New Comcast Commercial = ???

[Grentz]

So I was watching the olympics tonight and saw a commerical of Comcast bashing Directv.

Comcast is claiming to have the most HD of any carrier! (while poking fun directly at directv). Directv only has 95 while they have over 500! Wow amazing, where do I signup?

Well if you look in the very blurry fine print it says that they are counting VOD for themselves :rolleyes:


Its sad they do this, cause many after seeing that I am sure will believe comcast does indeed have more HD channels :(

[WERA689]

I saw that too. I was amazed when the "500" flashed on the screen!!!
They are saying that "at any given time" they have more HD available than anyone.
When I was in college, studying journalism, I HATED the fact that advertising was in the same school. This **** is why....

[Greg Alsobrook]

I just saw this commercial for the first time and laughed my a$$ off... :lol:

500 HD Channels??!?? WOW! :eek2:

Could that be any more misleading??? :nono2:

[Greg Alsobrook]

"You might think DirecTV has more HD than Comcast but you're WRONG!" :lol:

and FWIW... here's the fine print....

"Comparisons of HD channel lineup and HD programming On Demand as of 8/1/2008."

"Based on comparison of HD channel lineup and HD programming available from Comcast On Demand in Comcast cable systems."

"Comparison includes HD channel lineup and HD programming available from Comcast On Demand. Choices and availability may vary by market. Call Comast for full details and restrictions."

[rking5150]

I thought about calling Comcast to ask about this to sign up for 500 channels of HD, but its probably not worth the effort. It all reminds me of three years ago, when I had to have Comcast for 2 months -- my cable went out for 2 weeks, and I was told it was because there had been a big storm somewhere. Apparently the CSR didn't see the irony in this...

Didn't Comcast sue D* because of last year's "better looking" HD campain? I hope that D* returns the favor.

[jpl]

So, comcast has gone back to the old 500 HD channel by end of 2008 game-plan, eh? Silly. To be honest though, I really don't see how this is different than DirecTV claiming that their HD PPV feeds are 'channels'. How is an HD VOD feed different from an HD PPV feed? Neither are what I would consider a channel.

[Dan Burgess]

I bought a Chicago Sun-Times the other day and there was a big sticker on the front page that said "Comcast: Most HD -- More than satellite -- More than anybody!"

Now I see how they come to this conclusion, counting HD VOD. Ridiculous!

[B. Shoe]

"Comparison includes HD channel lineup and HD programming available from Comcast On Demand. Choices and availability may vary by market. Call Comast for full details and restrictions."
That line speaks volumes. In our little corner of the world, Comcast took over cable service in our city in March. As of today, Comcast offers no national HD channels in any package. Local reps (take their word for what you will) have said they don't know of any plans to begin offering any, either. Needless to say, that was the key factor in us jumping to satellite service.

[tcusta00]

It's sad and it's the cause of all these HD count pissing contests we're seeing these days. They've ALL (DirecTV, DISH, Comcast, TWX, FIOS, etc) stretched the truth at one point or another in their counts, and every time it just causes the competitor to artificially pump up their number too. Pretty soon they're going to start counting the number of hours of HD programming offered per week. :nono2: What ever happened to truth in advertising?

[reggie]

What ever happened to truth in advertising?
I guess that is what the disclaimer is for. At least with HD, we can finally read it.

[rudeney]

Maybe D* needs to start counting all the HD locals they provide.

[tcusta00]

I guess that is what the disclaimer is for. At least with HD, we can finally read it.

I guess... but disclaimers piss me off because they basically let you say anything in big bold type and then disclaim it. Like if I were an automaker I could say:

The new 2009 Gas-o-lean LX gets 115 MPG*

* as long as you're an avid hyper-miler, over inflate your tires, install an aftermarket hybrid system and enjoy driving at speeds averaging 18 MPH.

[Grentz]

Sweet! I have never seen a car get that good of MPG, where do I sign on the dotted line?

:p

[n3ntj]

Another commercial by Comcrap to mislead the public. There are even 125 HD national networks available. Too bad the public doesn't see through all of that small print.

D* should do a print ad or TV commercial listing the national HD channels they offer in HD (not including the PPV and RSNs). Then list the actual national HD networks that most cable companies carry. Put them side by side. The numbers will tell the story. Don't include On Demand stuff.

[PCampbell]

I want network channels, who cares about on demand. When somone spends a lot of money to say there better than brand X then they probably are not as good.

[tonyd79]

The saddest part is that it will be shortlived. More and more HD On Demand is showing up on DirecTV as well.

There are PPV movies, the Olympics are in HD. Showtime has started its series in HD (only a matter of time for movies), the 101 stuff is in HD. Smithsonian is in HD.

The one thing Comcast has that DirecTV doesn't (yet?) are free HD movies that are not tied to premium channels. Someday....

[Doug Brott]

I just saw this commercial for the first time and laughed my a$$ off... :lol:

500 HD Channels??!?? WOW! :eek2:

Could that be any more misleading??? :nono2:

Actually, if you watch closely, it's 500 Programs to DIRECTV's 95 Channels (which I believe is actually higher now :)) .. It is comparing apples to oranges .. A more interesting number MIGHT be to take that same day (not just 7:12pm) and count up the number of different programs that are available in HD including VOD (which Comcast does) .. what if you add a second day? A third? .. you get the point. You're stuck with the same ol' VOD from Comcast while DIRECTV delivers new content from more providers

[1948GG]

So I was watching the olympics tonight and saw a commerical of Comcast bashing Directv.

Comcast is claiming to have the most HD of any carrier! (while poking fun directly at directv). Directv only has 95 while they have over 500! Wow amazing, where do I signup?

Well if you look in the very blurry fine print it says that they are counting VOD for themselves :rolleyes:


Its sad they do this, cause many after seeing that I am sure will believe comcast does indeed have more HD channels :(


Given the current 'intelligence' of the typical American Consumer Class, I would hazard a guess as to better than 90% will fall for this deception of counting 5min VOD music videos as a 'choice'.

Of course, the current level of the so-called 'reporting class', like the press release echo chambers like 'Phillip Swans' TVPredictions.com, that regurgitates the deceptions, yielding just as many 'hits' on search engines as does the 'original' 'press' releases.

Like any business that's the target of such low 'swift boat' tactics, their only recourse is to hit back fast. Don't expect the 'consumer class' to properly do their homework, or to see through the deception(s). The weed seeds are planted, they will grow profusely, if one doesn't have a weed killer quickly at hand. You may not see how those false weeds choke out the truth, but the lies spread by the 'process' will eventually hurt your business.

Don't expect much if any help from the 'real' news professionals. Their voices are drowned out by the 'echo chamber' (like 'TVPredictions'). Your advertising firm had better be quick on their toes.

[raott]

To be honest though, I really don't see how this is different than DirecTV claiming that their HD PPV feeds are 'channels'. How is an HD VOD feed different from an HD PPV feed? Neither are what I would consider a channel.


There is no difference. Its comical watching the "outrage" about Comcast doing this when D* did the exact same thing last week with 18 of its new HD channels being nothing more than PPV.

[SteveHas]

There is no difference. Its comical watching the "outrage" about Comcast doing this when D* did the exact same thing last week with 18 of its new HD channels being nothing more than PPV.

there were some national channels as well

I wish D* had kept the high ground, but it was clearly in reaction to Comcrap, and E* doing it first.

I feel sorrow for the folks that fall for this kind of marketing
all the more reason why we all need to be educated consumers today


D* is clearly the leader

[tonyd79]

There is no difference. Its comical watching the "outrage" about Comcast doing this when D* did the exact same thing last week with 18 of its new HD channels being nothing more than PPV.

Largely, it is a matter of degree but there are three differences.

1. Comcast is counting each music video (5 minutes with 2 minutes of commercials) as a single choice while a PPV channel is typically 15-20 hours of programming a day.

2. The DirecTV PPVs are mostly placeholders. Counting 5 or 7 PPVs is not horrible. Counting the current 30 or so is stupid but they are supposed to be replaced with linear channels soon.

3. Comcast is *also* counting PPV channels except they are counting them for each PROGRAM that is on them.

However, it is all a stupid pissing contest. But this claim is so absurd that it makes it all useless.

[raott]

Largely, it is a matter of degree but there are three differences.

1. Comcast is counting each music video (5 minutes with 2 minutes of commercials) as a single choice while a PPV channel is typically 15-20 hours of programming a day.

2. The DirecTV PPVs are mostly placeholders. Counting 5 or 7 PPVs is not horrible. Counting the current 30 or so is stupid but they are supposed to be replaced with linear channels soon.

3. Comcast is *also* counting PPV channels except they are counting them for each PROGRAM that is on them.

However, it is all a stupid pissing contest. But this claim is so absurd that it makes it all useless.

One good thing that could potentially come of it is if D* were to add a bunch of HD VOD content to counter Comcast's ridiculous claim.

[Grentz]

Still, VOD is a separate thing in my book.

Its great and all, for some, but many (including me) subscribe to satellite and dont have super fast internet. It makes VOD kinda pointless as it takes many hours to download one SD show. Now, like I said, it is not a bad thing by any means, and I think its great for those that can use it.

But I want Directv and others focusing on actual channels more ;)

[mx6bfast]

500, HA! TW has 800.

This is an old commercial/promotion that went away and is apparently back. It's still stupid as ever.

I've wondered as others have posted will D* get into this game and count their VOD?

[stephenC]

I think we all agree that Comcast is misrepresenting their HD offering.

But, if weren't for Comcast's internet service I wouldn't be reading this thread or posting in it right now. :)

[SatliteHD]

It's sad and it's the cause of all these HD count pissing contests we're seeing these days. They've ALL (DirecTV, DISH, Comcast, TWX, FIOS, etc) stretched the truth at one point or another in their counts, and every time it just causes the competitor to artificially pump up their number too. Pretty soon they're going to start counting the number of hours of HD programming offered per week. :nono2: What ever happened to truth in advertising?
:hurah: p...ing contest thats funny.

[hdtvfan0001]

I laugh every time I see any Comcrap HD commercial - it took their installers 5 visits to get a neighbor installed with HD...and he grumbles every day on how inconsistant the quality of the Picture Quality is on his $5500 display.

Needless to say, when he comes over and sees my DirecTV HD...and also sees the real number of channels available....he grumbles even louder.

I'm already planning my XMAS shopping with the $50 referral fee when he switches. :lol:

[Greg Alsobrook]

I'm already planning my XMAS shopping with the $50 referral fee when he switches. :lol:

:lol:

Money in the bank! :D