Comcast taking over AT&T- no more FSW?

[Spartacus]

Originally posted by sonofapitch
[B**Create your own slow motion replays to clearly show when fish are offside in critical games. [/B] Gee, Al, you're not still bitter, are you? No, sir, not one bit...

[babytiger2001]

Originally posted by SJ_EQUAKE
I heard a rumor that with Comcast taking over the Bay Area cable from AT&T the channels available were going to change- including elimination of Fox Sports World (at least from the basic digital package)

Anyone else heard this?

Hopefully it is just a rumor- dont mean to get everyone freaking out-

If this is indeed the case, thank goodness Jen and I are living 8,000 miles away.

And even if we were back in the Bay Area, yes, I'd invest in a DSS, such as a DirecTV hookup the very moment Comcast allegedly zaps FOX Sports World from the Bay Area's collective cable-TV lineup. :mad:

Even the rumour of this gives each and every one of you the justification to be PO'd about it. Might not do much good, but write to AT&T (while their Bay Area cable-TV operations are still in existence) as well as Comcast and let them know how you feel, just to be on the safe side.

Cheers,
William

[Spartacus]

Originally posted by babytiger2001
If this is indeed the case, thank goodness Jen and I are living 8,000 miles away. If this is indeed the case on the eve of the AFL season, your lot will be busy taping match of the day (NTSC only) and shipping 8,000 miles to my doorstep.

[babytiger2001]

Originally posted by Spartacus
If this is indeed the case on the eve of the AFL season, your lot will be busy taping match of the day (NTSC only) and shipping 8,000 miles to my doorstep.

But we'll be at most of the Geelong games already. ;)

Damn, you need a Fox Footy Channel subscription, like the one we have... any chance Comcast will be adding that, too? :D

Cheers,
William

[DigitalTron]

00026155 is correct about Comcast. They base their cable systems on "clusters" where they try to become a mini-monopoly in the area. This allows them to do a better job of selling advertisement, and it's a good business decision.

But they seek to cut out FSW completely. Their supposed rhetoric is that it competes with the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) but that's pure BS. FSW is a soccer channel first and foremost, and OLN is a non-soccer channel. Comcast wants to be the local sports provider, and FSW competes with other local sports such as baseball, so they cut it out of the picture.

It may not happen immediately, but rest assured that you will lose FSW. Calling and writing may help, but it is very very very unlikely. Massive email and write-in campaigns have been tried, and all have failed. But, make one thing very clear, when you tell them WHY you are switching to DiSH Network or DirecTv, let them know that you are switching because they do not show SOCCER, and in particular they are cancelling FSW. See, the operators really are clueless. They have no idea of the difference between Fox Sports Net (FSN) and Fox Sports World (FSW) so telling them will not do the trick. You need to make sure you emphasize SOCCER.

If you do not have the requisite southern exposure for the satellite services now, I suggest you look for a new place that does. :D

-Tron

[BlueMeanie]

Expect the change. Although I don't understand why Comcast would drop FSW out here; AT&T showed both Outdoor Life and FSW, why can't Comcast?

Anyway, here's some coveninently vague wording from the merger FAQ on the Comcast site:

Will the programs or channels I currently receive change?

We are continuously reviewing and evaluating the channels and programming packages we offer in order to bring you the best value. As we go through this process, we anticipate making improvements and modifications to our channel line-ups. Comcast’s customer policy is to provide you with at least 30 days notice prior to any service change.

So losing FSW will fall under "improvements and modifications" in their eyes, or will they remove it from the schedule to help "bring us the best value"? :rolleyes: Another vote for "Hello DirecTV."

Good luck protesting, too. Last year, channel 472 on local AT&T digital changed from MTVX (all metal, punk, hard rock and thrash, with no ads) to MTVJ (crap-hop) one day without warning (now, it's MTV HITS). Calling AT&T about it was pointless, because operators are usually unaware of relatively obscure changes, and it's not their fault, anyway. Writing sane, non-rant emails to both MTV and AT&T got me no response to even explain why they made the change; I had no expectation of them changing it back but just wanted their rationale, especially when there are enough empty channels for them to have added MTVJ on a different one and kept MTVX.

All that said, FSW has also had some disappointing cutbacks in the past year. I still like that they are focused on the EPL, but they used to show the Dutch Eredivisie, as well as Chilean and Brazilian football. They have also cut rugby union coverage way back except for Super12 (No Six Nations Cup on FSW, even on tape delays? That SUCKS). Less variety, to be sure. However, I still want giving up on FSW to be my decision, not one made for me by some exec who wouldn't know a soccer ball if it was stuffed up his ***.

[morrissey]

Well according to the comcast channel lineup for my little bit of San Francisco:

40 FOX SPORTS BAY AREA
401 FOX SPORTS WORLD DIGITAL
410 ESPN 2 DIGITAL

This is from their web site. If it holds true for the next month or so, I will probably get digi-cable if they carry the shootout.

This is from Comcast.com.

james

[BlueMeanie]

Originally posted by morrissey
Well according to the comcast channel lineup for my little bit of San Francisco:

40 FOX SPORTS BAY AREA
401 FOX SPORTS WORLD DIGITAL
410 ESPN 2 DIGITAL
I saw that on their site, too. But I wouldn't expect the channels to change so immediately after the merger, if they do. Right now, Comcast has taken over the business, but the logistical operations are still being run as if it were AT&T. Just like after any business merger. Sometimes it's months before changes take effect (that's my experience after surviving a couple software company mergers).

[00026155]

It will take time for Comcast to ease out FSW. I think it was dropped within 6 months of them taking over our system. They have also changed our line-up 4 times in the past year. Comcast took off MLS Shootout last fall when football started. I kept calling and complaining but got no results. Since I was "concerned" (their word) I got some free PPV movies (which I don't ever use) and Philadelphia KIXX coupons. I can't find out why FSW gets blacked out so much in this area on Dish. People I teach with have dropped Dish because they got it just for soccer and FSW and are disappointed in the service for getting soccer.

[SJ_EQUAKE]

From some of these posts, it sounds like there is a good chance FSW will disappear from digital cable (which is bad news for those of us who live in apartments w/out the option of purchasing a satellite)

Dont know if this will help at all, but I sent a message to Comcast indicating I would cancel if they got rid of FSW

http://www.comcast.com/contactus/customerservice.html

If anyone knows a better way to do some preventive control on this, would love to hear it

[Spartacus]

Originally posted by SJ_EQUAKE
From some of these posts, it sounds like there is a good chance FSW will disappear from digital cable (which is bad news for those of us who live in apartments w/out the option of purchasing a satellite)

Dont know if this will help at all, but I sent a message to Comcast indicating I would cancel if they got rid of FSW

http://www.comcast.com/contactus/customerservice.html

If anyone knows a better way to do some preventive control on this, would love to hear it
Thanks for the link. I just sent a pre-emptive strike with lots of capital letters and exclamation points.

Can't hurt.

[lasoccervegas2002]

Originally posted by SJ_EQUAKE
I heard a rumor that with Comcast taking over the Bay Area cable from AT&T the channels available were going to change- including elimination of Fox Sports World (at least from the basic digital package)

Anyone else heard this?

Hopefully it is just a rumor- dont mean to get everyone freaking out-


COMCAST SUCKS ! PERIOD. the company is getting closer to bankruptcy.

[Mr. Bandwagon]

wow. this really sux. and just when it looks like FSW is going to start carrying MLS games and maybe a weekly highlight show:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=34076

[Tony in Quakeland]

Originally posted by Mr. Bandwagon
just when it looks like FSW is going to start carrying MLS games and maybe a weekly highlight show:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=34076 FSW has carried the US Cup for a couple years, which of course includes MLS teams, but ESPN will be carrying MLS for the next few years. (A new contract was announced last year.)

Everyone who is a Comcast suscriber has to call and complain--call can have an effect. If you go with DirecTV, then let BOTH companies know why you are making the switch.

[Kryptonite]

Originally posted by bluedaddy19
i dont know how youre cable service is, but i heartily suggest that directtv is the only choice - its cheaper and 100 times better than what i got from the larcenous inept cable company here (dont get me started!)

FSW on DirecTV will run you about $80 a month.. (or so I last checked a few days ago).

You sure DTV is more affordable?

Now, Dish on the other hand... Remember last year's shootout? + 169 all digital channels (including local) for $42.99 a month. (includes FSW).

You'll get the RSN's, but everything will be blacked out except for minor sports, coach's shows, Best Damn... that stuff.

[Kryptonite]

Originally posted by Tony in Quakeland
FSW has carried the US Cup for a couple years, which of course includes MLS teams, but ESPN will be carrying MLS for the next few years. (A new contract was announced last year.)

FSW will also carry one (or so) MLS game a Saturday plus a rumored highlight show (ExtraTime is the working title).... all this if the rumors are true.

[billreeves]

Originally posted by Kryptonite
FSW on DirecTV will run you about $80 a month.. (or so I last checked a few days ago).

You sure DTV is more affordable?



I get DirecTV "Total Choice Plus" plus local channels plus the Sports Pack (which includes Fox Sports World) for about $52/month.

Add the MLS Shootout package (DirecTV had more games last year than DISH or digital cable) for about $50 (one-time payment).

My roommates and I were paying about $53/month for AT&T Broadband regular cable plus Showtime. No digital cable, no Fox Sports World. Then they jacked up their prices a month ago so we cancelled Showtime. I don't have the latest bill so I don't know how expensive our crappy cable service is.

I'm moving in a few months, and I'm going to make sure that I can see the southeastern sky from my new place so I can continue to use DirecTV instead of cable.

[sonofapitch]

Originally posted by Spartacus
Gee, Al, you're not still bitter, are you? No, sir, not one bit...

I'm still as bitter as the Niners' fans are bitter with Roger Craig for fumbling away their chance at 3 straight titles in the playoffs against the NY Giants. OH, WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN!!!

(Not really still bitter....but I did feel a little violated.)

[Tony in Quakeland]

Originally posted by sonofapitch
I'm still as bitter as the Niners' fans are bitter with Roger Craig for fumbling away

As a New York Giant fan who attended that game, taped it and watched it numerous times, I can assure you that Giants nose tackle Erik Howard DRILLED that ball from Craig's hands with his helmet. Poor Roger. Gets blamed for the whole thing...:-)

[Tea Men Tom]

Just got my new channel line up in the mail today. FSW stays!!!

I thought for sure it would disappear from the lineup but it remains. Of course the cable bill keeps creeping higher and higher every month but at least there's FSW.

Hopefully we keep them. I'm in MA and Comcast just took over our system last month.