Child Item

Site Totals

61363 Questions Answered 267 Categories

Why are we now being charged to see "On Demand" episodes?

We used to be able to catch up on what we missed by accessing "On Demand", but now there are charges for seeing older episodes. Verizon is my largest utility bill and I have nearly every option available, but now they want to charge for free programming. What good is "On Demand" if you cannot catch up on shows that you missed without paying for them. Even the really current ones that are free are not up to date. This is just Verizon trying to compete with all the other options out there that charge for older episodes of popular shows and I am sick of it. I have a ROKU, Netflix and Amazon Prime, but don't think I should pay for programming on a regular service I pay a great deal for. I am so sorry I renewed my service and I am sorrier that Verizon cannot be a little better than it is - we are not getting what we paid for and I feel cheated.

Comments

gs0b

It's not just Verizon. On demand content is negotiated between the service provider and the content owner (networks). The networks try to structure the On Demand content to optimize how much advertisement revenue they can get. Different providers get different deals and exclusives, which is why different providers have different on demand libraries. If you remember that the networks customers are the advertisers and not us viewers, you'll begin to understand why content isn't as freely available as consumers would like.

The other answer is to get a DVR. Then you can record what you want, watch it when you want, and skip any commercials you want.

Good Luck.

roaddogg1

gsob nailed it right on the head.

Another thing is if you dont want to dvr the shows is hulu plus if the shows are on there or go to the networks website or app and watch it from there. If you have a smartphone you can hook up an mhl/hdmi adapter to the tv or use screen mirror.

EerilyIncognito

roaddog - I think what the OP is trying to get at is the fact that Verizon is charging for something that should be free because they are already subscribed to the channel/network that the content is on. Take Bar Rescue for example - I never had to pay to watch episodes on demand with other providers (nor would I) and now it seems like to watch any episdode on demand, I have to pay the standard $1.99 for SD or $2.99 for HD.

What you are suggesting is that the OP pay for additional VOD services, but I agree with them that it's absurd that we have to spend more money in the first place when we are already payiing Verizon a hefty sum to provide content. I am not sure if this has always been the case with them but it's a good way to keep potential customers away.

roaddogg1

@EerilyIncognito wrote:
roaddog - I think what the OP is trying to get at is the fact that Verizon is charging for something that should be free because they are already subscribed to the channel/network that the content is on. Take Bar Rescue for example - I never had to pay to watch episodes on demand with other providers (nor would I) and now it seems like to watch any episdode on demand, I have to pay the standard $1.99 for SD or $2.99 for HD.
What you are suggesting is that the OP pay for additional VOD services, but I agree with them that it's absurd that we have to spend more money in the first place when we are already payiing Verizon a hefty sum to provide content. I am not sure if this has always been the case with them but it's a good way to keep potential customers away.

I got what the OP was saying but as said it's not just a Verizon thing. A lot of providers aren't charging for ondemand content, but guess what? They soon will be. You watch.

We don't know what the contracts between Verizon and the networks for the content are, but if Verizon is charging others will soon follow suit.

Also, I'm not suggesting the OP pay for additional VOD services. I am listing other alternative ways to watching the content for free without having to pay. Hulu is free, Hulu Plus is not however with the right searching for some tricks and offers you can get promo codes for free access. I had Hulu for free for almost an entire year before I stopped using it. Logging into the actual networks website to watch videos is free as well so no I wasnt suggesting the OP pay for additional services.

Hubrisnxs

Hi, just an FYI.

I ran into that problem when searching for an on demand show. Verizon apparently offers it for rent BUT if you have it in your package, and navigate to the right on demand folder, it would be free under that folder.

So if it's a show trying going to on demand, free and tv shows, and then search by network and find the title, and it normally is free in the network folder

JimboC123

THIS worked to get it free. Thanks!

[Deleted User]

As this thread is now over two years old, it will be locked in order to keep discussions current. If you have the same or a similar question/issue we invite you to start a new thread on the topic.

Child Item