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dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
2 edits | Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? Paul...
I was told by RCN that they did send out notices to Mass, but you and I (and probably everyone else) didn't get them. Funny thing.
Their plan is to begin going all digital starting July 8 and finishing by January 27.
Here is info provided to certain RCN reps:
>>As of today May 6, 2008, we began encrypting some HD channels in the Massachusetts market and we will continue to do so until all channels are encrypted. This includes High Definition channels that weren't previously encrypted such as local stations. Note the schedule below:
On 05/06/08 we encrypted:
A&E HD Ch 184 , History Ch HD Ch 186, Animal Planet HD Ch 187, Travel Channel HD Ch 188 , FX HD Ch 189 , LMN HD Ch 190, TLC HD Ch 191 , CNN HD Ch 192 and Discovery HD Ch 193.
On 05/14/08 we will encrypt:
HGTV HD Ch182, Food Network HD Ch 181, TBS HD Ch 174 ,TNT HD Ch 173, Comcast Sp Net HD Ch 171,ESPN HD Ch 166 , ESPN 2 HD Ch 169 ,
WLVI HD Ch 156 and WSBK HD Ch 159
On 05/20/08 we will encrypt:
NESN HD Ch 170, ABC HD Ch 160, CBS HD Ch 161, NBC HD Ch 162, Fox HD Ch 163 and PBS HD Ch 164
How does this impact our customers?
* Anyone without an RCN cable box or CableCARD will no longer see these channels.
* Most RCN customers will not even notice a difference. If they have a digital converter or a CableCARD, they won't see any change.
* Customers that have QAM tuners that were picking up unencrypted digital channels without paying for them will no longer see the channels.
o QAM tuners allow the free reception of digital programming previously sent "in the clear" by RCN; however, most digital channels were always encoded because they are outside of the "basic cable" package.
o QAM tuners are only available on high-end HDTV's, and the customer had to know how to set up the tuner to receive these stations. Few people know how to do this, so the amount of customers impacted should be negligible.
o For now, this does not affect a cable ready TV receiving ANALOG cable signals. This is just HD channels. Analog channels will soon be eliminated as well, but that is a future phase; we will send out another notification when that occurs.
+ Beginning July 8, 2008 in Massachusetts; all analog channels except for a constant advertisement will be replaced by an all-digital line up enabling us to put together a great new channel lineup.
+ Customers must have a box on each television by their implementation date or they will lose programming.
+ For new customers, the first standard converter box is free. New customers will be charged $2.95 a month for additional standard converter boxes. Current customers with out any converter boxes, will receive the same pricing. The 1st box free and $2.95 for each additional box.
+ If current customers have a box (RDIGCNV), they will receive additional boxes at the price schedule they are on: $2.95/5.95 OR $4.95/7.95
+ Letters and voice-cast phone messages are directing customers to call a local number, 781-xxx-xxxx, for details.
+ Direct customers calling Customer Service to request a new converter or to swap a converter to the Local Office first
Edgar | |
|  billymac
join:2008-05-16
01802 | Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? Awesome! I'm negligible! | |
| 
Paul_Brookline
@harvard.edu
| said by dworsky  :Paul... o QAM tuners are only available on high-end HDTV's, and the customer had to know how to set up the tuner to receive these stations. Few people know how to do this, so the amount of customers impacted should be negligible. I had no idea that pushing the "Program" button on the remote was such a high-end skill. I guess my Engineering MS didn't go to waste. This reads like an excerpt from that Dish TV commercial showing Cable execs as scheming buffoons.
I'd think that such obvious contempt for your customers would not be a productive business strategy. | |
| | dworsky
join:2004-10-29
Somerville, MA
2 edits | Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? 5/29 update: In Somerville, all HD and major networks are gone via QAM as of this morning.
I am fiddling with rabbit ears on my Sony 46" Bravia to get back HD. How crazy is that in 2008.
Grrr. | |
| | 
rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| said by Paul_Brookline :said by dworsky :Paul... o QAM tuners are only available on high-end HDTV's, and the customer had to know how to set up the tuner to receive these stations. Few people know how to do this, so the amount of customers impacted should be negligible. I had no idea that pushing the "Program" button on the remote was such a high-end skill. I guess my Engineering MS didn't go to waste. This reads like an excerpt from that Dish TV commercial showing Cable execs as scheming buffoons. I'd think that such obvious contempt for your customers would not be a productive business strategy. I'm hopeful that myself and Joe's assistance in this forum would show otherwise. I do apologize for the context / wording of that statement and I assure you it couldn't be further from the truth.
--
Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Network Operations | |
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tigrzeye
Control4 Certified Installer
join:2007-07-18
LHV, PA
| Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? Jason and Joe we appreciate all your help. I don't think we are upset with either of you. BUT since you are available to us through this forum, you are getting it both barrels.
I just added an HD STB and am charged $11.99 per month and already have HD programming with an existing DVR/HD STB. That is incredibly high for a box rental fee as compared to DirecTV where is is $4.99 per month. That is 2.5 times more. | |
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rcnman
Jason Nealis
Premium,VIP
join:2003-05-02
Herndon, VA
| Looking back over the thread of postings and after checking this out internally at RCN, I think what we have here is failure to communicate well. RCN in no way views any of its customers as ‘negligible’ – we are spending millions of dollars to go all digital throughout our markets in order to give our customers double the programming for about the same price as before. One of the aspects of that effort is that we are encrypting digital programming outside of the basic tier, so our internal communications discussing the change, which were later posted in this forum, were meant to address the fact that customers using QAM tuners would be impacted by that change. The internal information also noted that the number of such customers is expected to be small given that most TVs don’t have QAM tuners and even if they do, very few people are using them today.
Should we have used the word “negligible” instead of “small”? Probably not. The same goes for the phrase “Few people know how to do this” – it probably would have been better to say that “Only our most technically savvy customers are currently using the QAM tuners in their TVs.” All I can say again is that RCN in no way views its customers as negligible or not smart enough to figure out how to use a QAM tuner – and apologize for any other impression that was obviously engendered by RCN’s poor choice of words.
--
Jason Nealis,
Sr. Director, Video Product and Network Operations | |
| | | | billymac
join:2008-05-16
01802
| Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? said by rcnman :.... One of the aspects of that effort is that we are encrypting digital programming outside of the basic tier, .... Jason, my question is regarding the above statement. Are local HD broadcasts not part of the basic tier? Although I would love that it remain the way it is, and I've bragged about RCN's clear QAM, I've resolved myself to losing the majority of clearQAM.
The local HD's not being in clear QAM, that is the issue that is driving me to switch. Your competitors have the locals in the clear, and advertise as such, so by not providing that you are losing the customers that care about that feature, but gaining very little. None of the encryption changes are necessary for the the analog crushed and enhanced HD that you are rolling out. I'll be spending more for cable but I'll be able to use my HD QAM DVR with them.
I do feel that all cable companies should provide their extended basic in clearQAM like RCN has for many years, but I guess that is a battle that has been lost.
I appreciate your support for the few months I was with RCN and wish you all the best.
Billy | |
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Paul_Brookline
@rcn.com
 from:
tigrzeye
| said by rcnman :we are spending millions of dollars to go all digital throughout our markets in order to give our customers double the programming for about the same price as before. "about the same price" !?!? Really? ...I will have to pay almost $40.00/month over and above what I am now charged, simply to regain the programming I've been receiving on my existing TVs with no box, as promised by your sales representative.
said by rcnman :One of the aspects of that effort is that we are encrypting digital programming outside of the basic tier. You are encrypting all the channels, both Standard Definition and HD I am currently receiving as part of my expanded basic service, including local broadcast stations.
said by rcnman : .....the fact that customers using QAM tuners would be impacted by that change. The internal information also noted that the number of such customers is expected to be small given that most TVs don’t have QAM tuners and even if they do, very few people are using them today. EVERY television manufactured for the past two years has contained an ATSC/QAM tuner, including the 15" Toshiba I have in my kitchen, in a space with no room for a cable box. When my each of my TVs was first powered on, it presented a setup screen asking if I wanted to program the channel selection. One button press is all that's required.
Look - we all know why RCN is now encrypting all programming: forcing customers to rent boxes generates revenue. Cable TV is not a competitive market - it is, at best, a duopoly, and the industry has successfully killed the FCC's effort to make STBs an open market.
Please do not insult our intelligence by conflating encryption with digital conversion or bandwidth reclamation - we know that they are unrelated. We also know that encrypting basic programming is not related to protecting premium content (that has always been encrypted).
Many of your customers chose RCN BECAUSE you provided content in Clear QAM. I have recommended RCN to friends and colleagues because they would be able to avoid renting an STB. That has now changed - I am warning them to avoid RCN, particularly because RCN reneges on commitments without even bothering to notify customers. That is contempt, by anyone's definition. | |
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tigrzeye
Control4 Certified Installer
join:2007-07-18
LHV, PA
| Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? Thank you Paul_Brookline for your post, concise and to the point.
A couple additional considerations:
1/ My RCN bill now exceeds my budget plan electric bill. A utility that provides me with heat, hot water, and power for every appliance and gadget in my household.
2/ I can't switch to another cable company. RCN is a monopoly in my area, it's the only choice, no competition, no competition pricing to have to beat.
3/ Okay we have already lost the battle, RCN is encrypting their signals, period !! So at least lesson the blow a bit RCN and make your STB rentals reasonable. I recently added an HD STB and it is $11.99 per month. Same thing on DirecTV satellite, is $4.99 per month per box/TV connected. $12.00 for a box to just sit there, used or unused. OUCH!! | |
| | | | | | tubby17
join:2007-09-15
Easton, PA
| Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? tigrzeye--another thing that troubles me is that in the Lehigh Valley, we can't even get OTA broadcasts because of our geography. If I'm not mistaken, this was the impetus for the first cable company in the country to start operations here (Service Electric). That's another option that we simply don't have if we want to get major networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, etc.) in HD.
So for those of us in the Lehigh Valley, correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, we rely on cable to get ANY signal since there is no OTA alternative. Just another example of how our options will really be limited by all of this. | |
| | | | | | | JimF
join:2003-06-15
Allentown, PA
| Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? said by tubby17 :So for those of us in the Lehigh Valley, correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, we rely on cable to get ANY signal since there is no OTA alternative. It depends on where you are. I have a good UHF antenna in the attic, pointed towards the local LV stations, but also get (about 30 degrees off-axis) the ABC, CBS and NBC stations from Philly. They are all HD (1080i except for ABC, which is 720p). Usually they are OK, but I get some dropouts and will eventually upgrade to another antenna pointed directly at the Philly stations, and switch between them. | |
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tigrzeye
Control4 Certified Installer
join:2007-07-18
LHV, PA | Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? You are probably correct on the duplicate programming charge but it has the same effect. If you have a TV you need a box and they charge $4.99 for that line. Not $17.95 for a DVR box, not $11.95 for an HD box just the $4.99. | |
| | | | | | | billymac
join:2008-05-16
01802
| Re: [CATV] Clear QAM channels slowly disappearing in Boston? Not to defend RCN, but Direct does also charge $10 a month just to get HD. So their is an added cost for the first HD box. With RCN going digital, Direct is on the same playing field. If Direct has a better deal then switch.
Personally I'll be paying more per month now to get a feature I want (clearQAM locals) from Verizon. I'm sure we aren't the only customers RCN will lose. I'm sure they hope they gain more than they lose. Personally, I always find it's usually easier to keep existing customers than to find new ones. | |
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