Peer-to-Peer Question: Hallmark Movie Channel

[Bearwood]

I currently have the 2009 Extreme HD plan. Verizon recently notified me that as of October 14, 2010, certain channels, including the Hallmark Movie Channel, would cease to be a part of my plan.   Yesterday I was informed by a CSR that Verizon would offer to restore the Hallmark Movie Channel  to my Extreme HD plan if I would contract for a 2 year agreement for the 2010 Extreme HD plan.  My peer-to-peer question is:  Has anyone else been offered this solution?  Is this a legitimate offer? 

[spotsydavis]

The same thing happened to me. We suddenly don't have Hallmark Movie Channel HD and MGM HD--we also lost the .tv HD channels (though I don't care about those at all).  What's weird to me is that according to the plans listed online  (I have Extreme) I should not be getting Tennis Channel HD, FOX Sports Atl, Cen, Pac (300, 301, 302) and a few others--yet I am getting those. Can someone explain? I'm afraid if I contact Verizon I will suddenly find myself w/o those channels too!

RE: Your experience--It may be a legitimate offer but I would not hold my breath--I've not had good luck in getting reliable/consistent information from CSRs at Verizon. 

Let us know if the channels are restored. It's ridiculous that channels would be offered on the 1st and 3rd tier of service but not the 2nd. Good luck!

[Bearwood · Accepted solution]

Hi there. The offer turned out to be valid,  though a Verizon "manager" had to authorize my request for channel restoration.  Bottom line: I agreed to maintain FiOS Extreme HD in a bundle for an additional 24 months.  In exchange, FiOS agreed not to drop any channels is my 2009  Extreme HD plan as I migrated to the FiOS Extreme 2010 plan.  Verizon also was willing to throw in a $15/mo valued customer discount for the life of the 24 month agreement.  My service will now increase $5 per month for Extreme HD and absolutely no channels wills be sacrificed according to the CSR and confirmation E-mail I received after placing my order.   A Verizon order confirmation E-mail was sent to me listing the following channels had been "added" to my 2010 FiOS Extreme HD plan.

Additional Channels Packages
Movies & Entertainment Package. Your additional channel lineup is listed below.+

Channel Lineup Channel Name Channel # Cars.TV 599 Comedy.TV 695 ES.TV 558 Gospel Music Channel 224 Hallmark Movie Channel (SD & HD) 239, 739 MGM HD 744 MyDestination.TV 674 Pets.TV 633 Recipe.TV 676 Retirement Living 245 RFD 247

Sports Package.Your additional channel lineup is listed below.+

Channel Lineup Channel Name Channel # Blackbelt TV 319 CBS College Sports 94 FOX College Sports (all 3 channels) 300, 301, 302 FOX Sports en Espanol 311 GOL TV 313 Horse Racing TV 316 MavTV (SD & HD) 318, 598 Outdoor Channel (SD & HD) 307, 591 Sportsman Channel 308 Tennis Channel (SD & HD) 303, 592 TVG 315 World Fishing Network (SD & HD) 317, 597

You and I are of like minds in that removing the Hallmark Movie Channel from tier 2 and making it available in tier 1 and 3 was not consistent nor additive.

Anyway, I hope this information will help you get your Hallmark Movie Channel and MGM HD restored.  You must call and make the request when renewing your agreement. Good luck!

[kNOwbody1]

We were new FIOS triple bundle customers  as of august 30, 2010.    When we singed we got a upgrade to Extreme with the movie package free for one year and the HD set box free for a year. The cost b/f taxes $129.  All was fine until we noticed we did not have Hallmark or MGM as listed on the guide.  When we called to include these as prompted on the TV screen , the agent  upgraded us to Ultimate and we lost our movie package.  We call back the next day and the movies were restored, including Hallmark and MGM, but we just got our bill. And what a MESS.  We called billing ,but they said  they can only offer us the current specials , NOW we only have the movie pkg for 3 mos. and our base price is $139. 00

ALL because we wanted HALLMARK.

[ekem015]

Verizon's decision to keep those handful of channels, including Hallmark and Retirement Living, off the Extreme package, but on the Prime and Ultimate packages, continues to be one of the most head-scratching moves they've made. I think they were using it as a pilot to move more channels from Extreme to Ultimate, and try to differentiate the three packages. But all it has caused it headaches when they've gone back to existing customers and applied the new plans, thereby dropping the channels.

Just a bad business decision.

[Bearwood]

I agree that it was a "bad business decision" for Verizon to re-arrange content.  But I see it more as bait-and-switch shenanigans on the part of Verizon.  Some will say that's absurd...read your agreement, "Bearwood"...you will clearly see that Verizon has the right to change, drop, re-arrange programming any darn-well-time they please.  Oh, and let's not forget the apologists who fall back on the argument that your money paid is for services...and not content.  Oh  Puh-leeeeze!  The bottom line:  removing content from tier 2 and making the identical content available in tier 1 is subtractive...not additive...and certainly not practiced by other providers.  If this sort of practice is done by other providers, I will gladly stand corrected.  But to my knowledge, it is not.  I actually had a CSR write that the Hallmark Movie Channel had among the lowest viewership of Verizon FiOS customers.  Then why in the world did Verizon guarantee an even smaller audience by dropping the HMC from tier 2 ???  My guess...and it's only a guess...and not an accusation...this was done to create a bargaining chip that Verizon could use when negotiating  carriage agreements with the very networks they have eliminated from tier 2.  I have been a real cheerleader for Verizon in the past, but this has not been a pleasant experience.  And yes, I have called and written concerning my dissatisfaction...and yes...a compromise was reached.  But again I say...tier 2 minus the HMC equaled a big, fat  zero with me.     

[freddyrich636]

SO your bill went up $5 just to keep the plan you had...sounds like a scam....

[prisaz]

The retention department gave me $30 a month discount for the first year to move to the Ultimate Bundle. I am paying what I was $109 for the first year. So over 24 months it is costing me $15 more monthly. I get all the channels I had before, plus extra premium channels. 42/35 internet. I met them half way because i wanted the faster internet. I was still at 20/5. Yes their plan worked. They got more money from me, but for $15 more montly I did gain quite a bit. I have second guessed my choice, but it is water under the bridge. I will try something else when I lose the $30 valued customer discount. Right now it shows that on my phone which I was going to drop. Virtually phone for free first year.

[film111]

What are the terms of the new 2-yr agreement.  Specifically, if I move to an area ort state that Verizon is not available in, would the termination penalty apply?  I'd never switch back to cable, but if I move and I can't get Verizon, am I screwed? 

[SinCara]

Yes even if you move to an area that doesnt have fios the ETF still applies. You can google their tos or look it up on your account online. Its under my verizon > manage my services. Click on see my agreement.