Poor Channel Selection

[ToniM1]

So...  I've been a Verizon customer for about six months or so.  I've got a bundle... TV/internet/home.  Over all, I suppose I'm satisfied.  But I'm discovering that several  of the channels that I enjoyed on TWC are not available except as part of one of the more expensive Verizon TV packages.  Extreme HD I think or whatever the next to top level is.  One of those channels is the Cooking Channel and it's not even offered in HD.  I've called them/chatted with them and the answer I get is that those channels are available for an extra $20 a month, in a package that includes HBO/Showtime.  Now... on TWC I had all the premium channels and dropped them because I NEVER EVER watch them.  It seems ridiculous to charge that much extra per month for channels that were part of the TWC superbasic package... which I think is the equivalent of what I have now.  We pay enough per month to get a few more channels that are pretty "basic", if you ask me.  AMC was also part of the basic package and I think we lost that before I subscribed.

I also miss NY 1, though I knew I'd lose that and switched anyway because I was told their version of a local news channel was on its. way.

Anyway, this is just me venting and hoping someone at Verizon is listening to my complaint and will respond.

Everyone enjoy your evening.

Toni

[beetlejuice2]

Just an fyi, but these are peer to peer forums.

[sangs1]

And another FYI, Cooking Channel is available in HD.

[TaxDawg82]

Like you, I got FiOS in the last 6 months and am rather floored at the channels left out on my package and put on much higher ones.

I knew it heading in so I have no real gripe but I still can't believe that some IMO basic but popular channels are put in tiers like the ones that they are on

[ToniM1]

Thanks for responding.  Yeah.  I was rather shocked.  I wasn't expecting the selection to be quite this reduced.  I hope that as complaints mount ... now I understand that commercial NY1 used to have with people going back to TWC... they'll broaden their selection.  I actually had a very good conversation with a nice man who explained thing to me... or tried.  The upshot is that it's a matter of competitive pricing.  I guess, being a much smaller TV operation than TWC for now, they're not getting as good pricing.  I could be wrong.  Anyway.  It is, what it is.  

[jerseycritic]

I agree with the complaint that verizon has poor channel selection for the basic triple play package. Verizon should include any channel that  broadcast commercials with the basic package period. It is bad enough that we have to watch sponsers advertisements  on these channels. We have to pay for the channels too? It is not right. Verizon do the right thing and give your basic triple play customers a bigger selection. A lot of your paying customers don;t feel like watching the walking dead or any other nonsense that we see on TV. I am paying for the signal, please give me what I want, The Learning, Discovery, History, Science, National Geographic and any other channels that are educating and useful. You can keep the rest of the garbage. I am enteraining the thought of  sending this opinion to the consumer advocate"s office and the capitol because I feel it is so wrong.

[CRobGauth]

Adding channels to packages costs money.

Verizon has topay the content provider for everyone that subscribes to a package whether they want or watch those channels.

How much more would you be willing to pay to have them added?

[bobbo527]

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@jerseycritic wrote:

I agree with the complaint that verizon has poor channel selection for the basic triple play package. Verizon should include any channel that  broadcast commercials with the basic package period. It is bad enough that we have to watch sponsers advertisements  on these channels. We have to pay for the channels too? It is not right. Verizon do the right thing and give your basic triple play customers a bigger selection. A lot of your paying customers don;t feel like watching the walking dead or any other nonsense that we see on TV. I am paying for the signal, please give me what I want, The Learning, Discovery, History, Science, National Geographic and any other channels that are educating and useful. You can keep the rest of the garbage. I am enteraining the thought of  sending this opinion to the consumer advocate"s office and the capitol because I feel it is so wrong.

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It's doesn't work that way and you just don't understand. Commercials or not, the content providers charge Verizon a fee for every single subscriber eligible to receive a channel and that includes FOX, CBS, NBC, etc. All those fees add up very quickly and are constantly increasing which why Verizon has to keep rasing it't prices. Just because a channel has commercials does NOT mean it is "free". You should be complaining about how much the programming costs from the CONTENT providers (i.e. the channel owners), it all starts with them.

[jerseycritic]

I am going to terminate my cable and get an antenna. Whatever I get I'll watch and that is the way it is going to work. I really feel that I shoild be able to get what I want if I'm paying for it. That is the way it should be.

[jerseycritic]

Whoever put the skeleton by the jersey critic, I would appreciate if you puy a happy face there. I might not be happy with my channel selection but other than that I'm a happy camper.