$6.20 Regional sports fee increase unreasonable

[rogersm]

I think it is unreasonable to increase the regional sports fee - I do not want regional sports and did not ask that Comcast broadcast Marquee network. Subscribers should be able to opt into this. Fees like this will ultimately make me choose another provider or cut the cord.

[Again]

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@rogersm wrote:

I think it is unreasonable to increase the regional sports fee - I do not want regional sports and did not ask that Comcast broadcast Marquee network. Subscribers should be able to opt into this. Fees like this will ultimately make me choose another provider or cut the cord.

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While this increase may be related to Marquee Sports, you also have regional sports in your cable package, whether you watch sports or not, so any increase could also be related to that.

[BillyBayou]

Since the following statement appears on my September 2020 bill, it's pretty obvious that the increase is related specifically to the addition of Marquee Sports Network:

"As Marquee Sports Network joins our channel lineup, the Regional Sports Network fee will increase by $6.20 on October 1, 2020."

I agree that we, sports fans or not, should have the option of declining that additional channel (and the additional fee that goes with it), especially since the regular baseball season will be over by Oct. 1, and there will be no Chicago Cubs game airing until next spring.

[Nerd]

It's one of the reasons I cut the cord long ago. I don't want to pay for sports I don't watch. 

[JPU]

Seems like a large increase, especially if it's for Marquee sports network. I'm NOT a Cubs fan and couldn't care less about the Marquee sports network. Is that really what it's for???? I don't mind paying for regional sports per se, but object to paying for the Marquee sports network so the Cubs can make more money.

[DropTent7]

I dont want marquee sports network. Never watch baseball.  I think it's unfair to charge a person when they will never watch it.

[ComcastAmira]

Hello All, thanks for reaching out to our Digital Care Team through Forums. We definitely understand your concerns, our digital channel lineups include a variety of programming that appeals broadly to our customers' interests, including general entertainment, news, and sports programming. Under the current distribution model, we offer these very popular regional sports networks on our most widely distributed levels of service. Accordingly, all customers receiving the bundle of channels that includes regional sports networks pay the associated Regional Sports Network Fee.

[AK24]

Comcast, you have not answered 2 very simple questions:

1) Marquee Sports Network is devoted exclusively to Cubs baseball.  Why don't you offer it as a premium channel for a fee (like you do with HBO, Showtime, STARZ etc)? That way, people who want this channel can subscribe to it. Why are you forcing every cutomer to pay $6.20 for this channel?

2) If you insist on forcing this down our throats and making us pay extra, the timing is very strange. Baseball season has ended for 2020, and won't re-start until next Spring (at the earliest). Why have you started charging for this in Oct'20 after baseball season has ended? And, why will we have to pay for the full year when baseball season only lasts for a few months?

If you want to be known as a customer-centric company, you have to put yourself in your customer's shoes before coming up with stuff like this. The media landscape is changing rapidly, and there are a lot more options for consumers now. Comcast is not the only game in town.

[ComcastChe]

We appreciate the feedback, @AK24. The Regional Sports Network Fee is based on the increasing costs of providing this programming in your area. The Marquee Sports Network is devoted exclusively to Chicago Cubs baseball, televising games previously on NBC Sports Chicago, WLS-TV, and WGN-TV. Unfortunately, we can't offer a la carte options for most channels (other than premium channels, such as HBO, and certain Xfinity On Demand offerings). However, we offer a lot of different programming packages at competitive prices so all our customers can choose what best fits their household's interests. These fees have become common in our industry. Indeed, all providers are affected by rising programming costs, and other providers have implemented similar fees to help offset these costs, including Verizon Fios, DirecTV, Cablevision/Altice, Cox, and WOW. 

Regarding the charges restarting, some Regional Sports Networks (RSN) have refunded these fees to us, and we’re providing courtesy adjustments to the eligible customers who paid them. Refunds will be given to eligible customers as courtesy adjustments, which were reflected in the October 2020 bill statements along with a message explaining the change. 

[revruss11]

I'm a little slow and just figuring this out. I dislike the Cubs ownership so much that this is it for me. I'll be cutting the chord and just using Internet. Xfinity does not make it easy to search internet only deal once they have you. 

This really burns me. I've been a loyal fan for many years. Even have a Cubs tattoo. Bought new gear every year. Went to at least 10 games each year. Take visitors on the Wrigley tour. No more. I'll see that the Ricketts only get a couple of more bucks off of me from this fee while i figure out chord cutting. 

Disgusted...

[ComcastChe]

We appreciate your feedback, @revruss11! I'm sorry you feel this way. Because you mentioned switching to an internet-only package, I'd be happy to review and discuss your options for downgrading. If you are interested in learning what your options are, please send a private message? To send a private message, click on my name, "ComcastChe," and then click send a message. Please include your first and last name and address. 

[WenjieMichaelMa]

We are NOT intested in the regional sports networks.

Why did you force us to pay the associated Regional Sports Network Fee?