Cablevision has removed eight of our TV Channels!
A few weeks ago I noticed that eight TV channels, provided to me by Cablevision, disappeared. The missing program material was replaced with a message that said that I would need a Converter Box to receive the missing channels!

I called Cablevision to find out why the channels were removed. The Technical Service Rep said that the channels had to be removed because of the new changeover to Digital TV. I suspected that the answer that the Technical Representative gave me was not true! The Rep also told me that I would have to pay Six Dollars and fifty cents per Box, per month, (after one year )to receive the channels that I subscribed to. I paid Cablevision, $52.74 each month to receive about 30 channels, most of which I did not watch. My favorite channels were taken from me. Without a "Cable Box," I no longer would have access to "The Travel Channel," and seven other channels!

I reported this incident to the Federal Communications Commission, and got the following response from the FCC.

The FCC said, and I quote,
"For voluntary reasons, your Cable Company may choose to move some Cable Channels from it's Analog Tier, to it's Digital Tier, or may switch to all digital service, and stop providing analog Service. THIS IS NOT REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

As I suspected, the Cablevision Representative, did not tell the whole truth, by virtue of omitting certain facts.

Cablevision has a questionable Business model. Why do they pay royalties on hundreds of TV Channels that no one actually watches. How about "A la carte TV," I only view about fifteen channels, total!

In my original draft of this document I made the following statement! "It's about time that the "Davids" of our community, stand up to the "Goliath" called Cablevision." Well I have discovered the following! Unlike the Bible; Goliath has slain David! Cablevision is a private company, and answers to no one! We have lost both the battle, and the war.

I also said "This is what happens when a business operates without competition! I would hope that the next time our village negotiates with a Cable Company, they will remember this incident and act accordingly!" This too has no merit! If our village did not sign the contract with Cablevision, service would be terminated, and many households would loose their Internet connection. This would not be acceptable. So! Our Village, does not have any choices but to deal with Cablevision. Our Village is defeated!

We are defeated; however I did see something on the Internet, where some Government Agency is looking at all Cable Companies with regard to being "the new monopoly!"

Comments from some of Cablevisions subscribers:

http://www.topix.com/forum/source/newsday/TNO8JF7N8OQFEMEHF
Don't bother to call Cablevision; in my opinion, it will not do any good.

Comment:
Sorry, but I was also disappointed! The reality is that in February, you will not be able to watch ANYTHING without the $6.50 cable box and all the aggravation that goes with using one! So may as well get used to the idea...we have no choice!

Comment:

Anonymous said...
I just want to let you know that I am on your side. I have a cable box so I am not in the same position but know that the situation described leaves consumers with a feeling that a BREACH OF CONTRACT has occurred and there is no recourse. Absolutely shameful for such a large company as Cablevision. I hope your actions against this change in service becomes a lesson in 'remembering where you came from' for the GIANT that was once a little start-up company.
10:09 AM

Comment:

I am counting the days until Fios comes to Patchogue. This is just the latest of many unnecessary Cablevision moves that only exist to make them more money.

This comment was actually a bit longer, but I could not publish the last few lines, because they were not verifiable. Thanks for the comment!

The Bottom Line!

Your comments were sent to the County Executive; who was powerless to do anything about our problem. After investigating the possible alternatives to this situation, I have come to the conclusion, that we do not have any alternative! I looked into Satellite and Cable companies, and came to the conclusion that there is no "Five Dollar Lunch." All of the Cable Media can be compared to "Five Star Restaurants;" with a price to match!

I am the first person to reject a comment or article when it appears to be one sided. With that in mind I must mention that my search for another Cable provider revealed that it is cheaper to stay with Cablevision, when subscribing to a similar slate of channels. This does not mean I condone the ultimate removal of the service that I so enjoyed! I now have a Box that will ultimately cost me over Six Dollars per month after one year. I also have other TVs that will ultimately be rendered inoperative, because of Cablevision's transition.

Be advised! There is an alternative! If you buy a TV that can accept a "Cable Card," it will only cost about $2.50 per month. The down side is that you may not be able to look at some premium Services. Check with the Cable Company before you buy a new TV Set, to make sure that a "Cable Card" is still an acceptable substatute for a Cable Box!

Our Politicians got us into this mess by decontrolling the Cable Industry, and it's up to them to get us out of this situation!

Have a nice Day! If you can!

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