Comcast XFINITY TV → What is the magic word to get the $10/mo package?

I've decided I want to downgrade from the $100+/month package I've got. Last year Comcast sent out a small brochure with an updated channel listing. It listed a $10/month package, which seemed to just include the broadcast channels and one or two of the cable ones. This is the package I want. However the last time I tried to get it I was told I currently have the cheapest package and there was no downgrade option.

At the time I didn't have the brochure handy and after a brief discussion I realized I had a complete idiot and I ended the call.

Now I've found the brochure and will have it with me when I call. I'm not going to hang up until they switch me to the cheap package. Are there any magic words the CSR drone needs to hear to make them quickly give me what I want?

I'm in Richmond, VA if it matters.

What you want is the "broadcast basic" or "lifeline" package. That includes just your local channels and the public access stuff (as well as QVC and HSN... they want you to shop, you know). Here in Atlanta, that package is what I have, it is analog and includes the lower 29 channels. It goes for $18.95/month.

dont use the word package, and say you want "limited service"...never heard anyone use broadcast basic, or lifeline before....

but fuzi is right, it runs about $19 a month...nothing cheaper....

Here in Chicagoland it's referred to as: "BASIC CABLE"

I think that it is dubbed as limited basic around here.

yea it is "limited basic" in Comcast's language where I am. I downgrade to that over the summer, just don't want TV then.

This package is MANDATED by the FCC and the cable co's franchise agreement. They MUST provide some kind of lifeline service for a price that is much more regulated. They WILL try to get you to keep something higher. Do not budge and insist you only want limited basic, lifeline, antenna service, whatever. It should be somewhere around $10-$20 a month.

In Richmond, Limited Basic Service: $12.75 (as of 01Jan2008, was $10.75, but the converter is now "No Charge").

You should be able to find it in your most recent "Important information about your services" brochure about pricing changes. Other than local channels I don't know what's in it.

Do bear in mind that a truck roll is required to eliminate the additional tiers of channels. (read: we have to place traps on the line that cut out the extra channels)

The charge will probably be about $13-15 on the next billing statement as a one time fee.

In Nashville, it is called "Basic Service" and costs $11.90 a month. I have it just to lower the price of internet service. I don't use it at all, but the combined price of internet + Basic is less than internet by itself (plus I received half price internet service for 6 months).

its not available as long as you continue to possess the digital box. that must be turned in FIRST. the easiest way is for you to pack it up and head over to your local comcast office. the other way is to schedule for them to pick it up and install the trap on your line. be aware if you go that route you will probably have to pay 20.00 for them to pick the box up plus a change of service charge. when you complain about the price keep in mind a 15 minute truck roll averages 50 dollars cost to comcast.

that's not true in my area. I have the $15 basic service and I have two DCH3416 digital DVR's...so I get the broadcast hi-def channels too.

thats rare. and if you have 2 dvrs and your bill is only 15 dollars thats some sort of promotion. not all but most area require at minimum standard cable to even have a dvr. usually area that allow digital boxes with limited basic is areas where they are needed for channel mapping purposes. those area are still limited in numbers and isnt even worth mentioning.

maybe you're not allowed to do this in the markets that have gone all digital. For Comcast this would be parts of New Jersey and Chicago....I'm sure there are other areas now. For the rest of us, we can still take advantage of the 1992?? digital tier buy through law. This allows us to get any digital package (with box rental, of course) by subscribing to even the most basic level of programming.

For example, I have Limited Basic and Digital Classic. On my 2nd TV (without a box), I get only the limited basic channels (2 through 22). I pay $33 a month

Some areas have the limited basic package at a really low rate. Depending on the area I have seen it anywhere from $8.00 - $20.00 per month. Read the fine print of that flyer and call the number indicated on it. The flyer will have all the details of the promotion.

"Lifeline" is the term used by many franchise agreements, not Comcast. "Lifeline" is regulated by the municipality/state for which you reside, depending on how large your franchise footprint is. There is no mandate or regulation by the FCC for this service outside of the carriage and material degredation statutes of must-carry and PEG broadcast channels. The price, stations included, and availability is solely dependant on your franchise committee and is considered a "utility"; offerings outside of the "lifeline" service is considered a luxuary. "Lifeline" will soon be the only analog available in 20% of Comcast "markets", referred to Comcast as "all digital" such as Chicago (yet 27-30 analog still exists, but this is "all digital" to Comcast). According to the Third Order and Report in Dec 2007 by the FCC, it appears that broadcast must-carry stations should receive carriage of HD as well; if I read it correctly, the only reason you would need a "box" to receive your local's in HD is if your TV doesn't have a QAM tuner.

That package was only available to internet only subscribers... It was an upgrade driving promotion... You'll end up paying between $17 and $25 for basic cabel in 99% of the areas...

Sorry...