From one of several emails I’ve received;
I write to draw your attention to a situation I just encountered with Shaw Direct (the satellite TV provider formerly known as Star Choice). Returning from a short business trip my daughter advised me that there was a “message” from Shaw and I could read it on the TV.
The message advised me that in response to complaints (unnumbered and unspecified) about some disparaging comments about Canada’s military folks made by a Fox News show personality Shaw had decided that those persons subscribing to Fox News would have until May 18 to affirm their desire to continue their subscription to that Channel or else it
would be shut off.
This struck me as outrageous on so many levels. First, if people didn’t like the comments then they could turn the station or cancel their subscription. Why should those who didn’t complain and wanted to keep the station have to be the ones to take action? And why not sent people an email or put a notice in the monthly bill – communication methods much more likely to be seen and understood than the rarely used “mail” option on the satellite system. And what about those of us who find the CBC commentary about just about everything completely biased and idiotic? If an unspecified number of us wrote in to Shaw with generalized complaints about the bias at the CBC would all CBC subscribers have to take affirmative action or risk losing that station on their
receiver? Would the CRTC allow that to happen to the beloved CBC?
Indeed. The email address for comments/complaints AskJim@shawdirect.ca
Telephone number: 1.866.782.7932
Fax: 1.800.872.8219
Snail mail:
Your Feedback
Shaw Satellite G.P.
Suite 100, 2400 32 Ave NE
Calgary, AB
T2E 9A7
If any of you have other contacts, drop them in the comments and I’ll update the list.
Joel Johannesen. – “Much credit to a couple of the many Canadian pretenders of conservatism, Conservative Defence Minister Peter McKay and a Conservative Party genius strategist, Geoff Norquay, for their superb help in the constant drumbeat to defeat conservatism in this country, by helping to foment this sort of garbage”
Double indeed.
My e-mail to Shaw.
To think you would dump Fox News based on complaints is ridiculous. People do have an option of canceling the channel or turning it off. What you are doing is censorship.
Would you cancel MSNBC for this vile rant? It made me sick, so I don’t watch anymore. This was on Keith Olbermann’s show. Go ahead and watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZK_0vmoIPI
When I went to pay my bill online earlier this week, there was a link to click, explaining this whole sorry mess. I spent 10 minutes on the phone screaming at the poor girl at Shaw Direct, spoke to a supervisor and was later contacted by their business manager who offered no solution.
I phoned Bell TV and apparently they are not following suit, so I’m voting with my feet and going with them. If Bell adopts this policy, I’m going back to grey market.
Here follows an email from Shaw:
“We do apologize for the inconvenience that you have experience with having to add back the Fox New Channel. At the time when the comments were made Shaw Direct were faced with many upset customers (many from military families as well) you were also upset that at the time we did not have the option of completely removing the channel and for some customers the ability to simple block the channel would simply not work for them. In turn, Shaw Direct made the decision to have the channel removed and still give customers such as yourself the option to add back the channel to their programming at no cost. Customers were able to either call our call centre which is open 24/7 and have an agent add it back to the account or a customer could also do so via our website using our free Self Serve option. This option was the best way to appease customers on both sides with regards to this issue. Once again we do apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Thank you for choosing Shaw Direct.
Andrew L”
I’ve emailed Greg Gutfeld directly, and tweeted RedEye regular Andy Levy.
I’ve also posted on this at my blog.
It would be a REALLY good idea for outraged “conservatives” to a) get a sense of humor, b) actually watch the entire clip and see that the segment was NOT pro-military.
Our military IS under-equipped and everyone knows it, including (esp) military families.
Rather than spouting faux outrage, the Harper govt should have taken the hint and raised the defense budget.
Nothing more embarrassing than misplaced moral posturing.
As a Shaw Cable subscriber, I am outraged that Shaw feels they have to filter my choices for me. Why does Shaw make Fox News available on an affirmative only basis ?? Why not the CBC also ?? In my opinion, our beloved CBC is an absolute disaster when it comes to being biased, slanted and outright loose with the truth.
So, Shaw Cable, why the double standard ?? If Shaw does not change it’s policy towards Fox News availability, that is it for me for Shaw Cable. We have other choices here, including the INTERNET !!
thx
—————————-
hello
Shaw Direct will not be removing Fox News from its channel lineup. We are enabling customers to make the choice if they would like to receive it. We’ve made changes to how we offer Fox News channel 503. There have been recent inappropriate and disrespectful comments on the channel regarding the Canadian Military’s efforts in Afghanistan, comments that were found to be offensive to our customers. Because of this, many Digital Favourites and FYI subscribers have expressed concern over not having an option to remove FOX News from their line-up. We are moving the channel to an opt-in service starting May 19. If you would like to continue receiving FOX News, we can add it back on to your account at no cost.
Andrew L
Administration – Ask Jim Team
————————————-
With respect, your reply is absolute BS !!
The CBC has made a lot more derogatory, biased and guilty by omission remarks against some groups than Fox – daily even. Why are they not in the ‘opt-in’ service also ??
I know, that you know, that I know the real reason for this blatant, Pravda-like attempt at censorship – a socialistic agenda. Pure and simple.
Censorship may have worked in the past but it will certainly not work in the Internet era. The CRTC and the Media will not attempt to control that also – will they !?
(A very, very unhappy Shaw Internet, Shaw home phone and Shaw cable subscriber.)
Wednesday on Fox, Dennis Miller on the BillO show, most satisfying 8 minutes on television, EVAH. Intelligent and funny, what’s not to like?
Sent my email – got the same reply as Atric and Ken…
So here is a project for SDA readers.
I just talked to Shaw Direct and blasted them about the Fox News censorship and registered a complaint about CBC. The guy told me if enough people complained about CBC they would do the same thing as they did to Fox. Do I beleive that? NOT FOR A MINUTE!
But it would be interesting if a few thousand complaints were registered.
Then perhaps we could get a comparison of the number of complaints registered about Fox VS CBC.
horny Toad
Wow – so it is true. I for one, am very disappointed with Shaw. They charge too much to begin with. You would think they would have learned their lesson the first time.
What I don’t understand is this – I pay an extra $14 a month for channels in a bundle which Fox is one of them. Normally, I would be charged $2.50 a month if I had just chosen Fox and not a bundle. Does this mean that if Fox was the only channel I chose at $2.50 a month, I would have to verify my subscription? This is utterly ludicrous.
Well I did receive that e-mail giving me the option to keep Fox, which I requested. I then asked if I could have the same option for CBC which I find to be disgusting. So, we shall see!
Perhaps something good will come of this.
I trust folks will keep writing them requesting the same option for CBC.
I got the same boilerplate blather from AskJim, to which I replied:
You say: “We are enabling customers to make the choice if they would like to receive it.”
I say: I have already made the choice. I object to having to remake that choice.
You say: “We are moving the channel to an opt-in service starting May 19.”
I say: I don’t understand why you cannot offer an opt out on the channel instead.
You say: “If you would like to continue receiving FOX News, we can add it back on to your account at no cost.”
I say: I understand that to opt in, It would cost some of my time. I do not value my time at nothing. Hence it would not be at no cost.
I reaffirm that I will not comply with this absurd policy, and I will cancel my service with you if this decision is not reversed.
It is 5:00pm and I have a choice of Tom Clark, Don Newman, or Glen Beck.
Sorry Tom. Sorry Don.
I too just called,I told the gal to convey what I was about to say to the higher ups…she said they were listening in!!
I told her that because former Liberal Prime Ministers had made derogatory remarks about Western Canadians and those hurtful remarks had been carried by the CBC and CTV I would like to have those channels removed from my package or untill I afirim that I want them included!
After a few moments of silence…she said she got my point. My fox package would continue un-interupted.
I don’t need someone to tell me what to think.
Then you should give your sda flying monkey wings to someone who does, warwick.
Too many people getting involved in the sensorship biz. Very frightening!
I wish I had an account I could cancel. Sadly, I’m already on CrownCorpTV. Not really better.
All you have to ask is ‘What if they pulled the same stunt with CNN, which has way lower ratings?’.
And, please, enough of the vapid attack right-wing comments from those on the left who are only on this site trolling. You have evry other network on the planet.
Its shameful in the first place we have a 40% Canadian content rule. In other words our TV is blocked just like the old soviets did theirs.
welcome to the land of censorship.
Canada is not for Canadians could be the official motto of Imigration these days.
JMO
I remember when negative option billing was made illegal, because it was not only goofy, but required action on the part of the consumer to not receive a service. Now this is just as weird, but legal I suppose, because it is not negative option billing. What ever happened to just leaving things alone unless the consumer requests a change?
If you would like to send Jim Shaw an e-mail directly to his Blackberry….
jim.shaw@sjrb.ca
nice young fellow told me why they were canceling my foxnews.Told him keep fox get rid of cbc . He even asked why , he learned I hope, I just wish his company would!
If these twits think they can dictate how I watch TV they can learn how little I NEED their services.
If I were a betting man, I would bet this had nothing to with complaints about anything. I suspect it has more to do with what Fox charges Shaw per subscriber and Shaw wanting to get the channel out of a package.
Having recently received a first class letter extolling new enhancements at addition fees available on my building system that was discontinued over a year ago, perhaps they should be concentrating their efforts on more important areas.
Here’s some SHAW background, as I understand it….
So you say you pay too much for SHAW services, and you would be correct. They subsidize new installations, in subdivisions and developments, by giving away (not charging) for their structure (duct, pull boxes, etc). This puts them at a competitive advantage to other telecom competitors, who do charge for these items.
But, nothing comes for free, so, therefore, the end user pays for these giveaways to developers. It is quite likely that your bills should be substantially lower than they are if not for the initial giveaways, dare I say 25%?
Also, it is widely rumoured that Shaw’s business model is completely dependent on an ever increasing subscriber base…..if that base should ever reverse direction, Shaw’s debtload would crush the company…..quickly! No wonder Shaw uses cheap teaser rates to lure unsuspecting subscribers, then jacks their rates later.
Here is my email to Jim…….
I have read that Shaw customers now have the choice to get rid of FoxNews and replace it with something else.
I specifically got Star Choice so that I could get FoxNews, so I want to keep it!
But, seeing as you are offering your customers the chance to get rid of a news station and replace it with another channel, I would love to get rid of CBCNews network (390) as it offends me daily, and replace it with Movie Central 1 (621).
If Movie Central 1 isn’t available as a choice, please send me a list of those channels I can choose from.
I think this is an excellent idea. You are allowing us to actually choose the channels we get instead of forcing us into selected packages. I have counted and there are 17 other CBC channels I would like to get rid of and replace with channels I would like to actually watch, is this possible?
Thank you
My e-mail to Shaw is as follows:
I am shocked at this ourageous reaction to a planned leftist campaign. If you truly wanted to take action because Canadians were offended by a station offending the Canadian military, then you would have removed the CBC from any package a long time ago and many times over. One should never pander to leftist fascists – it sets a dangerous precedent. If these leftists don’t want to watch Fox News, and they certainly don’t watch it already, then they can change the channel. No one has a “right” to not be offended. Please immediately reverse this poorly thought-out decision. Your decision has offended me, and I may cancel my Shaw account, and you will have to affirm your desire to retain my revenue stream by May 18 or I will cancel.
Does that sound unreasonable? Hmmm…
Kate
thanks once again to you and Kathy for trumpeting the news of this idiocy far and wide. I watched the Red Eye show in question, via YouTube, amd thought it was both poor timing, and a poor attempt at humour (a bit juvenile for me). BUT, I support wholeheartedly someone’s right to their expression of their thoughts and ideas, just as I support wholeheartedly anyone’s right who is offended to NOT watch, read, or listen to something they find offensive. I draw the line at them imposing on everyone else, their views.
I just read Jonah Goldberg’s book , Liberal Fascism, and consider it to be the most comprehensive tome on the subject of “progressives” and their fascist tendencies. Everyone should read it.
Eric: “Private organisations can do what they want.”
If that were true, we wouldn’t have a CRTC telling the private organizations what they can and cannot do.
I just complained by email and this was their response:
“Hi Brian
We agree but there are CRTC rules we have to follow. Yes it would have been very simple to just allow customer to drop it but there are CRTC rules around the linkage of channels in packages. If we didn’t have these rules we would allow 100% choice for customer. This would also any customer to make their own packages.. We are simply allowing customer to keep it or drop it.
Thanks
I just spoke to Shaw/Star Choice to ensure I keep receiving Fox News.
I expressed my thought of the foolishness of this policy (calling to confirm I continue to receive a channel I pay for) and asked if I would have to be calling on a regular basis for other channels.
The service rep confirmed that this is the first time they have done this.
MB
Here was my response from shaw:
Shaw Direct will not be removing Fox News from its channel lineup. We are enabling customers to make the choice if they would like to receive it. We’ve made changes to how we offer Fox News channel 503. There have been recent inappropriate and disrespectful comments on the channel regarding the Canadian Military’s efforts in Afghanistan, comments that were found to be offensive to our customers. Because of this, many Digital Favorites’ and FYI subscribers have expressed concern over not having an option to remove FOX News from their line-up. We are moving the channel to an opt-in service starting May 19. If you would like to continue receiving FOX News, we can add it back on to your account at no cost.
Thanks
Hawa
when someone is an asshole call him and asshole.
“If we didn’t have these rules we would allow 100% choice for customer.”
Well, we can’t have that now, can we? The silly fools might not pick what we know is best for them.
I’m not debating Shaw on this.
I’m not calling them, I’m not warning them, I’m not responding to them.
If they think getting rid of Fox is a good idea, then that’s what they should do.
And if Fox news is off at my house for five minutes I’m done with Shaw, I’ll cut them off the next day..
I’m not debating morons.
If they are that stupid, to hell with them.
Here is my letter I sent to Shaw Direct.
I am a paying customer. I do not agree that you would remove Fox News channel (503 on StarChoice) without informing every subscriber. Many elderly people in this area do not know about the email option. You are effectively cancelling Fox News on these people. Many of them will think 503 is removed, just as you have removed other stations from StarChoice.
I have some questions.
Since you had to apply to allow Fox News (503) on StarChoice, did you apply to the CRTC to effectively opt-out every paying customer?
Is the CRTC aware of your actions regarding your paying customers and Fox News?
Why are you forcing existing customers to ask you to continue to broadcast a program they already pay for?
Why did you not ask complainants to opt-out rather than ask the majority of users to opt-in?
If too few people opt-in, are you going to cancel Fox News from your StarChoice line-up?
Exactly how many complained about the comments made on Red Eye (on Fox News)?
Exactly how many of the complaints were put to you in writing, and how many were made over the phone?
What exactly were the offensive comments (and the exact context from the program Red Eye)?
Was an apology given by the person who spoke the words people were offended by?
How many complainants actually saw the show in question?
How many saw the biased commentary on CBC which told everyone the words that were said?
How many complaints have you had regarding other off colour comments made about Canada (by other stations)?
What is the political affiliation of the people at Shaw Direct that made the decisions regarding Fox News? (this certainly smacks of political partisanship)
Will you be advising all paying customers, in writing, of your decision? If not, why not?
Why are your staff, while taking a request to opt-in, asking questions and trying to get people to remain opted-out? (your staff are doing this)
How many complaints would it take for you to remove any other station from your line-up?
How many positive comments about Red Eye (on Fox News – 503) would it take for you to reverse your decision to automatically opt-out every customer?
I disapprove of your actions regarding Fox News. I am a paying customer, yet you were going to cut off Fox News without giving the proper 60 day notice that StarChoice claims it gives to customers in advance when changes are to be made. How much money are you going to pay me for breaking part of your contract with me?
Here is the real story
Fox News is increasing it’s programming costs by up to 200% to every cable/satellite company in North America.
Of course, we all know that has to be because Obama has turned the US into the last bastion of socialism – not because Rupert M needs the cash.
By having a no cost “Optin” for Fox News, Shaw is merely controlling costs. If it was really the case that Shaw stated, they would have given the option to select MSNBC, BBC World News or Bloomberg in lieu of Faux Views