I Just hooked up my HDTV cable box and I now have all the premium channels eventhough I only have basic cable.

Question

I just got an HDTV and swapped out my old reciever from the cable company for a HD reciever... When I hooked it up with an HDMI cable, not only do I get the 8 local HD channels Im suppost to get with my service, but I get all the HD and premum channels as well. How/Why does this happen.

(im not complaining, just curious)

Answer 1

i disagree with all of u this happens quite alot wat happened is they sent u the wrong signal say nothin call no one u cant get charged because they have put it on ur bill as a subscriber urone of the lucky few this ha[ppens to enjoy it cause they catch there mistake and send the right signal eventually

Answer 2

I agree that you might have gotten some kind of trial period for the premium channels or there may be some miscommunication and you may have been accidentally subscribed to them.  My suggestion is to wait until your first bill arrives and make sure that you are only paying for the local HD channels.  If you are but are getting more, you may have gotten a break.  I too have an HDTV but use no cable box.  My HDTV has a QAM tuner which allows me to pick up all un-encrypted HD content without a box and without paying for it.  The only issue is that you are at the mercy of the cable provider, which in my case is no big deal because I am still getting more than I pay for.  Here is my line-up:

1.  All local (Washington DC) network and PBS channels in HD.

2.  Some Balimore network channels in HD.

3.  Family Channel HD, Versus HD, Golf Channel HD, A&E HD, and others.  (Wishs I had ESPN HD!)

4. Pay Per View ordered by my neighbors.  However, its not always on and if they pause, rewind, stop watching in the middle, etc, that's what I am stuck with.   p**n even pops up sometimes so I have to be careful who is around when I surf.

5.  About 60 music channel (like having XM or Sirius).

Anyway, if your area is like mine and you are getting the HD channels that I mentioned, it is because they are un-encrypted (on DC-area COMCAST) and any QAM tuner can pick them up without any HD cable subscription.  If you are getting others like ESPN-HD which are routinely encrypted, you are getting free premium service either by accident or as a trial period since your cable provider must set up your cable box for decryption to get those channels.

Answer 3

That's because when you get the hdtv for some odd reason you get the premiums with it wicked cheap.. we pay like 7.99 or something like that for all of them in HD where if we were to get it without itd be much more.. stick to it.. They are probably just a free trial..Oh call them to find out how long the trial is good for.. if you dont want to be charged..