Choose your own TV Channels package

[JSemanchik]

Would anyone else prefer to have the option to choose the channels that you watch in your package? 

I understand that AT&T has set packages that they want you to buy and they'll put things like Sports channels in their own package so that you have to pay more to have those.  I get it, they want to make you buy the higher package so that you get the one channel that you truly want.  I was told by a chat representative that the packages have been setup based on Market Analysis.  Which "Market" is that?  The Sales Market?  I can't see how users would choose to have these packages. 

I have a suggestion for you AT&T, you should make packages like the following (lists are only examples, more channels would apply to each and other groups apply):

The Winning Streak (Sports):

• NFL
• Fox Sports (All)
• NHL
• NBA
• ESPN
• Versus

The Geek:

• The Science Channel
• Discovery (All sub classes)
• History (All sub classes)
• G4
• National Geographic

The Chic:

• Style Network
• Logo

The Leak (News):

• CNN
• Fox News
• CSPAN
• MSNBC

The Movie Freak:

• TMC
• Fox Movie Channel

The Male Physique:

• FX
• USA

The Women's Boutique:

• Oxygen
• Lifetime (All sub classes)
• Food Network

Bubble and Squeak (Kids/Family):

• Nicktoons
• Nickelodeon
• Boomerang
• Nick Jr.
• ABC Family

Unique (A list of channels where you can mix/match from other groups so you don't have to buy an entire package just for one channel)

We would then be able to pick TV packages that are tailored to ourselves rather than what a market analysis says we should have.  They could also have a basic package that would give you local stations and some of the channels you can get on a basic cable package. They would far surpass Cable and Satellite services if they would set someething up like this. 

Does anyone else feel they would benefit from something like this? 

Thanks,

LJ

[oufanindallas]

while great in theory, if cable companies started doing the ala cart route, it would increase your bill by quite a bit. Providers get "package deals" when they do the bundles the way they are, meaning ABC packages other channels along with the network channel at lower prices to the provider.  Same with other networks.  I have the U-450 so I don't have to worry about not having a channel that I want to watch and my wife and I have two different watching habits so by the time we chose which channels to add, we'd still have the majority of the offered channels.  Ones she watches, ones I watch and one my 18 month old son watches. 

[dhascall ACE - Professor]

I also agree, great in theory but bad in execution, at this time.  Maybe in 20 years but not right now.  Too many lobbyists squeezing congress, FCC and so on.

[skeeterintexas]

Three words:

Ain't gonna happen.

[Datalyss]

It would be very good if American Movie Channel (AMC) would be included in the V200 customer package.

[dhascall ACE - Professor]

There are folks who won't get AMC no matter what package as Rainbow Media has a stranglehold on it, in certain markets.

[JSemanchik]

Well, first the lists are just examples so the talk about TMC can be curbed.  Secondly, as for why it won't happen for 20 years seems like BS.  I think the company could tailor the costs so it would be comparable to other companies after choosing X number of bundles. That's great that you have the U450 package and that works for you and your wife, however I do not watch the Style Network so there is no need for me to have it, period. 

Either way, I'm just looking for people to agree that it's a good idea so maybe it won't take 20 years for this to be put in place.  Maybe I'm reaching for something unobtainable, however the full package I have with DirecTV (although it includes a bunch of channels I do not watch) is still cheaper and it has FOX Sports. 

LJ

[Chitown67]

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JSemanchik wrote:

however the full package I have with DirecTV (although it includes a bunch of channels I do not watch) is still cheaper and it has FOX Sports. 

LJ

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If you subscribe to Directv, why are you complaing about Uverse?  

In addition to the answers you have already received about choosing your own channels, another reason it won't happen is customer service capacity.  Imagine millions of subscribers each choosing their own channels and calling in to make changes:   "I changed my mind...I want Spike TV and not HGTV."   "I want 94 channels instead of 213 channels."  It would be mind numbing craziness for the CSR's and technical support...and ultimately if calls per day (or online chats per day) increase, manpower would need to be increased and those costs would be passed on to the viewers.  

Even if you automated the process, when the system is overloaded or people are having problems---calls would overwhelm customer service.   All around alacarte is a bad idea.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Based on the OP's first message, I was also surprised to hear that he has DirecTV and is not a U-verse TV customer.  Since you think your idea would be good for U-verse to implement, have you also pitched this idea to DirecTV?  If so, when is DirecTV implementing this?

[bk3838]

I am trying to understand what having Directv has to do with an idea for Uverse. Uverse made me a great offer and I give them a great grade for customer service as they made it worth my while to keep Uverse which has some distinct advantages over Directv and get Directv for the sports, mainly Baseball and my out of market sports  (Thanks Kryptonite).  So you can have both services and still,have ideas to talk about with Uverse. I love Uverse, I just wish they would improve there sports offerings and get me more than one HD stream.  I dont know about the feasability of the packages talked about but I am very happy with the U 450 Package as I think the value for the selection of channels is great.   None of the other providers come close price wise.  For me Sports would make Uverse a big player, but others may feel other channels are needed. I just think any idea is an idea worth hearing. Lets hope for the best.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

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bk3838 wrote:

I am trying to understand what having Directv has to do with an idea for Uverse. Uverse made me a great offer and I give them a great grade for customer service as they made it worth my while to keep Uverse which has some distinct advantages over Directv and get Directv for the sports, mainly Baseball and my out of market sports  (Thanks Kryptonite).  So you can have both services and still,have ideas to talk about with Uverse. I love Uverse, I just wish they would improve there sports offerings and get me more than one HD stream.  I dont know about the feasability of the packages talked about but I am very happy with the U 450 Package as I think the value for the selection of channels is great.   None of the other providers come close price wise.  For me Sports would make Uverse a big player, but others may feel other channels are needed. I just think any idea is an idea worth hearing. Lets hope for the best.

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The OP does not have U-verse, and his idea is not limited to a specific TV provider.

[oufanindallas]

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JSemanchik wrote:

Well, first the lists are just examples so the talk about TMC can be curbed.  Secondly, as for why it won't happen for 20 years seems like BS.  I think the company could tailor the costs so it would be comparable to other companies after choosing X number of bundles. That's great that you have the U450 package and that works for you and your wife, however I do not watch the Style Network so there is no need for me to have it, period. 

Either way, I'm just looking for people to agree that it's a good idea so maybe it won't take 20 years for this to be put in place.  Maybe I'm reaching for something unobtainable, however the full package I have with DirecTV (although it includes a bunch of channels I do not watch) is still cheaper and it has FOX Sports. 

LJ

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I don't  know which package you have with DTV, but I left DTV for U-Verse and couldn't be happier.  It has cut my bill by half since I no longer have to have a separate ISP and phone company.  I had DTV for 2 years and I will say that their customer service is the absolute worst in the business.   Is U-Verse perfect, no, but neither is DTV and to say that they are is just plain BS.  DTV may be better for sports if you are willing to pay for it since they do have the NFL Sunday Ticket, NBA League Pass, MLS Direct Kick and MLB Extra Innings, but that gets really expensive really quick when you start adding on those channels.  For some they are a deal breaker.  I get all my teams with my local RSN so I don't need any of those and I'm not willing to pay the leagues any more money to watch an out of market game.