Cablevision: HBO moving to iO Gold Package?

[TrueQAM]

Cablevision:  HBO moving to iO Gold Package? A credible source has just sent us a tip that the iO Silver Package will no longer include the HBO suite of channels.  Instead it will be moving to the iO Gold Package.  In it's place, the Showtime suite of channels which is currently on the iO Gold Package will be moving to the iO Silver Package.  Our source states a lot of customers have been downgrading from iO Gold to iO Silver.  By moving the HBO suite, which has a lot of good television shows ranging from Entourage, True Blood and Big Love, Cablevision is counting on these customers wanting to stay with the iO Gold Package.  We don't have a specific date, but one possible date is Dec 1st when their new rates go into effect.

[RemyM]

It's effective today, but only for new customers.

Effective Monday, November 2, 2009, Cablevision will launch a new iO Silver Package and create a new HBO a la carte package, which will only impact new customers.  Customers subscribing to the iO Silver Package on or after November 2, 2009 will receive Showtime instead of HBO as part of their iO Silver subscription.  Customers wishing to add an a la carte subscription to HBO will pay the new rate.  Existing customers will not be impacted. 

http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/DPUCUndocketed.nsf/88f12116235902e185256a860056babb/85256a63004def968525765f004bb181?OpenDocument

[RemyM]

So in summary, if you currently have iO Silver you will see no change, you will continue to get HBO, Starz and Encore.  However, if you change from iO Gold to iO Silver or add iO Silver starting today then you will get Showtime, Starz and Encore.

[mws192]

I wonder how the grandfather clause works.  For instance I've got Silver + Sports Pak right now, but I plan on dropping the Sports Pak in a few weeks.  I'm curious to see if they'd make me switch to the new Silver package since I'm changing my current service. 

I guess I'd better call to do it to confirm I'm not losing HBO.

[RemyM]

From a new DPUC filing made today.

Effective November 2, 2009, Cablevision launched a new iO Silver Package for new customers and existing customers who are upgrading throughout our service area.  Customers subscribing to the new iO Silver Package on or after November 2 will receive 18 Showtime Channels in place of the current 22 HBO Channels.  Customers wishing to add an a la carte subscription to HBO on or after November 2, 2009 will pay the new monthly rate of $14.95.

Existing iO Silver Package customers will experience no programming changes and there will be no change in digital equipment requirements.

http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/DPUCUndocketed.nsf/88f12116235902e185256a860056babb/85256a63004def9685257662005f7026?OpenDocument

[RemyM]

So if you currently have HBO a la carte you pay $11.95 and on December 1 it will go to $12.95 but if you order HBO starting today you will pay $14.95.

[Analog]

I wonder how the grandfather clause works.  For instance I've got Silver + Sports Pak right now, but I plan on dropping the Sports Pak in a few weeks.  I'm curious to see if they'd make me switch to the new Silver package since I'm changing my current service. 

I guess I'd better call to do it to confirm I'm not losing HBO.

Unless you go iO Family nothing will change.

[mws192]

I wonder how the grandfather clause works.  For instance I've got Silver + Sports Pak right now, but I plan on dropping the Sports Pak in a few weeks.  I'm curious to see if they'd make me switch to the new Silver package since I'm changing my current service. 

I guess I'd better call to do it to confirm I'm not losing HBO.

I called to drop the Sports Pak today. The call took about 7 minutes, half of which was spent navigating the automated system.  I was able to drop it and confirm that my Silver with HBO would remain the same.  All and all a painless experience.