Bell TV Pricing, themes and programming package discussion

08-02-2010, 01:12 PM

Well, since no one had an idea for me (see above), I started a chat, and here are the highlights that will help others:

ason : I need some info about theme packs
Taylan: Ok I can help you with this.
jason : Here is what I currently have:
jason : Pick 6 themes - more movies - Sports 1 - News/Learning 1 - Variety 1 - Lifestyle 1 - Variety 2 Digital Standard TSN/RSN HD HD Value pack
jason : I would like to drop one of my themes to add the More HD Variety
jason : will this keep my bill the same?
Taylan: Yes it will remain the same.
jason : Does that still keep me on the old $10 HD Value pack?
Taylan: Thank you, you have the old Hd package, you could switch to the new one for the same price.
jason : I don't want to switch to the new package, I want to keep all my old channels for $10, and I want to replace one of my themes with the More HD Variety
Taylan: If you keep the old one you can't get more Hd variety which is on the new one, sorry.
jason : More HD Variety isn't a separate theme?
Taylan: No it's part of the new Hd themes.
jason : So, "you could switch to the new one for the same price
jason : What exactly does that mean? What would I get?
Taylan: You would get the new Hd themes including National geo and Tlc Hd
jason : And ALL the HD channels I currently have?
Taylan: Yes however if you drop themes, the corresponding HD channels won't be available.
jason : Well, I already pay for Showcase and TLC, and Bell took those HD channels away
jason : which I am not very happy about
Taylan: Ok
jason : So is there a name for the "new" HD package that will replace my HD Value pack
Taylan: There isn't a specific name no.
jason : So, to confirm:
jason : I move to the unamned "new" HD package, and I get ALL the same HD channels I currently have, I add Showcase HD, National Geo HD, TLC HD, and I pay the same amount
jason : is that correct?
Taylan: Yes because it's been upgraded since then.
Taylan: For the same price.

So, I made the change, and all is working. I have (of course) saved my log. I'll let you know if I get screwed on the bill...

08-02-2010, 01:27 PM

Lucky you - have a look at these charges AFTER I reduced the amount of programming I was getting:
Digital standard: $32.00
US timeshifting: $1.00
DSF: $3.00
5 HD theme packs: $15.00
Pick 6 themes + movies west + SC: $58.00

Total monthly rate is: $109.00 plus tax. plus centre ice
Re the 5HD themes, I was bamboozled into thinking I was getting something new when I called with a problem.

**jks** · 08-02-2010, 02:10 PM

Try telling Bell it's that simple....

08-02-2010, 02:53 PM

OK. After a second look at the brochure I've found that what I took to be an apostrophe is actually a mini "9" for Footnote 9. It seems that you still must take TSN SD to get TSN HD or I assume any of the other channels in Sports 1 HD. However there's no similar footnote for the HD packs containing A&E HD, Discovery HD, TLC HD, NG HD or Showcase HD. Hope this has helped you.

08-02-2010, 04:20 PM

It may be 5 bucks difference now, but you know Bell has a way of changing packages too often. I've been with them a long time and I'm really getting sick of having to fork over more money all the time. What makes anyone think that there won't be more than 5 themes? Once that happens, the price goes up again. I don't feel like changing packages at the moment, only to find out that in 6 months they'll want another 5 bucks for more themes.

08-02-2010, 04:46 PM

That is why I'm scared to call, they might screw it up more than it already is.

08-02-2010, 05:03 PM

Yes right now the jon and kate & 8 marathon is on all day for the 27th time.

08-02-2010, 05:21 PM

You can change your programming at any time within the contract. If you get another rental, it will be a year contract for that receiver, meaning if you send it back within the year, you'll be charged $50. That's it - no contract extension for your actual service, just the receiver.

All rentals are $75 mandatory install. Nimiq 2 Upgrade is free if you order programming that requires it.

Bundles don't affect your contract. You don't have to commit to anything to go on a bundle. But you do need to qualify for the discount. An extra 4100 won't make you qualify. You need a PVR or HD PVR.

08-02-2010, 06:31 PM

If I ever saw a bass ackwards policy from Bell and whomever owns TSN, its got to be this one.

Why in the world would anyone want to watch TSN SD if they have a HDTV and have TSN HD. Its just a scam to extract more money from us.

It would cost me $13 (HD theme and SD theme) just to get TSN HD which is the only sports channel I want. They ain't getting my money until they get it together and sort themselves out.

08-02-2010, 08:54 PM

I too was wondering about the missing channels and the new HD packages. I tried to change my channels online and thought I had it but once I submitted my changes, I lost all but the basic HD channels. No HD Sports, no HDNET or OASIS, no DiscoveryHD, just the basic networks and The Score. I waited about an hour...still no change. I tried to synchronize my programming on the BellTv website and waited an hour...still no change. I tried to synchronize again...only allowed once every 30 days! As a last resort, I call Bell (go figure) and guess what...they promptly changed my programming to include the $15 HD package and included timeshifting free of charge! In the end, I am getting one less SD package but all HD without the movie channels for $1 less than before. Should have done this earlier!

BB