rufus97's profile

Contributor

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78 Messages

Monday, February 6th, 2023 7:12 PM

on-demand now charging for new seasons or episodes

There are a couple of shows we've been watching On-Demand for several years, and they were always free.  For one of them, the new  2023 season had two episodes for free, but the third episode is "pay".  The previous seasons are all still free.  For the other, the two episodes of the new 2023  season are both "pay", but all the previous seasons are still free.  Does this make sense?  Tried accessing the shows by channel, alphabet, and search.  All say "pay".  Money grab?

Accepted Solution

XfinityPaula

Official Employee

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481 Messages

4 months ago

Hello @rufus97 Thanks for sharing the trouble you are seeing with some on demand content showing as a pay episode. In many cases you will find that past seasons are free on demand and newer seasons or episodes may have to be paid for. Free on demand content is contingent on the rules sent by the networks. Typically, if that network is also offering the program on their streaming app or service it will be free through their site for a while before it becomes a free option for us. It could also be an issue with where the content is being pulled from. When you access the program does it have a select for Watch Options? You can see an example of the menu here under #9. If you have watch options, do you see the program available from another provider / network for free? 

rufus97

Contributor

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78 Messages

@XfinityPaula​ We don't have X1

I disagree that on-demand often charges for new seasons, while the older seasons are free.

I checked one of the shows I had  mentioned, and they finally updated it  on-demand "by network" with the four new episodes.  However, yesterday, the fourth one was missing and now is only in "search" for pay.  I know the fourth episode was "free" a few days ago because I watched it, and now it's gone.  The second show is still all "pay", and only showing up in "search".  However. episode 2 in "search" is free.  Makes no sense, right?  Also, sometimes when I go into "saved search" and click a show, I get an error message.  Glad we're paying a huge amount of money for such poor service ):  Quite pathetic to say the least.

rufus97

Contributor

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78 Messages

This still has not been corrected for one show.  It has only episode 4 as "free with subscription".  Since Comcast doesn't seem to be concerned that we can watch what we're paying for, please provide me with the contact information for TLC, and I'll try to get it corrected.  I tried to find the contact info on-line, but very confusing,

Official Employee

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420 Messages

There are times when some content can be free or can be on viewed by renting those are all determined by the network. 

 

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rufus97

Contributor

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78 Messages

That is true in some cases.  As I mentioned earlier, one show finally put their new episodes in On-Demand By Network free with subscription, but it's still missing one episode.

The other show still has all its episodes in "Search", but all are "buy".  However, they finally put episode 4 in By Network, but still missing episodes 1-3.  So is this what the Network has determined?  Makes no sense.

New Poster

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2 Messages

Im convinced that Comcast follows the shows you watch, and then charges extra to watch it on demand. I find it funny that the shows we follow are the ones that they place a $ next to on demand. I'd love to compare with another customer to see if we're getting charged on the same shows. I just tried to watch a show that aired last night, and now all the episodes cost, even though they were free last week! It's ridiculous. If you find a solution id love to know what it is. We pay as much for our cable as we'd pay for a new car, and im sick of all these extra $1.99/2.99 charges to watch a show that is included in your subscription. About to take my $350/month payment somewhere else. It's shameful to do that to someone who has been a loyal customer for 25yrs!

Visitor

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2 Messages

3 months ago

I believe it money hungry and can’t get GOOD help on line or Chat!!! 

rufus97

Contributor

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78 Messages

3 months ago

We used to enjoy having On-Demand instead of having a DVR.  Not so much anymore,  Too many problems, and little help from Comcast (sorry).  Usually get the same answer:  Networks can do what they want.  Well, yes, in some cases,  But, no, in others.  The #1 step in problem solving is to define the problem.  If a Network does not put a show On-Demand at all, ok, that's their decision.  If we would like to see it On-Demand, then, yes, perhaps we should reach out to the Network.  If the Network puts the show On-Demand and has all previous season "free with subscription", then it would make sense that that the new season should be the same.  For example, one show we've been watching had, and still has, previous 7 seasons "free", but season 8 "buy",  Then they seemed to update by having new episodes 4-6 "free", but episodes 1-3 still "buy".  Does it make sense that the Network can do what they want this way?  No.  And this certainly is not a case where the customer should contact the Network.  Another show we've been watching finally put the current episodes of their new season On-Demand , but are missing some episodes.  Also some shows are missing Seasons.  For example, they have Seasons 1 and 3, but no 2.   Or, keeping all previous seasons, but not adding new season.   Also for us to watch Yellowstone we had to find it by "search" instead of "by network".  Paramount should lower its cost since all their new shows are streaming only.  Same with FX.  And HBO does not put its new shows "by network".  Have to find them "by search".  When we tried getting new HBO shows "by alphabet", they were "buy", but "search" had them free.  Huh?  So, defining these problems is not always that the Networks can do what they want, it's that , in many cases, they're being sloppy or greedy.  We have a legacy box, not X1.  We've been customers for a very long time.  We're tired or our monthly cost increasing to the point of being way more than we want or should have to spend.   And we're tired of having to work to find some of the few shows we even watch, or not being able to watch them because of missing episodes or the Network trying to charge for some.

rufus97

Contributor

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78 Messages

@rufus97

Hello, Comcast! 

None of this has been fixed.  Still can't watch  three episodes of that show unless we pay for something we have a subscription for.  Our outrageous monthly bill is due tomorrow.  We cringe every time we pay it.  Also, our email hasn't worked correctly in over a year.  And, now we get spam/scam emails supposedly from Xfinity.  Happened two months in a row right after we paid our bill through "My Account".  They refer to a problem with our account.  Quite fed up.

XfinityRay

Official Employee

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1.2K Messages

Hi, @rufus97. Thanks for the update about the shows and then for letting us know about the emails that you are seeing. I am not seeing this as a known issue. We are glad to look further into this and find out if troubleshooting fixes the problem, if it is the way the Network(s) intend, or if we need to enter a ticket. Have you tried a system refresh to see if the shows come through free after doing that? It will update the entitlements for your service and can sometimes fix an issue such as this. What other troubleshooting steps have you tried?

 

For the emails, you would want to let our Customer Security Assurance department know about those. The link shows how to report spam and phishing emails. Then this is the alerts page where you can see known spam or phishing emails and phone calls we are seeing. 

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.
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cmw112

Contributor

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52 Messages

2 months ago

Shows I watched this morning are now Free  with Subscription!!  Including Free Movies.  Channels like TCM. TLC. ID,  History.

Do I have to pay extra for something I already pay for?

Visitor

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2 Messages

@cmw112​ Same thing just happened to me. Every Tuesday morning I watch the Food Network OnDemand, because I work Mondays 2nd shift, so I can't watch the Spring Baking Championship show. Now, I see I have to rent it on top of my $200 mthly xfinity bill! Well, I didn't and can't. If I can't watch the Food Network OnDemand I mind as well drop down to a basic package :(

Visitor

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1 Message

Comcast does nothing for their customers, we pay for cable TV “120 channels” please stop counting the HD versus non HD, so basically 30 channels if hat.  Yes we also pay for on Demand, but he season finale is not available other than when it airs.  When I have called Comcast, they can t help with anything or not do they care to, except to tell you how lucky I am to only be paying 244.00 a month because I am grandfathered in (there are no pay stations here it’s one step above basic) but they said most people are charged 300 for this.  If you can’t tell how much I hate Comcast, let me just spell that out for you.  We don’t have other options where we are.  They just [Edited: "Language"], they really do not deserve to be money they get.

(edited)

Official Employee

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468 Messages

@davelisa we do care for all our customers and I am sorry for the recent experience you've had with our support teams. I look forward to turning this experience around together. 

Could you please send our team a direct message with your full name and full address?

 Our team can most definitely take a further look at this issue.

 To send a "Direct Message" to Xfinity Support:

 Click "Sign In" if necessary

 Click the "Direct Messaging" icon or https://comca.st/3EqVMu7 

Click the "New message" (pencil and paper) icon

 The "To:" line prompts you to "Type the name of a person". Instead, type "Xfinity Support" there

 

 - As you are typing a drop-down list appears. Select "Xfinity Support" from that list

 

 - An "Xfinity Support" graphic replaces the "To:" line

 Type your message in the text area near the bottom of the window

 Press Enter to send it

 See https://comca.st/3KQF8q9r for an example.

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.
Was your question answered? Please, mark a reply as the Accepted Answer.tick

Visitor

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1 Message

4 days ago

Xfinity/ Comcast has officially become the worst company I have ever dealt with. Blaming the networks is just one of many excuses the use to justify price gouging. I hate the fact that it takes so much time and effort to get a human being on the line and then to top it off it's hard to understand a person who talks fast with a thick accent(I will say that c/s is always friendly). Getting rid of the competition and then price gouging knowing that most customers don't have a choice is just shameful. 

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