Discussions

Anyone know what the new Skinny basic pkg. consists of. It is supposed to be implemented today but there is nothing on their website except for a banner that More Choice is coming soon.

I've been waiting for a while to see what they are going to offer, it's too bad they waited until march 1 because to me it says they don't care about this CRTC ruling.  
I don't have cable right now but I was willing to see what they were going to offer and maybe renew, but I'm losing interest everyday I have to wait.

I've been waiting too, definitely looking to cut down on the cable bill! Though I've been struggling to find just what is included for channels in their basic cable package through their website for some time. I couldn't find it anywhere, all they offered online were the big packages. I haven't had time to go down to the office to find out there or get a brochure. If you're going to have a website, include everything so people have ease of access to stuff. Makes for happier customers.

Apparently many cable companies are not advertising the skinny basic package.  
You must inquire about it from a customer service rep. Cable companies are far from happy with this package having to be offered. So once you inquire the reps are suppose to fish and bate you to a higher package or upsell you on the pick and pay add ones.  
Very tricky

it was available when I cancelled my cable back in January. I was willing to stick with them if they offered it to me. When I told them their cable was too expensive, they said nothing. So I cancelled and we have Netflix only. I wont be going back to cable. They shouldn't have to be told to offer something like this.  
 
 
 
Edited by nkorpan, 2016-03-01 11:32:28

Last week My husband went in and asked about it. We were told they wouldn't be offering it AT ALL until after their "parent company" appealed the CRTC ruling.  
 
It was just a bad customer service experience, even though we planned to keep skinny and Netflix we have looked at other options and Completely cancelled cable.

Never heard of this before but I am very intrigued. Will be waiting to hear the outcome and hopefully I can save some money!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/new-25-basic-tv-package-a-deal-many-consumers-simply-won-t-want-1.3469824

WCG is advertising the 'lite' on their website for 25$

Here's a link to their "Lite package". Happy I know and I'm not interested.  
 
http://www.westmancom.com/fileadmin/content/channel_lineups/Westman_Lite_Choice_Package.pdf  
 
EDIT: I'm not sure if this package qualifies or not but it says "Add individual Channels $2.49." when you click on the theme packs.  
 
Edited by Degenerate108, 2016-03-01 12:02:04

Degenerate108 said "Here's a link to their "Lite package". Happy I know and I'm not interested.     http://www.westmancom.com/fileadmin/content/channel_lineups/Westman_Lite_Choice_Package.pdf     EDIT: I'm not sure if this package qualifies or not but it says "Add individual Channels $2.49." when you click on the theme packs.     Edited by Degenerate108, 2016-03-01 12:02:04"

The pick and pay is not something that is part of the skinny basic.  
 
If you want anything over and above skinny basic it looks like you would need to go to digital basic.  
 
I do see programming included that other providers are NOT(Treehouse/WCGTV/Stingray Music)  
 
 
 
Edited by theotherryan, 2016-03-01 12:16:37

theotherryan said "    Degenerate108 said "Here's a link to their "Lite package". Happy I know and I'm not interested.     http://www.westmancom.com/fileadmin/content/channel_lineups/Westman_Lite_Choice_Package.pdf     EDIT: I'm not sure if this package qualifies or not but it says "Add individual Channels $2.49." when you click on the theme packs.     Edited by Degenerate108, 2016-03-01 12:02:04" The pick and pay is not something that is part of the skinny basic.     If you want anything over and above skinny basic it looks like you would need to go to digital basic.     I do see that they have programming included that other providers are not (Treehouse/WCGTVS/Stingray Music)     Edited by theotherryan, 2016-03-01 12:13:53"

I disagree, the wording in the lite package is:  
 
Westman Communications Group is committed to providing our customers with the best value and most viewing choices. Our new Lite Choice package for only $24.95 is [b]launching as a baseline service our customers can build up from[/b] This package offers more value over similar competitor packages and includes..  
 
To me that sounds like you can in fact add on, I'm not sold however as a good 1/4 or more of those channels offered are duds to me and I'm still paying a dollar a month for things I don't want.

They didn't have to offer the "skinny cable" package. They were exempt from it. I don't remember why they were but according to the CRTC WCG didn't have to offer a "skinny" or "lite" package but the decision was made to offer it anyway.  
So it's not that they "didn't care" it's that they didn't haven't to offer it but chose to anyway

one more thing.. said "They didn't have to offer the "skinny cable" package. They were exempt from it. I don't remember why they were but according to the CRTC WCG didn't have to offer a "skinny" or "lite" package but the decision was made to offer it anyway.   So it's not that they "didn't care" it's that they didn't haven't to offer it but chose to anyway "

I wonder if it is how big they are. I remember that when MTS came to Brandon there was a disagreement regarding MTS having to pay Westman a certain amount for local programming even though it wasn't broadcast on MTS due to how small Westman cable was.

one more thing.. said "They didn't have to offer the "skinny cable" package. They were exempt from it. I don't remember why they were but according to the CRTC WCG didn't have to offer a "skinny" or "lite" package but the decision was made to offer it anyway.   So it's not that they "didn't care" it's that they didn't haven't to offer it but chose to anyway "

Companies serving under 20,000 are except from having to offer skinny packages.

Is there any way to get the Sportsnet & TSN channels added to the skinny pkg. or do you have to get the bigger pkgs. It looks like Westman & MTS are offering better plans as opposed to the other bigger players.  
 
Here are some comments from DigitalHome.ca  
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/12-television-industry-channels-providers/239842-skinny-basic-tv-launches-12.html

I could not be happier. I don't really watch much sports these days. So by getting rid of the "essentials" part which has the TSNs, my bill will be reduced by $14 a month.  
 
I have to pay $4 a month for the package with AMC. I mean how can you not have the package with The Walking Dead? But for me (Likely I am in the minority) it works out very well.

It seems pick and pay for individual channels is not mandated until September.  
 
I think when it all washes out the 25 buck package will only appeal to those that want what skinny offers. Bell is not even including any USA basic channel.  
 
Once you add a couple or four of your must see channels not offered in basic the other packages will be a better deal.  
 
We have Mts. We will wait until pick and pay comes.  
 
Where cable may hoop us in the short is sports and live events. Netflix/Crave covers the rest.  

I get all the networks covered by the skinny basic pulse a lot more for nothing.

Westman Cable TV says that they are exempt from the CRTC ruling to provide skinny basic because they are a small cable company. CRTC 1 Westman Cable Members 0.  
Yet Westman Cable TV is offering a skinny basic in all the communities that have a fibre optic cable connections. Therefore many communities like Birtle where I am from. Westman will not offer any skinny basic no change in programming,just the same packages of channels. Strange Co-operative they give to some but not to others.  
WCG 1 Rural Cable Members 0  
We should complain to the CRTC that Westman Cable is exempt from Skinny Basic and complain to our Local Board of Directors of our Westman Media Co-op.