Shaw Gateway Promo (New Subs Only)

[Dr.Dave]

@dscott01 you may find the following FAQ interesting:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76129

[Shaw Champ]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck7

this deal seems very poor compared to many of the deals being offered to Optik TV subscribers.

I got 9 Optik Theme Packs for $90 a month for 3 years whereas Shaw is only offering the Personal TV package + 35 HD Channels for $85.00 a month ... not very compelling to switch

JohnnyCanuck7 the difference with the Shaw Gateway Promo is that you do not have to pay for the standard definition theme packs to get the HD ones - there is no linkage requirement in this offer. The Gateway promo includes phone and 50mbps internet too, so all 3 services. Plus you own the equipment, you simply are not just renting it out. You can not get all 3 services and 9 theme packs with Optik for 3 years for $90/month every month. You could for 6 months and you are probably on a short term promo rate and doesn't include equipment.

[dscott01]

I am curious about one issue with the $99 a month package.

The information on the offer states that with the Home Phone you can:

"Listen to, download and manage voicemail remotely, online or through email"
"Call Display and free Shaw to Shaw calling"

The above statement indicates to me that voicemail and caller id is included with the promo, but the rep I spoke to said that the only calling feature included with the home phone is Call Display.

Can anyone clarify?

[Shaw Champ]

Correct in that the feature that comes as standard with the phone package is Call Display. One can add on both Voice Mail and Call Waiting for $5.95 on this package. Requesting Voice Mail by itself is still $5.95. I believe that the statement you wrote is intended to show this a a feature of the phone but not part of the package plan itself.

I will be honest with you in that this part could of been worded better. I do think though there is a part in the small print that says "Offer does not apply to: (i) additional phone features"

[JohnnyCanuck7]

Originally Posted by dscott01

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe all TV providers in Canada broadcast HD content at 720p.

The only way to get 1080i or 1080p is OTA (which is uncompressed and looks incredible)

Most HD channels broadcast at 1080i and only a few broadcast at 720p.

OTA HD is ALWAYS the best because the channels are NOT compressed and broadcasted at their original quality.

Bell, Shaw, and Telus all employ compression BUT Telus seems to compress their stuff more than Shaw AND they downgrade all 1080i signals to 720p.

I have a 58" Plasma and sit 7.5 feet away and I can tell you the difference between HD channels on Shaw and Telus can be staggering at times.

If you have a big screen TV Shaw definitely has a lot better picture quality.

[JohnnyCanuck7]

Originally Posted by Shaw Champ

JohnnyCanuck7 the difference with the Shaw Gateway Promo is that you do not have to pay for the standard definition theme packs to get the HD ones - there is no linkage requirement in this offer. The Gateway promo includes phone and 50mbps internet too, so all 3 services. Plus you own the equipment, you simply are not just renting it out. You can not get all 3 services and 9 theme packs with Optik for 3 years for $90/month every month. You could for 6 months and you are probably on a short term promo rate and doesn't include equipment.

Hi ShawChamp thanks for your reply.

I live in a apartment and got a special deal not from Optik but one of their marketing companies.
I got Optik for a 3 year rate guarantee (but only 1 year contract) at $89 + taxes for that entire 3 years.
I got free rental of a digital box and PVR indefinitely (and if I stay for 3 years I owe them both).

I get:
Optic TV "Your Pick HD" (Regularly $78 a month)
1 extra Channels (Sports Top-Up)
Optik High Speed (with NO bandwidth caps!)
Phone Line Basic + Visual Call Waiting

and the theme packs I got I was able to choose my 8 favourite ones + time choice which is different then what they show on their site for "regular" customer's.

I would be willing to take the Shaw 968 Promo for $99.99 a month (and the 3 year rate guarantee) because of Shaw's better picture quality and the gateway hardware (which I have tested and like better than Optik) BUT while I like all the HD channels they include I can't live without these channels:

36 BBC World
57 Comedy Network
122 MTV Canada

and I would be hard pressed to by 3 entire them packs just to get those 3 channels (especially when I pay less with Optik and get those 3 channels plus a TON of other channels).

Is there any way to order those 3 channels outright for a more modest fee without buying the 3 theme packs?

Thanks.

[Shaw Champ]

Originally Posted by dipdeol

@Shaw Champ: Has the system been upgraded to allow BB100 or BB250 on this plan? How much is the extra charge for each?

Hey there, not yet but we are getting a few requests to upgrade so I would assume it should not be too long.

@Johnnycanuck thanks for the reply never heard about that but wouldn't surprise me. I would hope you get it in writing as a safe guard. We are not quite there yet with true individual channel options for all stations.

[JohnnyCanuck7]

Originally Posted by Shaw Champ

Hey there, not yet but we are getting a few requests to upgrade so I would assume it should not be too long.

@Johnnycanuck thanks for the reply never heard about that but wouldn't surprise me. I would hope you get it in writing as a safe guard. We are not quite there yet with true individual channel options for all stations.

So basically to get this channel:
57 Comedy Network

You have to purchase the theme pack or no go?

Thanks

[Shaw Champ]

Yep, I do not know of any service provider who offers Comedy Network by itself in Shaws service area. That one seems always to bundled in a theme pack. Sorry!

[JohnnyCanuck7]

You don't make the rules so I don't blame you.
Thanks for info though.

[downbeat]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck7

OTA HD is ALWAYS the best because the channels are NOT compressed and broadcasted at their original quality.

This is not correct. OTA has the *least* compression, apart from Blu-ray discs.
Now … back to the topic at hand — the Shaw Gateway promo for new subscribers.

[Ric01]

I noticed the Shaw Gateway is currently in FS flyer for $420 for the Gateway and $179 for a portal.

IMO, Though the price is no better than buying directly from Shaw, the fact that the Gateway is being sold by retailers in the coming days may mean a potential for price reduction, price matching which will be good for us.. need not rely on Shaw's promo price for new subscribers any more ..hopefully

[ghostrider06]

Is this offer still valid? If so do I have to call Shaw and provide the promo code or is it an absolute must to have this mailer?

[dscott01]

Originally Posted by ghostrider06

Is this offer still valid? If so do I have to call Shaw and provide the promo code or is it an absolute must to have this mailer?

I was able to get the offer without the flyer. I told the rep that I saw the deal on a website and quoted the promo code. He put me on hold and came back and said no prob.

The installer didn't ask for the flyer.

[ghostrider06]

I know that this promo is for new subscribers only, but has anybody been able to convince a shaw rep to allow an existing subscriber to take advantage of this promo?