I'm thinking seriously about switching from Comcast. I went online to try to do a comparison of (mainly HD) channels between Comcast and FiOS.
It seems that Verizon offers FiOS TV Extreme" ($57.99) and "FiOS TV Essentials" ($47.99) in my town.
I couldn't compare the packages to each other or Comcast because the FiOS TV Essentials Package wasn't listed in the channel lineup. After a very, very long and unproductive chat session, I concluded that Essentials is the same as Premier.
I'm hoping someone on here can confirm or deny. I've included the chat transcript for background and/or comic relief. I felt like I was in a bizarre adaptation of Abbott and Costello's 'Who's on First?".
Apologies for the long post but some will empathize and others will find it amusing.
Thanks in advance.
-MK
Quote:
We are routing you to a chat representative. Thank you for contacting Verizon FiOS. Your average wait time is 7 seconds. Ask about our first month FREE offer when you order FiOS online.
You are now chatting with 'Terry'
Terry: Hello. Thank you for visiting our Verizon chat service. How can I help you experience the cutting-edge technology of FiOS TV?
you: Hi, can you please tell me the difference in channels between fios tv extreme and fios tv essentials?
Terry: Sure, Let me send you a channel line up link which will make you understand you the difference in a much better way.
you: i've already looked at that
you: that is why i'm asking
you: there doesn't appear to be any mention of essentials
Terry: Well the FiOS TV essentials package will include 25 local, 142 digital and 95 music channels.
you: where are you seeing that?
Terry: I have the information about the packages which we are offering.
you: OK, so what are the differences between FIOS TV Essentials and FIOS TV Extreme in terms of channel lineup?
Terry: Well let me gather some information on that.
you: ok
Terry: The FIOS TV Essentials package as I already told you that it contains 25 local, 142 digital and 95 music channels and the FIOS TV Extreme HD package contains 9 local , 85 digital and 1 pay per view channel.
you: Yes, my question is WHICH channels.
you: How could I possibly make a decision to subscribe if I don't know which channels?
you: Also, why does the Extreme package cost more if there are substantially less channels?
you: That doesn't make sense.
Terry: Well the extreme HD Package is totally dedicated to HD TV.
you: So there are 9 local HD channels, 85 HD channels and 1 HD PPV channel?
Terry: Yes, absolutely correct, its in case of FIOS TV Extreme HD package.
you: So there are no HD channels in the FIOS TV Essentials Package?
Terry: I would be glad to answer that for you.
Terry: We also offer HD channels with FIOS TV Essentials Package.
you: OK.
you: So, I'm trying to choose between FIOS HD Extreme and FIOS TV Essentials.
Terry: Sure.
you: In order to do so, I would like to know exactly how the two offerings differ.
you: I would like to know WHICH channels are offered under each plan.
you: That way, i can figure out which service I would like to order.
Terry: Well on the order page on the step 1 you will be able to see the differences, because the channel line up are given with the respective packages.
you: As I mentioned earlier, I see no mention of FIOS TV Essentials in the channel line up.
Terry: You can on "channel line up" link to view all the channels availability.
you: Yes, I have done that already and I find no mention of FIOS TV Essentials.
Terry: Okay, now I got you correctly.
Terry: Let send you a link for channel line up where you will be able to see the channels of the respective packages.
you: OK, great.
Terry: Thank You.
Terry: Please Click Here
you: This is the same channel lineup I have been looking at.
you: There still is no mention of Essentials.
Terry: I really apologize for that.
Terry: The major difference between FiOS Extreme HD and FiOS TV Primier package is in FiOS Extreme HD you'll have over 75 HD channles and in FiOS TV Premier package you get 23 HD channels.
you: I can see that. However, it doesn't appear that FIOS TV Premier is offered to me. I only see "FiOS TV Extreme" for $57.99 and "FiOS TV Essentials" for $47.99.
you: Again, my question is: I would like to know exactly how the two offerings differ.
Terry: The difference is the number of local channels you get.
you: So I'm assuming that I get more local channels with FiOS TV Extreme?
Terry: No, You will get more local channels with FiOS TV essentials.
you: So I can pay $10 less per month to get more channels?
Terry: Absolutely, It certainly depends on your needs.
you: Makes sense.
you: Can you tell me which channels are not included in the Extreme?
Terry: I would recommend you refer the channel line up as the channels vary depending on the area.
you: OK but as I mentioned i don't see Essentials on the guide.
Terry: Can you guide me what plans are available on the order page?
you: I only see "FiOS TV Extreme" for $57.99 and "FiOS TV Essentials" for $47.99.
Terry: I would recommend you to go with the packages available to you at this time.
you: But i don't see the Essentials package.
Terry: If I heard you correctly, the FiOS TV Essentials package is not showing to you on the channel lineup, correct?
you: Correct.
Terry: Can you tell your zip code?
you: 02347
Terry: Would you like me to send you all the channels which are available in the FiOS TV Essentials package in your area?
you: sure
<'Terry cuts and pastes every channel from the Premier package into the chat window. Yes it took a long time.>
Terry: These are the channels and the channel number against them. I apologize for the long list. But there was no other way. Please accept my empathy on the same.
you: ok, thanks that is helpful.
Terry: I hope it helped you solve your concern. Is there anything other concern you have before we proceed ahead with the order?
you: no, thats it.
Terry: So, let go ahead with the order process. Just click on the "Order" button in front of the package you want to opt for and proceed ahead, I am right here to assist you.
you: ok
