Bell TV: New Channels

[Test Pattern]

Good Gawd Bell Tv...Jesus why just all the CTV Locals eh?!!! C'mon now...what about the following besides CTV Locals

CTS Edmonton and Calgary
JOY Tv Winnipeg and Vancouver
Muchloud
Muchmoreretro
Disney XD (offered in Standard definition)
Nat Geo Wild
FX Canada
Rewind(coming December 1st)
CityNews Channel
AUX
The Pet Network

[HT Gearhead]

More PQ degradation on the way. They have already started adding HD back to 91 because 82 is full now.

[Randi]

Joytv10 (CHNU) will be available on Bell Satellite TV channel 656, and Joytv11 (CIIT) will be available on Bell Satellite TV channel 591.

Source

[Bluenoser]

The full listing of channels added today...

99 SRC Toronto (CBLFT)
196 CBC Fredericton (CBAT)
197 CBC Charlottetown (CBCT)
537 CTV Moncton (CKCW)
538 CTV Saint John (CKLT, aka CKCW mini-me:biggrin-new:)
539 CTV Sydney (CJCB)
583 CHEX TV Durham (CBC)
584 CTV Kitchener (CKCO)
585 CTV2 Windsor (CHWI)
587 CBC Windsor (CBET)
588 CTV North Bay (CKNY)
589 CTV Timmins (CITO)
590 CTV Sault Ste. Marie (CHBX)
591 JoyTV Winnipeg (CIIT)
593 CTV Yorkton (CICC)
594 Global Regina (CFRE)
595 CTV Prince Albert (CIPA)
643 CTV Lethbridge (CFCN-5)
644 Global Lethbridge (CISA)
645 Omni Calgary (CJCO)
646 CTS Calgary (CKCS)
647 Omni Edmonton (CJEO)
648 CTS Edmonton (CKES)
654 Global Okanagan (CHBC)
656 JoyTV Vancouver (CHNU)

On the guide, but marked in red (at least on my old-skool 3100 guide) are V Gatineau (CFGS, ch 543) and CHET Chetwynd/Dawson Creek (ch 655 IIRC). Also, Disney SD is now available in SD in the middle of the family package channels.

[Bluenoser]

And further to that, a quick jaunt on Zap2It also has some more French channels....
94 CHAU Carleton (TVA)
95 CJBR Rimouski (SRC)
96 CKRT Riviere-du-Loup (SRC)
97 CKTV Saguenay (SRC)
540 CFKM Trois-Rivieres (V)
541 CHEM Trois-Rivieres (TVA)
542 CKTM Trois-Rivieres (SRC)
544 CFVS Val-d'Or (V)
545 CKRN Rouyn-Noranda (SRC)

[Test Pattern]

Finially Disney XD in Standard Definition has also been added to Bell Tv's Lineup on Channel 562

Now Bell how about FX Canada and Nat Geo Wild!!!

[CDN Viewer]

Now Bell how about FX Canada and Nat Geo Wild!!!

Nat Geo Wild competes with Animal Planet so I don't see them adding it. Same goes with City News Channel (competes with CP24) and AUX (competes with the Much MTV channels).

[Test Pattern]

I see they mentioned the New Channels on here but where are the Channels?!!! I don't see them on my Bell TV...all I'm seeing is the French ones and CHEX 2 Listed!!! The rest I don't see!!!

[Bluenoser]

I see they mentioned the New Channels on here but where are the Channels?!!! I don't see them on my Bell TV...all I'm seeing is the French ones and CHEX 2 Listed!!! The rest I don't see!!!

According to comments over on the Digital Home Boards, what new channels you get depends on if whether you have the grandfathered older packages or the Good/Better/Best ones; those with the older packages (like myself) get more of the new channels-Don't know why that is, not that I'm complaining

[TVViewer]

According to comments over on the Digital Home Boards, what new channels you get depends on if whether you have the grandfathered older packages or the Good/Better/Best ones; those with the older packages (like myself) get more of the new channels-Don't know why that is, not that I'm complaining

Yeah, you only get all the new locals they added if you still subscribe to the old packages. If you are on the new "Good/Better/Best" packages you only get locals in your local region. This is why I have remained on the old packages even though I would pay much less with the "Best" package, switching to the new packages would eliminate the vast majority of locals I currently get (even with their "timeshifting")

I just hope Bell keeps it this way until Shaw Direct's new satellite is up and I can finally switch, right now i'm staying with Bell for the fact that they carry Global BC HD and Global Calgary HD and Shaw Direct does not (although this will change once their new satellite is in the sky) however if Bell starts restricting locals there is no reason for me to stay with them, I subscribe to satellite for access to locals from across the country, not for Bell to give me the same thing as cable.

One thing that bothers me is that no new HD locals were added. Bell was allowed to use benefit money from their purchase of CTV to upgrade to MPEG4 which they said was necessary for them to carry every local station, and please correct me if i'm wrong, but it appears that the only MPEG4 locals they added are the CTV HD locals added in fall 2011. Bell carries 9 CTV HD stations yet only carries 3 Global HD stations, 7 of the CTV HD stations they carry do not produce local news in HD, yet every single Global station is producing local news in HD and has been for quite some time. Instead of providing viewers with local news in HD Bell has chosen to give us CTV's HD programming which is already available on other CTV HD stations, in most cases broadcast at the exact same time, and they are using benefit money to do it. The CRTC insists on 3:1 carriage rules for digital specialty channels (which don't even work since Bell refuses to carry CityNews Channel because it competes with CP24, and refuses to carry Nat Geo Wild because it competes with Animal Planet, despite the fact that Nat Geo Wild's ratings are higher than Animal Planet's) well maybe they should impose a 1:1 rule for stations that operate in the same market with satellite providers (Shaw Direct would already be in compliance) this would stop Bell from carrying several CTV HD stations while not carrying HD stations from the same market which actually produce local news in HD, or you know, Bell could actually think of what their customers want instead of giving their own channels advantages.

[CDN Viewer]

Bell starts restricting locals there is no reason for me to stay with them, I subscribe to satellite for access to locals from across the country, not for Bell to give me the same thing as cable.

FYI, Shaw Direct has started restricting locals as well. All new customers now only receive the locals from their area. If you want locals from other parts of the country you can subscribe to their new timeshift bundle which features locals from other parts of Canada as well as another set of US locals. The CRTC gave BDU's the authority to charge extra for time shifting, which is why both Bell and Shaw are now charging more.

I personally don't understand why one would want to watch local stations from other parts of the country, to each his own I guess?! I am only interested in the local stations from my area and I actually like the fact that both Bell and Shaw now offer only the locals from your viewing area. I am on a grandfathered package with Shaw Direct and have locals from several cities, I have locked them all out as I never watch them.

[InMontreal]

I personally don't understand why one would want to watch local stations from other parts of the country

In the same timezone, there's no point for regular people, but when you used to live in an area or you have family in an area where a local station is located, you can stay up-to-date with their local news.

Otherwise, with 5 US networks and 3 canadian networks, you can organize your TV evening 8-11pm from the East coast, then 11pm-2am from the West coast, or you don't need to buy two PVR or subscribe to those expensive specialties for "1st-run cable airings".

[TVViewer]

FYI, Shaw Direct has started restricting locals as well. All new customers now only receive the locals from their area. If you want locals from other parts of the country you can subscribe to their new timeshift bundle which features locals from other parts of Canada as well as another set of US locals. The CRTC gave BDU's the authority to charge extra for time shifting, which is why both Bell and Shaw are now charging more.

But as far as I know, with Shaw Direct the timeshifting package includes ALL the locals from across Canada. With Bell's new packages timeshifting only gives you the CTV and Global stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Halifax. I'm fine paying extra for a timeshifting package, i’m just not okay with a timeshifting package with locals from only five cities. I can get that with cable.

[Test Pattern]

I don't like the Good, better and best packages they offer...I wish bell would just repackage the channels back again into genres like Family, Lifestyle, sports, More Movies and otherwise!!!

[CDN Viewer]

I don't like the Good, better and best packages they offer...I wish bell would just repackage the channels back again into genres like Family, Lifestyle, sports, More Movies and otherwise!!!

These packages represent a step in the opposition direct of what the CRTC mandated. They are supposed to provide consumers with more choice but instead of offering choice they decide to group all the channels together into 3 huge packages. The new guy at the helm of the CRTC talks about being for consumers, if that's true then why doesn't he force the BDU's to offer more choice, which means smaller them packs, a la carte offerings and customizable packages?!

Also, I would like to know why Bell offer a la carte services in Quebec but not in the rest of the country?! This is blatant discrimination and should not be allowed- are the people in Ontario & out West second class citizens or something??

Thankfully Shaw Direct still offers theme packs and quite a few specialty channels are available a la carte. I hope they don't decide to follow Bell (like Rogers has) and lump everything together into big packages- if they do I will seriously consider cancelling my subscription. There are already enough channels included in the basic that I don't care for, I don't need anymore. Since I became a customer, several channels have been added that have been forced into the basic package by the broadcasters (Rogers forced them to add Sportsnet One, Bell forced them to add BNN & E! and Corus forced them to add ABC Spark).

[HT Gearhead]

I'm done with Bell as soon as I can afford to replace the hardware. Yes I did save some money with the Better bundle but later found I had to add the other 2 bundles to get some favorite channels back and was pushing close to the 100 a month. That's not acceptable just to get a dozen or so favorite channels.

[Test Pattern]

I sickens me that the packages offered by bell is that i wind up with alot of Channels I really don't want and don't watch...and the price of the pckages yes That's not Dirt Cheap at all...Paying for Time shifting is just complete B.S...You try to tell Bell anything but do they listen?!!! No!!! Bell shouldn't restrict some locals from being available in areas served by the originating broadcasters...I find it handy if they were made available for Local news not offered from any stations!!!

[InMontreal]

Everytime Bell says they want to give customers "more choices", it's off course, to force THEIR specialty channels in the packages.

By twisting the interpretation of words, you can get what you want. Bell don't expect you give you choices by picking them à la carte, they want to give you choices when you have the remote in your hands, so you can flip channels and hopefully stop at one of their specialties for its content.

- With access to 6 out of their 30 specialties in the "Good" package, you have choices : TSN, E!, CTV News, CP24, Much, MTV, etc.
- Now, if you want more "choices", there's the "Better" package : Space, Bravo, Comedy, BNN, etc.
- Still want more choices? there's the "Best" package...

By the way, over Videotron, Bell's specialties are still offered in "à la carte" 10-15-20-25-30 packages, but they cannot be picked individually. For example, I can subscribe to basic only but I cannot pick TSN alone for 2$. I can also subscribe to basic + Telemax (where TSN in included), but if I want Discovery Science, I cannot pick it alone for 2$, I'll have to take or change to an "à la carte" package.

Yup, paying more for packages gives you indeed, more choices. That's what Bell is counting on.

Edit: Also, add the fact that Bell Media said they want to avoid viewers cutting the cord and go with Netflix, AppleTV and other "foreign" sources. Keeping the Grey Cup game on TSN will force you to keep your cable subscription rather than watching the game for free OTA.

Now, the question: how many *local* advertisers would be interested in buying spots for the Grey Cup game ?

[TVViewer]

I sickens me that the packages offered by bell is that i wind up with alot of Channels I really don't want and don't watch...and the price of the pckages yes That's not Dirt Cheap at all...Paying for Time shifting is just complete B.S...You try to tell Bell anything but do they listen?!!! No!!! Bell shouldn't restrict some locals from being available in areas served by the originating broadcasters...I find it handy if they were made available for Local news not offered from any stations!!!

Test Pattern, Have you considered switching to Shaw Direct? Unlike Bell, Shaw Direct still sells channels in theme packs, right now they have less HD channels than Bell (although this will change this Spring when their new satellite is launched, giving them more capacity than Bell and allowing them to add more HD channels) but they carry all the popular ones, they also carry some popular HD channels Bell does not including Nat Geo Wild HD and FX Canada HD, they also offer some SD channels Bell does not such as MSNBC. Their timeshifting package is the same price as Bell's only unlike Bell which only gives you channels from five cities, Shaw Direct's timeshifting package gives you access to all the locals from across Canada.

You can compare the packages and prices for yourself on their websites, so do what's best for you, but judging from your comments and channel requests it sounds like you would get more of the channels you want and pay less with Shaw Direct.

[Test Pattern]

If they carried Comedy Gold, Silver Screen Classics and Disney XD, that would also be nice too if Shaw did!!!