Topic 'Rogers Killing Cable TV' in forum 'Rogers' - dslreports.com

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:05:34 EDT

yabos posted : Cancelled my Robbers TV. It was $57/m for BASIC cable + HD set top which I barely watched.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:38:12 EDT

rosenqui posted : If I was starting from scratch I'd probably get a few Roku boxes since they're cheap and so simple to use and setup, but I already had a PS3 and that's what we used when Netflix first came to Canada a few years ago. I don't think Roku was even selling in Canada at the time.

We have 3 main viewing rooms - the home theatre (basement), living room, and master bedroom. I bought a second PS3 when the slim units went on sale, then I won a 3rd one at a fundraising raffle, so I had one for each room by the time we ditched satellite.

The living room and bedroom each have the 4GB XBox slim acting as a Windows Media Center extender for watching OTA TV. I got one on sale from Dell for $130 and bought the other off Kijiji. If Microsoft wasn't acting so greedy by requiring XBox Live Gold membership to use video apps I'd probably just use the XBox for Netflix/Hulu/etc. in those rooms and not have a PS3 there.
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Adventures in Canadian cord cutting - »canadiancordcutting.blogspot.ca/

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:30:24 EDT

bparanoid5 posted : Great Blog..looks like you took a page right out of my story.

The only differences are:
-Internet - Teksavvy
-No Hulu Plus
- +Roku box (tons of private channels)

Internet = $39.95
Netflix = $8.00
Roku = $0.00
OTA = $0.00
Voip.MS = $??spare change ??

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:38:30 EDT

rosenqui posted :

said by bparanoid5:

I went with OTA in May 2011 and couldn't be happier. For giggles I decided to pull out all of my Rogers Cable bills going back to 2002 (i'm a bit of a pack rat)

I did the same thing for a blog article but with Bell Satellite. It was quite enlightening to look back at the fee increases.

2000 - The Works - $51.95
2001 - The Works - $52.95
2002 - Ultimate 9 - $64.99 (included $1 for US networks)
2003 - Super 9 - $52.99 (we switched from Ultimate to Super in Dec 2002)
2004 - Super 9 - $54.98 (the $2.99 "System Charge" is introduced)
2005 - Super 9 - $57.98
2006 - Digital Standard + 5 themes + HD - $57.00
2007 - Digital Standard + 5 themes + HD - $61.00
2008 - Digital Standard + 5 themes + HD - $64.00 ($3 "Digital Service Fee" is introduced)
2009 - Digital Standard + 5 themes + HD - $68.00
2010 - Digital Standard + 5 themes + HD - $70.00
2011 - Digital Standard + 5 themes + HD - $74.00
2012 - Digital Standard + 3 themes + HD - $70.00 (we dropped some programming)
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Adventures in Canadian cord cutting - »canadiancordcutting.blogspot.ca/

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:58:01 EDT

elitefx posted : Yea, it's a sad day in 2013 when we're forced to revert to updated ancient technology because unregulated cable providers like Rogers have ruined our conventional entertainment universe with their greed and avarice.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:39:36 EDT

bparanoid5 posted : I went with OTA in May 2011 and couldn't be happier. For giggles I decided to pull out all of my Rogers Cable bills going back to 2002 (i'm a bit of a pack rat)
In 2002 I was paying $24.48(taxes in) a month for basic cable.
In 2006 with the craze of HDTV pvr's etc I ended up paying $713.00 for the Year.
In 2010 I was up to $980.00 for the year.
Total cost from Jan 2002 to May 2011 - $5,682.91
Total costs from Jun 2011 to present...$0.00

Life does go on without 100+ reality channels :D

Growing up all we had was one 20 inch B&W Tv with CBC, CityTV and a snowy image of Fox if it was a nice day.

Edit..p.s. City TV playing right now on my 100 inch projector in true uncompressed 1080p HD glory of a cheap $50.00 antenna.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:40:28 EDT

J E F F posted :

said by bt:

VPN to where, exactly? The US, where the whole situation is only marginally better?

If they are correct and someone puts cable and satellite to rest, yes, VPN to USA.

Although you're right, the US is only marginally better.
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:21:02 EDT

bt posted : VPN to where, exactly? The US, where the whole situation is only marginally better?

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:17:35 EDT

J E F F posted :

said by bt:

said by J E F F:

Apparently Apple (or someone) will be changing the way we watch TV. This isn't in reference to them making available a TV, but rather, Apps on their current Apple TV device that will allow for way more programming. Now, I admit this is inside info, but apparently it might have the power to put the cable/satellite business out of business.

The content rights holders need to play along, though. And in Canada, who are the content rights holders again?

They either play along or risk more people using VPN.
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:16:51 EDT

J E F F posted : Just had a thought, since this increase was announced January 2nd, your bill was likely already sorted. Keep us posted if you can.
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:14:01 EDT

bt posted :

said by J E F F:

The content rights holders need to play along, though. And in Canada, who are the content rights holders again?

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:38:41 EDT

scorpido posted :

said by J E F F:

I like their commercial.

»directv.vo.llnwd.net/e5/shorts/A···50N0.mp4

Thats is awesome, I'm totally sold. :D

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:30:30 EDT

sbrook posted : As I mentioned in another thread, the crazy part about this, when you have probably 15 million product-customers ... a single dollar per month represents 180 million dollars profit ... or LOSS if a widespread per customer cost hits them. I'm not trying to justify Rogers actions but when you're dealing with the ability to make or lose $180 million on just a single dollar per customer, it's pretty serious stuff.

It is no wonder that call centres are staffed with low paid workers ... they need to keep costs per customer down. Sadly, what Rogers have failed to realize is that they can keep costs down by having a more reliable service, to no need so many customer support agents because problems get solved on the first call, not the 20th because the agents can't be understood or understand.

Big companies can rise to monumental heights really easily on small margins, and equally they can come crashing down even more easily. (Need I mention Nortel?)

It's finding the balance ... and sadly Rogers has tipped the scale too far against the consumer. It's why I changed to TSI and wish I could change for TV.

Beware though, any company distributing TV services will still be ridiculously expensive.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:54:47 EDT

J E F F posted :

said by sbrook:

Jeff, Multipath (distortion) is "reflections". For analogue TV, evidence of multipath is ghosting. Say you live not too far from tall buildings. The TV signal goes direct to your antenna, but it also reflects foo the building and onto your antenna and the few additional microseconds it takes for the signal to get to your TV messes up the direct signal. This causes signal distortion.

On analogue TV, this caused the ever famous "ghosts", on digital TV, like most signal quality issues, it causes pixellation. Multipath is a real problem with rabbit ears which have poor directional discrimination. With good high-gain directional antennas the impact of multipath is dramatically reduced but it means either an antenna rotator or multiple antennas.

----

My biggest complaint is that a lot of the TV I watch is NOT available OTA ... History channel, Discovery channel, HGTV etc. so I'm tied to cable or satellite, and the channels I tend to watch are in packages that include a lot of other channels that I don't watch and wish I didn't have to pay for!

Thanks for clarifying. I was speaking to someone who had put a single antenna up on their roof and they were explaining multi-pathing -- they're pretty smart so I took his word for it.

That's good to know though, maybe a good antenna set-up is all I need.

On topic of those channels not available OTA: Apparently Apple (or someone) will be changing the way we watch TV. This isn't in reference to them making available a TV, but rather, Apps on their current Apple TV device that will allow for way more programming. Now, I admit this is inside info, but apparently it might have the power to put the cable/satellite business out of business. They were comparing it how the record and 8-track (and now CD's) and film (35mm) going obsolete.

Time are changing, and companies like Rogers need to realize this. Constantly raising the prices isn't good customer service, it's greed.
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:11:01 EDT

sbrook posted : Jeff, Multipath (distortion) is "reflections". For analogue TV, evidence of multipath is ghosting. Say you live not too far from tall buildings. The TV signal goes direct to your antenna, but it also reflects foo the building and onto your antenna and the few additional microseconds it takes for the signal to get to your TV messes up the direct signal. This causes signal distortion.

On analogue TV, this caused the ever famous "ghosts", on digital TV, like most signal quality issues, it causes pixellation. Multipath is a real problem with rabbit ears which have poor directional discrimination. With good high-gain directional antennas the impact of multipath is dramatically reduced but it means either an antenna rotator or multiple antennas.

----

My biggest complaint is that a lot of the TV I watch is NOT available OTA ... History channel, Discovery channel, HGTV etc. so I'm tied to cable or satellite, and the channels I tend to watch are in packages that include a lot of other channels that I don't watch and wish I didn't have to pay for!

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:30:01 EDT

J E F F posted : He's in London, likely won't get much. I went to TVFool, and checked out some info, I inputed 50 foot as an antenna.

[att=1]

As you can see by the image, and, as they quoted:

quote:
Reception at your location is affected by many factors such as multipath, antenna gain, receiver sensitivity, buildings, and trees - which are not taken into account. Your mileage may vary.

I highlighted "multipath" as it is a major issue the further you go out. Since the signal are straight and not spread, once you're a few miles out from original source, it's going to be hard getting them.

Still, if (actually when) I get rid of cable, I'll give it a shot, because that's the type of stuff I do. I do stuff to see if I can just make it happen.

EDIT NOTE: Forgot my attachment!
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 09:26:08 EDT

J E F F posted : I put in a Niagara Falls zip code. Dish is still a lot cheaper than DirecTV.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 08:01:50 EDT

TwiztedZero posted : You could run out and buy a channel master 4221 antenna and mount it somplace if you're in the GTA area or an area with good access to Lake Ontario. Then you'd receive local channels and some U.S. content free over the air. (OTA). Be a cord cutter, then you could suplement that with online content perhaps with xbmc/mediaportal-pvr setup or something. Just a suggestion, and yes I realize this might not be an option for everyone.
--
----|- From the mind located in the shadows of infinity -|----
Nine.Zero.Burp.Nine.Six
Twitter = Twizted Zero
Chat = irc.teksavvy.ca

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:51:02 EDT

rosenqui posted :

said by J E F F:

I take it back...DISH Network is cheaper than the others. Starts at $14.99 month. Includes all local plus some specialty. Also, allows you to add certain superstations.

Beware Dish & DirectTV's teaser rates. They're almost as bad as Bell in that regard, although unlike Bell at least they make it pretty easy to see what the real rate is once the honeymoon is over and the rebates end. Dish's $19.99 package is $24.99 once your first 12 months are up.

If you were going to sign up for a grey market service like Dish or DirectTV that you'd have to carefully shop for the right US address so that you qualify for the national network feeds. The US satellite services use spot beams to deliver locals, so if you sign up with a Florida address you'll get the appropriate local channels for that area, but you won't be able to receive them once you venture too far outside of that geographic area since the beam only covers that region.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:45:36 EDT

rosenqui posted :

said by J E F F:

I was looking at Shaw but I didn't see any $30 plan, I saw that there was a 6 month discount to take it to $30..but no $30 plan....

It's called "Digital Lite" and it's hidden by default on their programming page. Go to their Store/Programming and then click on the "View All Packages" link under "Action 2: Choose your package".

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:25:23 EDT

JAC70 posted :

said by elitefx:

Rogers are like addicts now. No ethics, no self respect just a blinding drive to rake in cash no matter who they hurt and stomp on along the way.
There's nothing good you can really say about Rogers anymore. They're just this dark, vile, evil force out there preying on society's weakest links.

LOL. What do you want to bet an IP lookup would show our resident drama queen posting from Bell corporate headquarters?

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:50:46 EDT

dabonz posted : Shame on Them !

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:28:58 EDT

J E F F posted : I take it back...DISH Network is cheaper than the others. Starts at $14.99 month. Includes all local plus some specialty. Also, allows you to add certain superstations.
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:16:34 EDT

J E F F posted : I was looking at Shaw but I didn't see any $30 plan, I saw that there was a 6 month discount to take it to $30..but no $30 plan....

How hard is it to get DirecTV? Does anyone here have it? Although looking at the prices, they ain't a hell of a lot better either. (although they are better..just not a hell of a lot)
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:13:38 EDT

elitefx posted :

said by resa1983:

Uh....

LPIF is being phased out. Why the hell are they increasing it.

Yea, that's what I thought. Just adds insult to injury. Rogers has completely forgotten about their biggest asset. PEOPLE.

Rogers are like addicts now. No ethics, no self respect just a blinding drive to rake in cash no matter who they hurt and stomp on along the way.

Seniors, shutins, the poor all have a basic right to television and the connection to the outside world it brings. Most live on fixed incomes and don't ask much from their basic cable or Rogers. Now it's becoming a life or death choice. Rogers basic cable or food and shelter.

There's nothing good you can really say about Rogers anymore. They're just this dark, vile, evil force out there preying on society's weakest links.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:06:39 EDT

J E F F posted : I thought I was paying too much:

[att=1]

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:52:19 EDT

resa1983 posted : Uh....

LPIF is being phased out. Why the hell are they increasing it.
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Battle.net Tech Support MVP

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:48:06 EDT

J E F F posted : He's in London, he'd likely not get much in London.

I even thought about digital OTA, but because the way digital OTA works, you're not likely to get many channels if you're much more than 40 miles out. I think even with a 40 foot antenna, I'm only getting Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener and that's it. Not even Buffalo. (just outside the line)

Back in the days of analog, you'd pull anything in with 100 miles with a relatively small roof-top antenna. My grandma lived in Guelph and pulled in everything, no need for cable. 29 Buffalo (Fox as it is known as now) was a bit fuzzy at times.
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:33:44 EDT

nekkidtruth posted : Just posted this last week in another thread: »Re: How Minimum Can I Get?
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Weeeeeee

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:00:15 EDT

elitefx posted :

said by yyzlhr:

The only satellite providers in Canada are Bell, Telus and Shaw Direct. Telus is a Bell reseller, so really there are only 2 providers.

Also you'd be hardpressed to find much of a price difference between satellite and cable.

Thanks. You're absolutely right EXCEPT for the same money from Shaw I can get roughly 113 channels versus the 47 I currently get from Rogers and we get to say goodbye to Rogers Cable TV as a Bonus. After 60 years we're sick to death of their thieving ways. My Rogers internet is on the chopping block next. Time for a clean sweep in 2013.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:44:54 EDT

yyzlhr posted : The only satellite providers in Canada are Bell, Telus and Shaw Direct. Telus is a Bell reseller, so really there are only 2 providers.

Also you'd be hardpressed to find much of a price difference between satellite and cable.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:43:12 EDT

rosenqui posted : If you want anything more than the basic over-the-air networks, you'll be hard pressed to find anything less than $40. I looked into it last spring when we dumped Bell Satellite and took another look last week when writing about Zazeen's new offering.

Shaw Direct's $30 package is the best you can do, but that's rather crippled and if you're happy with it, you'd probably also be happy with the free Local Television Satellite Solution program Shaw has. Expand the first highlighted item on that page to get more info, and don't worry about the Nov 2012 date - the program has been extended through to the end of Nov 2013:

»www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/···128a.htm

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:13:11 EDT

bt posted :

said by elitefx:

Well, this is going nowhere on Google. Does anyone have the complete or even partial list of Satellite TV providers for southwestern Ontario? I want to steer clear of Bell. Thanks

Based on Satellite TV, Ontario, not Bell:

Shaw Direct

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:51:22 EDT

elitefx posted : Well, this is going nowhere on Google. Does anyone have the complete or even partial list of Satellite TV providers for southwestern Ontario? I want to steer clear of Bell. Thanks

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:21:38 EDT

rosenqui posted :

said by dabonz:

I pay like $140 for cable TV

Wow, $140/month just for cable TV!?

We've been gradually weaning ourselves from Bell & Rogers and cut the final cord (Bell satellite TV) last spring. Now we pay a total of just over $142/month plus tax for all of: 2 smartphone plans (Koodo deal in Nov/Dec), home phone (voip.ms), Internet (Acanac), and TV (antenna, Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu).

I posted some of the specifics on Adventures in Canadian cord cutting in case you're curious.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:58:32 EDT

dabonz posted : I think I'm going to cancel my movie networks nothing on there but garbage and plus I have netflix. I pay like $140 for cable TV so now I'm going to look @ my option my contract exp in July so we see who ever gives me a better deal. I see CRTC get there 1% cut so of coarse Rogers got kiss ass. Rogers and Bell have the monopoly CRTC should open up like other carriers from the states then you would see price drops Bell and Rogers are just has dirty ask a crooked politician

That"s my 2 cents worth on this

This is what I give rogers on a monthly bases> but this month be lower cuz I haven't went over my little pee-wee Data allowance of 250GB so rogers aint getting my $100 bucks for last month,but yes I'm going to cut down my TV for sure

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:46:55 EDT

anon posted : Ya go with high Definition antenna. Many companies installing these professionally. Around $700 (one time install) and that's it no monthly fees. Cable and Satellite suck so does fibe. High definition antenna compared to HD programing from sat or cable is like night and day.. antenna is true HD not compressed crap the big boys provide!

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:03:46 EDT

J E F F posted : I like their commercial.

»directv.vo.llnwd.net/e5/shorts/A···50N0.mp4

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:59:01 EDT

J E F F posted : I shouldn't suggest this, but, DirecTV?

Or Netflix and HuluPlus?

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:26:16 EDT

elitefx posted :

said by J E F F:

It's goes up after your January 24th bill, so give it one month.

No contracts here and the notice with the Cable TV bill we also received an hour ago was for future bills AFTER Jan 24/2013

No fee increases for Express Internet indicated. My current due internet billing date: Jan 05 to Feb 04/2013

Bottom line: Glad my internet hasn't/isn't going up BUT WE NEED A NEW TV PROVIDER, PRONTO.

The television only gets used 4 hours a day at nite. Rogers has crossed the line here and it's time for a permanent change TV cable wise.

Any and all suggestions on my options in London are greatly appreciated.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:17:25 EDT

J E F F posted : It's goes up after your January 24th bill, so give it one month.

From the horses mouths themselves:

»www.rogers.com/web/content/support-terms

Now if you're on contract, they might not increase the rate. (although they might, and you have the right to leave w/o being punished)
--
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:12:52 EDT

elitefx posted :

said by J E F F:

My understanding is that internet is going up. ($3)

As is home phone.

Just got my standalone Rogers Express bill 30 minutes ago. No fee increase mentioned period, still $48.99

Our Rogers cable TV bill is under another family member's name and is a separate account from mine.

Re: Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:08:30 EDT

J E F F posted : My understanding is that internet is going up. ($3)

As is home phone.

Rogers Killing Cable TV

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:50:58 EDT

elitefx posted :

said by ROGERS :

Effective the date of your next invoice, the monthly service fee for each of the following TV packages will increase by $1.50/month plus applicable taxes and the 1% CRTC Local Programming Improvement Fund fee

My lineup:
- Cable Plus Original
- Cable Plus Combo

My current cable TV bill= $66/month and with the new price hikes will be $70 plus for 47 channels.

Has Rogers gone mad? WTF is going on? $70 plus per month for basically nothing. 30 of the channels are almost unwatchable. Garbage and news.

My Rogers Express internet isn't going up a penny yet they want $70 plus for 47 lousy TV stations.

I need an alternative cable/satellite TV provider. This is the straw that broke the camel's back. Don't need a million channels. Just the locals,main networks and a few others to boot.

There has to be an alternative provider out there for way less money.