RCN

RCN is such a crappy cable service in NY. They are relatively new, and their program titles and timings are always incorrect. The quality especially when you change channels is quite poor. But they are getting better. They used to use a filter to keep out upgraded channels from basic service, but now they have a different technology. I have been using Time Warner cable all these years. TWC has monopoly in NY, and the good thing is that you don’t need to sign up for an annual package and can cancel anytime. When parents come over from India, I get Indian channels and then cancel when they leave.

But they need to get their customer service in order. I scheduled for a technician to come over, and he would not cross the hallway to set up cable in another room instead, since that room was not scheduled over the phone. That room is in another apartment (I am combining 2 apartments), so technically in TWC’s system/computer the rooms are two different apartments. I have 2 options – one, I set up a new account with both apartments under separate accounts. But I will be charged more. Two, I send them proof of combining both apartments legally, they will evaluate, enter into their system as one apartment, and then set-up cable service in the second room as an extension which is cheaper. So complicated!! Why are we humans so governed by computers? I mean, couldn’t they just change it over the phone instead of doing the evaluation crap? What do they care if its one or two apartments?

Now I know that RCN is no better. When you call, they will keep connecting you to someone else without telling you to hold and will abruptly put you on music, it takes ages to get hold of the right person, their website doesn’t give much info, their channels are not intuitive (why can’t Fox channel just say Fox instead of WNYW), titles of episodes are incorrect, timings are ridiculous (Seinfeld ends at 1:15am instead of 1am), prime channels are all over the place (Bravo is 108), and I have to yet find Lifetime for Project Runway. Title “Tere Naam” is really a Ramayana cartoon. There is one silver lining — the Indian channels are way better!! I have Star Plus, Gold, One, and ITV. Granted not a great line-up of channels, but at least its something. And there is a Bollywood on Demand — mostly oldies, but a handful of new movies like 8×10 Tasveer. I watched Billu, Golmaal Returns, and Chup Chup Ke last weekend.

I do hope RCN catches up with TWC — I have had enough of monopoly in Manhattan.

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