kes601
join:2007-04-14
Virginia Beach, VA
4 edits | Extreme HD and Essentials Information
It appears that Verizon is doing / will do the following in almost every market (NY and possibly WA being the exceptions):
What seems to be fact:
• No more Premier Package for new customers -- it is probable that once contracts run out for current customers they will no longer be able to keep this package;
• No more separate Sports Package -- it has been rolled into the new Extreme HD package (see below);
• Created a smaller package called Essentials -- the ONLY HD channels being offered in this package are up to 14 local HDs. It also does NOT include certain SD channels such as RFDTV, CurrentTV or any of the channels formerly in the Sports package. Current price is $47.99/month if not bundled with other services;
• Created a new package called Extreme HD -- includes all "non-premium" (e.g. HBO, etc.) channels, including some SD channels (RFDTV, Current TV), all the channels in the previous Sports Package, and ALL the HD channels available. Current price is $57.99/month if not bundled with other services;
• Other packages (e.g. Movies, etc) are still available on top of whatever package you get (Essentials or Extreme HD).
Additionally, Verizon is in the process of re-aligning channel numbers and adding new channels in the CA market while continuing to add more (primarily) HD channels to markets where the re-alignment has already taken place.
Depending on the market you're in, many of the "Phase 2" HDs will only be available through Extreme HD. Customers may see a "free preview" next to these channels in the guide before the channels are removed from the lineup of Premier Package customers. An up-to-date list of these channels for different regions can be found at this page:
All of this is creating a lot of confusion about who should have what and when. As customers it would appear that the following is happening:
If you're a current Premier Package customer and NOT in NY (or WA possibly) you will LIKELY NOT get the following channels until you upgrade to the Extreme HD Package (all of these are HD unless otherwise noted):
• RFD TV (SD)
• Current TV (SD)
• Sports Channels from 300-319 (All SD)
• FX HD
• WGN America HD
• Speed Channel HD
• Versus / Golf HD
• Fox Business Network HD
• Fox News Channel HD
• Bio HD
• QVC HD
• Planet Green HD
• Travel Channel HD
• ABC Family HD
• Hallmark Movie Channel HD
• MGM Channel HD
• Disney Channel HD
• Toon Disney HD
Current Premier Package customers will most likely grandfathered in with their current lineup, keeping the HDs that are NOT listed above.
Last but not least, Verizon has released numerous new bundles that may actually have the effect of saving Premier Package customers when they upgrade to Extreme HD; however, two-year contracts are no longer being offered. If you move away from your current (Premier Package) contract, you will be re-upping with a new, one-year contract.
Two example bundles are seen below (possibly only offered at these rates until end of October):
• Freedom Essentials Phone + 20/5 Internet + Extreme HD for $109.99/month = $50.98 savings/month
• Freedom Essentials Phone + 10/2 Internet + Essentials for $99.99/month = $40.98 savings/month
One final note: receiving additional channels is completely independent of getting the new version of the IMG (v1.6/6.89). The are each being deployed on a different schedule and you do not need the IMG 1.6 to get the new additional channels.
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Maintained by darcilicious and kes601
Please do not reply to this thread, it is an informational post to hopefully provide quick answers to the new channel packages. Please continue discussion here:
Sashwa will turn it into a sticky thread when time allows.
Any corrections or additions, please send IMs to either kes601 or darcilicious. |
