Re: Could NHL Center Ice Be Near?

andyt_1 · ‎08-01-2008

SharksfanSD - I moved to Carlsbad last year and had to watch the whole sharks season via internet due to ATT not getting CI. A co-worker asked how I liked ATT (he got the knock on the door from a slalesperson) I had to say if you like sports dont switch.... I do get to watch the season opener as its on VesusHD and a couple Anaheim games if you can stand the Ducks annoucers ...Ugh.....

JamesTheName · ‎06-24-2008

Well, moment of truth is nearly upon us. NHL season begins on Thursday and still no sign of the Super Circus adding CI to the lineup. I guess if they were going to they would've done it by now, not a month into the season or half way through the season. They know they have plenty of customers who want it. I guess they figure that, hey, we're AT&T, we should get a better rate than the rest because we are AT&T. Of course, you know that if they add this by tomorrow or by Thursday, I will disavow any knowledge of this post and blame it on my cats.

Message Edited by JamesTheName on 09-28-2009 10:36 AM

mibrnsurg · ‎07-15-2008

Luckily, just being a Detroit Red Wings fan, FSD HD and Versus HD and WDIV 4 HD fulfill my

hockey needs (and if I want more I can watch HNIC on channel 9).

Chris

Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
1-800-983-2811 to avoid Mr. Voice Recognition
YRMV IMHO Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

ChipBurger · ‎07-10-2008

JamesTheName wrote:
Well, moment of truth is nearly upon us. NHL season begins on Thursday and still no sign of the Super Circus adding CI to the lineup. I guess if they were going to they would've done it by now, not a month into the season or half way through the season. They know they have plenty of customers who want it. I guess they figure that, hey, we're AT&T, we should get a better rate than the rest because we are AT&T. Of course, you know that if they add this by tomorrow or by Thursday, I will disavow any knowledge of this post and blame it on my cats.
Message Edited by JamesTheName on 09-28-2009 10:36 AM

While that does make sense, Center Ice wasn't added to FiOS last year until the end of October.

And mibrnsurg, And if you have the NHL Network, we get HNIC in HD through that.

JamesTheName · ‎06-24-2008

mibrnsurg wrote:
Luckily, just being a Detroit Red Wings fan, FSD HD and Versus HD and WDIV 4 HD fulfill my
hockey needs (and if I want more I can watch HNIC on channel 9).

Chris
Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
1-800-983-2811 to avoid Mr. Voice Recognition
YRMV IMHO Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

I'm more than just a Red Wings fan, Chris. I'll will watch any NHL game no matter who the teams are. That's how much I love hockey. I will even watch the classic games that NHL Network shows now and then, even if I know I saw them years before.

bnichols_1 · ‎01-29-2009

Not so fast on HNIC. The NHL Network will not show the late game this year (at least in the first couple of months) and will skip Don Cherry a few times as well. They will add some weeknight games. The story is here: http://puckthemedia.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/nhl-net-eschews-weekly-hnic-simulcast-for-more-balanced....

mibrnsurg · ‎07-15-2008

JamesTheName wrote:

mibrnsurg wrote:
Luckily, just being a Detroit Red Wings fan, FSD HD and Versus HD and WDIV 4 HD fulfill my
hockey needs (and if I want more I can watch HNIC on channel 9).

Chris

I'm more than just a Red Wings fan, Chris. I'll will watch any NHL game no matter who the teams are. That's how much I love hockey. I will even watch the classic games that NHL Network shows now and then, even if I know I saw them years before.

Thats why I said it was a hockey nut's dream come true. I used to be one year's ago when all we had

was Channel 9 and 50 here in the Detroit area for Red Wings and HNIC. Back during the Canadians.

Oilers and Islanders great teams and the Red Wings were not too good. Then Stevie Yzerman arrivedy

and after that the Russian five and Scotty Bowman, now the Red Wings are one of best teams in hockey.

I just can't get up any enthusiasm for teams that don't have the grace and skill of the Red Wings and just

muck it up back and forth. So I don't have interest in the NHL channel or Center Ice, besides the fact I

work late afternoons (1pm game I could watch the whole thing before leaving for work) and am not home

to see week night games.

Chris

Please NO SD stretch-o-vision or 480 SD HD Channels
1-800-983-2811 to avoid Mr. Voice Recognition
YRMV IMHO Simply a U-verse user, nothing more

bzarcher · ‎10-01-2009

Just piping up that I was told when I switched that U-verse WAS going to carry Center Ice. It was part of why I decided to flip over from Dish since I thought I could keep the center ice package!

I really hope AT&T gets off the stick and gets CI for U-verse. It's stupid that they offer the College GameDay (and I think they offer the MLB and NBA packages, don't they?) but don't offer Center Ice.

JamesTheName · ‎06-24-2008

bnichols wrote:
Not so fast on HNIC. The NHL Network will not show the late game this year (at least in the first couple of months) and will skip Don Cherry a few times as well. They will add some weeknight games. The story is here: http://puckthemedia.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/nhl-net-eschews-weekly-hnic-simulcast-for-more-balanced....

Well, NHL Network has both an early game and late game on their schedule for tomorrow night. Doesn't matter though, being in Detroit, I get the local CBC affiliate.

JamesTheName · ‎06-24-2008

bzarcher wrote:
Just piping up that I was told when I switched that U-verse WAS going to carry Center Ice. It was part of why I decided to flip over from Dish since I thought I could keep the center ice package!

I really hope AT&T gets off the stick and gets CI for U-verse. It's stupid that they offer the College GameDay (and I think they offer the MLB and NBA packages, don't they?) but don't offer Center Ice.

Nope, no MLB or NBA pkgs.

a1aparrot · ‎10-04-2009

I am way more than a little miffed. I've just HAD it with U-verse. I was flat out lied to by customer service when I signed up. I specifically asked about Center Ice and was told they have it. I wan't to follow my Penguins here in SC. I HATE being lied to. This is a deal breaker for me. AT&T has yet to send a correct bill, they upgraded my service with out asking, they lied about Center Ice, plus I had to fight tooth and nail to get the promised rebates.

I thought the customer service at DirecTV was the worst on the planet. I was wrong.

U-Verse is getting kicked out, permanantly. I can't see that Time Warner can possibly be any worse than U-Verse or DirecTV. I certainly hope not!

texasguy37 · ‎05-18-2009

The grass is not always greener on the other side.

a1aparrot · ‎10-04-2009

Cable may suck, but being LIED to is unstatisfactory. No NHL Center Ice is a deal killer. Why in the world does AT%T feel the need to lie about available services. Why make people angry? Why is this the norm these days with almost all TV providers?

paul416 · ‎10-10-2008

It is amazing how subscribers can have such totally opposite interactions withthe same company regarding the same services. I am a few days away from having had U-verse for a year and I couldn't be more pleased. When I recently called customer service over a billing issue(which was resolved in a few minutes) the csr told me that she found a offer available to me the would lower my bill $14.00 a month for six months.I didn't ask for any type of incentives, she gave me one without me even asking. Sorry you are having such problems. I wonder if it has anything to do with what area one is in? I'm live in the suburbs of Chicago.

Message Edited by paul416 on 10-05-2009 01:47 PM

kryptonite · ‎04-10-2009

How can a SALESperson SELL when they say "no?" Instead, they say "We offer over X number of channels. Blackouts may apply when necessary.

If YOU don't do the research, and get bamboozled, it's all on YOU.

JamesTheName · ‎06-24-2008

And what's wrong with AT&T or any similar company with being a little honest about things. If a prospective customer asks about a certain channels availability, tell them straight if you have it or not. And if you don't have the channel, tell them that AT&T hopes to add it in the future. Lying to a customer just to get them on board will accomplish nothing but hard feelings and that customer bailing and spreading the word about their deceptions.

POdHawksfan · ‎10-07-2009

Talked with Customer Service today. Essentially got NOWHERE. The Save Our Sales Manager (fitting title don't you think) essentially blamed it on the "network". "We have no control over that" she said. I said I know customer service has no control and then she informed me that att Uverse has no control over their content. Who's running this ship?

If I have to spend the next six months watching the Hawks on my 15" computer screen, I don't give a good gosh darn HOW good the rest of my experience is, it is HIGLY likely that I will not be with them. Customer service that can't make an intelligent and reasonable representation of their business combined with the loss of what should be a NO BRAINER of a service is just not good business.

Since at least one person in customer service said they read this board, take note. Hockey fans are looking to your competetion. We may be a small number, but in today's economy can you truly afford to throw business to your competitors over such an EASY issue to solve.

Peace

Kevin

aka PO'd Blackhawks Fan

a1aparrot · ‎10-04-2009

kryptonite wrote:
How can a SALESperson SELL when they say "no?" Instead, they say "We offer over X number of channels. Blackouts may apply when necessary.

If YOU don't do the research, and get bamboozled, it's all on YOU.

This is a pretty absurd comment. So it's OK do deliberately "bamboozle" someone when a sale is on the line? I'm in sales myself. Travel. If I lie to someone just to get the sale, I'll never get their business a second time. Plus they will be out there cursing my business to anyone who will listen. I often have to answer questions with an answer that is going to be disappointing. Sometimes it costs a sale, but the more realistic people I deal with appreciate the honesty, and will likely be repeat customers.

POdHawksfan · ‎10-07-2009

I guess Kryptonite is a big fan of caveat emptor. Problematically, businesses who take that attitude are generally hurting shortly after the adopt it. Only time that isn't the case is in the realm of public utilities. Hmmmmm. Nonetheless, it's good that they didn't lie to me. Instead of "cordial, but frustrated," they would have gotten "no incentive to be civil, so I might as well not be."

I need to locate the VP of Customer Relations email addy. I think he's gonna find it hilarious that according to his people, Uverse has no control over their own content.

sharksfansd · ‎09-26-2009

kryptonite wrote:
How can a SALESperson SELL when they say "no?" Instead, they say "We offer over X number of channels. Blackouts may apply when necessary.

If YOU don't do the research, and get bamboozled, it's all on YOU.

Based on what I am reading throughout these threads regarding the sports packages it appears potential (new) customers are being mis-led during the quote/sales process. This is quite different than what you are saying.

sharksfansd · ‎09-26-2009

POdHawksfan wrote:
Talked with Customer Service today. Essentially got NOWHERE. The Save Our Sales Manager (fitting title don't you think) essentially blamed it on the "network". "We have no control over that" she said. I said I know customer service has no control and then she informed me that att Uverse has no control over their content. Who's running this ship?

If I have to spend the next six months watching the Hawks on my 15" computer screen, I don't give a good gosh darn HOW good the rest of my experience is, it is HIGLY likely that I will not be with them. Customer service that can't make an intelligent and reasonable representation of their business combined with the loss of what should be a NO BRAINER of a service is just not good business.

Since at least one person in customer service said they read this board, take note. Hockey fans are looking to your competetion. We may be a small number, but in today's economy can you truly afford to throw business to your competitors over such an EASY issue to solve.

Peace

Kevin
aka PO'd Blackhawks Fan

I feel your pain, as I deal with multiple NHL blackout issues with Time Warner Cable here in San Diego (TWC doesn't carry NHL Network or FSN Prime Ticket). Those issues would be solved with a move to AT & T once Center Ice is available.

I wonder if Commissioner Bettman is open to the question, as he takes calls once a week on Sirius XM's NHL channel. Would only ask him since no one at AT&T can firmly say whether negotiations are taking place and/or when CI will be available.

http://www.nhl.com/radio/nhl_hour.html

Message Edited by sharksfansd on 10-07-2009 03:24 PM

JamesTheName · ‎06-24-2008

sharksfansd wrote:
kryptonite wrote:
How can a SALESperson SELL when they say "no?" Instead, they say "We offer over X number of channels. Blackouts may apply when necessary.

If YOU don't do the research, and get bamboozled, it's all on YOU.

Based on what I am reading throughout these threads regarding the sports packages it appears potential (new) customers are being mis-led during the quote/sales process. This is quite different than what you are saying.

When I signed up in April of 08, I asked the salesman who came to the house about Center Ice. He didn't know what it was but, he called CS and asked about it, they didn't know what it was but, asked someone else and relayed back to the salesman then me that they didn't have it at that time but, AT&T would have it in the near future. I figured that, ok, still time till the next hockey season so, I'll take chance that they will. Now, it's 1 1/2 yrs later and it's not even on the horizon from what I can see. When I started this thread, I talked to some in tech support and when they asked if I had any other questions, I figured, what the hell, ask about CI. I did and if you read my original post, they said it should be coming. That was before trainng camp for the NHL even started. And so far, nothing! NOTHING! Not even a sniff. And I don't care how much AT&T keeps these things close to the vest, there's always rumors or info sneaking out that will make it to the public. When I had Directv, you usually heard a month or so ahead of time through sources about some channel or service they would be adding soon. The fact that we hear absolutely nothing about the addition of CI or MLB Network tells me not to hold my breath waiting for it. It ain't coming. And I'm beginning to seriously consider moving to another service. I like Uverse, alot. But tv is tv and I want what's best for MY viewing interests, not AT&T's

ChipBurger · ‎07-10-2008

kryptonite wrote:
How can a SALESperson SELL when they say "no?" Instead, they say "We offer over X number of channels. Blackouts may apply when necessary.

If YOU don't do the research, and get bamboozled, it's all on YOU.

Wouldn't calling the source and asking them directly qualify for "research"?

bnichols_1 · ‎01-29-2009

Sharksfand said
I feel your pain, as I deal with multiple NHL blackout issues with Time Warner Cable here in San Diego (TWC doesn't carry NHL Network or FSN Prime Ticket). Those issues would be solved with a move to AT & T once Center Ice is available.

I wonder if Commissioner Bettman is open to the question, as he takes calls once a week on Sirius XM's NHL channel. Would only ask him since no one at AT&T can firmly say whether negotiations are taking place and/or when CI will be available.

http://www.nhl.com/radio/nhl_hour.html
Message Edited by sharksfansd on 10-07-2009 03:24 PM

I was able to catch the last 20 minutes of the NHL Hour on XM with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman today and he answered questions about other TV issues (Versus vs. DirecTV, Cablevision, etc.). I was not able to call in but if somebody would call and ask about Center Ice on ATT we might get some action. He is on Thursdays 4-5 ET, 1-2 PT and the phone # is 1-877-NHL-ON-XM (1-877-645-6696). The NHL has a financial interest in having as many Center Ice subscribers as possible--maybe he can stir the pot with ATT.

ChipBurger · ‎07-10-2008

Yeah, this online version is pretty bad, I don't remember it being this bad last year.

I'm going to need it through tv.

JamesTheName · ‎06-24-2008

ChipBurger wrote:
Yeah, this online version is pretty bad, I don't remember it being this bad last year.
I'm going to need it through tv.

You know, Chip, I thought about subscribing to the the online version of CI but, with a 47 in. HDtv, I'd rather watch it on there, not a 19 in. monitor. Plus, I've heard that getting the online version you can sometimes have problems.

robino2001 · ‎07-09-2008

JamesTheName wrote:

You know, Chip, I thought about subscribing to the the online version of CI but, with a 47 in. HDtv, I'd rather watch it on there, not a 19 in. monitor. Plus, I've heard that getting the online version you can sometimes have problems.

I've had the same thoughts... almost pulled the trigger last night but didn't. I find it atrocious to pay the regular CI price for the online version and I keep having to tell myself that. Fortunately there are enough <cough> <cough> online feeds <cough> to fill the void.

kryptonite · ‎04-10-2009

ChipBurger wrote:
kryptonite wrote:
How can a SALESperson SELL when they say "no?" Instead, they say "We offer over X number of channels. Blackouts may apply when necessary.

If YOU don't do the research, and get bamboozled, it's all on YOU.

Wouldn't calling the source and asking them directly qualify for "research"?

You would think so, but customer service reps (really, in ALL companies) just read the information that they've given. It is quite conceivable that your AT&T CSR doesn't even HAVE U-Verse.

Here in Ohio, we have a call center for Verizon FiOS...which isn't even available in the area!

The best way to do research is to ask a current customer, or find out how to see a demo. Luckily, i'm pretty sure that U-Verse has a money-back guarantee where you can try it for X amount of time, and if you don't like it, it's on them.

Message Edited by kryptonite on 10-10-2009 12:50 AM

ChipBurger · ‎07-10-2008

robino2001 wrote:
JamesTheName wrote:
You know, Chip, I thought about subscribing to the the online version of CI but, with a 47 in. HDtv, I'd rather watch it on there, not a 19 in. monitor. Plus, I've heard that getting the online version you can sometimes have problems.
I've had the same thoughts... almost pulled the trigger last night but didn't. I find it atrocious to pay the regular CI price for the online version and I keep having to tell myself that. Fortunately there are enough <cough> <cough> online feeds <cough> to fill the void.

I have it hooked up to a 32" lcd. And when I watch on the highest "quality" setting, it looks like it's a frame a second. And you know how fast hockey is, it just looks horrible. Bumping it down a level seems to help for some reason. But really, I can not see why it's not an option through U-Verse.

ChipBurger · ‎07-10-2008

kryptonite wrote:
ChipBurger wrote:
kryptonite wrote:
How can a SALESperson SELL when they say "no?" Instead, they say "We offer over X number of channels. Blackouts may apply when necessary.

If YOU don't do the research, and get bamboozled, it's all on YOU.

Wouldn't calling the source and asking them directly qualify for "research"?

You would think so, but customer service reps (really, in ALL companies) just read the information that they've given. It is quite conceivable that your AT&T CSR doesn't even HAVE U-Verse.

Here in Ohio, we have a call center for Verizon FiOS...which isn't even available in the area!

The best way to do research is to ask a current customer, or find out how to see a demo. Luckily, i'm pretty sure that U-Verse has a money-back guarantee where you can try it for X amount of time, and if you don't like it, it's on them.
Message Edited by kryptonite on 10-10-2009 12:50 AM

I really doubt they csr's are being told they carry Center Ice.

All I'm saying is that for an issue like this, calling U-Verse and asking them directly should get you the answer you need.

The fact that people are being lied to is just b.s.