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

[eudine2000]

I am in Philadelphia, in a hi-rise building )3 blocks from Comcast!) and all TV in our building is Comcast.  Yes, we no longer have access to TCM.  I have no interest in sports and rarely watch most other channels, but TCM is something I watch very frequently.  I am really enraged about this !

[Eglantine]

How come TCM has a window that states that it is by subscription only?  It was free westerday.  What is going on?  This makes me very unhappy.

[Crownpoint1]

When a company like Comcast starts to see letters in your local newspapers about this issue, it will start to affect their bottom line. If you are upset about this TCM move, write letters to your local paper, when they see business falling they will change

[williamtumilty]

Within the next few weeks, I will find a replacement for Comcast. I love sports but the main reason I have stayed with Comcast is that I could continue with TCM. I had Satellite Dish until a year ago when I moved from Douglasville, Georgia to Cartersville, Georgia. Moving TCM to a Sports Package is obviously done for 1 reason and we all know what that is...MONEY! So you go ahead and take my TCM channel away and my next move is to drop Comcast completely. And I hope many other people follow in my footsteps. I will begin my search Monday to replace Comcast.

Comcast, I believe you will find you have made a major blunder.

Bill Tumilty

[pastorpwm]

I refuse to be blackmailed and bullied.

[CCAndrew]

That was yesterday. Check your statement, you now need the Sports & Entertainment tier you get TCM
https://forums.xfinity.com/t5/Channels-and-Programming/WHY-IS-COMCAST-CHANGING-TURNER-CLASSIC-MOVIES...

[misterhealth]

Where did my Turner Classic Movies channel go?  I did not change my service but the channel is gone!

[grimbo71]

I hae had Turner Classic Movies (TCM) for years.  Beginning a couple of days ago when a change to TCM (channel 51 or 1755) a message on the screen states " NOT AUTORIZED".  Do anyone know why this messaged appears?

Thank you.

[CCAndrew]

Check your statement, you now need to add the Sports and Entertainment tier to get TCM. Just started the other day

[kirbydo]

Had to sign a 2-year agrement to get service - seems like they should have to honor the package lineup for those 2 years - not get everyone to sign up for one price and then find ways to charge more money for the channels we already had - <Edited> it's just not a nice thing to do to people. 

[artlovr]

I paid for a contract which includes TMC....now you have canceled it...Correct....Where is my monthly REFUND?????? I am not recieving a channel which I paid for....soooooo.... I want a refund. Please lower my bill...and NO I don't want a sports package thank You Very Much

[xfimaduser]

I guess 200.00 bucks a month just is not enough for you. so here comes the remove so called unpopular channels bit. You and anyone else with a brain it won't stop here with this channel if they go unnaposed wait for your channel to be next. You have been warned.

I seriously have to think about keeping this service as I with a lot of other customers have a choice of  services in my area. I can and may cut the cable. I have no use for a sports package you could at least offer it up like the other channels alone.

[Jeffrey6327]

The cost of cable or satellite tv is extortionate, and the government really ought to regulate how much these companies can charge for their purposefully designed packages to milk every possible cent out of their customers. I don’t mind paying for what I want, but to be forced to pay a premium for old movies AND to have to wade through what seems like thousands of abhorrent sports channels is too much. I wonder if it bothers you to have your customers so dissatisfied with your product, and only remaining because every other option is awful, too? You can do better, if you want to, which you don’t.

[d87]

Why did you deleting TMC from my x1Premier Triple Play package?  Will you be deleting STARZ in the near future?  Why contract for a package if you can delete channels whenever.  Are you going to reduce the price of my service? It was bad enough when you deleted Cinemax and replaced it with HITZ.  

[Dressage26]

Trashing TCM in a sports channel tier? It makes no sense.  TCM  shows old movies with excellent acting that puts most modern movies and actors to shame!  I looked forward to watching TCM over and over again.  TCM is an epic channel that exemplifies a historical view of most of our best actors, actresses and movies.  I am very disappointed with this change. I would consider changing to another carrier.  

A sports channel? What lunatic thought of that?  TCM IS A TREASURE TROVE OF SOME OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER MADE.   I hope Comcast reconsiders this disastrous decision.

[gsmoonstone]

I've read many a post today regarding the TCM/Sports Entertainment Package situation, and am completely disgusted with xfinity over this. 

Perhaps they will reconsider when we all start dropping our cable TV service with them.  For many of us there are a number of options from which to choose nowadays, and TCM publishes a list of them on their website. 

So, if xfinity considers this a winning strategy, let the chips fall where they may.  But we are the folks who pay the bills.  Perhaps it is time that we started directing our television entertainment dollars elsewhere! 

[ww8944]

I'm paying PLENTY for your services now. And now I have to pay extra for TCM? What's more, I have no use for the other channels in this "package". If I can find an alternative to Comcast Cable, I will jump ship. I'm tired of it already!

[ww8944]

What a rip-off! First they make us pay extra to watch Cinrmax, now we pay extra to watch TCM, and there is nothing else in that "package" that I want to see.

[Sharonrowan2]

As soon as I can i am going to buy Roku that my best friend was telling me about I'm dumping Comcast you're nothing but a thief movie TCM to your sports channels are you kidding me that is the most stupidest thing I have heard of you explain to me what TCM and sports have in common and then maybe I'll listen until then Comcast you're nothing but a thief and as soon as I can I'm dumping you

[Longtimecustom]

Yep, already looking into alternatives services , TCM has been the default channel for our family since i was a child. not going to pay $10 more for a bunch of sports channels. we'll be cutting the cord with a quickness.

[Iampo]

Ok. Comcast requires subscription fee for TCM. What do I get to replace TCM? Seems to me I should receive a replacement channel or my bill should be lowered. Quid pro quo Comcast.

[twofolks98]

Last night I turned to the TCM channel and it said I had to subscribe to the channel. When did that change to have to pay for it. Just a few weeks ago I watched TCM for free.

[kctal]

Upset is mild for how I felt when I tried to tune into TCM yesterday and it was gone.   i did not know that this was going to happen, so it was quite a shock.  TCM is one of my favorite channels.

So,  if you cosider TCM a type of "specialied entertainment",  I wonder now how long will it be before other channels such as Hallmark, Indie, Starz Encore, Lifetime, etc. are moved.  Then will it be Food Network, HGTV, etc. moved to a Food and Home package because they are "specialized" viewing?

Comcast says that the fees for TCM are not offset by the number of watchers.  I have an idea - get rid of all of the useless channels that you are paying for.  I bet there are many channels that no one would miss that could make up for your fee to TCM.  

My  husband has been mentioning Direct TV lastely, and I am highly opposed to having a tacky dish sitting in my yard or attached to my house, but if things like this keep happening I may have to consider the change.  

[nickp1]

We are long time customers since 2002 and have had numerous issues with Comcast as I guess most do with their providers, but this removal of TCM and being FORCED to pay for an upgrade that we have NO interest in besides TCM is the last straw. We are now paying for the "upgrade" but when our "contract" expires we will leave this company and NEVER come back.

[danelutz]

What happen to tcm channel 69

[Malificent]

I agree with those who are upset that Comcast moved TCM to a pricier Sports package—and their response is equally unsatisfying. Apparently, Comcast doesn’t read Consumer Reports as to why so many customers are cutting their cable! I recently had upgraded but am considering dropping back. Regardless, their prices will go up even for fewer channels!

[oije2333]

Since TCM has been removed from the standard lineups and is not available a la carte or in the form of a streaming app that is not contingent upon a cable subscription, I was wondering whether anyone has tried the Criterion Channel. It's $10.99 per month, does not require a cable subcription, and is described as, "a movie lover’s dream, the Criterion Channel offers classics and discoveries from around the world, thematically programmed with special features, on a streaming service brought to you by the Criterion Collection."

Supported devices: "You can stream the Criterion Channel on apps for Apple TV 4 (and newer), Amazon Fire, Roku, iOS, and Android devices, as well as on web browsers on desktop computers, tablets, and smart phones."

[mariasp]

I am getting YouTubeTV next month.  I've done a lot of research in the past two days trying to figure out what devices I need and how to cut the cord.  I will share what I learned:  First, there are just a few ways to watch TCM and becareful not to confuse TCM with WATCH TCM.  Clark Howard, a TV guy who talks about saving money, has some great help online at  https://clark.com/technology/tvsatellite-cable/streaming-tv-comparison-best-channel-lineup/

In the link above, he compares cable alternatives by the criteria of channel line-up.   I watched the video at the end of which he explains why he chose YouTubeTV.  But there are many pages on his site and lots of help.   

You also have to consider HOW to view your choice of streaming service,  You have to maintain an Internet connection so that means you can't "cut the cord" completely.   You can use  your computer/ipad, your phone (bleh for a movie?) or a smart TV.  You can also use a "dumb" TV with extra help from another device, a Roku stick, as long as your TV has a place to plug it- an hdmi port- one of those little rectagular holes like you have on a computer to plug in a thumb drive.  My friend uses an inexpensive Roku stick whcih you plug into your TV,  and he told me it gets TCM as one of the channels that are bundled with the stick iteself. However,  when I explored further I saw that it gets WATCH TCM which is a TCM app that still requires you to have a cable provider.  (You can read that yourself on the tcm website.)  So I would only use a Roku stick if I had a dumb TV and I needed to make it smart, i.e., connect to my Internet in order to pick up my streaming service. 

Also consider how many people in your house need to view screens at the same time.  We are only 2 in my place, so that isn't an issue.  YouTube TV allows for 3 different screens at a time. Other providers are different. 

After you find the service you are interested in because of channel availability,  go to that provider and read the details about the kind of device you need.  they will list all your choices.  Here's the page from YouTubeTV, for example:   https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/7129767?hl=en&amp;ref_topic=7071745

I have a Samsung Smart TV, but it's old.  I'm going to get a new one next weekend I decided, for $129, so then I won't have to add any Roku or other devide to pick up my YouTubeTV. The app for it will be downloadable from my Samsung TV. If it isn't preloaded already. YouTubeTV is my choice because I will be able to get network channels (my husband wants them) and more importantly for me, they are soon to be adding PBS according to a press release this past July.  

Keeping my Internet and phone with Xfinity will cost me $106.  YouTubeTV is $50 a month. I am still saving around $65 a month over what I need to pay Xfinity to watch TCM on 2 sets. More than the money though, it's the principle of being jacked around all the time.  I am not a techie person, but I'm no Luddite either.  I don't care how things work- I just follow the instructions step by step to make them work.  And if I don't get it right, I find someone who will come over and help.  Good luck! 

[Victoria4MC2]

I don't know what marketing genius at Comcast decided it would be a good move to squeeze more money from TCM viewers (many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes) by including it as part of a package of other/more channels they'll never watch,
but...
if TCM isn't restored to the package I signed up for, the next communication I'll have with Comcast will be to cancel my package contract. Your service has become more like a shell game than one that serves the needs of its customers.

[fuller4441]

When you call Comcast customer service you will be connected to a rep whose first language is not English. The rep is nice and polite and really tries to help but has no clue.  The key is to tell the rep you want to cancel. Then you will be directed to a rep in the US because they don't want to lose your money. This is the only way to speak to a rep in the US. I spoke to the rep in the US who was not helpful. I also messaged on Facebook. It was obvious the response was not from the US. "We found 90% of TCM viewers only watched 2 movies a month".   Comcast is floating various versions of the basis for the change, depending on the creativity of management. We all know the real reason: GREED. I emailed TCM but doubt it will have any affect....Many of the old movies are on youtube for free and better quality. Amazon Prime also stocks old movies.

[Qaelith1]

It's even worse than this. I switched 11 months ago and priced it with TCM being in the bundle I was buying. I'm locked in for 13 more months. I have lived up to my end of the contract, stating with the service and paying my bills, but Comcast doesn't honor their contract and give me the channels I chose at the price agreed. I watch just a few channels and this is one. Now I'm still stuck in a contract that no longer works for me and I am forced to pay more to get back to where I was. Or I can leave and be charged a termination fee. Very unfair, unethical. People hate their cable companies for reasons like these, and Comcast and AT&T need to consider why people are drawn to cord cutting and why public opinion of cable companies is so poor.

[bobayrey]

The move isn't about the 9.99/month.  It's to increase the numbers of sports channel subscribers so the pigs at ComCast can charge the sports people more. The higher the subscriber rate the more they can charge ESPN and others to broadcast their stuff.

[tommyp53]

That's it for me. I will definitely find an alternative to these bums.

[renata]

This is disgusting. We watched TCM all the time. Clearly you don't care about your customers. This subject is one of the most widely responded to on the forum. So you just shut the thread down? If you're going to be so inconsiderate, at least be ready to take the heat and not shut us down like the cowards you are.

[JSC51]

Ok, so as to keep beating this dead horse, I'll chime in as well. It's fairly obvious that the sports and entertainment package wasn't selling. TCM is a staple in our house (7 TV's) and some days it's all we watch. If it weren't very popular they'd have left it alone and moved something else to force us into an additional $10 per month. My current bill with cable, Internet and phone bundled is $250 per month which is our limit. We like most of you are looking for alternatives to be free of Comcast and as soon as we've figured a way out we're dumping them.

[Robere1]

My wife and I have watched TCM for years. One of the few cable channels worth watching. Now, with zero notice it’s gone. No explanations. No warning. Just gone. I had no idea where it went until reading this thread. Give me an opt out. Let me have TCM and I’ll trade you HBO which I never watch.

[statenisland]

Why has The Movie Channel been removed from view? I was told that it's now tied in with the Sports etqork. This is pure insanity. I'm 88 years old. ovies? Yes. sports Network? Are you absolutely crazy to connect these two? 

[Qaelith1]

All of this was exactly my experience too. I couldn't even understand they first guy. I told him I wanted to leave and he sent me to a US retention rep who me the "two movies a month" nonsense and offered a discount on the sports entertainment package but could apparently not give me the channel or a full credit for the remainder of my 13 month remaining contract term. I just want to get what I signed up for at the price I agreed and they agreed for my contract term. They just won't do it. This does change the price dynamic so that at the end of my term they will have another $10 on their price to compete against the alternatives... One of which will be a cord cutting option.

[statenisland]

The whole idea of tying it to sports is really insane. I'm wondering whether money is involved in this crazy idea.

[Jcleghorn]

I wondered the same thing.

[Jcleghorn]

TCM's response is unfortunately the service provider made the decision and we can upgrade, or change carriers. 😞

[rev777]

This may be the last straw.  With TCM moving to the Sports package, that doesn't even make sense, then trying to navigate the never ending run around of their website, I may have to cut the cord!  I have Netflix, Prime, and FireStick, do I really need cable when they do stupid "bleep" like this!

[Ma34]

While I was able to change my channel lineup with a special I still cannot get tcm on all of my televisions because you have to upgrade to the dvd box,

<Edited> . I am for sure looking at another cable system. <Edited>. So angry about this 

[Mamanjoy]

It is amazing rhe choices made by executives who neither think about nor understand the absurd decisions they make to "increase" revenue. EXACTLY what was the thought process that impelled XFINITY to add a "classic movie" channel to a SPORTS PKG??!! UUGGH I'm gone.

[Mamanjoy]

So true. I'm heading to HULU, IMDB.COM, NETFLIX, or one of the other "FREE" channels available via FIRE TV OR ROKU. So long XFIN. Hello saving bucks and getting SATISFACTION!!!

[Gryphon1]

I feel compelled to add my feeling of outrage at Comcast making the decision to remove TCM and insert it in a Sports Package!  It’s ludicrous that they expect people who are avid viewers of TCM would want to pay more money each month for a Sports package.  None of their reasons make any sense.  They are also aware that they are denying entertainment for many homebound senior citizens in this country.    Shame on Comcast for such a heartless decision.   They should be compensating customers in other ways for removing TCM from our package.    I hope Comcast get enough pushback on this stupid decision to force them to come to their senses and reverse it.  Otherwise - time to look at other options!   

[John158]

One of the only watchable channels and they get rid of it!

[DoverPARon]

---

@mariasp wrote:

I am getting YouTubeTV next month.  I've done a lot of research in the past two days trying to figure out what devices I need and how to cut the cord.  I will share what I learned:  First, there are just a few ways to watch TCM and becareful not to confuse TCM with WATCH TCM.  Clark Howard, a TV guy who talks about saving money, has some great help online at  https://clark.com/technology/tvsatellite-cable/streaming-tv-comparison-best-channel-lineup/

After you find the service you are interested in because of channel availability,  go to that provider and read the details about the kind of device you need.  they will list all your choices.  Here's the page from YouTubeTV, for example:   https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/7129767?hl=en&amp;ref_topic=7071745

---

Thank you for posting these great resources!  In addition, our Daughter emailed us the following link last evening that has a spreadsheet link that includes even more services than Clarks' website and is a bit easier to scroll thru and find what is and what isn't included in each service:

https://www.cnet.com/news/at-t-now-vs-youtube-tv-vs-sling-tv-vs-hulu-and-more-live-tv-channels-compa...

[Peedeegee]

I am very upset that TCM is no longer available in my Preferred package. This is just a sleezy attempt to extort an additional fee from subscribers. Their lame explanation for moving is nonsense. Since Xfinity does not appreciate their customers, I will be looking into changing carriers.

[luddite2]

Maybe Ben Mankiewicz, the face of TCM, should hear about this as well. I don't use social media i.e Twitter/Facebook, but I am sure many of you do.  Be nice, but let him know that many of his loyal viewers won't be watching anymore.

Ben Mankiewicz (@BenMank77) · Twitter

It can't hurt if it we can spread this out.