OMG YOU GUYS

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (Franch Dressing)

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:56:59 GMT

Anywho - 13 hours - 32 minutes till gametime!

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (maizedawg)

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:58:22 GMT

scmgoblue

You wouldn't believe the crap I had to go through today with Dish Network...

If you're a NEW customer, you can sign up for the Silver TurboHD package that includes the BTN. However, if you happen to be a loyal customer, that option isn't available to you (not until January I was told). When I moved in to the new place back in the early spring, I signed up for the HD only package that at the time included the BTN and all was well... that is until they took the channel off my programming package claiming it was a "free trial" (insert level headed anger here). Fine, I thought, I'll just wait until August and deal with it at that point.

So I call in today and basically say, I notice that the new programming packages include the BTN, I was wondering what I could do to switch my programming over to a package that includes that channel. After 40 minutes of explaining and re-explaining this over and over again I am told that the only solution I have is to upgrade to an America's Top ____ package with the Silver HD package... and this will only cost me DOUBLE what it would cost a new customer to get a package with the BTN in it.

Needless to say, I informed them at that point that Comcast happily supplies the BTN... and suddenly they were able to offer me the America's Top ____ upgrade with the Silver package (and BTN) at a substantial discount through December... which gets me to January when I can simply downgrade to the new TurboHD package...

What an incredible headache... all over just trying to get my BTN back. Don't get me wrong I love the channel, but I think it's ridiculous that Dish rips it's customers who aren't "new" like that.

I had the same conversation with them last week. As soon as I saw the packages being offered I was on the phone. I didn't get the stand alone Silver HD like I wanted but I was able to get the guy to give me the free insulation so I saved $150 bucks right off the bat. Now I just hope that when ABC broadcasts their afternoon games it's done in HD.

If anyone wants more information on how to deal with the retention departments for companies or how to get your monies worth out of the customer service goons you should listen to Clark Howard. He has a sydicated radio show dedicated to teaching people how to be their own consumer advocate

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (terryfoster)

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:49:08 GMT

Chances are your cable provider has a lower cost offering they may not widely advertise seeing as that package usually has to be around $10/mo.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (MichiganFanInOhio)

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:55:20 GMT

terryfoster

In the simplest terms I believe BTN wanted to be offered in the same package as ESPN and FSN and they got that with TWC. Cable providers are required to offer a rate regulated service usually named "Lifeline" or "Basic" which generally only includes your locals and maybe some shopping and religious channels. I'm pretty sure BTN knew they weren't going to be a part of that package.

Gotcha. I guess TWC's basic cable is really just that. My cable provider offers all of the ESPN's except ESPNNews and FSN and STO as well as the BTN all in the basic cable package. I was just figuring that most cable companies were the same.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (terryfoster)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:08:50 GMT

MichiganFanInOhio

I don't know what different types of packages TWC offers, but if expanded basic is their lowest tier package than I guess the BTN got what they wanted. If expanded basic isn't TWC's lowest tier package, than the BTN didn't get their way. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the BTN want to be a part of the basic or lowest tier package of every cable company in Big Ten Country? That's why I said that the BTN didn't get their way with TWC. It's because I'm assuming expanded basic is a step up from just basic cable meaning people with just basic cable would have to pay more to watch the BTN under TWC...

In the simplest terms I believe BTN wanted to be offered in the same package as ESPN and FSN and they got that with TWC. Cable providers are required to offer a rate regulated service usually named "Lifeline" or "Basic" which generally only includes your locals and maybe some shopping and religious channels. I'm pretty sure BTN knew they weren't going to be a part of that package.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (zjgm02)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:35:08 GMT

TK23Blue

You are absolutely correct sir. This is the way to do it with any mass media or communication product. I worked for SBC selling Yellow Pages once upon a time (ok, a loooong time ago) and the second someone wanted to cancel their ad we were instructed to start cutting deals immediately. I've called Time Warner 3 times to cancel my cable for DirecTV and all 3 times they cut me deals. I've been getting the LA Times for free for 4 years now. They set me up with 3 mos free and everytime the meter is about to go on I call to cancel. They offer to extend it another 3 mos for free and this has gone on and on. Circulation and viewership sells ads-whether you actually pay for it runs a distant 2nd.

I wish I knew when or if TimeWarner in So. Cal might offer the BTN. Sucks being out here during football season. I don't think I can take one more Pac-Ten game.

I called Cox to "cancel" this morning b/c they still don't carry BTN and the final resolution was 10% off for the next 6 mos. It ends up being about 120 samolians in savings.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (MichiganFanInOhio)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:25:13 GMT

terryfoster

How do you mean BTN didn't get their way with TWC? From what I see they got exactly what they wanted, carriage on expanded basic, VOD, and HD carriage. What am I missing?

I don't know what different types of packages TWC offers, but if expanded basic is their lowest tier package than I guess the BTN got what they wanted. If expanded basic isn't TWC's lowest tier package, than the BTN didn't get their way. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the BTN want to be a part of the basic or lowest tier package of every cable company in Big Ten Country? That's why I said that the BTN didn't get their way with TWC. It's because I'm assuming expanded basic is a step up from just basic cable meaning people with just basic cable would have to pay more to watch the BTN under TWC...

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (zjgm02)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:40:28 GMT

Franch Dressing

I returned home from work yesterday and found the Big Ten Network on channel 610 comcast denver. I already had the entertainment package for the random football games from other conferences - what a joy.

I turned to the channel at 4:30pm and it was the Michigan Football Preview!

What a day to be alive!!!

Braggart.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (Franch Dressing)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:36:22 GMT

I returned home from work yesterday and found the Big Ten Network on channel 610 comcast denver. I already had the entertainment package for the random football games from other conferences - what a joy.

I turned to the channel at 4:30pm and it was the Michigan Football Preview!

What a day to be alive!!!

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (zaco)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:01:28 GMT

TK23Blue

I wish I knew when or if TimeWarner in So. Cal might offer the BTN. Sucks being out here during football season. I don't think I can take one more Pac-Ten game.

I got an email from them yesterday just saying the general blah blah unfortunately the BTN is not offered as part of our package right now. Im trying to figure out who I could call in order to say what are you waiting for and why am I paying the same price as other TWC customers who ARE getting the network.
I hate calling so cal TWC tho because unless you speak fluent spanish you arent getting anything.
I called to order ESPN gameplan so i could watch other games that werent on nationally besides pac 10 and the guy was like "you already get espn sir, and espn 2, and espnU, and espnNEWS" and I was like no it's a pay per view football package that shows a bunch of games every saturday its called ESPN game plan and he was like yes sir but you already get espn, espn2, espnU, and espnNEWS as part of your package.
needless to say... I didn't get gameplan that day, Had to call back and speak with someone who actually knows what football is and doesnt think it's kicking a roun ball into an oversized net.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (terryfoster)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:02:50 GMT

MichiganFanInOhio

zaco

Plus I feel as if Time Warner losing a few customers was a very little part of their concern... They know that of their millions of customers, only a few will switch cable providers, some people dont have the option of doing that, and some people just find it a hassle. I'm one of them, when I was living at home last fall, my parents weren't up for the hassle, when I moved, It was not an option for anything other than TWC bc of the direction of my apartment.
I agree. My cable provider is just a local cable company and this was the attitude they took originally towards those who wanted the BTN. I remember writing to them threatening to cancel my service with them and they basically said we're sorry to see you go... Of course, I fell into the category of finding it to be too big of a hassle to switch to a dish. I really don't know what caused a resolution to finally be met as their big sticking point was not wanting the BTN as a part of basic cable. They wanted it to be a premium or HD package channel. In the end, the BTN won out as it is indeed a part of our basic cable package. I have the HD package so it really wouldn't have affected me one way or the other. I just wonder how the BTN got their way in the end. And notice, the BTN didn't get their way with TWC...

How do you mean BTN didn't get their way with TWC? From what I see they got exactly what they wanted, carriage on expanded basic, VOD, and HD carriage. What am I missing?

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (MichiganFanInOhio)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:23:45 GMT

zaco

Plus I feel as if Time Warner losing a few customers was a very little part of their concern... They know that of their millions of customers, only a few will switch cable providers, some people dont have the option of doing that, and some people just find it a hassle. I'm one of them, when I was living at home last fall, my parents weren't up for the hassle, when I moved, It was not an option for anything other than TWC bc of the direction of my apartment.

I agree. My cable provider is just a local cable company and this was the attitude they took originally towards those who wanted the BTN. I remember writing to them threatening to cancel my service with them and they basically said we're sorry to see you go... Of course, I fell into the category of finding it to be too big of a hassle to switch to a dish. I really don't know what caused a resolution to finally be met as their big sticking point was not wanting the BTN as a part of basic cable. They wanted it to be a premium or HD package channel. In the end, the BTN won out as it is indeed a part of our basic cable package. I have the HD package so it really wouldn't have affected me one way or the other. I just wonder how the BTN got their way in the end. And notice, the BTN didn't get their way with TWC...

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (scmgoblue)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:28:44 GMT

Great point ZJGM... going to keep that handy for next time, and I'm sure there will definitely be a next time.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (TK23Blue)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:28:09 GMT

zjgm02

scmgoblue

You wouldn't believe the crap I had to go through today with Dish Network...

If you're a NEW customer, you can sign up for the Silver TurboHD package that includes the BTN. However, if you happen to be a loyal customer, that option isn't available to you (not until January I was told). When I moved in to the new place back in the early spring, I signed up for the HD only package that at the time included the BTN and all was well... that is until they took the channel off my programming package claiming it was a "free trial" (insert level headed anger here). Fine, I thought, I'll just wait until August and deal with it at that point.

In the future, just call and ask whom you need to speak with to cancel service. You're not going to cancel service, but they don't know that and in most cases it doesn't matter how sincere you aren't, they just need to hear the magic words in order to give you the cheap rate on a package or a big credit. Every big company who craves market share (credit cards, cable, cell phones) has a retention department. Retention depts are empowered to give you a lot more than just the average shmoe answering the phone. You tell them you want to cancel and when they ask why, give them a reason and say "unless you can give me this deal I saw for new customers, I'm leaving" You will have what you want in a matter of minutes. I do it all the time when I want a new cell phone, a credit on my cable bill, more cash back on my credit card. I will be calling my cable company this week in fact to get a credit b/c they still do not carry the Big Ten Network.

You are absolutely correct sir. This is the way to do it with any mass media or communication product. I worked for SBC selling Yellow Pages once upon a time (ok, a loooong time ago) and the second someone wanted to cancel their ad we were instructed to start cutting deals immediately. I've called Time Warner 3 times to cancel my cable for DirecTV and all 3 times they cut me deals. I've been getting the LA Times for free for 4 years now. They set me up with 3 mos free and everytime the meter is about to go on I call to cancel. They offer to extend it another 3 mos for free and this has gone on and on. Circulation and viewership sells ads-whether you actually pay for it runs a distant 2nd.

I wish I knew when or if TimeWarner in So. Cal might offer the BTN. Sucks being out here during football season. I don't think I can take one more Pac-Ten game.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (zjgm02)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:43:08 GMT

scmgoblue

You wouldn't believe the crap I had to go through today with Dish Network...

If you're a NEW customer, you can sign up for the Silver TurboHD package that includes the BTN. However, if you happen to be a loyal customer, that option isn't available to you (not until January I was told). When I moved in to the new place back in the early spring, I signed up for the HD only package that at the time included the BTN and all was well... that is until they took the channel off my programming package claiming it was a "free trial" (insert level headed anger here). Fine, I thought, I'll just wait until August and deal with it at that point.

In the future, just call and ask whom you need to speak with to cancel service. You're not going to cancel service, but they don't know that and in most cases it doesn't matter how sincere you aren't, they just need to hear the magic words in order to give you the cheap rate on a package or a big credit. Every big company who craves market share (credit cards, cable, cell phones) has a retention department. Retention depts are empowered to give you a lot more than just the average shmoe answering the phone. You tell them you want to cancel and when they ask why, give them a reason and say "unless you can give me this deal I saw for new customers, I'm leaving" You will have what you want in a matter of minutes. I do it all the time when I want a new cell phone, a credit on my cable bill, more cash back on my credit card. I will be calling my cable company this week in fact to get a credit b/c they still do not carry the Big Ten Network.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (terryfoster)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:47:38 GMT

BigBlue06

Time Warner isn't the last major cable provider not to have Big 10 Network...Charter is fairly large itself, especially in West Michigan.

Good news! http://umgoblue.com/aspplay/Charter-BTN-Agreement-m65346.aspx

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (UMfan_downunder)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:33:49 GMT

Now if they would just release it to other regions :(

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (zaco)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:34:06 GMT

AVBucks2521

zaco

AVBucks2521

You guys can thank Gene Smith, OSU AD, for forcing this to happen.

A day after he sent an email to the entire OSU student body telling them that Time Warner was not going to get the BTN, encouraging them to switch providers that did carry BTN, TW offered to show the Ohio State games on a pay-per-view basis. 4 days later, a complete deal has been struck.

Props to Gene Smith for forcing the issue on Time Warner. Personally, the apartment that I live in has a contract with TW so I couldn't even opt for a different provider. This is great news for the millions of customers who have TW.

he doesnt need to be thanked for anything if you ask me. I love what he did and i think it was awesome for someone with such a prestegious position to do so..... but later reports came out that the only reason TWC offered that pay per view basis was because it was impossible for it to happen so they were just blowing smoke up Gene Smiths ass.
they were going to reach an agreement no matter what. as the season approached. Technically they havent even signed a deal yet.. just a "handshake" deal that will allow TWC to broadcast this saturdays games while they iron out the rest of the details and sign on the dotted line.

Well, in Ohio, 4 out of 10 homes were receiving the BTN compared to 7 of 10 in Michigan. The issue of TW vs BTN was a much hotter debate on OSU boards than it was on Michigan boards. Considering that I belong to about 3 of each school, I'm begging you to take my word for it.

And, on those Ohio State boards, the news was incredibly negative regarding a possible deal between TW and BTN. There began to be talk that the BTN would be drawn out just like the NFL Network. It was almost a certainty that Buckeye fans who weren't lucky enough to have tickets were going to have to deal with another season of getting up at 7 AM to get to a local sports bar to watch the game.

This (to read letter click this):

was what sparked the deal.

I'm from ohio , your area I see since your from canfield (went to howland) Which is why all my coverage of the issue has been from Ohio news sources... I live in CA now so I'm still not getting it here yet but for my family I know the urgency of getting it, to watch both OSU and UM.. His letter came at a key time and may have increased the discussions at the round table of negotiations this past week.. But If you look at all the news reports from after TWC made the "offer to show the games on a ppv basis" You'd see that it was them just saying like "ok pal we'll do this since you think it's our fault and not the BTN's fault" Looking into that and reading up on the issue was what made me see time warner should not be really labeled as the "bad guy" as I had previously thought like everyone else in Ohio did. I mean come on, they were the only major carrier to not sign a deal, and they surely have them money and ammount of customers to be able to sign a deal a long time ago. I've been following this since last season and calling and sending numerous emails as I did live in Ohio for the last season having to get up and to those bars when the doors opened at 10am. As big a UM fan as I am... I don't like to miss OSU games either.
No doubt he did an awesome thing by sending that letter. He showed Time Warner that on behalf of Ohio State, he would urge fans to switch carriers to be sure they would get the deal. Wisconsin quickly followed suit after them. But i won't say that's what sealed the deal. because there still is no deal. There's a formal agreement, signed with a handshake, to show the games, while they finish out on the deal that both are agreeing on but while working on details that still need finalized in the coming weeks. (when the rest of the TWC customers out of Big 10 states will have the option to have it for free on expanded basic, or as part of a sports package.)
Plus I feel as if Time Warner losing a few customers was a very little part of their concern... They know that of their millions of customers, only a few will switch cable providers, some people dont have the option of doing that, and some people just find it a hassle. I'm one of them, when I was living at home last fall, my parents weren't up for the hassle, when I moved, It was not an option for anything other than TWC bc of the direction of my apartment. Heck, DirecTV is offering 4 months free and the NFL network if you kill cable and go with them. Who wouldn't take that offer... If they could.
My prediction back in May/ June, when comcast signed, which is on this board somewhere, is that TWC would reach a deal during the last week before football as both sides would push each other to the point where nobody budged and they had to work together and come up with something, a deal that may cause some people to miss the first week or 2, but none the less would be settled during the season.
Here we are, with exactly what i thought.
Maybe Time Warner and BTN just read umgoblue.com and saw my post :)
Either way im glad it's (almost) over and every one of you guys in Ohio/Michigan have the games this weekend. Hopefully It works out for me soon here, esp. by the time UM's first game is shown.
(try finding a bar that is going to open at 7am for a 930 kickoff! My luck has been slim so far)

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (AVBucks2521)

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:08:14 GMT

zaco

AVBucks2521

You guys can thank Gene Smith, OSU AD, for forcing this to happen.

A day after he sent an email to the entire OSU student body telling them that Time Warner was not going to get the BTN, encouraging them to switch providers that did carry BTN, TW offered to show the Ohio State games on a pay-per-view basis. 4 days later, a complete deal has been struck.

Props to Gene Smith for forcing the issue on Time Warner. Personally, the apartment that I live in has a contract with TW so I couldn't even opt for a different provider. This is great news for the millions of customers who have TW.

he doesnt need to be thanked for anything if you ask me. I love what he did and i think it was awesome for someone with such a prestegious position to do so..... but later reports came out that the only reason TWC offered that pay per view basis was because it was impossible for it to happen so they were just blowing smoke up Gene Smiths ass.
they were going to reach an agreement no matter what. as the season approached. Technically they havent even signed a deal yet.. just a "handshake" deal that will allow TWC to broadcast this saturdays games while they iron out the rest of the details and sign on the dotted line.

Well, in Ohio, 4 out of 10 homes were receiving the BTN compared to 7 of 10 in Michigan. The issue of TW vs BTN was a much hotter debate on OSU boards than it was on Michigan boards. Considering that I belong to about 3 of each school, I'm begging you to take my word for it.

And, on those Ohio State boards, the news was incredibly negative regarding a possible deal between TW and BTN. There began to be talk that the BTN would be drawn out just like the NFL Network. It was almost a certainty that Buckeye fans who weren't lucky enough to have tickets were going to have to deal with another season of getting up at 7 AM to get to a local sports bar to watch the game.

This (to read letter click this):

was what sparked the deal.

Re:OMG YOU GUYS (zaco)

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:37:49 GMT

AVBucks2521

You guys can thank Gene Smith, OSU AD, for forcing this to happen.

A day after he sent an email to the entire OSU student body telling them that Time Warner was not going to get the BTN, encouraging them to switch providers that did carry BTN, TW offered to show the Ohio State games on a pay-per-view basis. 4 days later, a complete deal has been struck.

Props to Gene Smith for forcing the issue on Time Warner. Personally, the apartment that I live in has a contract with TW so I couldn't even opt for a different provider. This is great news for the millions of customers who have TW.

he doesnt need to be thanked for anything if you ask me. I love what he did and i think it was awesome for someone with such a prestegious position to do so..... but later reports came out that the only reason TWC offered that pay per view basis was because it was impossible for it to happen so they were just blowing smoke up Gene Smiths ass.
they were going to reach an agreement no matter what. as the season approached. Technically they havent even signed a deal yet.. just a "handshake" deal that will allow TWC to broadcast this saturdays games while they iron out the rest of the details and sign on the dotted line.