HDTV: Cable, FiOS Need to Wake Up
In the next several months, there will be numerous HD channels coming on line, many with very desirable content. A few have already debuted on EchoStar's Dish Network. With channels like CNN HD, Discovery HD, History HD and TBS-HD about to come on line, the silence we have been hearing from cable operators such as Comcast and Verizon's FiOS service has been deafening.
While it is possible that cable operators like Comcast will not have the available bandwidth to carry all of these channels when they debut, the same is not true of Verizon's FiOS, the telco's TV service. FiOS has the bandwidth available NOW to offer these channels along with A & E HD, VS/Golf and MOJO, which that have yet to add either.
I was a subscriber to Comcast for years and switched to FiOS in February as they were much cheaper and offered better picture quality on both standard and high definition channels. While that is still the case, I would hate for them to fall behind other providers, especially when they have no excuse technically for not offering these channels. When the major league playoffs begin and FiOS does not have TBS-HD added, I will not be a happy camper, especially if a miracle occurs and our beloved Phillies are in the playoffs for the first time in 14 long years.
Come on FioS, make it clear to us that you will be adding these channels when they debut. Your silence so have has been far from encouraging.
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6 Comments:
Great post Whip! Welcome back, I miss your posts in the AVS Forum!
I have made my mind: By the fall I'll watch Discovery HD. If Comcast adds it, I'll stay with Comcast. If not, E*, here I go!
I have had fios for about 6 months and feel the same way.
The problem is the pholosphy over at verizon. They are still in the ma bell error. There customer service is horrendous and they act like they are the only game and town still.
Hey Verizon wake up it's the 21st century your monopoly is over!!!
For starters, Verizon has to enter contract negotiations with each provider and both parties have to agree to a contract in which Verizon pays that provider whatever amount they want to carry their service.It's not always as simple as just flipping a switch and turning it on.There are other considerations as well,such as exclusivity.Certain areas in NY are banned from Verizon carrying MSNBC because the existing cable company has exclusivity.Verizon is trying very hard to accomodate as many customers as they can within the time,money,legal and physical constraints placed upon them.Give them a chance and you may very well be surprised over the next 12-18 months.
With D*TV launching 20-40 HD mid-Sep I doubt tellin folks to 12-18 months for Fios to get with it with HD channels. By then DTV will have 100-150 on-line!
gabriel, I understand all that needs to be done to get an HD channels on a given system. Frankly, waiting 12 to 18 months for all the new content coming online could mean the end of FiOS as a TV service. They need to add the new HD channels and add them ASAP.
Go Phillies! Wooh!
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