Frustrated with credits never showing up that Comcast reps had agreed to apply, and the subsequent reps saying he had no proof a deal was struck, Marc Pachtman launched a crusade of sorts. The biggest problem is that no rep would ever send him written confirmation. So he complained to the FCC, his local Congressman, and the CEO of Comcast. He got this letter back, which you yourself can use to demand written confirmations from Comcast reps: [More]
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This Mediacom Cable Box Comes With Invisible Roommate Who Keeps Ordering Porn
By 1.21.10
Lesley lives alone, and says that despite what any Mediacom CSRs may think, she hasn’t been consistently ordering adult movies for the past three months. [More]
Cablevision Explains Why Their Business Model Is Good And Scripps Sucks
By 1.10.10
Cablevision has a new looped announcement in their food fight against Scripps. The message plays on the channels where HGTV and Food Network used to be. This time, they ask why Scripps doesn’t just sell Food Network and HGTV directly to interested customers. Funny, I keep saying that about the entire cable lineup. [More]
Apartment Complex Says "Use This Cable Company Or Pay Us $40 Per Month"
By 1.8.10
The FCC has made it clear that apartment complexes can’t force residents to use a specific cable company, but Amy Davis at KPRC in Houston reports that there’s a sneaky way to get around this restriction. The residents of one Houston apartment complex don’t have to go with the building’s chosen provider, but if they opt out they’ll have to pay an extra $40 per month for trash and water. [More]
FOX Did Not Pull Its Programming From TWC, Food Network Pulled From Cablevision
By 1.1.10
After much lambasting and ballyhooing, FOX agreed to keep arguing with TWC over what it charges for the cable company to carry its programming — without pulling the shows as it had threatened to do. Cablevision customers, however, are going to go without Food Network and HGTV. [More]
Guy Asks About His Comcast Bill, Comcast Kills His Cable Modem
By 12.30.09
Matt owns his own cable modem, and it’s worked fine so far with his $165-a-month Comcast Triple Play package. He wanted to check into how he could reduce that ridiculous $165/mo burden, so he chatted online with someone from Comcast to see what his options were. Then he ended the chat and went back to whatever it was he was doing, and Comcast killed his cable modem. Update: Comcast says the end of life (EOL) event was not related to Matt’s chat with the CSR. [More]
TWC Accidentally Cancels Service, Leaves You Bored And Lonely During Holidays
By 12.18.09
Marisa is alone during the holidays, but it would have been nice to have TV, phone and internet to keep her company. Unfortunately, she says TWC randomly canceled her service for no reason. [More]
Another Example Of How To Go Cable-Free
By 12.11.09
We’ve posted before about how to break your cable habit without giving up on TV altogether–it’s possible, but can’t happen without some work on your end. This week, the New York Times’ Nick Bilton explained how he and his wife have combined their existing devices with a few new ones to create a content stream that enables them to watch what they want without cable. [More]
Why A Comcast/NBC Merger Is Bad News
By 12.3.09
As the Comcast/NBC mergepocalypse draws near, we wanted to remind readers of the ways that this is going to harm consumers (beyond the obvious things like 30 Rock being promised to come on between 6 and 10 pm and actually airing at 11:30). Join us for a sad look into the future. [More]
NBC & Comcast Had Secret Helicopter Meetings
By 12.3.09
The New York Times has a thrilling account of the secret helicopter hotel golf parties that resulted in the soon-to-be merger of NBC Universal and Comcast. There were code names! [More]
My Roommate Stole My Cable Box And Comcast Wants $300
By 11.23.09
Dave is the responsible roommate — the guy who volunteers to handle all the bills and finances for his pals.
MPAA Asks FCC For Control Of Your TV's Analog Outputs
By 11.9.09
The Motion Picture Association of American wants to rent movies to TV viewers earlier in the release window, but they don’t want anyone potentially streaming that video out to other appliances. That’s why last week they went back to the FCC to once again ask for the power to disable analog ports on consumer television sets.
Reach Comcast Corporate Escalations
By 10.28.09
Frank Eliason is a great pointman for escalating Comcast customer service issues, but what if he dies, gets promoted, a new job, or decides we’re all just too annoying? Then you might want to have some backup executive customer service info:
Televised Sports Battle: Who Is Astroturfing Whom?
By 10.24.09
Front groups for cable and satellite companies pretending to represent the interest of sports fans? Mysterious “sources” and leaks? This is nothing new to Consumerist readers, but our estranged siblings at Deadspin have some great information on a lobbying and PR war between thinly disguised groups working on behalf of DirectTV and the big cable companies, and their battle over fans and fees. Or is it?
Streaming Cable Content: For Comcast Subscribers Only
By 10.24.09
Yesterday’s news that Hulu soon plans to start charging for its service actually came fresh on the heels of Comcast’s announcement that it’s about to officially launch online streaming video for subscribers to both their cable TV and Internet services.
New Executive Customer Service Number For Time Warner Cable
By 10.19.09
Time Warner Cable is updating the phone number for executive customer service, the new number will be:
$40 Fee For Tech Not Showing Up
By 10.19.09
Michael and his family waited for four hours for a Time Warner Cable repair rep to pay him a visit, but says he got stood up, and stuck with a $40 cancellation fee for his troubles.
Woman Struggles Through Comcast's Outsourced Rebate Maze
By 10.14.09
Coaxed by the promise of rebates, Rhea took the Comcast high-speed internet plunge, but found it difficult to get her money, since Comcast had outsourced its rebates to a company called OfferWire.
