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Verizon Removing Channels From My Plan

I’m curious how this works....since you keep removing channels from my plan, and you’re not replacing them with anything comparable, can I get out of my contract? Or, can I move to the lower plan that still has the discovery channels that you removed from my plan? Lower plan =lower cost.

Comments

CRobGauth

Most cable company contracts allow them to add or delete channels from packages as they we fit.

You can can change packages at any time without any penalty, just have to keeps a package.

BuffaloBill1

I agreed to a package of channels and now they are moving those channels to higher priced packages. It's one thing to remove them, entirely another to move them to a high priced package.

They already tried to jack my rate even though I had a contracted price but was able to get that resolved via BBB.

I only have a few months left and will be changing over to DirectTV Now. Been with Verizon since the beginning but now I am done.

CRobGauth

Most service providers do this.
As they sign new contracts, they may have to move channels around.

Sometimes they add channels, sometimes they delete.

Its because of the fact they pay by the number of subscribers in a package.

If they don't see enough subscribers watching that channel, they may remove it.
The contracts we all agree to allow them to make these changes even though your contract is in force.

Mechy1

I'm about a year and a half new to Fios. Before Fios I was with Comcast for many, many years. I honestly don't remember them moving channels around like they do here. Even all the removing of channels, I don't remember that also.

mononucleosis

I lost all of my History channels yesterday for no reason. Even Verizon couldn't figure it out until after I had been on the phone for almost an hour. It turns out that they wanted to extract more money from me. They took away my American Heroes channel on D-Day, and I am a retired veteran. But of course, they would give it back if I would agree to a higher priced package, and that is the only way. It seems my so-called Grandfatered package was not grandfathered any more.

Between Fios and Verizon Wireless, I spend over $3000.00 per year on their service, but that doesn't matter. All that counts is that they saw an opportunity to nickel and dime me, even though I am on a fixed income. All this over one channel. Does the greed never end?

"Greed is good!" ...Gordon Gekko, Wall Street".

I am disgcusted. But since I live in Pittsburgh, I have an alternative (excuse me while I gag) Comcast.

CRobGauth

If you check your STB, I beleive there were messages relating to changes in channels.

FIOS and Wireless are two different divisions that don't give credit for services with the other.

Lastly, this is mainly a peer to peer support forum.

tensionbuilding

It only gets worst. First lost AHC125 then HUB259. Couple days later TENNIS 92, next day GSN184 and LOGO187. We will see what other channels will be lost. Called to complain but did not get straight answer. Asked if billing price will go down and told no but for more money they will reinstate lost channels. Forgot also lost 212, 213, 214, 219, 222, and 225. Can someone help

gquinton2

The day I receved the email announcing the abrupt loss of several Discovery/History channels I called and demanded a reduction in my price. Why not, the reason they gave is because to keep these chanells would cost more, obviously then deleting them should cost less, It is not as if Discovery is still charging Verizon for my use of these chanells, so where is my price reduction? Verizon billing said they could do nothing, and had to send me to sales. I refused to be transferred since I already spoke with sales when I ordered the full slate of chanells that i am paying for...even though Verizon delets several.

CRobGauth

Contract with Verizon (and most other providers) allow for channels to be deleted (and sometimes added) as they desire. This usually happens around contract renewal time. Cable companies pay for channels by the number of people that have a channel in their package. Regardless of viewer ship. It appears Verizon recently renewed with discovery for their family of channels. So they may have had to pay more and offset it by removing channels from some lower tiers. And the reason your cost can be unchanged is because the price increase for remaining channels made up the difference.

And don't be surprised if you get no response from FCC complaint. They typically don't get involved on these types of disputes when it falls within a contract.

kingb1119

the 2channels on in my home most of the time are destination America and discovery family, mine and my 5year olds favorite channels i call to find out what happened they moved them to a more expensive package, so messed up so now i can pay extra for channels i was already enjoying or downgrad and lose 150 channels... Verizon are snakes with the package plan system iwill be going back to Comcast which i should of never left with the sneaky Verizon

CRobGauth

All providers pay the content providers by the number of subscribers that can receive a channel. And the content providers can also specify which packages the channel is to be placed.

It appears that Verizon just resigned a contract with Discovery. I am guessing that Discovery raised rates. So to compensate, Verizon moved lesser channels to higher packages to save money. Verizon has stated they measure viewership. So its possible that having these channels in the lower tiers no longer made economic sense.

I have to assume that other cable providers make similar choices. They may do it by raising rates and/or removing channels.

Missyme1

I feel like it's very shady to take away channels from a persons plan lineup and no longer be able to view them unless you upgrade to a much more expensive plan!! It's one thing if the channel is gone completely, but to find out it's still there.....only if you upgrade, is really messed up!!😡

Missyme1

I absolutely agree!! I'm so mad!! It's really messed up!!

I want my destination America back!! Not for thirty something more a month though!! VERY SHADY!!!

Friendly

When we renewed our CONTRACT with VERIZON we agreed to pay so much for so many channels. NOW WE LEARNED THE AMERICAN HERO CHANNEL WE PAY FOR AND AGREED TO ON OUR CONTRACT FOR RENEWEL IS GONE AND WE ARE SUPPOSE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO GET WHAT WE HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR. Are we going to get charged LESS FOR NOW RECEIVING LESS THEN WE AGREED TO ON OUR NEWAL? We have been long time faithful subscribers to VERIZON. Now as RETIRED SENIORS ON A FIXED INCOME Verizon is breaking our agreed to contract and wants us to pay even more for what we have been paying for since our renewal. We have VERIZON WIRELESS, INTERNET, TV, CELLPHONES AND LANDLINE PHONES and now you pentalize us instead of keeping our agreed upon contact, sad very sad. THIS IS HOW YOU TREAT LIFE TIME SUBSCRIBERS, SENIORS AND I AM A US VETERAN WHO ENJOYED THE AMERICAN HERO CHANNEL.

CRobGauth

Your contract does not guarantee a certain set of channels.

If you read the tos, you will see that Verizon (like other cable providers) have the right to add or remove channels from your package.

Because content contracts get renewed at different times, cable providers have to manage costs of channels as well as income from customers. Not to mention content contracts that can have clauses about what packages must carry their channel(s).

Friendly

I appreciate your answer, I don't think it is fair to any subscribers, and I don't like the answer. MORE THEN ANYTHING I AM GREATLY DISAPPOINTED WITH VERIZON. For years I have been sharing with all my family, friends

Friendly

I appreciate your answer, I am not pleased with the answer. For years I have been sharing with friends and family about VERIZON. We have VERIZON WIRELESS, LAND LINE, INTERNET AND Cell phones. WE ARE PAYING FOR THE AHC SO WE SHOULD BE GETTING A REDUCED PRICE NOW FOR REDUCED SERVICE.

Friendly

You are so right VERIZON IS NOT THE ONLY OPTION FOR MANY. We are looking at options all ready. Plus we are contacting the BBB and our state Utility Commissioner.

Friendly

I wrote to the VERIZON AWARDS deparment, I had earned a few points to purchase a tube of BUTT CREAM from being done in by my FAVORITE CHANNEL DELETEION as you have lost 2 of your favorite. I am a VETERAN TOO, as was my father who was presented on 12/7/1941 when the Japanese Attacked Hickam and Pearl Harbor. My grandfather was a WWI Veteran so those two channels were important to me as well. The first YEAR THE HISTORY CHANNEL ACKNOWLEGDED MEMORIAL DAY they showed ALL ALLIED FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES. They heard from me about that and it was corrected.

Getting back to the REWARDS POINTS. I told them I in good faith could NEVER RECOMMEND VERIZON TO A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND AGAIN, and then have them discover their PAID FOR FAVORITE CHANNEL HAS BEEN DELETED AS WE HAD OUR AND YOURS DELETED. I don't do things like that FOR MONEY OR POINTS, I have to live with myself and sleep at night. I am being treated for STAGE 3 PROSTATE CANCER, I DON'T NEED THIS KIND OF ABUSE at this point in my life or what is left of it nor should any one I know or care about. GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHLY.

RangerG

I honestly don't think Verizon cares much what we think. They are a corporate entity and the only thing that gets stakeholder attention is a loss of revinue. If enough subscribers get angry and leave for other services, it is possible they would change their policey. But honestly, I bet the bait and switch tactic of hoodwinking folks into paying more is working out well for their MBA's, so why change? I am a Veteran too, head of a national support orgainization and I am going to make sure all my brothers and sisters find out about their dropping AHC from packages we can afford. Fine print in a contract is one thing, doing the right thing is another. Verizon has the right to do whatever their contract says because folks like the veterans who posted here paid a price for that freedom. Shamefull way to treat those who served their nation and are now on fixed incomes. Vote with your feet folks. When your contract is up, carefully research the alternatives and vote with your wallet. Probably would not hurt to mention it on social media so others are aware and don't make the same poor choice.

Friendly

I apologize the multiple postings of LOU ZAMPERINI OF THE book UNBROKEN, I was trying to do it with my CELL PHONE, never a good idea. SORRY FOLKS,

WelcometoWendys

I am cancelling everything and just getting internet when my plan is up. They took away the only channel my kid watches. I have Prime and watch youtube so that is enough for us.

Funny thing is they have what, 5-6 spanish channels nobody watches? Get rid of those.

tns2

@WelcometoWendys wrote:
I am cancelling everything and just getting internet when my plan is up. They took away the only channel my kid watches. I have Prime and watch youtube so that is enough for us.
Funny thing is they have what, 5-6 spanish channels nobody watches? Get rid of those.

I suspect, but don't know, that such channels have more viewers than you think. Some of the foreign language channels are also sold in separate packages. If you are referring to Spanish LOCAL channels, other rules may require them to be carried.

Verizon boxes let Verizon know what channels are actually watched. They do make their decision largely based on popularity vs cost. Note that some channels are sold to them in packages from channel providers. This forces them to include some less popular channels if they want one of the more popular channels.

This doesn't mean that they haven't made some bad decisions which angered some subscribers enough to leave, and others to complain loud enough to give them bad publicity.

Sammy14221

Ultimate subscribers do not get any new channels when a channel is removed like the Sony Movie Network. All other packages get added networks at their respective tier except the Ultimate tier. Also networks such as TCM, El REY and American Heroes should be in HD and not SD.

davec411

At a higher cost for what I was told where my choices.

How is this fair or right?

Friendly

You never expected justice from a corporation did you? They have neither a soul to lose nor a body to kick.

JoJo271

About 3 or 4 weeks ago Verizon Fios removed my AHC Channel. Only had it for a good 6 years or longer messege on tv sez you are not currently subsribed. Really? Been watching it for years. I was told by them that sometimes cable companies re arrange and bundle channel lineups. I can get it back with 20 dollars a month more in my Triple Play. Might just shop around for another provider.

Friendly

JoJo27

The same thing happened to us. We were faithful viewers of the AMERICAN HERO CHANNEL and I wrote up to the same screen you did, "WE ARE NOT SUBSCRIBED TO THE AHC" and it was changed for us overnight while we were sleeping. This is the July 4 th Holiday and this is how VERIZON rewards their many faithful AMERICAN SERVICE VETERANS by removing the AMERICAN HERO CHANNEL we all had on our paid for plans. I have talked to men and women at my REHAB CENTER who too are AMERICAN VETERANS. Last time we renewed we got HOME BOX for a year FREE, I DON'T NEED to WATCH HOME BOX. I have seen all those movies a dozen times before just give me what I am paying for the AHC. Verzion has that REWARDS program and you can get thousands of points for sending them new customers or contacts. I told them " WHY WOULD I RECOMMEND VERIZON WHEN YOU JUST TOOK MY FAVORITE CHANNEL OFF A PLAN I AM PAYING FOR AND OFFER IT FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE?" Like I said is this how they thank our AMERICAN VETERANS, it is like the Vietnam War and having some demonstrators spit on returning service personel from the war again.

jrzygrl

i am having a similar issue - i just signed up for a new (reduced) service after reviewing the published list of channels. They made the switch and i got home to see that some of the channels that i was supposed to get were not available. I double checked the list and, indeed, they were supposed to be included. i am so completely disgusted...

CRobGauth

Did you try support options in stb menus?

Or contacting support?

Might just be an activation error

pxt1

Multiple channels pulled from FIOS lineup.

Need to get bill adjusted accordingly.

Note: the channels pulled are still available on 'upper' costlier FIOS packages.

Customer Support can only offer more costly packages.

Need to speak with Verizon Customer Advocate Manager, or Verizon Consumer Account Relatiohship Manager.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Bobkeith33

Verizon Executives please listen to your customers! You are on a collision course that will undermine your customer base to the point of disaster. Be warned, if you want to keep us (customers) please change your course quickly or you will be looking for another job very soon! You have been warned and hopefully you will comprehend what we are trying to tell you... or you will take responsibility for a disaster similar to Kodak, IBM, GE, do I need to keep going? Thank You

TaxDawg

They don’t care. Verizon billing issues are common as shown in this thread alone.

Guaranteed rates that aren’t guaranteed. Promised channels in a package are not on the package anymore. List goes on....

Yes, everyone does it.....don’t care as that doesn’t make it right nor should it stop someone from complaining about the ripoff.

ronernie

Removing a channel for company cost factors is fine and they tell you this when you flip to a channel that has been actually removed, however unsubscribing you from a channel that is still on their service after you have had it for many months on a contract is actually a breach of contract and any lawyer will back you on that!

CRobGauth

Read the terms of service.

You agreed to allow them to drop channels at any time during your period of contract.

This is based on contracts they sign with content providers.

Their contracts determine which packages get a channel. If that contract changes, they have to change package contents.
And this is common amongst cable providers.

jccj816

Overnight I went from having hundreds of channels to 50 without any notice. Cool cool cool. These packaging plans are awful for the consumer. This is exactly why they lobby so hard to get the right to do the same thing with our internet plans. Gotta get that stock price up again and again. Crazy.

Pkfrustrated

There us no contract... be careful now they charge you for using customer service ( any kind or way of contact to reduce or increase your services. 10.00 plus. taxes... A multi- million $ Co. And charge customers to offer us, bad customer service. Yeap.... is real. they charge you 10.00 to get sure , they get an extra month of whatever you are removing. If you are adding also, they never tell you " are getting charge for the change "

Pkfrustrated

This happened to me, I live in West Islip, New York.

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