Bell TV Pricing and Programming Packages Discussion - Page 32 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Panache70 · 2012-07-11, 04:30 PM

Or to those who complain loud enough

Panache70 · 2012-08-20, 02:43 PM

I know this has been talked about before, but about 6 months ago I was able to subscribe to HD Sports without subscribing to TSN in SD.

I live in Quebec, and I did this using the Bell online tool for programming changes.

When I go to channel 400 I get the message that I am not subbed but channel 1400 in HD works fine.

It has been this way for at least 6 months.

Today, I went to make change using the online tool (unrelated to TSN) and I get an error message that before any changes to my programming can be made I need to sub to TSN SD in order to get the HD Sports theme pack.

Did something change?

Was I able to get TSN HD (without SD) because of a lucky break or did Bell TV change the rules lately?

I know the TSN mandatory subscription in order to get HD existed a while back but I thought this had been lifted.

So now, I can't make any changes to my programming unless I want to sub to TSN in SD (which I will never watch)??

rogue17 · 2012-08-20, 08:11 PM

I think at one time it was possible. I know someone in Maritimes that had basic plus HD packages.

rogue17 · 2012-08-22, 09:28 PM

This is in Quebec,
I just picked up a Bell Satellite brochure valid as of July12,2012 from The Source.

In it, it groups together Showcase SD and HD.

which was not the case before July 12,2012.

So, I have a question to people in Quebec that have Variety 1 on the old theme packs but don't subscribe to the HD packs.

Are you getting Showcase HD now?

Installer · 2012-08-22, 09:34 PM

the lpif fund price will drop from 1.5% to 1% as of september 1st. and be phased out by 2014.
i beleive the updatge also read history 2 is coming....too tired to read the document again tho...lol

peterpuckfan · 2012-08-22, 10:55 PM

I am an American sub and I use ***** IN Quebec, Live on the South side of Lake Ontario so I have zero signal issues for those who will be sure to point out the footprint changes.

Anyways, my Bill increased from roughly $62.00 month to $92.00 in a very short time without me adding or making changes in programming.

I felt it was getting too expensive so I canceled some theme packs to get it reasonable even though I was losing some channels I like, but the Bill went down to $76.00, so ok, sobeit.

One Month later it goes back up to $ 86??? I decided it was time to see what other providers are available and for how much. Well they`re all too farking expensive in my opinion, but I really enjoy Bell and the different perspectives you get on Canadian TV and especially the Hockey coverage.

So I E-mail ***** and tell them I am unhappy about the situation, and now we are on this back and forth trying to get the programming figured out, as they are telling me there are special packages for people in Quebec and I can only get ala carte now??

Soooo, I see there is a "Best of the Best" package which seems to have what I need, but I have no idea if it includes all the Network Channels I have been getting, including the Boston and Seattle? and also HOW MUCH is it Monthly?

Who wants to come home from work and have to work at trying to figure all this new nonsense out?Its pretty confusing...if anyone can help me out it is much appreciated..been without my sports channels the past 5 days and counting...of course if Gary Bettman doesnt get his head out of his arse soon, there might not be much need for the sports channels.

waterug · 2012-08-22, 11:53 PM

I pay about $130 for the Best of the Best package which was actually cheaper (can't remember by how much) than when I had 11 themes. I have all those channels plus a few others that I didn't get before and still pay less. Now, the Best of the Best doesn't include any French channels other than those mandated by the CRTC for carriage.
And, dare I say it? There are other sports besides hockey!

Panache70 · 2012-08-23, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogue17

I think at one time it was possible. I know someone in Maritimes that had basic plus HD packages.

Well it looks like I am screwed now, because I cannot make any changes to my programming until I add TSN SD...

Trying to tough it out, but i regularly would modify my programming if any of my channels went on free preview.

Like this month for instance, since i already have Teletoon, I would swap out Teletoon (which is on free preview) for something else.

rogue17 · 2012-08-23, 05:01 PM

Yes Bell is always changing things. Showcase HD was only available before as part of the More Variety HD but you would have to get the SD version.

In Quebec,
Now as of July 12,2012 in the a la carte option if you subscribe to Showcase SD then you automatically get the HD version free of charge. Much like Bravo,RDS, Much Music and other specialty channels.

So what if people have the old theme packs with Showcase SD but not the HD pack containing Showcase HD. Will they get the HD free version too?

This is murky because in the pre assembled packages like Top Anglo and Top Bilingual Showcase is shown as being only offered in SD.

But in the a la carte option Showcase SD and HD are paired together.

So you never know with Bell.

peterpuckfan · 2012-08-23, 07:53 PM

$130.00? do you have other services such as internet or phone? If they charge me $130, I will be cancelling and quickly. No way in the world that is worth that much.

I came home today and my broker activated the best of the best, but I am still missing WGNHD, TSNHD and SportsnetHD. I just don`t get why everything is so difficult with Bell.

They specifically tell you you need the SD version of some channels to get the HD, and I do have the SD and I don`t get the HD, ans it even says on their website that those channels come in in HD, so why are they either missing entirely(channel 1400 doesnt show up at all), or they are RED and it says no subscription.

If they tell me its more money that will be the last straw.

Pinza · 2012-08-23, 08:02 PM

If I read your posts correctly, you are NOT dealing with Bell TV but through a Broker, so I don't see how you can complain about Bell, when it could very easily be the Broker that is screwing things up.

Panache70 · 2012-08-24, 10:21 AM

Looks like your broker did not sub you to the HD theme packs.
In order to get Sportsnet, TSN and WGN in HD you need to have the HD theme packs. 10$ more ought to do it...

Panache70 · 2012-08-24, 10:29 AM

Where do you see that Showcase HD is provided free of charge when you sub to SD?
If you go in the ONLINE programming tool and select Showcase from the A LA CARTE menu it says SD channel 616. Showcase HD only appears in the HD theme packs. Same as TLC and Animal Planet. You have to get the theme pack to get the HD.

rogue17 · 2012-08-24, 10:39 AM

Panache you probably are looking in the same place I did on their website.

I have a pamphlet from the Source that says otherwise. Then I spoke to a online agent and she gave me a link.

bell.ca/styles/tv/en/qc/pdfs/channels/channels.pdf

The a la carte option.
In it you can see Showcase SD and HD paired together the same way Bravo and RDS are paired together.

Panache70 · 2012-08-24, 11:03 AM

Very interesting indeed.
Too bad TLC is not A LA CARTE in HD also, I would drop the MORE VARIETY HD THEME PACK in a minute.
Have you tested this? You indeed get Showcase HD when choosing SHOWCASE SD a la carte, without the HD Theme pack?

2012-08-20, 02:43 PM	#467
Panache70 Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 518	TSN HD I know this has been talked about before, but about 6 months ago I was able to subscribe to HD Sports without subscribing to TSN in SD. I live in Quebec, and I did this using the Bell online tool for programming changes. When I go to channel 400 I get the message that I am not subbed but channel 1400 in HD works fine. It has been this way for at least 6 months. Today, I went to make change using the online tool (unrelated to TSN) and I get an error message that before any changes to my programming can be made I need to sub to TSN SD in order to get the HD Sports theme pack. Did something change? Was I able to get TSN HD (without SD) because of a lucky break or did Bell TV change the rules lately? I know the TSN mandatory subscription in order to get HD existed a while back but I thought this had been lifted. So now, I can't make any changes to my programming unless I want to sub to TSN in SD (which I will never watch)??

2012-08-22, 09:34 PM	#470
Installer Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 292	the lpif fund price will drop from 1.5% to 1% as of september 1st. and be phased out by 2014. i beleive the updatge also read history 2 is coming....too tired to read the document again tho...lol __________________ "The quality of your question will directly effect the quality of your answer"

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2012-07-11, 04:30 PM	#466
Panache70 Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 518	Or to those who complain loud enough

2012-08-20, 08:11 PM	#468
rogue17 Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 553	I think at one time it was possible. I know someone in Maritimes that had basic plus HD packages.

2012-08-22, 09:28 PM	#469
rogue17 Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 553	This is in Quebec, I just picked up a Bell Satellite brochure valid as of July12,2012 from The Source. In it, it groups together Showcase SD and HD. which was not the case before July 12,2012. So, I have a question to people in Quebec that have Variety 1 on the old theme packs but don't subscribe to the HD packs. Are you getting Showcase HD now?

2012-08-22, 10:55 PM	#471
peterpuckfan Rookie Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	I am an American sub and I use *** IN Quebec, Live on the South side of Lake Ontario so I have zero signal issues for those who will be sure to point out the footprint changes. Anyways, my Bill increased from roughly $62.00 month to $92.00 in a very short time without me adding or making changes in programming. I felt it was getting too expensive so I canceled some theme packs to get it reasonable even though I was losing some channels I like, but the Bill went down to $76.00, so ok, sobeit. One Month later it goes back up to $ 86??? I decided it was time to see what other providers are available and for how much. Well they`re all too farking expensive in my opinion, but I really enjoy Bell and the different perspectives you get on Canadian TV and especially the Hockey coverage. So I E-mail *** and tell them I am unhappy about the situation, and now we are on this back and forth trying to get the programming figured out, as they are telling me there are special packages for people in Quebec and I can only get ala carte now?? Soooo, I see there is a "Best of the Best" package which seems to have what I need, but I have no idea if it includes all the Network Channels I have been getting, including the Boston and Seattle? and also HOW MUCH is it Monthly? Who wants to come home from work and have to work at trying to figure all this new nonsense out?Its pretty confusing...if anyone can help me out it is much appreciated..been without my sports channels the past 5 days and counting...of course if Gary Bettman doesnt get his head out of his arse soon, there might not be much need for the sports channels.

2012-08-22, 11:53 PM	#472
waterug Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Peterborough, ON Posts: 865	I pay about $130 for the Best of the Best package which was actually cheaper (can't remember by how much) than when I had 11 themes. I have all those channels plus a few others that I didn't get before and still pay less. Now, the Best of the Best doesn't include any French channels other than those mandated by the CRTC for carriage. And, dare I say it? There are other sports besides hockey!

2012-08-23, 05:01 PM	#474
rogue17 Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 553	Yes Bell is always changing things. Showcase HD was only available before as part of the More Variety HD but you would have to get the SD version. In Quebec, Now as of July 12,2012 in the a la carte option if you subscribe to Showcase SD then you automatically get the HD version free of charge. Much like Bravo,RDS, Much Music and other specialty channels. So what if people have the old theme packs with Showcase SD but not the HD pack containing Showcase HD. Will they get the HD free version too? This is murky because in the pre assembled packages like Top Anglo and Top Bilingual Showcase is shown as being only offered in SD. But in the a la carte option Showcase SD and HD are paired together. So you never know with Bell.

2012-08-23, 07:53 PM	#475
peterpuckfan Rookie Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	$130.00? do you have other services such as internet or phone? If they charge me $130, I will be cancelling and quickly. No way in the world that is worth that much. I came home today and my broker activated the best of the best, but I am still missing WGNHD, TSNHD and SportsnetHD. I just don`t get why everything is so difficult with Bell. They specifically tell you you need the SD version of some channels to get the HD, and I do have the SD and I don`t get the HD, ans it even says on their website that those channels come in in HD, so why are they either missing entirely(channel 1400 doesnt show up at all), or they are RED and it says no subscription. If they tell me its more money that will be the last straw.

2012-08-23, 08:02 PM	#476
Pinza Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GTA Posts: 8,576	If I read your posts correctly, you are NOT dealing with Bell TV but through a Broker, so I don't see how you can complain about Bell, when it could very easily be the Broker that is screwing things up.

2012-08-24, 10:21 AM	#477
Panache70 Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 518	Looks like your broker did not sub you to the HD theme packs. In order to get Sportsnet, TSN and WGN in HD you need to have the HD theme packs. 10$ more ought to do it...

2012-08-24, 10:29 AM	#478
Panache70 Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 518	Where do you see that Showcase HD is provided free of charge when you sub to SD? If you go in the ONLINE programming tool and select Showcase from the A LA CARTE menu it says SD channel 616. Showcase HD only appears in the HD theme packs. Same as TLC and Animal Planet. You have to get the theme pack to get the HD.

2012-08-24, 10:39 AM	#479
rogue17 Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 553	Panache you probably are looking in the same place I did on their website. I have a pamphlet from the Source that says otherwise. Then I spoke to a online agent and she gave me a link. bell.ca/styles/tv/en/qc/pdfs/channels/channels.pdf The a la carte option. In it you can see Showcase SD and HD paired together the same way Bravo and RDS are paired together.

2012-08-24, 11:03 AM	#480
Panache70 Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 518	Very interesting indeed. Too bad TLC is not A LA CARTE in HD also, I would drop the MORE VARIETY HD THEME PACK in a minute. Have you tested this? You indeed get Showcase HD when choosing SHOWCASE SD a la carte, without the HD Theme pack?