By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –@tvanswerman
TV Answer Man, I am angry that we can’t watch ESPN anymore. Will Spectrum at least give us a credit for not having our channels? — Gene, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Gene, you are not alone. Spectrum TV customers are lining up on social media to express their anger over losing the 26 Disney channels since Thursday night due to the carriage dispute between the companies. The departure of ESPN, and ABC affiliates in seven markets, seems to sting the most but we’ve received complaints about multiple Disney networks not being available.
Spectrum, which is owned by Charter, over the weekend sent an e-mail to customers offering them a 25-30 percent discount on the Fubo live streaming service which carries ESPN and the Disney channels. But what if you don’t want to subscribe to a new service? Is Spectrum offering a rebate for the missing channels? Some subscribers say yes. They are claiming in social media posts that when they call to Spectrum to complain, they are being offering a monthly credit up to $15 with some getting a $10 credit.
To those of you with Spectrum cable. I called about not having ESPN, etc. because of Disney withholding their channels while in negotiations with Spectrum. I was given a $15 credit on next months bill. Call Spectrum and complain about these missing channels and get your credit!! pic.twitter.com/HzInadR9jM
— Brian Whitman (@bwhitmanMA) September 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/jtorres7201/status/1698502814194921666?s=20
When the blackout began on Thursday, Charter officials said they would address whether to offer credits at a future date if the dispute prolonged. “Just know that we’re going to do what’s not only required, but what’s fair to our customers over time,” Charter CEO Chris Winfrey said.
We have asked a Charter spokesman today whether the company is now providing credits and will report back here if we get more information. But it would appear that to get a credit now, you would have to call Spectrum TV to complain. There is not an official company policy to provide credits to all subscribers.
Update: The Charter spokesman referred us to the Winfrey statement with no additional comment.
Gene, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!
Update: Spectrum’s X (formerly Twitter) customer service team responded this afternoon to one angry customer by saying a one-time credit of an unspecified amount could be provided if the customer sent a direct message (DM):
Hello! We hope to return this programming soon. Visit this link for more information: https://t.co/pfL0ahVXLR. We can certainly supply a one-time credit to your account. Please send us a private message with your account number and full address at any time. – MAG
— Ask Spectrum (@Ask_Spectrum) September 4, 2023
Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.
— Phillip Swann
@tvanswerman
All this bs is just going to raise cable bills for everyone! Again!!
Spectrum has raised my bill 6.00 already. I’m ready to move on. If I call to lower my bill, they will…by reducing my channels
Thanks for the information. I called Spectrum & received a one-time credit of %15. This does not cover our cost but is better than nothing. Probably time for a new carrier!
It is time to get a new carrier. Sick of their bs.
Not a fan of any of these companies since internet should be free since the government gave it to them but Spectrum gave me a choice of a15 dollar credit or I could pick 4 other channels to replace Disney channels. I took the channels. Everyone should remember if we didn’t pay these player 450 million dollars forv10 years “so they could take care of their family” none of this would matter or at least be so important.
My account # is 8351100060051048. I would like a credit or refund on my bill. I am missing so many shows that I normally watch. Please advise.
Thank you
This is totally uncalled for.
Less things(channels) and not going to lower our bill or give us back the channels YOU SPECTRUM should take care of..
People are starving, can’t pay other bills and you take away what we are already paying for..
Disney, yes shame on them but as our provider, everyone should be taken care of..
Yes it’s TV, but do you think about “shut it’s, disabled people, and many more that have nothing but the tv.
Come on is that fair..
Wake up and help instead of making things worse..
PA SMITH
I agree. Maybe time to get another carrier!!!!!!!!!
Definitely closer to cutting the cord. Missed US Open and yankee game and l miss my national geo channel. Friends who have cut the cord able to watch and are encouraging me to do same. As
Spectrum keeps increasing and favorite channels leaving, likely I will be getting my sissors out.
I received my spectrum bill 3 days ago and the Price Went UP $11.00.
So they are giving a discount!!!!
Spectrum needs to take care of this before I decide to get a satellite dish!
I am definitely cancelling my Cable but what about the older generation that has no idea how to stream or use a smart TV. It’s all I can do to get to understand how to work the cable remote. There’s no way I can see explaining how to stream and would have to buy a smart TV first.
I think this is ridiculous. I’m 82 and can’t afford higher bills. Spectrum should put our channels back on and fix things with Disney. I don’t get out and my Natgeo and Dr. Pohl are my companions. I miss my Life below Zero.
Spectrum raised my bill 6 dollars this time to cut out spectrum as my cell phone has the same capabilities
I’m tired of losing channels and fees keep going up. A few months ago we had been mostly without service. I called to get a credit. I was told “Mrs..,,..since you have been a loyal customer for 14 years, we are lowering your monthly charge by $47!!!”
Sounded good so I said “okay”. Discovered soon that I “okayed” giving up 4 movie channels!! If we can get what we enjoy for same or less, we are jumping ship