I'm so confused about the pricing plans for TV nowadays.

I plan on buying an HD TV soon, I currently use Bell ExpressVu and have 2 SD terminals but will be switching to Rogers. I want to keep the cost low but have some HD channels. I currently pay a total of $42.99 and have a package of channels similar to the Rogers Ultimate package. When I rent an HD terminal do I automatically get some "free" HD content?

I'll probably be taking advantage of Rogers' Ditch the Dish promotion - the CSR offered me the HD terminal (for free, 2 yrs) in return for my SD Bell terminal.

Also, what's the cheapest anyone here pays and gets some HD content? What channels do you get?

Thanks. ;)

I am paying $140 per month.

Included
Time Shifiting
Digital Channels (select all)
Movie Pack
Hd Pack
Sports Pack
wwe/ytv/anime ondemand

Also, what's the cheapest anyone here pays and gets some HD content? What channels do you get?

The cheapest you can pay and get HD is $24.99 / month for basic cable.

AND you either have to rent or buy an HD terminal OR HD PVR

HD terminal is $12.95 / month to rent, or $299 to buy
HD PVR is $24.95 / month to rent, or $599 to buy (plus $1.99/month PVR fee)

The channels you would get are here:
http://www.shoprogers.com/store/cable/ptv/choice/hdprogram.asp
(weird they don't mention CTV... maybe because it's owned by Bell :))

If you pay an extra $4.95/month you also get TSN, Discovery, and west coast big-5 American networks all in HD. You use to have to also have the classic combo or MeTV package (about $15/month) each to be eligible to get these extra HD channels, but there's no mention of this on the website any more, so not sure if this is still the case.

See also the Digital Home FAQ on "Rogers HD Offering".

Thanks for the quick responses everyone.

With the Ditch the Dish promo, you should be able to get a HD receiver for as long as you remain a Rogers customer, instead of what they offered you which is free for only 2 years. If 2 years is all they would give you, then I would recommend getting a HDPVR instead.

Unfortunately the deal has gotten progressively worse over the last 6 months. The actual deal is that they will take what you own and give you the comparable Rogers version, rent free, for 2 years. That's it. I know people used to get much better but I've called Rogers 3 times now and they are not budging at all. :(

By the way, I can't find the forum mentioned - can somebody post a link pls?

You said forum but I'm assuming the Digital Home FAQs? There's a blue bar a couple of inches from the top of this page with FAQs on it. Click it and you get a pulldown for the Digital Home FAQs.

http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=30

Most people have been able to negotiate an HD DVR, but as you say, that was a while ago.

To get the additional HD channel pack with discovery, timeshifting, etc. you do need to subscribe to the analog pack which includes the channels.

Was going to add them primarily to get discovery channel, but would have cost $4.95 plus another $20 or so for the me tv pack I think it was. A bit much to add one channel I really want, and a bunch I don't really care about.

Same deal adding any of the digital channels. I tried to add the food network digital station, but was told I could not do it without ordering the analog pack which contained it.

My query last week to Rogers was, "Please review my account profile - what is the cheapest way for me to get the Discovery High Definition channel, channel 505 in Barrie...?"
Response was, "Discovery HD is available as part of the specialty channel Pak for $4.95/month. However, you must also subscribe to the Ultimate TV Pak as
we have contractual obligations with the Networks which require that
customers also subscribe to the same channels in standard definition." Somewhat misleading, as I think I remember reading from their website that I can subscribe to Classic Combo (+ Basic Digital Cable = $42.75) as opposed to Ultimate TV Pak (+ Basic Digital Cable = $47.74). Save $5!:rolleyes:
Two months to go before my 1-year free package runs out, then I guess I'll have to bite the bullet...

For everyone's information: On my December Rogers bill, under "Rogers bulletin board", they changed the conditions for downgrading any Rogers service. e.g. Previously when you wanted to cancel a video service,you could have it cancelled immediately by telephoning and cancelling. Your charges for the service ceased immediately. As of November 14, 2005 you have to pay for the cancelled service until the end of your current billing cycle. That could mean anywhere up to 4 weeks. The new reduced charges will only begin at the start of your next billing cycle.
BE AWARE !!!

Any idea if Rogers will ever seperate the HD timeshifting from the HD TSN and DSC? I don't care about tsn or discovery and would rather not have to pay an extra 15$ to then have to pay an extra 5$ just for the timeshifting.

They may. Eventually everything may be a-la-carte (when there's no more analogue). Howerver, Rogers is open to suggestions from customers, so send them the suggestion.

I'm adding that to my list of things to do tomorrow as we speak. A-la-carte would be a dream come true for me.

Eventually everything may be a-la-carte (when there's no more analogue). Howerver, Rogers is open to suggestions from customers, so send them the suggestion.
I don't think Rogers could do true a-la-carte (even if they wanted to) because of CRTC matching rules. When I had Look TV with a-la-carte you had to take a Canadian channel for every US channel selected.

Has anyone tried combining promotions?

As I mentioned up above I'll be going with the Ditch the Dish promotion and *trying* to get an HD STB. If not they'll give me an SD PVR (2 years free).

Next, I'll be getting my TV from BestBuy who give you a package to sign up for 12 months free HD STB or 6 months HD PVR (but you have to be a Rogers cable subscriber already, which I will be by then).

So, potentially I could get an HD STB for 2 years, with an extra HD PVR for the first 6 months. Any flaws in my plan?

That will depend on the CSR and the capability of the "codes" that he has at his disposal. Anything is possible, but if they wish to do so is another story. It may be difficult to "combine"...