WHY IS COMCAST CHANGING TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES TO SPORTS PACKAGE IN OCTOBER?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but  I believe you must have a subscription to watch movies on TCM.com.  For months, every time I have tried, the website would give me an error message saying it was unable to verify my tv provider.  I tried signing out, signing in, etc. but couldn't get it to work.

TCM didn't respond to my emails, so I finally called Comcast.  The phone rep. had no idea what to do, but that's how I found out TCM was being moved to another package.  They put channel change notifications in tiny print on the 3rd page of the bill, so it's no wonder I didn't see it.  I checked my latest bill and found a message about a channel I'd never heard of, that they added to my line up 3 wks. ago. 

Gee, thanks.

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@alanh220 wrote:

I'd wanted to reply to the main message thread on the topic of TCM except Comcast in their wisdom posted "Thanks for the feedback, this topic is now closed and locked". I guess they feel they are above criticism.

 

I thought the same thing.  When I noticed the thread was locked, I tried to post on a different thread, and that thread disappeared.  Then I tried to start a new topic with the same post, and that disappeared!  Finally I posted the message on yet another thread, noting that the others had been deleted.  However, I recently received a reply from an "expert" saying that my posts weren't deleted.  They were just moved to the main thread.  But the main thread is locked.  I understand that to mean "no more messages".

 

So now I guess I have 3 of the same post floating around this forum.  If they're just going to move people's comments, why not let them keep posting on the original thread?  Stupid.

 

 

 

I could still watch it on my web browser, but I just didn't say anything because I knew once Comcast realized customers were doing that, they would put a stop to it.

Somebody must have blabbed.

I'd wanted to reply to the main message thread on the topic of TCM except Comcast in their wisdom posted "Thanks for the feedback, this topic is now closed and locked". I guess they feel they are above criticism.

I know much of the senior leadership at TCM and they are plenty upset about this change, too. They have been fielding a lot of unhappy queries via Twitter, telephone and their own website boards. They know that many of their viewers see TCM as more than a channel - it's a companion. And it's helped many people get through illness, bereavement, and brings families together. It's more than just a TV channel - it's also a community. I doubt if ESPN or Bravo can make that statement.

Here's some of what they posted on Twitter:

"Comcast made the decision to repackage TCM in its More Sports & Entertainment package. While we know there is an additional cost, TCM remains uncut, commercial-free, & the ultimate classic movie destination for film lovers."

"TCM will always provide fans with a way to stay connected through our website & social. While Comcast has made the decision to repackage TCM, you can find other ways to get TCM:"

And then they post alternative ways to get TCM:

https://tcmdigitalhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036131134-How-can-I-get-Turner-Classic-Movies-TCM- 

I don't understand why, if France TV and Deutsche Welle TV and Russia Today can be offered as stand alone buy ups, why TCM can't be offered the same way? I'd be happy to pay, say, $20/month for TCM if I could drop the rest of my lousy TV package down to basic cable.

As for me, I'm sick of paying extortionist rates to Comcast (and I don't use ANY of their equipment) for 1000 channels, 980 of which are utter garbage. As soon as my contract is up, it's OTA for me, with my TiVo, and AT&T Fiber (faster synchronous speed at lower cost) plus a DirecTV or YouTubeTV package.

Yes they have... I guess they really don't want to hear what their customers really think.  I'm sure this one will get deleted too.  Why so afarid comcast????

Anyway up until about an hour ago you could still watch TCM on their live stream through your web browser or through a streaming service like Roku using the Xfininty app...  Well they fixed that glitch.  

Obviously the sports package wasn't selling for you to make an awful decision to move TCM to it.  I am really disappointed in Comcast for making this move.  What an awful thing to do to your customers.  I don't want a sports package because I don't care about sports at that level.  I have to rethink my cable options.

I guess I am one of the few people that still watch it. I am connected to Xfinity every way possible and will pay whatever penalty there is to get out of this bovine discharge.

I quite agree! Comcast's disingenuous explanation is that TCM is a channel with low viewer numbers, and is being moved to the Sports package to help defray costs.

Why would you move a channel with low viewer numbers to a higher-tier offering? Instead, you'd move a channel with more numbers to a package with less draw, and thereby increase the desire of TCM fans to purchase the package for an extra $9.99. It's essentially a middle finger to Comcast customers, especially the TCM viewers.

For years I've had Comcast primarily for TCM. I do not like sports and have no intention of purchasing their Sports package just to get TCM. I will, however, start looking at the offerings of their competitors...

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@baz123 wrote:

I could still watch it on my web browser, but I just didn't say anything because I knew once Comcast realized customers were doing that, they would put a stop to it.

Somebody must have blabbed.

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Yep, I wasn't going to say a thing, but apparently someone let the cat out of the bag.  Looks like it's time for plan "c"...

This is the most ridiculous change I’ve ever heard of!  What!  You’re not getting enough money from your subscribers so you’ve added one more fee for nothing!  

I absolutely agree. Seems like a backdoor to force us to buy the sports package. Really dislike this kind of marketing decision.

Just got off the phone with Comcast because they removed TCM from my tier. I was told just last month that TCM will remain in my Extended plan. This is now not the case.  I was told they removed TCM from ALL tiers and you need to spend $10 more for one channel I want and others I don't want. You cannot get the Standard plan and buy the S&E package either. You NEED to be in the higher tiers. Why is that? This is simple remapping of channels. This can be done easily. The infrastructure is already in place.

Comcast: how about you remove a channel I never watch and replace it with TCM? You never asked yet I know you have the abilility to do this. I will be cancelling my services.

my mom watches TCM all the time and now has to pay extra for it.  I think our bill is outrageous $270+  and now another $10 bucks.  wow comcast.  I can't beleive it. 

Thank you