http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090428.wcrtcrogers0428/BNStory/Business/

At the end of article

...In an unexpected revelation, Rogers also told the hearings it is in negotiations with the major networks to do away with what are called “distant signal” packages. Those channels are duplicate network feeds from other time zones, which allow cable subscribers in Vancouver, for example, to watch the CTV or Global feed from Toronto. The broadcasters have long argued this is harmful to their ad revenue, since it scatters audiences to other channels, and they have sought more compensation from the distributors who sell the packages.

Rogers expects to drop the distant signals feature in favour of moving more network shows to its digital on-demand service – pending deals with the broadcasters – which it feels offers viewers more flexibility on when they watch shows. Rogers said it does not know when it will make that move.

What are peoples feelings on this?

I find the time-shifting channels essential. Sometimes due to the limitation of recording only two programs at the same time, makes the time-shifting ability very valuable. Also, there have been times due to different circumstances when the program did not record and I was able to catch it on timeshift.

Overall if they remove the time shifting channels I'll be royally POed.

I hate the Rogers on demand - not in HD and not all the programs are there. And besides, it causes my PVR to reboot most of the time.

Would be a very foolish move for Rogers. Consumers really utilize and like the flexability and that's something Rogers has advertised as a benefit for years now. R.O.D is not for everyone, and I view the services as being distinctly different. Bell and Shaw would begin grabing customers overnight if Rogers was in fact this foolish, I'd likely be one of them.

This makes a fair bit of sense. With fee for carriage, who wants to spend an extra $2 (estimated) a month for the timeshifted channels?

I suspect given a consumer backlash on Fee-for-carriage, all of the cable and satellite company's may follow suit. The satellite company's may hang on and eat the $2 a month because they don't have VOD

With a PVR and VOD, the benefits of time shifted channels are not what they used to be.

One good thing I've found with timeshift channels is that certain programming (i.e. taped/episodic tv shows) typically aren't simsubbed by local broadcasters.

One good thing I've found with timeshift channels is that certain programming (i.e. taped/episodic tv shows) typically aren't simsubbed by local broadcasters.

No simsubbing on the west coast feeds and the fact we had some many problems with Buffalo feeds over the last few years (I am talking about HD programming), are the main reasons why I still pay some extra money to be able to get these timeshift (west coast) channels. Even though there's some additional compression on these channels, they are still better than the butchered up simsubs of the Buffalo feeds.

If Rogers decide not to carry them anymore, one more reason for me to knock a few dollars off of my bill. OTA looks better and better every day, too.

I think this is one change that would send me off to satellite TV. Unless the ROD was VASTLY improved, it would not be good.

Time shifting is something a lot of people do and unless the PVR can be improved to allow recording or more shows at the same time or ROD includes pretty much everything, it won't go over well with people.

I'd rather pay extra to have it than lose it.

I'd rather pay extra to have it than lose it.

And that might be the option that cable companies settle on rather than get rid of them altogether.

I've not looked at the VOD stuff... am I correct in assuming it's all SD?

Dropping the time shift would be a royal annoyance! The wife already complains about when I'm PVRing two shows, so she can't watch a live channel; this will just make it worse.

It seems pretty stupid to me; they're reducing the convenience, which will push more people to download their content. Downloads have absolutely zero advertising revenue.

And that might be the option that cable companies settle on rather than get rid of them altogether.
Oh yeah; yet another money grab!!!

This move will not apply to the dropping of the West Coast U.S. Network feeds, only Canadian Distants.

I've not looked at the VOD stuff... am I correct in assuming it's all SD?
No, see:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76073

100 - ROD - Some HD programming available
308 - TMN/HBO On Demand - Some HD Programming available.
309 - MPix On Demand - Some HD Programming available.

I think this is just a cash grab by Rogers because it will force more people into getting the US time shifting package and/or a PVR. Sure the Canadian distant channels are SD but so is much of what's offered on ROD under free TV. Bottom line I will be paying the same and getting less :(.

I don't get the advertisement tie in - if you watch the shows on demand, there are no commercials at all so no ad revenue either. Makes no sense.

No simsubbing on the west coast feeds and the fact we had some many problems with Buffalo feeds over the last few years (I am talking about HD programming), are the main reasons why I still pay some extra money to be able to get these timeshift (west coast) channels. .

Rogers picks up the Buffalo HD stations Over the Air. Add in their compression, and you can get some pretty aggravating drop outs.

When I had Rogers, I enjoyed the Time Shifting stations, for the reasons mentioned above: Problems with Buffalo feeds that have never been fixed, PVR can only record two programs simultaneously, etc.

I believe Rogers wants more people to buy into PVR's....so this would be a good move on their part to encourage it.

This move will not apply to the dropping of the West Coast U.S. Network feeds, only Canadian Distants.

It has to or it doesn't make sense?! Why drop the CDN distant locals and not the US ones, people will just tune into the US nets instead of VOD, which defeats the purpose of Rogers putting the programming on their On Demand platform.

My husband works a lot of evenings so I need those timeshifting channels. There are a few shows in the free ROD and only my soaps come commercial free of what I watch. They would have to add a lot to the ROD for me to like this move.

Add in their compression, and you can get some pretty aggravating drop outs.
Rogers does not compress the major Buffalo HD channels, as discussed in the following post:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=104501

There are other issues regarding the Buffalo channels which have been discussed in this forum extensively (search for "Rogers issues Buffalo" or similar), but please do not perpetuate the myth that Rogers compresses all the channels. They do compress some, but those are listed in the above link.

Does Rogers even KNOW how long the lag is from when a show airs on the east coast U.S. network to the time it takes it to appear on VOD?! So Family Guy airs 8pm Sunday. It time shift airs at 11pm Sunday (either take your pick on Global BC or Seattle Fox). Okay. How many days does it take to appear on VOD? Well, I've noticed at minimum of 3+ days. That's 3 days!!!!

Rogers VOD interface is slow and clunky. Besides that, I've noticed that with quite a bit of new-to-VOD U.S. ACTUAL episodes (the latest Parks & Recreation for example) get hit w/ the "This program does not include the pause, rewind, fast forward feature for this program; we aplogize for any inconvience; enjoy the show! " screen. WHY????? Because the networks negotiated w/ the Cable Co.'s to *include* the ads... which you can't always FF through. It makes all involved a way to make $$$. It's like this: VOD shows were *not* allowed to include the ads. The Canadian networks went to the CRTC to negotiate inclusion of ads. In the last CRTC, Rogers discussed future-technology that will allow the inclusion of geotargeted ads (by small region, not individual houses).

Screw that. I'd rather watch it using a proxy and Hulu(.com) to get it next morning. I'm not sure how long it takes to watch it on GlobalTV(.com).



As for moving to Bell TV or Shaw Direct: Wouldn't the DTH also negotiate to drop the signals since this is impacting local stations across the country? We'd essentially be like Americans who aren't awarded the luxury of distant signals due to this fragmenting of stations viewers.