Telewest drop Nickelodeon channels!!

[RoyalBlue]

I have now received Telewest's response to my e-mailed complaint regarding the dropping of Nickelodeon channels. Just to add further insult to injury, they completely ignored the various points I raised in my e-mail and just repeated back to the the statement that currently appears on the screens that used to carry the Nickelodeon channels. I have e-mailed again to ask for a proper response including an explanation as to why they feel justified in reducing the number and quality of channels provided yet continue to charge me exactly the same as before.

Dependent on their answer this time around, my New Year's resolution may well be to register my disgust in being ripped off in this manner by switching to Sky and going back to BT for my phone and broadband. Hopefully others will do the same.

I don't think you will be alone, but at the same time I don't see why TW should be bullied into a contract by Nickelodeon.

[RoyalBlue]

My heart bleeds for poor old Telewest being bullied by another commercial organisation! Not forgetting that we have only Telewest's word/opinion that Nickelodeon were asking for an unreasonable amount of money. I haven't heard that either NTL or Sky have dropped Nickelodeonon on the grounds that they are being overcharged.

It is of course very easy for Telewest to play hardball at our expense. They are now saving money by not buying from Nickelodeon. Have they passed that saving onto us or offered alternative channels to replace those they have dropped? Have they heck!

I expect ntl & Sky have existing contracts so it's not going to apply to them atm.

I would also think they have more clout than TW when it comes to renewing, as they have more viewers.

[Tristan]

Nickelodeon are claiming that they haven't asked for an increase, but that Telewest are unwilling to continue on the same terms. People are also saying that Telewest are unhappy because Sky get a much better deal for Nick carriage than they do/did.

This saga reflects very badly on both companies, and on Sky too. For those don't know, the sequence of events went roughly like this:

1) Nick and Telewest's carriage contract was due to run out, and they began negotiations about a new contract. Telewest wanted to pay Nick less, on the same level as Sky

2) With the negotiations not getting anywhere, Nickelodeon attempted to twist Telewest's arm by flashing up an onscreen message that carriage would be ending soon, and if viewers wanted to carry on watching Nick then they should call Telewest. This was wrong on Nickelodeon's part: contract negotiations should *never* be made public. They should take place behind closed doors, so that viewers are only affected if and when a decision is reached.

3) In retaliation, Telewest started giving out Nickelodeon's CS number, advising people to talk to *them*. This could be viewed as unprofessional by Telewest -- they should be the first and last port of call for their subscribers -- but IMO it's no worse than Nick's initial salvo.

4) Nickelodeon then upped the ante by running ads on their channels advising viewers to "call Sky on ..." if they wished to carry on watching after December 17th (when the contract ended).

5) Because of these adverts, Telewest took Nickelodeon off the air, a few days before the 17th.

6) Viacom (owners of Nick) then started running the adverts on their other networks, including MTV and Paramount.

7) Sky, in a display of breathtaking opportunism, also started running Viacom's "get Sky to watch Nick" pieces on Sky One, Sky News, and the sports channels.

And that's pretty much where we are today. Viacom and Sky trying to strongarm Telewest into taking the channels at the price they demand. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out, as a powerplay between the broadcaster and the carriage provider -- it may provide a precident for the future.

[scrotnig]

Well if that's the scenario, BOTH companies have acted like primary school children in a playground.

Thank goodness this scenario hasn't been reached at ntl. Can Telewest not see the damage this is doing to their DTV service?

[Toto]

Telewest wanted to pay Nick less, on the same level as Sky

OK, am I missing something here, but doesn't Sky have a greater viewer base than Telewest, surely it was a pipe dream thinking they could secure a better price by comparing to Sky. This is the oldest trading incentive in the world, the more purchase power you have, the better the deal.

Bums on seats luv

[Graham F]

Someone was excited about what they got for xmas, looking at the time of the post

[Toto]

Originally Posted by Scooby

Someone was excited about what they got for xmas, looking at the time of the post

LOL, if you are refering to my post, it just proves I'm sad

[Chrysalis]

Yeah telewest would never get the same deal as sky they just dont have the same purchasing power, its why off-licence shops cant offer same prices as supermarkets because of purchasing power.

I am sure it will be back, telewest will probably back down on this eventually and just pay what they need to.

[tomp66]

i moaned in an email b4 xmas about nick being dropped - said id switch to sky......

and how odd! - new bill arrived - disney channels added!!! no charge!!!

i didnt ask & have never inquired about disney ch package

no-one at tw said they would do this...

seems they are trying to keep my business or it could be a billing error seems a mighty big co-incidence to me tho - i presume this is one month only freebie too

Why not have a go folks...! dont look a gift horse in the mouth!

[atlantic-crossin]

Originally Posted by bigitup_j

Telewest have just in the last hour ceased broadcasting nickelodeon, nick jnr and nick toons on their platform!
nick were running ads throughout the day telling telewest customers to call tw to complain or to subscribe to sky or homechoice.

very sudden. news only emerged at lunchtime, and now the channels have gone!
screenshot:
http://www.nickday85.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nickmsg.JPG

quote from nickelodeon message boards:
Well, we really don't want to! We were talking to Telewest about a new contract between our companies, but couldn't agree on a deal that was fair to both of us.

If you're a Telewest viewer, ring them up and tell them what you think! Their number is 0845 142 0220.

If your parents would like to talk to another digital TV provider, so that you can keep watching Nick, then they can call Sky on 0870 242 9380, or Homechoice on 0800 092 4444.

From: NickTVAnt on: 12/16/2004 5:15:34 PM

there's some news for you!

In reference to the above....
Telewest had quite short notice in regards to this and reason why letters wasnt dispatched to customers, however Telewest are offering the disney channels free in replacement of these channels while negotiations are underway and if you already have them then the £6 (Cost of disney package) would be covered.
Telewest are in negotiation with nickelodeon but the reasons why it was not renegotiated was because telewest did not feel the prices quoted would bring value satisfaction towards its customers however negotiations are still underway

[bigitup_j]

UPDATE:
the channels are now back on Telewest! New contract.

The channels will be freeview to all customers up till the end of March!

[moffmeister]

I'd like to mention that the Powerpuff girls are on Cartoon Network, not Nick.