Say it ain't so Time Warner

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by tonyinsd

A la carte would be ideal. But it's not going to happen.

What happens is that the content providers say, so, you want to carry this network in high demand? We'll be happy to let you, provided you pay us x dollars and carry these other networks that belong to us which don't have good viewership.

It's extortion, plain and simple!

But people wouldn't be able to watch the oxygen channel without doing that

[AADAD]

Originally Posted by tonyinsd

A la carte would be ideal. But it's not going to happen.

What happens is that the content providers say, so, you want to carry this network in high demand? We'll be happy to let you, provided you pay us x dollars and carry these other networks that belong to us which don't have good viewership.

It's extortion, plain and simple!

At last...a point of agreement.

[tonyinsd]

It's been long enough and they don't resemble in any way what they were like when I worked there, so I'll spill the beans.

I used to work for Discovery Communications. Back in the mid to late 1990s, they wanted to launch a new channel called Animal Planet. Well, they just happened to have contracts coming up for renewal with a bunch of large MSOs.

So, they said, you want Discovery and TLC (back when these channels had things you could actually watch and learn something from instead of Honey Boo Boo and Amish Mafia)? You're going to have to take this other channel we're launching called Animal Planet, too.

But while they blackmailed with one hand, they bribed with the other. They gave MSOs something like five bucks a subscriber to pick up Animal Planet. This of course was more than offset by the money Discovery got for having a MSO pick up a new network, but it was a plain and simple bribe.

Blackmail with one hand, bribe with the other. You think politics is dirty?

[happyinca]

For those of us with Time Warner that do what to see Padre games this year what is our best option? I know Cox is not an option but what is? With the least amount of frustration? Right now I have the bundle of Internet (high speed) a DVR, phone (unlimited long distance), with Time Warner and pay around $170 per month and am not locked into a contract. I don't want my husband to miss another season of the Padres. We are both natives and he has been watching them since the 1970s. I think those DISH things are ugly but that might be the way to go?

[happyinca]

OK I just read the article, sorry I should have read it first. It says our options are: Direct TV, AT&T, and Dish. My question is have any of you made the switch? And if so what are the pros/cons?

I need the NFL network is possible we are huge NFL fans. Also like high speed Internet. Want to avoid an ugly "Dish" if possible.

[tonyinsd]

Unless you can make the move to AT&T, which you probably can't, you're going to have to get a satellite dish.

I've had one on my balcony for two years. It's not that big of a deal. When I move, I won't, because they are not able to get a signal, but no big deal since I'll just go to Cox.

The other alternative is to get MLB.tv, but you will have to do a little shenanigans to watch Padres games. You are in their local market, so you cannot watch the Padres on there. But there are plenty of applications that will mask your IP address so they can't tell that you're in San Diego.

Of course, doing this probably violates terms and conditions of service but the odds of you getting caught are slim.

[Marinadistrict]

If you have an iPad, you can jailbreak your iPad and use the location spoofing app to bypass the blackout restrictions on MLB.tv. I used the Apple HDMI cable and Apple TV to stream it onto my big screen. Worked perfectly and super easy.

[happyinca]

Thank you for your suggestions. I wish Time Warner would just do the darn deal, and then I would not have to deal withe making changes. Grrrr.....

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by tonyinsd

Unless you can make the move to AT&T, which you probably can't, you're going to have to get a satellite dish.

I've had one on my balcony for two years. It's not that big of a deal. When I move, I won't, because they are not able to get a signal, but no big deal since I'll just go to Cox.

The other alternative is to get MLB.tv, but you will have to do a little shenanigans to watch Padres games. You are in their local market, so you cannot watch the Padres on there. But there are plenty of applications that will mask your IP address so they can't tell that you're in San Diego.

Of course, doing this probably violates terms and conditions of service but the odds of you getting caught are slim.

I watched every single FB game last year for free on the net I saw the Pads on there too so no problemo.