Attention Time Warner Cable digital subscribers
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
All Time Warner Cable digital subscribers can now see WLIW Create on channel 169 and WLIW World on channel 164.
35 Responses to “Attention Time Warner Cable digital subscribers”
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I could not fine WLIW on the HD channels of my Manhattan Time Warner system. Is 21 broadcasting HD? Is it on Time Warner?
Same here. We cannot see it anymore.
According to a Time Warner Cable customer service representative I spoke to last evening, WLIW21 is only available to customers that have a digital [enabled] cable box. This representative also stated that there is the potential that all or most all of the remaining stations viewable through basic and standard service may soon be subject to digital only, as well.
yes, i was told the same thing. what’s up with that?
Thank you, J Dranch, jg. That is not good news, _especially_ for channels like TV 13 and WLIW21….
-Cindy
SO odd.
And SO SAD.
I miss my Friday night Brit coms! We still PAY for Time Warner service, just modem and basic cable, but that should include channel 21!
This is truly an outrage! Depriving people of PBS. Time Warner is a bunch of crooks. Constantly moving stations around and now forcing people to pay more to get standard stations. I didn’t bother to buy a converter box because I was told if you have basic cable you would be able to get the digital switch over without needing a box. I hope Channel 21 complains to Time Warner for depriving people of viewing PBS. If they do this to Channel 21, then Channel 13 and 25 will likely follow. Mostly all I watch is PBS and Food Network. Like many people feeling the economic crisis and having lost jobs, I can’t afford to pay any more than I do for cable.
Agree w/MTNYC, taking a PBS station off the roster is not a good move for any cable system. I’m hoping this is a temporary glitch (like so many others w/TW) as I’d really miss the exercise shows, not to mention “New Tricks”!!
I’ve great hdmi tvs digital tuners and now I’ll have have TW’s ugly digital box because the digitals aren’t compatible. This seems like a technical way to get out of legal committment that TW made to carry over the air channels and it should be investigated.
I’ve noticed that I can still get the “shopping” channels.
My direct connection gives me Channel 13, Channel 13 HD, Channel 13 Kids, and V Me, but now nothing from Channel 21? WLIW Create and WLIW World aren’t available to me, since my set won’t tune in numbers as high as 164 and 169, so there isn’t even any tradeoff. It’s hard to decide whether I should cancel my Time Warner service, stop donating money to WLIW, or both. I certainly can’t see why any of us should continue to donate money to a channel that we don’t receive. We could, of course, take the money we usually spend on the WLIW donation and apply it to getting a cable box from Time Warner, but then we would have an ugly cable box in our living room and would be giving money to a big for-profit corporation instead of to a non-profit organization that I like to think has a more altruistic mission. This diversity of PBS stations was the main reason I looked for a TV with a QAM tuner, only a couple of months ago. Truly sad.
I agree with all you and suggest you do as I did and file a complaint with the FCC. Call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. This is just SO WRONG. I can barely afford the basic cable fee.
I’m going to complain to the FCC too. I have had it up to here with TWC !!! The only reason I have their service is for Internet broadband, and in the process, my TV just receives the basic channels. That used to include WLIW 21.
The omission of 21 by TWC really angers me. Those FOOLS !
I will repeat what Ms. Bonanni just said above:
Call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.
I am in same boat as Joseph. I ‘ve had TIME WARNER CABLE for many years now for my Earthlink Internet service. The guy at TW told me to use a splitter and I could get standard network reception without a cable box. Most channels have been good reception but a couple are so-so, but better than my apartment hi-rise roof antenna and certainly better than having rabbit ears etc. I bought a converter box because my TV is a non-digital Sony and I couldn’t afford to get a new set and my current one is a perfectly good TV. After I got the converter, I learned that with a cable connection it was not necessary. Aside from TW moving stations around (so annoying), I’ve had no problem with receiving the basic channels until recently when I could no longer get WLIW 21. When I first noticed, it was after midnight and I just thought the station was down for technical upgrades or whatever. After a week, I thought maybe they moved the station. I did a scan, but like others, my TV channels only slightly higher than 100, I can’t remember what the highest number is. Does anyone know if a converter box connected to the cable and to the TV will allow receiving higher channels and therefore, make it possible to tune in WLIW at their new station number?
I am in same boat as Joseph. I ‘ve had TIME WARNER CABLE for many years now for my Earthlink Internet service. The guy at TW told me to use a splitter and I could get standard network reception without a cable box. Most channels have been good reception but a couple are so-so, but better than my apartment hi-rise roof antenna and certainly better than having rabbit ears etc. I bought a converter box because my TV is a non-digital Sony and I couldn’t afford to get a new set and my current one is a perfectly good TV. After I got the converter, I learned that with a cable connection it was not necessary. Aside from TW moving stations around (so annoying), I’ve had no problem with receiving the basic channels until recently when I could no longer get WLIW 21. When I first noticed, it was after midnight and I just thought the station was down for technical upgrades or whatever. After a week, I thought maybe they moved the station. I did a scan, but like others, my TV channels only slightly higher than 100, I can’t remember what the highest number is. Does anyone know if a converter box connected to the cable and to the TV will allow receiving higher channels and therefore, make it possible to tune in WLIW at their new station number? Unfortunately, I sold the converter box to a friend who does not have a cable connection nor a digital TV. I’d even gotten the governent rebate to buy the darn thing. If it turns out that a converter box would allow me to tune in WLIW, I will have to shell out mega dollars to get another converter. TW should have pay for all this rubbish!
Which means I can no longer watch your station because like the others, I have TW Cable without a cable box. I only watch 13 and WLIW anyway. Very annoying.
WLIW was taken out of the basic subscription by Time Warner, Without warning. I thought it was a technical problem. In order to view the station one must take the “standard” subscription with a box for an additional $ 9,99 p.TV p.Month. A box was handed free few month ago ,but at that time Time Warner told the basic subscribers they did not need it.
How good it is to have the best music,the best shows, the best museums, and now the best TV stations if the public cannot afford it ?
I’ve been waiting for TW to “fix” access to WLIW, but I’ve learned from your comments that it isn’t a technical problem, but a business decision by TW. I’m requesting TW to explain why it was removed.
Howdy. I’d been wondering what happened to channel 21. Channel 3 hasn’t been on in months. One could also write to the FCC. I’ve complaints about USPS, Verizon, some cell telephone companies. “Pray for the p-eace of Jerusalem….”
In response to MTNYC — May 15th, 2010 at 11:30 pm:
Time Warner has not moved WLIW21 they have made it a digital only channel – meaning you need a “digital” cable box in order to see it (and other digital only stations) which as others have noted equals a more costly monthly fee.
I too thought that Time Warner was going over the line doing this with a PBS station and I am also going to complain to the FCC – thank you Giuseppina Bonanni for the contact info – but I would have thought that WLIW21 would have been fighting this already if it was something that could be fought.
I also complained to Time Warner and about half way into the conversation (now why was that?) the representative told me that Basic Cable customers can now get a “free” cable box for one year. It was installed today but you know what??? It doesn’t work with your VCR! I believe you have to pay for some extra service so that your VCR will function with it!!! So the cable box itself does not completely put me back to where I used to be with WLIW!
Everyone should at least call Time Warner and demand their “free” cable box. I accepted it as an interim solution while I complain to the Public Service Commission–as I suggest we all should!!! And by the way, I’d also like suggest we call WLIW and clarify if they had any role in this. I read somewhere that WLIW made a deal with Time Warner and is a party to this whole mess. If that is true, I’m going to demand my membership money back.
It would be great if someone with the skills could create a website for us to organize ourselves and protest this debacle. In numbers there is strength, and Time Warner and WLIW, if need be, are more likely to listen to us if it creates a PR headache for them.
By the way, in NYC, cable TV operator Time Warner is also regulated by the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications. They also have an online form where you can file a complaint:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doitt/html/consumer/consumer_cable_service_form.shtml
I just filed a complaint with the NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications – thanks Sheila!
Does anyone know if WLIW reads these posts, or how to file a complaint with PBS?
As I worote in my complaint, people in a Time Warner service area have no choice in being dependant on this cable operators services and it seem blatantly in contradiction to public broadcastings mandate to allow any cable operator to selectively restrict access to one of the PBS stations in order to generate additional revenue.
Just received this email from WLIW after emailing programming@wliw.org on May 8th:
Dear Viewer:
Thank you for taking the time to write to us regarding your WLIW signal
through Time Warner Basic Cable.
We deeply regret that Time Warner has chosen to no longer carry WLIW’s
analog signal in Manhattan.
Under a national agreement ensuring that cable providers would carry all
of public television’s digital channels, cable companies agreed to carry
the primary public television channel of a viewing area at the basic
level. However, cable companies do not offer secondary public
television channels in these areas at the basic level. In New York
City, WNET Thirteen is considered the primary public television station.
Please be advised that choosing the primary and secondary channels is
entirely up to the cable operator – in this case, Time Warner. If they
wished, Time Warner could consider WLIW as primary in your market as
well. But it has chosen not to.
As a result, viewers who subscribe to Time Warner basic cable service
must now have a special set-top box in order to view WLIW on cable.
Time Warner has informed us that viewers can obtain a free digital box
for one year. Please call Time Warner Customer Service to find out more
about this offer.
As a public television station, WLIW is deeply concerned that many
viewers are currently unable to receive our signal. Unfortunately, due
to the FCC mandated switch to Digital, and the cable companies’ right to
only carry the primary station on both digital and analog tiers, this
decision is out of our control.
Please know that your past support and viewership have meant a great
deal to us and we hope that you will find us again in the future.
Sincerely
Colleen Martin
Associate Director
Member & Viewer Relations
WLIW 21 New York
Lets start a facebook page against TWC highlighting PBS.
Join my group and tell all your friends!!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119552184747980
My complaint to NYC Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications was forwarded to TWC who called me to tell the same as JP notes above. I also recieved an email from PBS telling me the same thing.
The email from PBS also notes that TWC is not obligated to use analog at all. Analog uses so much bandwidth that up to 5 (or is it 6?) digital signals can replace a single station broadcast in analog. With new digital programming being made available all the time (new stations) it makes good business sense for TWC to make all of its programming digital and therfore be able to offer more total programming choices. It is only a matter of time before anaolg re-tramsmission will be gone altogether on TWC.
Informationally, the email also stated that TWC is the only cable operator in NYC at this point that broadcasts ANY programming in analog.
It would seem that this is not a fight that can be won. Either buy the service &/or stop contributing to a station you can not watch. I miss eastenders and will probably get the $15/month basic service with the free digital box (free for 1 yr and then $9.99 thereafter).
We were satisfied with the “analogue” the basic subscription from TW It suited our need. We trusted TW and we have seen our TV services reduced and reduced. Should we not have a contract ? with a guarantied service for some time? The proposed box from TW is an increase of $ 120 dollars a year at a time our income is reduced.
Why not boycott TW and cancel services ? I will
Let WLIW and TW figure it out together ! When did public air waves become private?
We were satisfied with the “analogue” the basic subscription from TW It suited our need.
We trusted TW and we have seen our TV services reduced and reduced.
Should we not have a contract ? with a guarantied service for sometime?
The proposed box from TW is an increase of $ 120 dollars a year at a time our income is reduced.
Why not boycott TW and cancel all services ? I would…
Let WLIW and TW figure it out together ! When did public air waves become private?
Thanks to the people with FCC informations, can we buy a box ?
We were satisfied with the” analogue” transmission. And basic subscription, It suited our need.
Over the years we have seen our TV services reduced. I would like a contract with guaranty of services.
After a year the box is going to cost $ 120 dollars a year p. TV at a time our income is reduced.
Why not boycott and cancel all TW services ? I would !
WLIW and TW can figure it out together …let give to PBS for now
When did Airwaves become private?
Thank you for all the support and informations.
I received another email from PBS today and thought I would reprint it for everyone to see. The feedback does seem to be consistent so I hope – even though its not what we all wanted to hear – this clarifies the options available.
From: PBS Audience Services
Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 10:19:13 -0400
Subject: Re: Submit a Comment To a PBS department or service 34632757 PBS on Time Warner Cable in NYC
Thank you for writing to PBS. We value and appreciate hearing from those interested in public television.
Among the many benefits of the federally-mandated national digital television transition is that it allows stations to “multicast;” that is, a station can transmit more than one channel of programming. However, some cable operators do not have the capacity to carry multiple channels of programming from more than one public television station on their analog tier. If you are an analog cable subscriber, you may lose access to some of the public television programming available in your market as a result.
While all cable customers who subscribe to an analog service (basic or expanded basic) will continue to have at least one analog public television station on their channel lineup, any public television station that is not designated by the cable operator as “primary” in a single market may not be carried on the analog tier. These stations will either have their main channel available to both analog and digital cable subscribers, or up to four multicast channels available to digital subscribers only.
If you are an analog cable subscriber and find that you cannot access the programming from your favorite local public television station, then you do have choices:
If you have a digital television set, you can receive the digital programming of your local public television station over-the-air for free by using a digital television antenna.
If you do not have a digital television, you still can receive the digital programming of your local public television station over-the-air for free. You would first have to purchase a digital-to-analog set-top converter box.
In some areas, cable companies are offering their analog cable viewers the option of upgrading their cable service to the digital tier.
If you would like to contact your station directly with your comments, contact information for PBS member stations can be found online at:
http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html
We hope this information is helpful. Thank you again for writing to PBS.
Sincerely,
Felicia
PBS Audience Services
Dear Viewer:
Thank you for taking the time to write to us regarding the recent difficulties you have experienced in receiving our over the air signal. Regrettably, you are not alone. We, along with other stations in our area, have been hearing from many viewers across our viewing area who are experiencing the same problem.
Please be assured that nothing on our end has changed. The problem is believed to be an atmospheric change causing interference to our signal. The interference is created by a change in the atmosphere which allows other signals from distant sources to interfere and prevent receivers from receiving the signals.
Of course, you should make sure that you have re-scanned and repositioned your antenna and that your antenna receives both UHF and VHF signals. Also, if you are using a set-top antenna, you should look into installing a roof top antenna or connecting to your building’s antenna.
Several months ago, we attempted to obtain a waiver to increase the power for WLIW but were unable to obtain the increase for a number of reasons outside of our control. Some of these problems have now cleared and we may be in a better position to increase our power some time in the future, but we cannot be certain that this will resolve everyone’s problems.
We are truly sorry that there is not more that we can do at this time to resolve these issues. As a public television station, WLIW relies on support from our viewing public. Certainly, the ability for all viewers to receive our signal is a top priority and we will continue to work diligently with the FCC and other stations to find a solution to this ongoing problem. In the meantime, if you have access to the internet, you can view many of our programs online.
Thank you for your interest in and support of public television.
Sincerely,
Ricardo Galvez
WLIW
Just found WLIW 21 on digital channel 80.1 !!
If I would have known there would be no pbs I probably wouldn’t have gotten cable…. my son misses his sesame street!! This is ridiculous!
There are a lot of channels being continuously taken away from the Time Warner app, which is why I am glad that I have DISH Network. Using the DISH Remote Access app and my 922 SlingLoaded receiver, I am able to stream live TV and recorded shows to my iPad when and where I want. The Time Warner app can only be used on a home network that is provided by Time Warner as well. That does not seem very flexible. The DISH Remote Access app lets me watch TV anywhere that I have a 3G or wifi connection. This comes in handy when I want to keep watching all of my favorite shows on the go. One other plus is that I can watch any channel that I subscribe to! enphones
I agree with all you and suggest you do as I did and file a complaint with the FCC. Call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. This is just SO WRONG. I can barely afford the basic cable fee. techno news