We’ve all talked about the things that we love and hate about the cable television industry. We love the content. We love HD video. We love high speed internet. We don’t like high prices, and limited options. So what if you had the opportunity to sit down with someone from a big cable TV company? What would you ask them? Maybe you’re curious about switched digital video, or ala carte pricing. Maybe you want to know why they selected a terrible DVR that you’ve been stuck with for years. What would be the biggest things you would want to know? We’re working on doing just that! So leave us a comment, or use the contact button to let us know what you would like the cable companies to answer.
Got a Question for the Cable TV Industry?
About the author
Josh Pollard
Josh has been writing software since his parents brought home their first computer. His love for gadgets and technology eventually spurred a passion for home theater technology. After starting the DMZ, he received Microsoft’s MVP award for Windows Media Center. Even though the beloved home theater PC platform is all but dead he continues to tinker with consumer entertainment technology. He’s a life-long gamer and DIY smart home enthusiast. He co-hosts the Entertainment 2.0 podcast with Richard Gunther and the DMZ’s gaming podcast, Story Players, with Joe DeStazio.
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I’d like to know if there are plans to offer a per-channel subscription plans. For instance if by habit, I only watch HGTV, DIY Network, and TNT, can I subscribe to these channels and pay a smaller monthly bill. This is in contrast to paying for dozens of channels I don’t want, only to get the few channels I desire…. often having to jump to higher packages just for a few channels.
Hey Josh, it's been a while since I've talked to you guys, hope you're doing well.
Here's my question:
This may sound ignorant but why don't the cable companies educate themselves more about what their customers may want. I realize they are trying to make a buck by renting boxes to homeowners but in terms of customer service and tech support type stuff, why not educate your tech support folks on other options like Media Center, Sage, and Myth. I know these programs are largely enthusiast based but it would be nice if someone could call the tech support at Verizon or Cox and say, “Hey, I need some help setting up my new CableCard tuner,” and the voice on the other end say, “Sure, I'd be glad to help you, what type of card do you have and what software are you using,” instead of, “Huh??”
I realize that this type of support would have to be strickly for setting up tuners cards and the software to communicate with the cable company and not a general support forum. I think it has gotten better because many customers are forcing it. I recently became a FiOS customer and looking through some of Verizon's web based help, they do offer some instruction on setting up CableCard tuners with Windows Media Center, which is better than what other companies have to offer: NONE.
Oh and while we're at it, how about having them setting up their channels to communicate with the guide data that Media Center grabs and actually map the channels properly instead of having to map them manually.
Thanks again, I always keep up with the blog posts but haven't so much with the podcast and miss chatting with you and Adam on Wednesday nights. Take care.
Ryan
Hey Josh, it's been a while since I've talked to you guys, hope you're doing well.
Here's my question:
This may sound ignorant but why don't the cable companies educate themselves more about what their customers may want. I realize they are trying to make a buck by renting boxes to homeowners but in terms of customer service and tech support type stuff, why not educate your tech support folks on other options like Media Center, Sage, and Myth. I know these programs are largely enthusiast based but it would be nice if someone could call the tech support at Verizon or Cox and say, “Hey, I need some help setting up my new CableCard tuner,” and the voice on the other end say, “Sure, I'd be glad to help you, what type of card do you have and what software are you using,” instead of, “Huh??”
I realize that this type of support would have to be strickly for setting up tuners cards and the software to communicate with the cable company and not a general support forum. I think it has gotten better because many customers are forcing it. I recently became a FiOS customer and looking through some of Verizon's web based help, they do offer some instruction on setting up CableCard tuners with Windows Media Center, which is better than what other companies have to offer: NONE.
Oh and while we're at it, how about having them setting up their channels to communicate with the guide data that Media Center grabs and actually map the channels properly instead of having to map them manually.
Thanks again, I always keep up with the blog posts but haven't so much with the podcast and miss chatting with you and Adam on Wednesday nights. Take care.
Ryan