Comcast is full of B.S.

[VrabelMayeWin]

Directv is always an option but all the BS about whether you need a landline or not just turns me off. I'm trying to move forward with technology, not backwards. Many people have said you don't "really" need a landline and Directv will not directly say as much but they hint at it. I hate shadiness like that.

I am not attached to a land line with mine and never have been. Whether you need it for PPV or the upcoming On Demand, I have no idea. But for basic stuff, including Sunday Ticket, you do not need it.

 

[mgteich]

If you don't want to pay for the extra tiers, then don't. Comcast has basic service available for those who want only the no-frills over the air channels. Most municipalities have made such an offering a requirement. "Standard" cable has come to ubclude a set of channels including the most popular networks in the country: ESPN, TBS, TNT, A&E, USA and usually DIS. Included are channels that appeal to various folks accross the board. The alternative to package is single channel prices, which has been found not to work. However, there are various tiers (sets of channels) and even premium channels, where the costs are absorbed by those who want the channels.

Should Comcast take ESPN off the standard service and put it in a special sports package with ESPN2, ESPN News, and others? That way you won't have to subsidize anyone. They have chosen not to for many reasons. Partly it is that being part of the standard package allows the networks to use all its channels for sports when needed. I have certainly watched sports on TNT, on LIF, on ESPN2 and others with some of the event being on the major networks.

The cable companies are running their business. The NFL has chose to give them prices with conditions with regard to how the channel is packaged. This is the NFL's choice. Make no mistake, this strategy sucks for fans. Congratulations to all who have access to Direct TV, the only place who the NFL will give all the games.

As much as I hate government intervention, if this keeps up, the federal government may in fact dictate that the NFL can charge anything it wants, but that all services wanting to buy, should be able to buy, including cable stations, over the air stations, and satellite. The NFL is using monopoly power to restrict us from getting access to NFL games. This did NOT start with NFLN.

I'd like to get the NFL Network because
sometimes I am in the mood for football and all ESPN has on is college basketball, rodeo or NASCAR.

Most cable channels are niche, the problem is the cable companies have decided that if the cost is cheap they will serve that niche. If the cost is high and they can't turn around and gougle people with another tier then they won't.

They can stick the Disney channel, Nickelodeon, Lifetime, Oxygen and TNT up their ass. Why should I have to subsidize obnoxious brats and fat housewives but they won't subsidize me watching football? Thats BS

 

[IcyPatriot]

What I would love to know is how many people with an analog cable box have a flat screen digital TV? If they have the digital TV then cough up the extra $$$ for the digital box ... it's worth it. Even if you don't have HD ... simply using the s-video output produces a better picture ... time to spend the extra few bucks a month and take it back on cutting back on the game time food.

 

[RodneyHarrison]

so, if i get this straight, warner isnt allowed by the NFL to have the NFLN on the basic channels, and Comcast is ALLOWED, but doesnt want to...for the following excuse:

"An NFL official said the league did not make a similar offer to Comcast because the league's deal with Comcast already allows the company to carry the NFL Network on a basic or digital basic package if it chooses. The league wants the channel carried on basic or digital basic cable, while the cable companies have maintained their customers don't want that and the channel should be on a sports tier with an additional fee for interested customers."

yea, rit, owwwww, comcast, go to hell

Directv Baby... Got it in HD! Oh, and part of the Basic tier.

 

[njpatsfan]

It's a money battle between cable and the NFL. That's all.

NFL says "put my channel on basic, so I can get 30 cents or whatever from EVERY cable subscriber you have"

Cable says "no, only 10% (or whatever) of our customers give a rat's ass about the NFL network, so instead we'll put you on a separate tier and make those who want them pay $5.00 extra per month to see NFL network and ESPN42. That way 90% (or whatever) of our customers aren't paying for something they don't want."

NFL says: "F you"

Cable: "No, F YOU!"

rinse and repeat. Nobody is right or wrong.

WRONG.

What has happened is that the cable companies have decided that they don't make enough money off their subscriber base, and is moving channels people want to watch to tiered packages, which will forece them to upgrade. The tiered packages are nearly pure profit for the cable companies as the majority of fixed costs and gurantees to the channel providers are already sunk costs.

The crap above is the standard illogic that I see when someone tries to defend the cable companies. Just think - after removing these channels from the basic package, do they charge any less for it ? Of course not.

The excuse to soak their customers is much more valuable to the cable companies than the advertising revenue they get for the free spot time on the channel.

Dump cable - get DirecTV

R

 

[Aldogg]

Cox Digital Cable, and I am watching the game live, and I get NBA TV, NHL Network and NFL Network I believe on the basic digital package, along with a lot of other sports networks. I got one of their bundles, 99 a month for phone, internet, digital cable and HBO.

Personally, I would love to a la carte cable channels. No kiddie stuff, no feminine stuff, no "music" stations, just sports, maybe spike, just for UFC related stuff, and more sports.

 

[IcyPatriot]

WRONG.

What has happened is that the cable companies have decided that they don't make enough money off their subscriber base, and is moving channels people want to watch to tiered packages, which will forece them to upgrade. The tiered packages are nearly pure profit for the cable companies as the majority of fixed costs and gurantees to the channel providers are already sunk costs.

The crap above is the standard illogic that I see when someone tries to defend the cable companies. Just think - after removing these channels from the basic package, do they charge any less for it ? Of course not.

The excuse to soak their customers is much more valuable to the cable companies than the advertising revenue they get for the free spot time on the channel.

Dump cable - get DirecTV

R

It's called capitalism and free enterprise ... that's the system we have.
It is not fair ... but there is big $$$ being paid out there to operate the league ... they don't play for free.

 

[pheenix11]

I can't go with basic no frills cable. I have HD which means I have to get the full digital tier. Hell, I have to pay an extra $6 a month just to get ESPN HD.

 

[IcyPatriot]

I can't go with basic no frills cable. I have HD which means I have to get the full digital tier. Hell, I have to pay an extra $6 a month just to get ESPN HD.

Some people getting rich off of me because I am like yourself. But I can watch a great game on a great rig from the comfort of my home. It costs more to go to a game ... I hope the rich guy spends my $$$ well.

 

[njpatsfan]

It's called capitalism and free enterprise ... that's the system we have.
It is not fair ... but there is big $$$ being paid out there to operate the league ... they don't play for free.

WRONG - 'capitalism' and 'free enterprise' are predicated on a free and open market. Not the case with cable companies - they are monopolies sanctioned by the state.

Your only choice is to do without - or go satellite TV.

R