (maybe).
The Digital Variety tier is $9.99 on top of the Standard Service (Expanded cable service) and the adder for those C&I, etc. SD channels is $5.00 more, also included in packages for the new Digital Choice Tier.
No mention if the first digital convertor box is included in the pricing anymore, as TWC  had changed that in the billings awhile ago, so my guess it is still included (or not).:rolleyes:
While TWC doesn't show examples for discounts with Road Runner, it looks like the pricing is going up, too.

[Jack 1000]

NOTE: The new November TWC billing is on line for those with Pay-Express paperless statements - included is the new rates, which will be on your next December-due billings - those with paper statements should be getting these soon if not already.

DVR charges per cable box DVR go up a dollar a month, premium charges per addition after the first one go up a dollar a month and it looks like Starz is no longer $11.00 by itself, rather, included with the other premiums as a regular adder, so that could make that less expensive for those who want it (maybe).
The Digital Variety tier is $9.99 on top of the Standard Service (Expanded cable service) and the adder for those C&I, etc. SD channels is $5.00 more, also included in packages for the new Digital Choice Tier.
No mention if the first digital converter box is included in the pricing anymore, as TWC had changed that in the billings awhile ago, so my guess it is still included (or not).

We are still grandfathered on the "All in One" package until August, which freezes some rate increases.  Our service went up about $5.00 last month, and our Digital Package is called "Digital Value."  We currently have HBO at $12.95/mo and Showtime at $7.00, plus DVR service at $8.00/mo.  Have not received the December statement yet.

So it appears that Digital Choice remains at $5.00 more per month, BUT is not grandfather claused into any pre-existing packages.  Might consider dropping Showtime and maybe the Sports Package ($5.00 a month) when my deal ends in August OR renegotiate into a new package.

So for now, does this mean if you have two premium channels, you automatically get Starz for free?  Or does this apply to new accounts only?

Jack

[gparris]

No, Starz is not free, but it is now equal in pricing to premium channel additions after the first subscription, like HBO. before it was not discounted.
Since TMC is not available in HD (yet) and its only 2 channels in SD, Starz is a better value like Cinemax and the others, but at $11, not $7 (now $8), it was not so.
The reduction could (sort of) eliminate the added HD DVR charges for my HD DVRs, but now I am waiting for the actual billing for next month - and - more HD channels.

IF the Digital Choice channels go HD, I might add the $5 and subtract something else, but TWC Wisconsin has to START adding more HD channels, which it hasn't yet.
Other TWC locations in avsforums are adding more and more HD channels, I wonder when those 12 mentioned ("and many more") are actually coming.:huh?:

It was sort of funny, my TWC notice for my on-line billing came the same day Directv sent me a notice of a special pricing deal in the mail.

This is the time of year when most people start to stay more indoors, why TWC Wisconsin is taking its time with adding more channels, on top of its rearrangement of channels and now - the rate increases, I don't know.:rolleyes:

[Jack 1000]

no,starz is not   free, it now equal in pricing toadditions after the first, lile hbo. before it was not discounted.

OK.  Thanks for clearing that up!

Jack

[jeffski]

Just finished my free 3 months on DTV of HBO/SHOW/STARZ and they offered me Starz for $5 off ($7.95 a month for 6 months) Sweet deal since 5 of the Starz are in hd and includes all Encore channels. 1 drawback,Encore has none in hd even tho Dish carries their hd offering :bang:

[oz]

While calling to "lock-in" my rates, they offered me a year of Cinemax for free - might be worth asking about if you're calling in anyway.