Downgrading my programming

M

MooDy

New member
So I'm ready to turf a bunch of themes that I don't watch. But first I had a couple of questions and strangely I don't trust the CSR to give me a straight answer so I thought I'd ask here first.

Currently, I have Digital Standard, 5 SD themes for $20, and a grandfathered $10 HD package. I also have a $10 discount on the satellite portion of my bill for bundling my satellite with other Bell services (home phone and long distance).

I'd like to get rid of the 5 themes for $20. Questions:

1. Will I still be able to keep my grandfathered $10 HD package, or will I now have to choose between the set of HD channels that come for free with Digital Standard, or signing up for some new HD themes?
2. Will I still be able to keep my bundling discount? I seem to remember when I signed up for the bundling discount that the CSR said I could get it because I had the HD package (seems some packages qualify you for bundling and some don't). What qualifies you for a bundle?
3. If I *can* keep my grandfathered HD package, will I still get channels such as TSN and Sportsnet in HD after dropping my SD themes? (I currently have the SD versions in the themes I sign up for, but at the time I think the $10 HD package just got me all of the HD channels that were available at that time) What about other channels that I no longer subscribe to the SD equivalent of?

Thanks.
 
You may want to double check your bill :) The 5 SD themes went to $23, so that may apply to you and don't forget the $3 fee.

It is my understanding that a change such as you describe would require that you move to a "current" channel package so that should affect your HD channels. But, take a close look at the offering as for most people it is easy to find one of the 5 HD themes that you don't really care about.

When I put my services into a bundle, I was told there was a minimum $ amount to qualify. At the time, it was just over the base cost. It is possible that with the $10 HD it still allows you to qualify for the $5 discount per service - call and ask the bundling guys, not the TV CSRs . Although off topic, if you have Bell long distance, this counts as a service too.

Check out the web site as it lists which channels are "stand alone" and which require the SD equivalent. It is my understanding you will need to keep SD Sports 1.

I'm currently considering doing the same, but since i have numerous SD TVs I'm not sure I can get away with dropping all the SD themes.


Edit: I just went to the web site and clicked on the bundle option. It shows TV @ $28 so that portion shouldn't be a problem.

Edit2: although it does show $28 for 12 months, then $38 afterwards....and it has movies in there.....so I would suggest calling
 
You would be able to keep the grandfathered HD for $10, but you would lose TSN and Raptors in HD if you remove Sports1. You don't HAVE to go to the new HD package if you don't want, but your HD programming will remain static - no new HD channels for you.

It is $23 for those 5 themes, $10 for HD, $32 for basic, $1 for US timeshifting, $3 digital service fee, and whatever you may pay to rent, if anything.

Your bundle discount, with HD, would remain, since you have an HD receiver and HD programming.
 
Thanks for the advice. (And yes, the theme pack is more than $20, I forgot about that and don't have a bill handy. And of course there's the $3 "we send you digital stuff digitally" fee). I'll give Bell a call and see what happens.
 
So step 1 is done - I called Bell (not Bell TV) and asked about the bundles. Apparently eligibility is not by programming package, but by activated receiver. If you have a PVR, or a High Definition receiver, then regardless of your programming packages, you are eligible for a bundle discount. Interesting.
 
I believe you but that doesn't make any sense (but then we are talking about Bell). It used to be you had to have a minimum $ amount for programming (not rental, tax, fees, etc). This did make sense.
 
No, it's right.

The discountability for Bell TV is a standard definition PVR or a high definition receiver (basic or PVR, doesn't matter).

Trust me, you could remove the HD programming and still receive the Bundle discount, but you may be charged for the Nimiq 2 Upgrade if you received the free upgrade within the last year. Under the terms of the promo, you have to keep something from Nimiq 2 for 12 months to keep the upgrade promo.
 
As long as you don't remove the HD pack you should be able to keep it



To be able to receive Bell bundle discount you need to have a PVR or HD receiver (unless rules changed in the last 2 years)



You will loose TSN HD and Sportsnet HD. You need to suscribe to the SD version to get the HD feed. Same if you have Raptors HD. For the other channels it shoudn't matter
 
moody,

if I were you I'd drop 4 of your SD Digital Theme packs. I'd keep Sports 1 because you are grandfathered with the version where TSN and RSN are in the same package. If you drop it now and decide at a later point you want it back, you will need to subscribe to both "New Sports 1" and "New Sports 2".

I think this is a great comprimise, leaving you to save $15/month over what you are payinbg now.
 
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