The Weather Channel

[popo79941]

I hate AccuWeather.......how come customers did not have a choice or a vote to keep The Weather Channel???? AccuWeather stinks, there are no REAL stories nor do the show any weather people out in the field......this is the worst, I watch the weather channel everyday. I might just think about changing my service to someone who has The Weather Channel!!! I hate this.....ugh !

[Rocky18]

Can someone out there tell me where does all this money go. I pay nearly $300.00 a month for their triple play. And I'm watching more Commercials then ever before. CNN is a joke, 2 min of news then 4 min of commercials and Verizon actively looks for advertisers, but they can't afford the Weather Channel. Maybe stop paying obscene bonuses and dump some of the dead weight on top, starting with the **bleep** who came up with the idea to drop TWC.

[Slam1]

Weather Channel is critical to my staying with Verizon. Put it back right away!

[rlavach]

Is there any meaninful way to express our complaints to Verizon. We all know they don't read these forums. They don't seem to respond on Facebook or Twitter either. There are no emails to send complaints to. If you call, you never get a person & I doubt they actually do write your complaint anywhere. What are we supposed to do!?

[jonesmagicfan]

---

@rlavach wrote:

Is there any meaninful way to express our complaints to Verizon. We all know they don't read these forums. They don't seem to respond on Facebook or Twitter either. There are no emails to send complaints to. If you call, you never get a person & I doubt they actually do write your complaint anywhere. What are we supposed to do!?

---

What you need to do is call 1-800-VERIZON and get through the first part of the menus.  Then say "Agent".  That will put you in the queue to talk to a human being who will take your complaints.  I have done it and let them know my displeasure. The person I talked to was very attentive and respectful.  They took my complaint and said it would be forwarded to the proper folks.  You could also go to the support web page and do a live chat session. I did that as well to voice my displeasure.  The person at the other end of the chat said that my comments would be forwarded to the proper department.

I hope this helps.

Call VERIZON now and demand the Weather Channel.

[jonesmagicfan]

I found this interesting information from http://www.keeptheweatherchannel.com.  It should amaze you.

Q: WHY DID VERIZON FIOS DECIDE TO DROP THE WEATHER CHANNEL, WEATHERSCAN AND ITS BUNDLE OF PRODUCTS?

A: Providers like Verizon FiOS negotiate with networks like The Weather Channel to carry our content to customers as part of their package. Our contract with Verizon FiOS expired on Tuesday, March 10, while we sought to amicably resolve the negotiations. In the end, we offered Verizon FiOS our bundle of services at a lower price than the previous contract. They were unresponsive to our offer and surprised us and their customers by unexpectedly dropping The Weather Channel, WeatherScan, Weather Channel On Demand and The Weather Channel weather widget from their offering. Along with our fans impacted by this decision, we are urging Verizon FiOS to reconsider and bring back The Weather Channel and our complimentary services.

So, in the end, TWC offers a lower price and VERIZON says "NO".  I think that speaks volumes.  They do NOT care about their customers (including myself who has been with VERIZON for the last 12 years).  From everything I have read, VERIZON has a vested interest in AccuWeather TV and they want NOTHING to get in the way of that venture.  They couldn't use the excuse that TWC was just too expensive because TWC REDUCED their rates.  So, they just dumped TWC and gave their customer base a LAME excuse.

I hope VERIZON will see the backlash and change their minds.  BRING BACK THE WEATHER CHANNEL!

[MedicJim]

As a weather enthusiast, I like to obtain information from many differnt sources.  That being said, the ONE source that is always weather all the time and has countless proffessionals who have been working as meteorologists and TV personalities for a LONG time, is the Weather Channel.  I'm sorry Verizon, but Accuweather is just terrible.  Its terrible.  You have to bring back the weather channel.  When my two year contract is up, I'll be an Optimum customer if FIOS does not have the Weather Channel back.  There are many channels I could probably do with out....the Weather Channel is NOT one of them.  This was a very poor choice.  I know contracts work two ways, but some times you just have to make it happen.  VERIZON, YOU NEED TO BRING BACK THE WEATHER CHANNEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HoneysMom]

Verizon Corporate HQ just called in responce to my letter. She repeated the info in the email.I interrupted her as I had heard this before. She insisted I hear what she had to say. Then she repeated the email of March 10th again.

 She suggested I use the widget on channel 49. I explained that I use the radar that the weather channel has that shows a 3 hour window. That way I know when the rain or snow is coming or when it will be gone. Then I know when to run earns and when I need to be home. I told her the real time radar is not provided

She explained that Verizon decided not to renew with the weather channel. She will be filing a complaint for me with Verizon. She said that the complaint will not cause Verizon to change their decision.

I asked if I should wait to see if Verizon will bring back the weather channel? Or should I talk to someone about changing to another service provider. She said verizons decision on the weather channel is final. She stated that I could call 1800verizon.

[CRobGauth]

---

@MedicJim wrote:

As a weather enthusiast, I like to obtain information from many differnt sources.  That being said, the ONE source that is always weather all the time and has countless proffessionals who have been working as meteorologists and TV personalities for a LONG time, is the Weather Channel.

---

You do realize that Accuweather has been in business for over 50 years? And were a supplier (don't know to what extent they still are) to lots of TV stations that did local weather for years.

That being said, I do agree that their production value is not on par with TWC yet.

But Accuweather has stated that it is a high priority for them to upgrade their on air performance and be a FULL time weather channel, not one that shows reality shows and weather.

[JDavid]

Yes, and after 50 years, Accuweather should have figured out how to do it right.  How much longer do you want to give them - another 50 years?  They still won't have the same qualtiy the Weather Channel has.

Meanwhile, we're coming up on Hurricane and Tornado season.  GIVE US BACK THE WEATHER CHANNEL!  LIVES DEPEND ON ACCURATE WEATHER FORECASTS AND CURRENT UPDATES!  The Weather Channel provides this.  (In)AccuWeather does not.

I had to go online to find out how much snow we were supposed to get today.  I'm glad it wasn't a severe thunderstorm!

[SusanneMcGlynn]

Considering the weather that the New England area experieced these past two months I cannot imagine having "tuned into" AccuWeather to get an accurate, up-to-date report on the blizzard conditions that we experienced based on what I have seen since the change was made.

The lack of a "local" weather report is appalling. 

I have attempted to watch the new program but am sorely disappointed in the content, the poor quality of transmission, the seemingly unqualified personnel who "pop in and out" of the reporting and the lack of reporting of local conditions.

I do not, as was suggested, use "aps".

I agree that the Weather Channel should be restored to the line-up in the "bundle" I chose.

PLEASE listen to the users of your product: return the Weather Channel and the Local Forecast channel.

[frankc1200]

We need this channel back now. The Accuweather forecasters wear the same dresses on consecutive days, so its apparent they record and replay the taped forecasts.

[Rocky18]

Hey everyone I think I may have just found a solution to this problem. I contacted VZ Customer Service. And found I can drop FIOS TV and still keep my phone service and Internet. And I was assured there would be no ETF (But I'm not holding my breath) First thing they told me was that without triple Play the remaining two services might cost more. Well with over $70.00 of equipment fees each month plus tax and new TV service I think I'll be way ahead of the game. The new TV service has no equipment fees (Won't mention who, But its easy to find.)

Hey Verizon I tried to stay a loyal customer but this here today gone tomorrow without notification stuff has to end. And the FACT that there has been absolutely no response to over 1000 requests by Verizon. Shows me exactly what you truly think of your customers. And you should take example of the loyalty that we have for TWC. Something Verizon will never have.

[acconite49]

I might be with you on this and I'll have to recheck - I was told my ETF would be $180.  You are right - if they took something from my package, I should be able to remove something from theirs also.  I have cable, home phone, cell phone and internet all with Verizon, but if I could just get another cable provider and not pay an ETF, this is a great idea!

[jarthur1]

I also hate Acuweather.  I want the Weather Channel back.  Who ever decided to do this should be fired. 

I was a Comcast customer for years and decided to try FIOS after moving to Marlton, NJ.  I am not a happy camper.  I don't like the look of FIOS compared to Comcast and I am outraged that both Comcast and Fios can't do something about the NY baseball games being blacked out.  Now to lose the Weather Channel is another slap in the face.

It is outrageous.  This is New Jersey.  New York teams are our teams and should be available to us. 

The amount of money that we pay and have to watch endless commercials and don't get the channels we want is a crime. 

If this is the stuff I have to tolerate for the two years I have signed up for, you can bet I won't be signing with FIOS again.

I guess the people who make these decisions don't think about the elderly, handicapped, and poor people who can't afford or manage to go to ballgames because of their circumstances.  It is cruel to deprive them of this enjoyment.

Give us the Weather Channel back and demand that games not be blacked out of any area anywhere in the country.

[mbrkelley]

Don't know what Verizon really wants from The Weather Channel.  TWC said it offered Verizon a contract that was lower than what they were paying when the current contract expired but that Verizon turned them down.  If Verizon is so concerned about costs, it doesn't make sense for them to turn down a contract that was less than they had been paying. Obviously, Verizon cares nothing for its customers and doesn't care if they turn to their competitors.  We still have a year left on our contract but feel we shouldn't be charged if we decide to leave since Verizon broke their contract with us by dropping TWC and Weatherscan with no warning.

[CRobGauth]

It has been reported that viewership of TWC has dropped 20% over the past few years.

So even if the price is lower, so is viewership.

Accuweather may have given them a very good deal (maybe even close to free) for being a launch provider.

Given the fact they have only been on the air since November, I think they will progress quickly now that they have a major audience.

Would it have been nice to be there on day 1, yes. But you can't spend a lot of money until you have a decent customer base. Its hard to spend a lot of money without a customer base. Always hard to knock the big guy off.

I will given them a month to see if they have made any headway.

And people should give them a chance to see how they handle the first major weather outbreak before assuming they will fail miserably.

[VZDidWhat]

I spend over $435 a month with VZ. I think it is time to start diversifying.  Too much money going to one company who could care less about its customers desires. I miss the The Weather Channel (watched it almost everyday). Will need to find a provider who is willing to proivde the basics. News (CNN) Weather (TWC) and Sports (ESPN). Apparently that is not VZ Fios!

[sailherlady]

HATE, HATE, HATE accuweather, boring and only two cities in Florida?  What a laugh! Plus what is on screen never coordinates with what is scrolling..and widget is a joke, half the time is unavailable.

Thank goodness I don't have a contract, I'm off to investigate another service..maybe something streaming.

[joker211]

1200 posts is approx 1000 angry customers.   How many do not know about this forum or do not take the time to post?

So I say there are millions very unhappy customers and that is shown by the tremendous outpouring on this forum.

The few that don't care. is fine.  Just wait till Fios gets rid of a channel you watch and then you will care

[MOhmsen]

As far as I am concerned they have violated their contract with me.  I contracted to have the weather channel delivered to me.  It is no longer delivered to me.  So my contract is null and void.  They will use some form of disclaimer to say they reserve the right to change channel lineups.  But they have truly violated the contract with me.   Weather Channel is non-negotiable.  This is terrible.  Do consider me a soon to be former customer.

[sjh7721]

I have been followingthis post for a while since they pulled TWC, but haven't yet piped in. I was so upset when Weatherscan was taken away. I didn't really watch TWC except for severe weather, but I did watch Weatherscan every single night and morning. On top of getting the most up to date local forecast while getting ready for work/school, we really enjoyed the music which was really relaxing and soothing. The old familiar sound is now lost . I'm partial to the actual TWC being pulled because I never really watched any of the reality shows, but if I were to make one recommendation to Verizon if they are to keep Accuweather, is to push them to create something similar to Weatherscan. A 24-hour live local radar and up to date forecast information. The weatherbug app is no good. I'll continue to hope that the dispute can be resolved and I once again can enjoy the smooth sounds and info from Weatherscan.