Existing customer with legacy package looking at HDTV

S

shipster

New member
Hello, if this is not in the correct forum, please let me know...

I am an existing Bell Express Vu customer. I basically have had the same programming package for 7 years. I want to purchase a hdtv this boxing day. I will need a new hdtv receiver and to either have my dish changed (it's an older one)or have the nimiq 2 upgrade or lnb update to the dish in order to receive HDTV signals. I plan on purchasing the receiver (199$). I have looked at the new programming packages available and have mixed reviews. I like sports a lot but find that if I switched programming, I would actually lose more channels than gain because of how they split up sportsnet and tsn.

So, I have a few questions...

-First, if I purchase a bell HDTV receiver from either bell directly or best buy or future shop, in either scenario will I have to pay for the dish or nimiq or lnb (whatever you like to call it) upgrade?

-Second, am I forced to have to switch programming packages or can I keep my old programming package (Grandfather or Legacy) and receive free HDTV channels (Global,CTV,CBC,CBS etc.) with the old package?

-If I also keep the old package and I had TSN,the Score,and the Movie Channels as I currently do; would I be able to get any of these in HD for free as well without changing my package to a newer package?

Otherwise, the package right now that is closest to what I have currently is the digital max one with 7 theme packs and the movie channel which is good except for the lack of TSN in HD (will cost extra) and the fact that as of January 2010 might cost me 15-20$ extra on my bill per month (I currently pay around 65-70$) where as this package is looking like (85-90$).

These are my questions, I hope someone has a good and clear idea what I'm up against as someone with an old programming package looking to get some HDTV channels and sports without completely changing everything around.

Thanks.
 
Yes you could buy it at any retailer or Bell store
No, you won't have to pay the upgrade, you will be eligible for the NIMIQ2 FREE UPGRADE




They told us, beforeI left Express Vu that to do any upgade we needed to migrate the client to the newer programming package. If I recall well the Legacy programming options were even removed from our CSG (the tool that let's agent change programming). Lots of Legacy clients complained and we were told that if the client complains too much we could exceptionally do it. Things might have changed since, i've been out of Express Vu for 2 years.
 
The reason I ask about the second question you gave me the answer to is because today I spoke online to a customer service representative. They said that I could get the free nimiq upgrade (only with bell- they mentioned Bell World) and keep my old legacy programming and receive free HD channels but only the channels under the "Free HDTV Channels Package" since these channels were given to everyone under any package I guess. I think to get the score,movies or tsn in HD (Even though the HD programming is bundled free if I were to upgrade to the equivalent new package), I would need to upgrade, but if I can keep my old package, get the hdtv receiver with free nimiq upgrade, and get the introductory "free hdtv channels" package with my old package than this would be a good settlement in between to start off with HD. I can keep my old stuff and watch select channels in HD as well and if I like the hd I can always then upgrade in the future.
 
I have a package that is almost 10 years old and I have most of the HD channels. Over the years I have fought with Bell and gone to the Exec office to maintain my legacy package and get HD. It can be done but you have to hold your ground and not listen to the CSRs who will tell you "...if you switch you will save the extra receiver fee and the system access fee (totals under $10)." I ask them to MATCH my existing channels in a new package and tell me how much. They always come back $20 to $30 MORE, but insist that it is cheaper as I would not have to spend the almost $10 on fees!!!

Some logic! Pay $20 MORE IN TOTAL but I don't have to pay the fees!!! LOL
 
I've had an HD receiver ever since they where released, I've also had a legacy package that included HD, up until last Friday when I finally broke down and decided to make the change to a new package. The recently added HD channels finally made it worth while to make the change.

I can't speak to your hardware question, since I already have an HD receiver, but I can relay my experience having recently moved to a new package.

You are absolutely correct, you will lose some channels by changing to the new package, because of the way they have spread out the channels, and it will cost you more money for the privilege. That was the reason I was resisting the change for so long. But, in your case, you will be receiving a whole bunch of channels in HD and the difference will be so dramatic compared to the SD channels that you won't care. Also, be aware that the pricing you see on their web site is for new customers only. Since you are already a customer, technically you are merely adding a receiver, you don't qualify for that pricing. Click on the, 'Offer and pricing details' tab for the package you are interested in to find out what the actual cost for you will be.

Now, I don't know if this will work for you, it did for me because I had a legitimate complaint, but you could try it anyway. In my case, because I was already receiving HD channels, I complained that when the new Super station HD channels were added I wasn't receiving them even though I was already receiving the SD version. I've been complaining to Bell for years every time they added an HD channel that I didn't receive even though I had the SD equivalent. They always said that for me to receive the new channels I would need to move to their new packages. Anyway, what they finally offered me this time was 20% off the subscription pricing for one year to make the move and I wasn't locked in for two years like a new customer. In other words, I can still drop Bell TV service anytime I want.

In your case, the first thing I suggest is buying the receiver and have it installed with the upgraded dish that will get you both satellites and see what HD channels that gets you. Because you've never had an HD package you may not get any but my guess is that you may, at a minimum, get the Network channels in HD, basically all the free HD channels that are available to people who have an HD receiver. Check their web site for the complete list of Free HD channels.

If you have any of the Premium Movie packs you may also get the HD versions of those. Now if you do have a Premium Movies pack you should be getting the Super stations but you won't get the new HD versions of those. This is where you can log a complaint and see if they offer you some kind of deal to move to a new package.

Also, if you aren't getting any HD channels with the new receiver plugged in you can also log a complaint saying that you think you should be getting all those free HD channels since you have an HD receiver.

Now, because you've never had an HD package you really aren't entitled to receiver any HD channels but complain anyway. What you want them to do is switch you to their retention's department so that they offer you some kind of deal to move to their new packages if you decide to go that way.
 
Interesting! I have the movies (HBO, Superchannels etc) in my Legacy AND I get the HD versions. I get all the HD versions of the SDs in my package. Guess it depends on whom you fight with or what package you have.
 
Also, I should be clear, when I say complain I don't mean yell at a CSR. That will, and should, get you nothing!

Remember, they have a job to do that is mostly out of their control. Be nice and just tell them that you feel you are not getting something you feel you are entitled to. Also make the point that you've been a loyal customer for many years and that you feel that loyalty is worth something.
 
That's the problem with being out of the loop for so long. Bell TV at one time was going to force customers to migrate to the newer platform if they wanted to make any changes. Basically, they couldn't make any changes at all on their legacy programming. That option was NOT removed from the agent's tools. That lasted about six months, I think. Nowadays, customers on Legacy programming can make changes. If they close their account, when they restart, they'll have to go with the new platform. If they want to get more recent channels, like SPorts 3 and the new HD channels, then they'll have to migrate. But some HD channels are available with Legacy. It depends on what the customer wants.
 
As of June 30th (2009): Legacy customers could get a $9.95 HD package that included the US Networks and CBC Toronto HD. They could add on a a-la-carte basic for $1.95 each: TSN HD, RSN HD (Ontario feed), and Discovery HD.

In my opinion this is not the best option. To maximize your HD options and benefit from both the Nimiq 2 Upgrade Offer and the All-in-One HD Offer you need to migrate your programming to the Genesis Platform.

The Nimiq 2 Upgrade Program gives you another LNBF, a new dish (if you have a 18 in dish), cabling and the appropriate Multi-satellite switch [if you have a HD-PVR or 3 or more tuners you get a free SW44 (a $150 value)] plus the labour to install it all for just subscribing to additional paid programming on the Nimiq 2 satellite for 12 months.

The All-in-One HD Program gives you 6 months free HD Programming ($15/month for a maxium value of $75) when you add a HD Rental Receiver and HD programming within the same week.

The All-in-One HD Program and the Nimq 2 Upgrade Offer are combinable.
 
Our HD package costs $10 per month and we receive all HD channels with the exception of National Geographic, TLC, Showcase, Golf and Raptors. May change the HD World Theme for the More Variety Theme but am waiting to see what the new theme packages look like in the New Year. Also subscribe to the Movie Channel and receive all the associated channels including the HD Superstations and AMC.
 
I don't want to start getting into discussions about 2 months free programming for something or renting because if I had the same service for 7 years, I doubt that 2 months free will make much of a difference at all. I'm also confused about what some of you are saying regarding the nimiq upgrade. I thought that if I buy the receiver, they'll change dish and lnb for free (I already have the sw44 switch as I have 3 receivers hooked up right now). It sounds like some of you are saying I need to include some form of hd programming in order for this to be free otherwise it won't be. I prefer option 1 which some of you sounded like it was true which is to simply buy the receiver, have them hook it for free, then discuss HD free channels for the moment since I've been a loyal customer. Those channels would include CTV,Global etc. I also currently have Movie channels and tsn so maybe I can discuss the matter of getting those channels in HD for free also or for a small fee upgrade. The old package I have was the Ultimate 9 Package which doesn't exist anymore for any of those wondering what package it is I owned. As for things like National Geographic or Discovery HD, I have Discovery in SD but doubt they would give to me for free unless I subscribed to their new HD Theme pack.
 
Shipster (as an exising customer), you have one of two choices:

1.) You can upgrade without the Nimiq 2 Upgrade program: You can buy the appropriate upgrade kit for $80-180 or so, pay for labour if you don't install it yourself, and only get the "free HD stations" you truly want.

2.) You can upgrade with the Nimiq 2 Upgrade program: Bell TV will give you the right upgrade kit for free, send out for free a technician to visit your home and you'll be obligated to order some extra paid programming from the Nimiq 2 satellite at 82 degrees west for the next 12 months. The cheapest option is HD US Network Time Shifting for $1 per month for 12 months, yielding you a total cost of $12, but Bell would be happier if your ordered more programming.
 
Shipster, you can get the Nimiq 2 upgrade if you buy or rent an HD receiver, and you don't have to subscribe to any new programming or migrate to Genesis. The Upgrade is free with the installation of an HD receiver or HD PVR - this was verified by Bell a few months ago. They may change their minds about this at some point, since the 6131 can be used just with Nimiq 1, but I hope not.

To be on the safe side, you could subscribe to the Legacy Discovery HD for $1.99 for one year and keep the Ultimate 9. But you should check out the Genesis platform, just to cover all the bases.
 
See, this is where I'm slightly confused. I don't know who is more correct between the last two posts. I would much prefer Roman Centurion's answer with the exception of Discovery HD to which I don't care too much about. If anything, i'd prefer any US networks, TSN, sportsnet or other sports channel in hd and the movie networks in hd rather than channels such as RUSH,Equator, discovery or stuff like that. I'm not saying that I will get these for free or with my existing programming but just specifying that if anything were to be free, i'd much rather have those in HD as my own personal preference. Based on the answers given, this seems like the most logical approach:

1. Buy receiver from the place that has the best deal (Boxing day deal on receiver perhaps?)
2. Call Bell about purchase of Receiver and discuss Nimiq Upgrade for dish and LNB.
3. Discuss my unwillingness to change programming packages (stay with legacy) and see what channels I can receive for free with my existing package or what channels I am forced to get for a very small fee.
4. If getting a new package without a choice, be given the best possible monthly price without any 6 month or 1 year savings to which I don't find is a deal for me at all.
5. Discuss cancelling all of my Bell services. If a deal isn't to my liking, I see no loyalty to stay with Bell. We have both Videotron and Bell internet at the same time in this household. I have no hesitation to cancel my service and move to Videotron if they provide me the better deal. The rest of my family would prefer videotron because of weather problems anyways but have not wanted to change due to the bell service being set up and all receivers already being purchased. If no loyalty is given to me then I'll take a look at what videotron has to offer.

If anybody else has anything to add, please do so without hesitation. Otherwise, based on the answers given, I'll take the advice given and give you an update in a few months on the results...
 
I don't know if you'll get a good Boxing Day sale on a receiver. I think there's a promotion for buying HD for existing customers, but I haven't looked at promotions lately.

Silver Screen classics is available to Legacy programming customers. It's something else that requires Nimiq 2. It should be $1.99 with your current package. It's old movies from the 30's to the 50's, but not HD. That's another inexpensive option to ensure the free upgrade, if you don't care for Discovery HD. You shouldn't have to buy any new channels, though. Just adding the HD receiver is enough to get the upgrade for free (and if a CSR tells you different, tell them to ask their help desk).

cslusarc has given you some good ideas for programming, though. I say hang on to your old programming until you're comfortable to make the switch.
 
I had legacy programming but changed a few months ago. I called to inquire about getting another receiver. They noticed I had 2 receivers and no multi receiver change so they changed it. They said it had to be done. When I had installed it there was no multi receiver charge and I hadn't changed my programming since. But with that fee added on, I could upgrade to the new digital standards package and it cost me a few bucks more but got lot more channels.

Now I purchased a HDTV and a 6131 receiver and just wanted the free HD channels. The salesperson said Bell would upgrade for free to Nimiq 2. When my wife called he wanted to include programming for the upgrade. She mentioned a few times the free part and also mentioned Rogers :)

In the end were "supposed" to get some HDTV theme for free (actually the totl will be a few dollars less than we pay now) and the upgrade was done Saturday morning (she called Friday -fast and professionally done) I await my next Bell bill to find out but all in all I'm satisfied right now.

SO u should get the upgrade to Nimiq 2 for free if you insist politely. But as I said, the first time I called they would not reverse the multi receiver fee that belonged to my legacy programming but did not change the programming per say. In my case I knew I was going to change my programming soon so it was not a big deal.

Good luck..

Bob
 
If you go on the Bell website, there is a listing of the free HD channels. Right now there is a free preview but I will go through the HD channels to find out which I have now and get back to you. But unless you are rushed for the info, I should wait for my next bill to be sure they really are free. :-)

The free HD channels should be CTV, Global, CityTV, CBC, APTN, Sun, ABC, Fox, CBS, PBS NBC and HDNet. There are also some french HD channels that are free

Bob
 
TVA and SRC are free

The other French HD channels willbe there if you suscribe to the SD of the channel
 
Back
Top