From: janner@cactus.org (Jeffrey W. Janner)
Subject: Re: SciFi channel Update
Followup-To: austin.general,ut.general
Summary: free bcable bandwidth
Keywords: cable,scifi
Organization: Capital Area Central Texas UNIX Society, Austin, Tx
Distribution: austin
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 22:52:06 GMT

In article <1jfah6INNse8@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu>, ifaq570@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Allen Kitchen) writes:
> 
>     The following info is for anyone who wants Austin Cablevision to bring
> the Science Fiction Channel to cable.
>  
>  
>     Sattelite owners have been enjoying this channel for months now.  When the
> channel first became available, a large number of people called the cable
> company to request it.  Austin Cablevision replied that it would be Spring
> before they would consider such a request.
>  
>     Here it is, January , the month I was told that they would get around
> to it (ALLRIGHT, so it aint quite spring).  I just got off the phone with
> the Programming Director for Austin Cablevision, George Warmingham.
> Although he was polite, the jist of our conversation is that Austin Cable
> will NOT be delivering the SciFi channel, anytime.
>     Mr. Warmingham tells that there are no channels open to use.  When I asked
> him why we have 2 prevue channels and 2 shopping channels, he replied that
> people liked having it that way.  He then told me about when they had tried
> to take off the Trinity channel.  They were buried by complaints.  When I asked
> him when they were going to upgrade to carry more channels, he replied that
> they already had all the channels they could carry without picture loss.
>  
>     Note:  I am not suggesting that channels that are unique be removed.
> But I think it is a waste of bandwidth to have so many duplicate channels.
> For example:
>  
>     26 & 58  Cspan
>     27 & 37  Weather
>     44 & 45  Shopping
>     7 & 50   Prevue
>  
> I can understand why people want 2 movie channels and many music channels,
> but when we are bandwidth limited like we are, is it neccessary to show
> essentially the same stuff on multiple channels?
>  
>     If you want to contact Austin Cablevision and request the SciFi channel,
> the number and name to call are below.  Please note that politeness goes
> far, but that they have been ignoring the requests of their customers for
> months now and have only delivered lipservice.  I may go so far as to have
> my cable disconnected, since they deliver what I don't want twice and what
> I do want not at all.
>  
> AUSTIN CABLEVISION
>     PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR, GEORGE WARMINGHAM
>         448-8100
> 
> ****************************************************************************
> Now I lay me down to bed / darkness won't surround my head /
> I can see by infra-red / How I loathe the night...
> ******************************************   ifaq570@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu  ***
>  
> 
> 


What do they mean "NO free bandwidth"?  I have been receiving a test 
pattern on my VCR at channel 53 (55 on a converter box) since mid-Nov.
I also was getting a channel on 57 (59) for a few weeks.  Seems to me 
they could put it here.  The test pattern is interestng, but even my cat
looses interest in it after a while.

I can sort of see why they would not want to get rid of the duplicate
shopping channels.  After all, they probably get paid to carry these (vs.
paying for other channels).  I cannot seem to find a second preview channel
unless you mean that 24-hour "pay-per-view" ad channel.  The what's on
listing is useful, in light of the fact that the local daily has a 20%
error rate in its listings. (Its missing rate is somewhat higher.)
They could probably remove one of the 3 religious channels.  I know we
are almost in the bible belt, but I doubt that they are generating
that much revenue for the local cable company.

While I'm on the subject, What's this business of them requiring me to use
a converter box to get premium/ppv channels when I already paid good money
for a cable-ready TV/VCR?  I know there are ways around it, as I got them
in Houston without one!  Apparently, they just put some sort of filter in
the line to my apt. that de-scrabld that channel.  Certainly, someone
has invented a box to do what the selector box does without needing to
have the selector part.  Basically, it's just another way for
Time/Warner to get an extra cople-hundred out of me each year.

BTW:  cancelling your service is not a very effective complaint tool.
They figure that you'll most likely re-up in a few months after you have
a dose of the local reception problems. (I lived up the hill from KVUE
and that was the only station I could get, and that not very clearly.)
Their franchise is up for renewal in a year or wo, and they are currently 
under review by the city's cable board.  Complainin to them may make a 
differnce, Although it will probably take several complaints from several
people.  The board is pretty much in bed with the local TW, but an
overwhelming show of displeasure might suade them.  Also try writting the
head office of TW (in NY/LA) and present your view.  Explain in economic
terms why not carrying the channel is a bad idea (e.g., the large student
population, etc.)  Believe me, if the home office calls to complain, then
something will be done.  Also, someone might want to start a petition drive
and present it to all three of the above.

Just some ideas!

jeff janner      janner@cactus.org
!no .sig yet, but working on it!

Newsgroups: austin.general