Metrocast

[Newcomers]

Originally Posted by Smokienorm

We switched from Metrocast to Direct TV over a year ago and are glad we did. We have their "Genie" DVR which supports up to 5 separate TV's, all of which get the full programming and ability to record and play back anything recorded from any of the TV's. Unfortunately we still have Metrocast for Internet because of lack of meaningful competition at decent data speeds.

Hi-

We are new and we just kept what was here from the previous owner ( Metrocast) and would like to investigate Direct TV. I had it in a previous home and liked it. Questions: Do they install in the winter when it may be necessary to go on a snowy roof? 2.) Is there a local dealer close by Alton that I can buy it through and have them do the installation?
Thanks for your reply

[upthesaukee]

I checked the DirecTV website, and found some in NH, but either on the seacoast, or down near the MA border.

Here is a link to their dealer locator. Just put in your zip and select how far away. I found nothing until I selected 30 and 50 miles.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global..._find_retailer

Good luck.

[Descant]

We just called the 800 number and they scheduled the installation. We met the guy at the dock and brought him out to the island. The installer traveled all over the Lakes Region.

[Newcomers]

Originally Posted by Descant

We just called the 800 number and they scheduled the installation. We met the guy at the dock and brought him out to the island. The installer traveled all over the Lakes Region.

We took your advice and called the 800 line. The installer they sent actually had a few grey hairs- was extremely knowledgeable, set us up quickly. Great job. We did get the mini-genie set up and we love it!

[upthesaukee]

Watching TVLand and there are banners going across the screen saying that Viacom and Metrocast have not been able to reach agreement on a new contract, and as such, Metrocast may not transmit any of Viacom's programming after midnight tonight.

This will effect TVland, Mtv channels, Vh1 channels, Nickalodean channels, CMT channels, and others. It could be up to 30 channels, depending on your programming package.

And while I realize this basically a negative Metrocast thread (I couldn't see starting a new thread), I feel this is a he said - they said situation.
The rhetoric from Viacom is that Metrocast is not bargaining in good faith, and Metrocast is, I'm sure, saying that despite their best efforts, Viacom would not budge.

Oh well, time will tell what happens.

[Crusty]

The same thing is happening on WOW Cable here in Columbus, Oh. After some Internet research, it appear that several hundred smaller cable systems all have their contracts with Viacom expiring tonight. Although I can't seem to find actual numbers (from either side), it appears that Viacom is demanding a rate increase of nearly 100% for a renewal and has denied requests to just renew the "popular" channels (ie, the ones people actually watch). Several cable systems noted that viewership of Viacom channels has suffered a drop of 20-30% over the past couple years.

I would presume that any increase in cost would, on average, simply be passed on to the consumer. This would, of course, cut into the cable companies' customer base. On the other hand, if enough of the cable systems drop Viacom, then Viacom goes out of business.

My bet is that Viacom settles for a small fee increase and most/all of the cable companies continue to carry the programming.

[BroadHopper]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital...twork_Alliance

Seems like this is the way things are going. I am able to stream just about anything to my TV from my laptop and Android device. All network shows, news etc. is available on line. I can use DLNA to stream the shows to my TV. Like having DVR without the expense of cable. Even the movie providers like Redbook, VUDU, Netflix etc. can be streamed to the TV. I think this is where we are going.

Problem is we are still stuck with Metrocast for high speed internet unless Fairpoint decides to offer fibre optics to residential users.

[Weekend Pundit]

Reading some of the posts on this thread I see there are a few folks who misunderstand how the programming tiers are set up and who sets the cable rates.

First: It's not the cable company, but the content providers who determine where the various channels will appear in the programming tiers.

Second: It's the content providers who drive the cable rates. While the present Viacom kerfuffle is threatening to make some of their channels go dark on Metrocast, it must be understood that the only negotiation Viacom is interested is in is how much more Metrocast is going to pay them for their programming. The cable companies/satellite providers have to pass any increased cost onto the subscribers. (Most cable companies make very little profit off of video these days, so there's very little wiggle room in regards to absorbing cost increases.)

Third: Cable companies/satellite providers also have to carry channels that no one watches because the content providers make it a condition of receiving their other channels. When that happens some times other channels have to be dropped from cable lineups because the cable company has limited bandwidth available. (Satellite providers have a lot more bandwidth available compared to cable. A lot more.)

Fourth: Satellite providers can usually offer better deals because they don't have the infrastructure to support like cable companies, meaning they make more profit even with lower rates than cable.

I could go on and on, but some things needed to be said because of the misconceptions out there.

Not that complaints about the quality of service are unwarranted (I've had both good and bad experiences with cable companies). I think we can all relate to the good/bad service we've gotten over the years, regardless of which cable company being talked about.

[upthesaukee]

I have been watching two channels that were supposed to have ceased at midnight.

No banner by Viacom.

Guess that means an agreement has been reached.

[Fiddlin']

We cut our MetroCast cable just about 1 year ago, and have been watching free Hulu, and have been happy with it. True, Hulu Plus gives you even more content, but who cares? Our lives don't revolve around the tv. For channel 9 news viewing, you can watch their live webcasts.

[BroadHopper]

Lately, commercials shows more air time than the shows themselves. I am able to get work done around the house by not watching the commercials and get r done!

With the billions of dollars companies pay for air time you would think there would be plenty of money for the networks to buy out the cable companies and offer free cable!

[upthesaukee]

This message is in the upper left hand corner of Metrocast's website, actually quite small:

IMPORTANT CUSTOMER NOTICE: Monday evening, March 31, MetroCast reached an agreement with Viacom that allows for the continued carriage of the Viacom networks on our channel lineups. We appreciate your understanding as we worked through this negotiation.

Like we knew this would happen...

[bclaker]

http://www.komando.com/blog/249496/a...rticle_0-title