UPC - ITV2, 3 & 4

ronkmonster · 04-04-2011 03:47PM

Is there a downgrade charge if I am out of contract? I would still like to keep the broadband but I watch very little TV so no point holding on.

tonyheaney · 04-04-2011 04:00PM

Freddie59 wrote: »

It also brings into question the whole FTA scenario. Technically, if you buy a Freesat dish you can watch the channels unhindered. If you have Sky you can tune them in through 'extra channels'.

If, as quoted elsewhere on this thread, Sky have bigger numbers than UPC, it would seem a logical progression that TV3 would seek to close this loophole also. (how I don't know - you would have imagined they would have went for the bigger of the two first). And where does it leave unscrambled FTA signals from satellite?

Interesting times ahead.

can you or anyone else explain whats all this thing with TV3?

Elmo · 04-04-2011 04:08PM

JDxtra wrote: »

The ARPU (average revenue per user) of a Sky subscriber (across UK/Ireland) is £500+.

€500 I will take as the ARPU in Ireland per year

637000 (Households)

€318,500,000 per year :eek: plus @least €15,000,000 from advertising.

Elmo · 04-04-2011 04:20PM

tonyheaney wrote: »

can you or anyone else explain whats all this thing with TV3?

TV3 have a major contract with ITV for ITV programming. UPC in their press release state

ITV was not in a position to renew the current agreement with UPC on any terms. ITV has an exclusive rights arrangement with another Irish channel provider for ITV programming content.
We have tried every effort to keep these channels but unfortunately we have been left with no option but to remove the channels as our contract has expired.

When they say "Irish channel provider" they mean a TV channel rather than an service provider such as Sky. Sky aren't adding ITV to their EPG.

JDxtra · 04-04-2011 04:26PM

It's no comfort, but UPC Switzerland continues to carry ITV2/3/4...

http://www.upc-cablecom.ch/en/sender.htm?region_change=2&firstclick=true

...they have no TV3 over there to complain about it though!

Freddie59 · 04-04-2011 04:41PM

mike65 wrote: »

The footprint of the 3 Astra 28.8 and 1 Eurobird sats is not something TV3 can interfere with thankfully!

They couldn't force providers to scramble certain signals I'm pretty sure, the costs would put providers off anyway as UK viewers using FTA would have to be issued with cards and a decoder, so its a no no.

I see where you're coming from. But, prior to last Friday, it would have seemed unthinkable that TV3 could force this on a major provider. If there's a rule, there's a rule...........

Elmo · 04-04-2011 04:46PM

Freddie59 wrote: »

I see where you're coming from. But, prior to last Friday, it would have seemed unthinkable that TV3 could force this on a major provider. If there's a rule, there's a rule...........

No European Government or Regulator can prevent channels from broadcasting to their country from a broad. This has been in place since the TV without frontiers directive and now the Audio/Visual without Frontiers Directive. Hence even if TV3 were to lobby the government to prevent ITV broadcasting via satellite or spillover they could not.

This is purely between ITV, UPC and TV3. It is a issue for the rights holder and TV3 must have felt that ITV was infringing on their rights for ITV programming in the republic of Ireland.

BTW these are 3 more channels that TV3 were able to prevent. RTÉ Plus was another service which the successfully lobbied to prevent appearing on Saorview. They continue to lobby against RTÉ News Now, RTÉ Two HD and RTÉjr.

Kristopherus · 04-04-2011 08:04PM

TV3 would be a small loss if they went belly-up.

sataction · 04-04-2011 08:07PM

Why don't UPC drop TV3 from its program list, God knows we would not miss it.

Kristopherus · 04-04-2011 08:08PM

ronkmonster wrote: »

Is there a downgrade charge if I am out of contract? I would still like to keep the broadband but I watch very little TV so no point holding on.

No charge for anything if you are out of contract. But you will have to give them a months quit notice.

jack presley · 04-04-2011 09:03PM

So how many people actually left UPC today? Plenty of talk about it here over the weekend, just wondering how many went through with it.

icdg · 04-04-2011 09:12PM

sataction wrote: »

Why don't UPC drop TV3 from its program list, God knows we would not miss it.

They're not allowed to. The Irish terrestrial channels are must-carries for every cable and MMDS operator.

UTV would be the next challenge, but UTV have too much income from advertising revenue in the South (though not as much as they had during the 1990s/early 2000s) to give up as easily as ITV. UTV have been on cable here for the past forty odd years wheras ITV were only in the market for one year and not making any money from advertising here.

Infoanon · 04-04-2011 09:31PM

sataction wrote: »

Why don't UPC drop TV3 from its program list, God knows we would not miss it.

Mods have given the legal reason - but if TV3 are behind the loss of ITV2/3/4 why don't UPC say so - and why are UPC promoting TV3/3e if they have given them this headache.

If TV3 are behind this then UPC could say so and also move 3e down the epg - its not protected by law - could also move TV3 down as well if they really wanted to...

btw UPC are still advertising the ITV services so it looks like they may have been caught by surprise.

If its not TV3 then its Sky - and ITV recently did an exclusive deal for HD channels with Sky.

athtrasna · 04-04-2011 09:33PM

I'm seriously missing my Hell's Kitchen fix right now

tonyheaney · 04-04-2011 09:48PM

why are we paying a TV Licence for channels that support them selves through advert revenue??????????????????????????

blaz · 04-04-2011 10:42PM

jack presley wrote: »

So how many people actually left UPC today? Plenty of talk about it here over the weekend, just wondering how many went through with it.

I requested to cancel my TV service on Friday using the web form. Received confirmation on Sunday that my broadband was downgraded to 10 MB (which I also requested) and that I have to give 30 days notice for the TV cancelation and that they have forwarded my request to their customer retention department. I guess that means someone will call me (or not).

blaz · 04-04-2011 10:46PM

mightybashful wrote: »

Originally Posted by BLAZ
Of course I can't cancel today because the accounts departement is closed, but I'll do that first thing Monday morning.

did you go ahead with this Blaz?[/QUOTE]

Actually canceled on Friday using their web form.

ronkmonster · 04-04-2011 10:52PM

blaz wrote: »

Actually canceled on Friday using their web form.

Where is the web form?

Elmo · 04-04-2011 11:08PM

ronkmonster wrote: »

Where is the web form?

Why would you have a web form for cancellations :eek: haha. Also the irony that blaz has UPC Broadband.

Also AFAIK UTV is a must carry on for "Irish" companies. Sky is exempt from such laws due to the AVWF

ah the world of Broadcast Policy!

athtrasna · 04-04-2011 11:44PM

tonyheaney wrote: »

why are we paying a TV Licence for channels that support them selves through advert revenue??????????????????????????

Do some research into what the TV licence actually funds maybe

Bodan · 05-04-2011 01:18AM

i think we should all charge UPC a downgrade fee, like they do to us. Im thinking around 30 euros ....

blaz · 05-04-2011 08:20AM

ronkmonster wrote: »

Where is the web form?

http://support.upc.ie/app/ask/c/35

How to get there by clicking? Goto www.upc.ie, click on Customer Support -> Contact Us -> Billing & Account Services -> Contact Form.

blaz · 05-04-2011 08:20AM

Elmo wrote: »

Why would you have a web form for cancellations :eek: haha. Also the irony that blaz has UPC Broadband.

There is a contact form for "Billing & Account Services". And yes, I am happy with UPC Broadband, not happy with TV service at all.

Minstrel27 · 05-04-2011 08:25AM

Elmo wrote: »

Also AFAIK UTV is a must carry on for "Irish" companies.

No it's not.

My local cable company doesn't bother with it. They provide ITV1 London instead.

Col200sx · 05-04-2011 08:26AM

jack presley wrote: »

So how many people actually left UPC today? Plenty of talk about it here over the weekend, just wondering how many went through with it.

I'm in the process of cancelling my tv services. Rang them over the weekend to find out the procedure, as they say 30 days notice, I've just paid for 2 months, so I'll make sure i'll get what I paid for.

I'm sick of UPC, their customer service is the worst of any company I've ever dealt with.

It'll be a great feeling to finally get rid of them and never have to deal with them again.

mightybashful · 05-04-2011 01:11PM

blaz wrote: »

did you go ahead with this Blaz?

Actually canceled on Friday using their web form.[/QUOTE]

Are / were you out of contract? They told me I have to suffer on til 18th August

Elmo · 05-04-2011 01:14PM

mightybashful wrote: »

Actually canceled on Friday using their web form.

Are / were you out of contract? They told me I have to suffer on til 18th August

[/QUOTE]

He is still with them for Broadband so I assume it wasn't as bad as all that. Also did they try and charge the cancellation fee Blaz?

blaz · 05-04-2011 07:38PM

Elmo wrote: »

He is still with them for Broadband so I assume it wasn't as bad as all that. Also did they try and charge the cancellation fee Blaz?

I am out of contract. Here is the literal reply I received:

Thank you for your recent email. Your query has been brought to the attention of our Customer Loyalty Team who will take care of your request for the cancellation of your (Digital TV Service). Please be advised that under UPC Terms and Conditions 30 days notice is required for termination requests.

I would also like to confirm that your package has now been changed from (Broadband 20MB Pack) to (Broadband 10MB pack) as requested and applied the €10.00 downgrade fee. The monthly charge for this package is (€25.00).

You may need to reboot your Modem to receive the new increase.

I trust that this is to your satisfaction and thank you for your valued custom.

tonyheaney · 05-04-2011 09:52PM

I Just rang them and downgraded to the Digital Value+ says 23 on line but really 22 euro.

I only upgraded coz i had family stay but now its not needed. she said to me that the ran out of time and money with ITV2,3,4

icdg · 05-04-2011 10:17PM

Elmo wrote: »

Why would you have a web form for cancellations :eek: haha. Also the irony that blaz has UPC Broadband.

Also AFAIK UTV is a must carry on for "Irish" companies. Sky is exempt from such laws due to the AVWF ah the world of Broadcast Policy!

No, that's not correct.

The must carry rules are:

Analogue MMDS: TV3 only. (s76(1)(b) Broadcasting Act 2009)

Analogue cable: TV3, and every free-to-air service provided by RTÉ and TG4. (s77(4)). (The cable licences used to specifically specify RTE1, RTE2, TV3, and TG4. But that was before the 2009 Act was enacted and indeed licences have been replaced by authorisations since).

Digital cable/MMDS: TV3, and every free-to-air service provided by RTÉ and TG4. (The Irish Film Channel and the Houses of the Oireachtas Channel when they come into existance too). (s77(3)-(4))

Satellite: No must carry, but RTÉ, TG4, and TV3 must offer, if the service is aimed at Ireland... (s77(12)).

UPC - ITV2, 3 & 4

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