Q & A From Comcast On Tier Buy Through
This is a Q&A from Comcast regarding tier buy through and howit works with Comcast.
Recently, Channel 5 (WCVB) aired a story entitled "New Law Allows Consumers to Choose Cable Channels: Premium Channels Can Be Selected a la Carte." This document is an attempt to address some of the questions generated by this story.
As we compete with satellite providers for our share of the video market in New England, cable operators offer dozens of packages to provide more value to New England customers, ranging from Basic Cable television or a 230-plus channel Digital Cable option.
Customer research shows most viewers who choose premium channels want to enjoy more channels, including the most popular networks on Standard and Digital Cable. Digital Cable offers customers more value for their dollar and the price is 75 percent less per channel.
Q: What is "Tier Buy Through" or Basic + Premium?
A: The 1992 Cable Act required that cable companies offer premium channels, like HBO, Cinemax or Showtime, to customers who purchased the lowest-priced basic cable package without having to buy the full standard cable package. Q: Can I subscribe to any other channel on an a la carte basis?
A: No. Only channels that are sold and packaged separately may be sold on an a la carte basis. The list of channels that may be purchased separately includes: HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, STARZ! & Encore. Q: What is basic cable?
A: Basic cable service offers local broadcast stations and community access channels. Q: What is Comcast Standard Cable?
A: Comcast Standard Cable provides customers with access to some of the most popular cable channels in New England such as: NESN, Fox News, ESPN, CNN and more. This lineup consists of the most popular 60+ cable channels in New England. Q: What is Comcast Digital Cable?
A: Comcast Digital Cable television offers customers digital quality video and sound, more than 230 channels, dozens of commercial-free premium movie channels like HBO, a highly advanced interactive program guide from TV Guide interactive, 45 channels of commercial-free CD quality music, and over three dozen interactive pay-per view channel selections. Comcast Digital Cable also offers premium ethnic channels, a full tier of Hispanic programming and sports packages like MLB and Nascar inCar from inDemand. Customers must purchase at least basic cable in order to be eligible for Comcast Digital Cable programming. Q: Is equipment required?
A: Any customer who purchases either an a la carte movie channel or a Comcast Digital Cable package will need the appropriate set-top box in order to receive their channel selections. The current cost for a set-top box is $5.25 per month which includes a remote control. Customers who opt to purchase Basic cable with HBO will need a set-top box in order to view the HBO programming.
A: The 1992 Cable Act required that cable companies offer premium channels, like HBO, Cinemax or Showtime, to customers who purchased the lowest-priced basic cable package without having to buy the full standard cable package. Q: Can I subscribe to any other channel on an a la carte basis?
A: No. Only channels that are sold and packaged separately may be sold on an a la carte basis. The list of channels that may be purchased separately includes: HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, STARZ! & Encore. Q: What is basic cable?
A: Basic cable service offers local broadcast stations and community access channels. Q: What is Comcast Standard Cable?
A: Comcast Standard Cable provides customers with access to some of the most popular cable channels in New England such as: NESN, Fox News, ESPN, CNN and more. This lineup consists of the most popular 60+ cable channels in New England. Q: What is Comcast Digital Cable?
A: Comcast Digital Cable television offers customers digital quality video and sound, more than 230 channels, dozens of commercial-free premium movie channels like HBO, a highly advanced interactive program guide from TV Guide interactive, 45 channels of commercial-free CD quality music, and over three dozen interactive pay-per view channel selections. Comcast Digital Cable also offers premium ethnic channels, a full tier of Hispanic programming and sports packages like MLB and Nascar inCar from inDemand. Customers must purchase at least basic cable in order to be eligible for Comcast Digital Cable programming. Q: Is equipment required?
A: Any customer who purchases either an a la carte movie channel or a Comcast Digital Cable package will need the appropriate set-top box in order to receive their channel selections. The current cost for a set-top box is $5.25 per month which includes a remote control. Customers who opt to purchase Basic cable with HBO will need a set-top box in order to view the HBO programming.
