Shaw HD Plus - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

fredr123 · 08-21-2006, 08:27 PM

Shaw is "adding" 7 new HD channels to their lineup starting on August 23, 2006. Current HD subscribers will be able to enjoy these new channels for free until December 31, 2006. To keep these channels afterwards will cost $9.00/month.

While adding new HD content is great, what bugs me is that Shaw is including TSN and Sportsnet in this new plus category. The letter I received from Shaw says that "You've been enjoying them up until now as part of a complimentary trial, which continues until December 31, 2006." Actually, I haven't. This is the first time anyone from Shaw has suggested the two sports channels were not part of the regular HD lineup.

While I recognize that Shaw will always reserve the right to change their billing scheme, I specifically recall sales and support people telling me that all those HD channels (301-309) were included when purchasing an HD box. To suggest that until now I was benefitting from Shaw's generosity is misleading. It detracts from the fact that Shaw will now be charging you extra to enjoy two channels (sports channels) that truly make having an HD setup worthwhile. Thanks Shaw!

greerb · 08-21-2006, 08:41 PM

I'm planning on getting shaw when I move to Calgary and am wondering what they will be charging for this.

Mccree · 08-21-2006, 08:50 PM

9.00/month

photon · 08-21-2006, 09:04 PM

That's one thing I like about StarChoice.. HD is included.

getbak · 08-21-2006, 09:09 PM

What are the 7 new channels? I just got my HD box last week, so I didn't receive any info from them on this. Is it actually 5 new channels plus the two sports?

greerb · 08-21-2006, 09:36 PM

Star Choice is owned buy Shaw so I would imagine that they will do the same time to check digital home canada to see what is going on, i guess.

BlackArcher101 · 08-21-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

What are the 7 new channels? I just got my HD box last week, so I didn't receive any info from them on this. Is it actually 5 new channels plus the two sports?

CTV HD
Discovery HD
A&E HD
National Geographic HD
Showcase HD
TSN HD and Sportsnet HD

So 5 new ones.

Shazam · 08-21-2006, 10:07 PM

Oh well. I guess no more HD games for me then starting next year. I can't afford the $9/month.

And other than TSN and Sportsnet, I have no use for the other HD channels.

greerb · 08-21-2006, 10:20 PM

$9/month aint too bad. I guess I'll see how tight the budget is.

photon · 08-21-2006, 10:21 PM

Hm, I hope they get Discovery HD on StarChoice!

Engine09 · 08-21-2006, 10:53 PM

Does Starchoice have Center Ice now?

photon · 08-21-2006, 11:13 PM

Nope

Engine09 · 08-21-2006, 11:20 PM

Why don't you just place a brick next to your TV and plug that in?

Dedly · 08-22-2006, 08:24 AM

This whole thing ****ed me off. The sports channels were the HD channels that I planned on actually using, and they take them away just because they can.

fredr123 · 08-22-2006, 08:26 AM

The irritating thing is that they told me I was enjoying a free preview of the two sports channels up until this point. That was never, EVER, mentioned before I got the letter in the mail from Shaw. In fact, the sales people specifically said that all the HD channels are included when you get the HD box.

I know this is a business and they have the right to change their pricing scheme. Heck, they've given me over four months notice of the impending change which, all things considered, is probably a lot longer than they could have. It just bugs me that they won't be a little more honest about what's really going on.

And of the 5 new channels, I'm interested to see how much of the content will actually be HD. Can I watch TPB or Billable Hours in HD on Showcase? Will Mythbusters be in HD? How about all the home improvement shows on A&E? In HD? Doubt it.

And what's the point of CTVHD? Are Canadian Idol, eTalk Daily and Whistler going to be in HD? Most of the schlock on CTV is taken from American broadcasters who already have HD channels on Shaw anyway.

CrzyCanuck · 08-22-2006, 09:19 AM

Bell charges 10$/month for HD.

ken0042 · 08-22-2006, 09:34 AM

I actually find this somewhat amusing. People complain about Shaw not having as much HD content as other providers, so Shaw steps it up. Now they are asking people to pay for the bandwidth that they are requesting, and people have issues with it.

Keep in mind when we buy our HD DCT's that our TV service provider sees very little of that money; if any at all as some of those are actually subsidized. So just because you gave $700 to Shaw for the box doesn't mean Shaw made $700 off you. Same as how they didn't make a dime off that $2000 TV you bought at Future Shop.

Mccree · 08-22-2006, 09:43 AM

I agree..I for one, am happy to see more HD plus they are also offering moire timeshift channels aswell. Shaw is starting to come around.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 08-22-2006, 09:45 AM

I was a little upset with this as well, but then I figured that if they had only added the other 5 chanels, I would still pay $9/month for them (hell I'd pay that for Discovery HD alone), so it really makes no difference to me in the long run.

fredr123 · 08-22-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I actually find this somewhat amusing. People complain about Shaw not having as much HD content as other providers, so Shaw steps it up. Now they are asking people to pay for the bandwidth that they are requesting, and people have issues with it.

My beef isn't with having more HD content. I would pay extra to watch everything in HD. More HD the better. What irked me was the way the characterized moving TSN and Sportsnet to the HD Plus package. They are implying that until now I was getting it as part of a free trial and now that the trial is up I have to pay extra. There was no free trial mentioned at any time when I signed up.

If you want to charge for those two channels (and others) fine. No problem with that. It's your prerogative and you've given me 1/3 of a year's notice. Just don't be so deceptive about it. Call it what it is.