Videotron 2012 New Channels Discussion - Page 4 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

expressmoria · 2012-05-01, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cm3020prob

Back on topic, Fox Sports World Canada has been removed on channel 119.
Shaw Media replaces the channel with Nat Geo Wild, which is being launched May 7th, but Vidéotron hasn't picked it up.

Not sure why Videotron does not broadcast almost all of the Shaw Media channels in HD (except for National Geographic).

Most popular channels like Showcase, HGTV, Food Network etc. are only available only in SD.

Is it because Videotron do not want to pay the money to Shaw or because they have maxed out the bandwidth?

Maybe the implementation of illico TVNG will allow for the extra bandwidth but not sure if the money will be there for Shaw Media.

rainey · 2012-05-01, 12:06 PM

I am not understanding the lack of HD stations either. On one hand videotron says it is the bandwidth but then they say they are negotiating for the HD version (I guess additional cost).
I keep trying to rationalize why I stay with them but when BellFibe hits my building and videotron still lacks the same offerings I will really have to decide on a move.

cm3020prob · 2012-05-01, 12:15 PM

IMHO, it's multi-platform content related.

8 months after the launch of Groupe TVA's Yoopa, they moved Corus' Treehouse from channel 161 to 28, whose content was added to 900 and illicoweb.

Back in november 2011, they reached an agreement with Bell Media, RDS2 was added immediately at Treehouse's old position 161 (while TVA Sports took the 24 position!), while Discovery, Bravo, Space and RDS Info were added in HD, but none of these channels have content on Illico web.

Also noteworthy is channel positions. Food (102) and HGTV (103) would be 702 and 703 in HD, but 702 is already taken by Super Écran 2 HD, while SÉ3HH and SÉ4HD launched but are currently missing, so positions 703 and 704 are kinda already reserved.

Was it mentionned that Canal Indigo 2 HD (749) was added on March 14, 2012 ? Obviously not a bandwidth problem, but at least the channel provides expensive HD adult movies when there's a live PPV sporting event.

Then Corus' Dusk has shut down last month, ABC Spark launched 3 days later, but was totally ignored by Vidéotron. I thought they had a good relationship since the Treehouse move.

A "deal" with Shaw Media is probably in the works? or with Shaw Communications for both Shaw Media AND Corus? Who knows... We'll have to wait and see.

hercules130 · 2012-05-07, 09:41 AM

So I called Videotron this morning asking about cancellation procedure*. The customer representative sounded a bit surprised and went to damage control mode immediately. I answered his question about why I wanted to leave by listing a number of channels that Videotron is not offering, be it in HD or at all.

He then responded that some of those channels (he did not mention which ones) would be available very soon, particularly now that they were in the process of changing their equipment. BTW, the channel I listed were AMC, CW, Showcase, The Score and time-shifting channels.

Is what he told me real in the foreseeable future or was he just blowing smoke up my behind?

* I asked about the cancellation procedure because Bell contacted me and informing me that Fibe TV is finally available in my building.

rainey · 2012-05-07, 11:39 AM

hercules130: I think a bit of both. I was given the same story about two weeks ago. However, the person I spoke to said that there would be "major" changes in the TV lineup in 2012. He also mentioned AMC for the summer but again no real timing. I suspect they will wait until they roll-out the new illico in more regions.

57 · 2012-05-07, 12:18 PM

We have a dedicated thread for the new Videotron and for Fibe. This thread is about new channels. Please stay on the topic. Thanks.

hercules130 · 2012-05-07, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57

We have a dedicated thread for the new Videotron and for Fibe. This thread is about new channels. Please stay on the topic. Thanks.

57,

I apologize for the bells and whistles in my post. However, the essence of my question is whether the channels I listed would be added as new channels on Videotron in the foreseeable future. Therefore, I think my question fits the topic of this thread, which is "Videotron 2012 New Channels Discussion".

57 · 2012-05-07, 05:19 PM

My post was not directed at you or anyone specifically. I deleted a post that was OT and I just didn't want the thread going OT.

hercules130 · 2012-05-07, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainey

I am not understanding the lack of HD stations either. On one hand videotron says it is the bandwidth but then they say they are negotiating for the HD version (I guess additional cost).
I keep trying to rationalize why I stay with them but when BellFibe hits my building and videotron still lacks the same offerings I will really have to decide on a move.

I do think that the "bandwith capacity" excuse is rather suspicious. Case in point, Videotron carries CBC's Explora in SD and HD as soon as the channel is launched. Customers have been asking for AMC, for example, for years. As well, it has been years since many popular channels are available in HD on all major Canadian carriers but Videotron.

julie_rose_ · 2012-05-11, 01:23 PM

a videotron rep told me that abc sparks and amc were very demanding, and they are still negotiating.

hercules130 · 2012-05-13, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julie_rose_

a videotron rep told me that abc sparks and amc were very demanding, and they are still negotiating.

If the problem was only about the licences, maybe I could understand. However, I have been asking also for timeshifting channels in HD since 2009 - either Canadian or American - and nothing is moving in that front. The channels are already there in SD, they are originally available in HD (except NTV) and competitors offer them. To compel them even more, the Canadian timeshifting includes 3 English and 2 French networks.

So far, nothing.

Timeshifting channels are rather must-have for me. In many cases more than two of my shows are on the same time slot. Additionally, the Canadiens games are not set in a regular weekly schedules. Therefore I often need to choose between not watching a show or missing one hour of the hockey game.

cm3020prob · 2012-05-14, 12:36 PM

Timeshifting in HD is possible. Problem is the network capacity.

So far, Vidéotron is in the process of either upgrade some areas to 1 GHz (like West-Montreal), or cut off Telemax analog (like Gatineau), or deploying SDV (Switched Digital Video), or a mix of them. During this process, they have to pick new HD channels by priority: the most popular channels, Quebecor-owned channels, and those channels offering unique programming.

Since 2 HD channels are taking the space of 1 analog channel, it just not worth it wasting 4 analog positions in order to offer ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX Seattle + SRC-CBC-CTV-Global Vancouver in HD when these channels offer exactly the same programming 3 hour earlier on their east-coast equivalent. A better usage of these analog positions would be to offer specialties broadcasting original programming that we're missing, like AMC, ABC Spark, Family, Food, HGTV, NASA, Showcase, Vanessa, etc.

Noteworthy, most of the movies on MExcess (except adult movies) also air at some point on The Movie Network main channel (M HD), same for MFun!, as well as Super Écran 3 HD and 4 HD, which might explain why they're missing.

Back on topic, there were rumors earlier this month that Télétoon (french) was about to launch in HD, which coincide with the addition of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim programming blocks being added to the channel this summer. No word about negociation status, but its carriage on Vidéotron is a big strategic one.

expressmoria · 2012-05-14, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cm3020prob

During this process, they have to pick new HD channels by priority: the most popular channels, Quebecor-owned channels, and those channels offering unique programming.

Unfortunately most popular channels and Quebecor-owned channels are usually french ones.
There are many anglo ones that fall into the "unique programming category" like the ones you mentioned in your post however most of them are owned by Shaw (HGTV, Food, Showcase etc.) so guess we will not see them any time soon.

julie_rose_ · 2012-05-15, 01:44 PM

the representant couldn't even tell me if they were going to add Cartoon Network or Fx Canada! Didn't have any answer.

Cantor · 2012-05-24, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julie_rose_

the representant couldn't even tell me if they were going to add Cartoon Network or Fx Canada! Didn't have any answer.

do you really think the phone-monkeys have this kind of information handy?

2012-05-01, 12:15 PM	#48
cm3020prob Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 277	IMHO, it's multi-platform content related. 8 months after the launch of Groupe TVA's Yoopa, they moved Corus' Treehouse from channel 161 to 28, whose content was added to 900 and illicoweb. Back in november 2011, they reached an agreement with Bell Media, RDS2 was added immediately at Treehouse's old position 161 (while TVA Sports took the 24 position!), while Discovery, Bravo, Space and RDS Info were added in HD, but none of these channels have content on Illico web. Also noteworthy is channel positions. Food (102) and HGTV (103) would be 702 and 703 in HD, but 702 is already taken by Super Écran 2 HD, while SÉ3HH and SÉ4HD launched but are currently missing, so positions 703 and 704 are kinda already reserved. Was it mentionned that Canal Indigo 2 HD (749) was added on March 14, 2012 ? Obviously not a bandwidth problem, but at least the channel provides expensive HD adult movies when there's a live PPV sporting event. Then Corus' Dusk has shut down last month, ABC Spark launched 3 days later, but was totally ignored by Vidéotron. I thought they had a good relationship since the Treehouse move. A "deal" with Shaw Media is probably in the works? or with Shaw Communications for both Shaw Media AND Corus? Who knows... We'll have to wait and see. __________________ CM-3020 with CM-7777

2012-05-07, 12:18 PM	#51
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,296	We have a dedicated thread for the new Videotron and for Fibe. This thread is about new channels. Please stay on the topic. Thanks. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2012-05-07, 05:19 PM	#53
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,296	My post was not directed at you or anyone specifically. I deleted a post that was OT and I just didn't want the thread going OT. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2012-05-14, 12:36 PM	#57
cm3020prob Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 277	Timeshifting in HD is possible. Problem is the network capacity. So far, Vidéotron is in the process of either upgrade some areas to 1 GHz (like West-Montreal), or cut off Telemax analog (like Gatineau), or deploying SDV (Switched Digital Video), or a mix of them. During this process, they have to pick new HD channels by priority: the most popular channels, Quebecor-owned channels, and those channels offering unique programming. Since 2 HD channels are taking the space of 1 analog channel, it just not worth it wasting 4 analog positions in order to offer ABC-NBC-CBS-FOX Seattle + SRC-CBC-CTV-Global Vancouver in HD when these channels offer exactly the same programming 3 hour earlier on their east-coast equivalent. A better usage of these analog positions would be to offer specialties broadcasting original programming that we're missing, like AMC, ABC Spark, Family, Food, HGTV, NASA, Showcase, Vanessa, etc. Noteworthy, most of the movies on MExcess (except adult movies) also air at some point on The Movie Network main channel (M HD), same for MFun!, as well as Super Écran 3 HD and 4 HD, which might explain why they're missing. Back on topic, there were rumors earlier this month that Télétoon (french) was about to launch in HD, which coincide with the addition of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim programming blocks being added to the channel this summer. No word about negociation status, but its carriage on Vidéotron is a big strategic one. __________________ CM-3020 with CM-7777

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2012-05-01, 12:06 PM	#47
rainey Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Montreal Posts: 295	I am not understanding the lack of HD stations either. On one hand videotron says it is the bandwidth but then they say they are negotiating for the HD version (I guess additional cost). I keep trying to rationalize why I stay with them but when BellFibe hits my building and videotron still lacks the same offerings I will really have to decide on a move.

2012-05-07, 09:41 AM	#49
hercules130 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: La belle province Posts: 203	So I called Videotron this morning asking about cancellation procedure. The customer representative sounded a bit surprised and went to damage control mode immediately. I answered his question about why I wanted to leave by listing a number of channels that Videotron is not offering, be it in HD or at all. He then responded that some of those channels (he did not mention which ones) would be available very soon, particularly now that they were in the process of changing their equipment. BTW, the channel I listed were AMC, CW, Showcase, The Score and time-shifting channels. Is what he told me real in the foreseeable future or was he just blowing smoke up my behind? I asked about the cancellation procedure because Bell contacted me and informing me that Fibe TV is finally available in my building.

2012-05-07, 11:39 AM	#50
rainey Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Montreal Posts: 295	hercules130: I think a bit of both. I was given the same story about two weeks ago. However, the person I spoke to said that there would be "major" changes in the TV lineup in 2012. He also mentioned AMC for the summer but again no real timing. I suspect they will wait until they roll-out the new illico in more regions.

2012-05-11, 01:23 PM	#55
julie_rose_ Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 288	a videotron rep told me that abc sparks and amc were very demanding, and they are still negotiating.

2012-05-15, 01:44 PM	#59
julie_rose_ Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 288	the representant couldn't even tell me if they were going to add Cartoon Network or Fx Canada! Didn't have any answer.