I had to return a HD box the other day that went out... took me 5 minutes, they didnt even ask me questions just told em it was broke, they guy me a newer model box and I was on my way. So really must depend on who you get and when you go.
Same thing goes for satellite. I've never seen a directv or dish network service center where you can pick up a receiver to exchange a faulty one? In fact, I think those service centers are more convenient than anything besides their long wait time. If you have satellite and your box goes out, you're dependant on shipping to get another one. Or waiting for a service call I'm not sure how uverse handles that
Kind of strange timing to do this, since the rest of the Rockets games are on regular TV and we don't have to worry about missing games again for another 6 months. Are you a big Astros fan?
-Businesses like sports bars losing money/customers. -Hating cable companies a past time just like baseball -Teams should help cover distribution costs.
Over the last several years I had Comcast, I rarely had to wait longer than about 5 minutes at the local service center. They never asked any questions about the hardware I was bringing in, they just took it and gave me new stuff. I hate dealing with their phone customer support, but that is hardly an isolated thing with alot of different company's customer service call centers overseas. There are lots of reasons for not liking Comcast, but the main killer for me was the cost. that said...I still have no plans to switch...I dont like having to go thru extra steps to view my team, but as long as I can stream and download HD-quality games...I can live without CSN
Sorry, I don't know if this was posted (it probably was) but does anyone else find it weird that they try and keep promoting "Get CSN Houston" during Rockets' games? Only people that have CSN can see the promo. I guess maybe for people that are watching at a bar?
Either that or it's for people watching on a stream. It's pretty dumb though. It's like DirecTv airing so many commercials telling me how great DirecTv is...even though I already have it.
OH also how they keep telling people without Comcast to ask to get CSN for the playoffs. ESPN/TNT will have these games. Plus I like watching the national broadcast anyway. I can't stand Clyde...Bull is decent but he can get so whiny and negative.
I am a Houston sports fan, but more importantly, my 13 year old son who doesn't really like basketball yet was very frustrated with not being able to see the Astros. He has blossomed as a little leaguer and really enjoy's watching the games. This is his first year to really be into any sort of major league sport (he says he likes the Texans but rarely watches more than 5 minutes.) Since I've gotten it, he's gone out of his way to watch as much baseball as possible, so it's already validated my purchase/switch. I should also say that my view of the negotiations changed drastically over the course of the year. Not indicating that my view is right, just that I no longer view Comcast to be the evil entity in what is taking place.
May I ask what changed your mind? I've been contemplating switching over as well, but I just can't "screw Comcast, they'll never get my dime" out of my head.
for me it is my belief that the sale of the astros to such a highly leveraged group required heavy vetting on all revenue streams and a comparables analysis must have been done. we all agree that costs are going out of control. that the shift to a different model is on the way when we pay for 200 channels and only watch 5, but that's not the point. to me, as long as what they are asking is in-line with deals of a similar nature in other markets, then the providers are the ones that are drawing the hard line. I am sure there is blame to go all around - but it just doesn't seem like anyone is negotiating and I smell collusion on the part of the providers. Houston was the perfect market for them to draw the line and they have done so.
Tell me if this is a good deal. I am currently with U-Verse. I have the U-450 Package. Price is originally 121.00 I am getting a discount of 31.99 for 6 months. I am paying 34.99 for the Max plus internet. My bill is $150.00
I live in Dallas and have Directv. Those CSN channels require you getting the Sports Package for an additional 12.99 per month. As Cat and others have explained, this is the crux of the issue. CSN wants their channel carried on the basic tier which will force the providers to pass along the 3.40 user fee to ALL of their subscribers while the providers want to place it on an extended tier which would allow those who don't care one whit about Astros, Rockets to opt out of getting CSN. Now, Cat's earlier post explains this entire situation in great detail. About the only point I'd take issue with is his stance on FSN. FSN is indeed fortunate in that they happened along before RSNs like YES, CSN and the Longhorn Network became vogue amongst the sports teams. Fox can get their FSN on the basic tier because they have other programming that they can use as leverage with the carriers. If Directv wants to carry Fox local channels, F/X, F/XM, Fox News - Directv also has to carry FSN as well. This is contractually stipulated. Now CSN does not have this sort of leverage which is why there exists the current "standoff". And given the rather intractable positions of both sides, this will drag on for a long time. I fully expect the ALastros season to play out the same way as did that of the Rockets. My kudos to the Cat for his excellent post.
In their respective markets, those CSN channels are carried on the basic tiers. San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose/Bay Area, DC/Maryland/Virginia, Chicagoland area, Sacramento area, and Boston/New England area subscribers all get their respective CSN channels on the choice package on DirecTV which is the standard tier that gets you your basic RSNs. They don't have to pay for the sports pack.
