New Bell HD Packages (formerly titled: Bell HD Price Increase)

  • Thread starter Thread starter haystack
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This is pretty much to allow access to a basically dead spectrum. I believe that only a small portion of tv owners who actually watch TV on a regular basis have OTA as their sole broadcast reception medium. I think this move to higher quality of delivery may increase this portion. But, this is getting sorta off topic here. Perhaps another thread?
 
Gino why is it unreasonable to expect the channels I subscribed to in SD to be added in HD when they became available. I am paying $10 extra for this HD Value Pack and I expect it to be honoured as long as the deal is in place. I can see them increasing the price or even after a new deal is set up my old deal becomes set in stone with no new channels added but Bell took away two channels that were added when my deal was still the regular HD package.

In this 2006 PDF it says "HD pack includes new channels coming soon" so the understanding was that new channels would be added for no increase in cost. What they are doing now is making me pay twice for my programming.

http://www.bell.ca/media/en/all_regions/images/pdf/television/channels/menu.pdf
 
I got a telemarketing call from Bell the other night offering me first 2 free months (on a 2 year contract). So I asked "Is the programming cost guaranteed for the length of the contract?" Answer, of course, was "No". So I got a chuckle when I saw this thread.
 
I'd keep #5. Equator, OASIS and Treasure are practically the only HD channels that take advantage of this new medium. You don't need HD and a widescreen to enjoy CSI Miami. You do need both to appreciate a nature documentary set in the South Seas.

Based on what I've seen mentioned in this forum, I'd would drop #4. NG HD is a huge disappointment offering very little HD in the evening and is really just a copy of their SD service. Showcase HD is just trendy soft porn.
 
Can someone explain to my why Showcase & National Geographic are in the same "THEME"? Wouldn't it make better sense to put A&E together with Showcase then put Discovery with National Geographic?
Oh..wait ...I got it now....I have to pay for TWO THEMES if I want to watch educational TV in Hi-Def!
 
I think the bottom line is that eventually we'll pay more to have ALL HD channels, but if you're willing to pick and choose, you will likely see a decrease in cost for HD. I suspect most will fall into the later category.

-Mike
 
It looks like I'm among the few who are happy with Bell's new packages.

I just purchased a new Hi-def TV a month ago, but still hadn't upgraded to the HD package.

With CTV HD and CBC HD included as part of the basic service I was content with what I had.

Now, with Bell's new lineup, I also get all of the HD US networks(East and West) along with Global HD and CITY HD. That's 18 more HD channels than I had before, and best of all, I don't have to pay any extra.
 
I assume they're doing this in preparation for launching more HD. I asked a CSR about the pricing and she said that under the new system, you get 4 HD theme packs for 10 bucks, assuming you have a subscription to one of the packages that gets you a certain amount of non-HD theme packs. Since there are only 5 HD theme packs (and one of them is in free preview), right now there is really no difference in price between the new and old HD pricing structure. There will be a difference when the free preview ends for NatGeo and Showcase.
 
Digital/Analog/OTA/etc is definitely off topic for this thread. There are existing threads, please use them.

Thanks.
 
Actually in my case it will go down by $10 as I am going to cancel HD pack and watch DH channels that will be free with theme packs , so for many customers price of HD will go down as BEV will not require to buy HD pack to have HD channels.
 
As with Harry above 2 posts, wonder how many subscribers with out HD prior to today, will wake up and be astonished?
 
Well, let me know how it goes. If they do let you sign up for the 4 HD packs for $10 without requirement of a SD sports package then I got some complaining to do :)
My packs were HD Sports, More HD Sports, HD World and More HD Variety.

Notice that their website now has an asterix next to TSN/TSN2 (I'm pretty sure that wasn't there few weeks back) that states:
"*With subscription to packages containing the associated digital channel(s)."
 
On the brochure, CTV HD and CBC HD are clearly included in digital standard. A total of 6 HD channels are included. You need an HD receiver and two LNB dish though.
 
Interceptor, I just meant that it would be unreasonable to expect them to add all the HD channels as they are added indefinitely even if you do subscribe to the SD version. At some point the HD channels are going to reach a critical mass that it makes more sense to offer them in there own theme packs as they are starting to do now.

I do see your point about the wording in that brochure though and if they did in fact remove HD channels you previously had then I would be pissed and untrusting as well.
 
No, it says it right in the $32 option (which is what jjjay was asking about) that it includes the Free HD channels. (as long as you subscribe to the SD equivalents)

And I have to assume the $52 option also includes the Free HD channels, otherwise how are they considered free? But don't quote me on that, because it is Bell after all.
 
I will be in the same situation, only worse. I would like to keep WGN HD. TSN HD would be nice for HD sports but have no interest in Raptors. So I will have have to purchase an HD theme to get one channel or pay for two themes (one HD, one SD) to get two HD channels. (I have no interest in SD sports channels.) Talk about absurd. :confused:
 
Avgjoe, when I was a Bell CSR as late as June of this year, you could have ordered Base Num
 
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