# Just called Comcast to add the "redzone channel" before the NFL season starts **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 10, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544 "2016-09-10T17:38:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/1 "2016-09-10T17:38:24Z")
so my bill will now go from $53 to $140 starting in October which is a $87 increase because Comcast has a new slimy way of making money. They offer the internet and cable as a package deal instead of someone trying to decrease cable or the internet. I think that is because people were cancelling cable and was still trying to keep the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/2 "2016-09-10T19:31:51Z")
I’m confused. You voluntarily called Comcast to ask them to add a service for you, your bill is increasing as a result, presumably in an amount that you were aware of before you called them, and this makes them slimy somehow? ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/3 "2016-09-10T19:43:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m confused. You voluntarily called Comcast to ask them to add a service for you, your bill is increasing as a result, presumably in an amount that you were aware of before you called them, and this makes them slimy somehow? The slimy part is they no longer allow you to decrease cable or the internet because they are now offered as a package. So you either pay for the package or cancel Comcast completely. I knew what the increase would be but I had to get it anyway because I am a football fan. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/4 "2016-09-10T20:39:30Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > The slimy part is they no longer allow you to decrease cable or the internet because they are now offered as a package. So you either pay for the package or cancel Comcast completely. I knew what the increase would be but I had to get it anyway because I am a football fan. Cancel completely and they will offer u a much better deal. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/5 "2016-09-10T20:46:17Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > I knew what the increase would be but I had to get it anyway because I am a football fan. So their pricing policy is dead on, no? ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/6 "2016-09-10T20:46:44Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Cancel completely and they will offer u a much better deal. No because you have to pay an extra fee to get it reconnected ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/7 "2016-09-10T20:49:45Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > So their pricing policy is dead on, no? Yes I just don’t like that you can no longer reduce cable by itself. 6 years ago I was able to reduce the cable to so that my bill would be under a $100 with the internet, Not the case in 2016 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/8 "2016-09-10T23:50:18Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > No because you have to pay an extra fee to get it reconnected Don’t actually physically cancel, just threaten to. They have representatives who are authorized to offer deals to retain customers. ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/9 "2016-09-11T00:42:57Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Don’t actually physically cancel, just threaten to. They have representatives who are authorized to offer deals to retain customers. Ok thanks. I will try that ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/10 "2016-09-11T01:35:41Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > so my bill will now go from $53 to $140 starting in October which is a $87 increase because Comcast has a new slimy way of making money. They offer the internet and cable as a package deal instead of someone trying to decrease cable or the internet. > > I think that is because people were cancelling cable and was still trying to keep the Internet. You can still get Xfinity Internet without cable. Questions: what were your TV and Internet “levels” before you added Red Zone, and what are they now - and is it possible that you just happened to change when some one- or two-year introductory deal expired? ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/11 "2016-09-11T01:46:29Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > You can still get Xfinity Internet without cable. > > Questions: what were your TV and Internet “levels” before you added Red Zone, and what are they now - and is it possible that you just happened to change when some one- or two-year introductory deal expired? It’s called Xfinity Bundle Services I had the Internet Pro Plus package which was $53.10 that included Digital Economy with HBO added for free and Performance Pro Internet Now I have Digital Starter with the same internet-(Performance Pro Internet) and the sports package for $9.95. After fees for equipment and taxes my bill is now $140. BTW: The redzone is part of a sports package that comes with 15 other sports channels. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/12 "2016-09-11T04:29:16Z")
So the issue is that you wanted a service that only comes with a higher level of cable package. I don’t see the problem here. And you can indeed get cable or internet by itself. I had internet by itself for years and they still sell internet access without cable. ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/13 "2016-09-11T04:38:11Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > So the issue is that you wanted a service that only comes with a higher level of cable package. > > I don’t see the problem here. > > And you can indeed get cable or internet by itself. I had internet by itself for years and they still sell internet access without cable. I just discovered that the lady tricked me and added a package I didn’t ask for which is why I saw that huge jump in price. So I have to call back tomorrow and tell them to get me the lower package I asked for. And what area are you in where you can get cable by itself? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/14 "2016-09-11T04:42:20Z")
I’m in Atlanta. I’ve never before heard of an area where you can’t get cable or internet by itself. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/15 "2016-09-11T04:45:41Z")
Also, according to Comcast’s page on the Sports Package: > [@](#): > > Requires subscription to Digital Starter or Preferred TV service. > **[NFL RedZone on Xfinity](https://www.xfinity.com/learn/digital-cable-tv/sports/nfl/redzone)** > > Experience the NFL like never before with Xfinity. Every touchdown, every key play, every Sunday. Start watching the NFL RedZone today! (under Pricing/Other Info) So if you want RedZone, you need to get the higher package. Doesn’t come with Digital Economy. FWIW, your Internet Pro Plus was far cheaper than my Internet only plan, which was $66 a month. ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/16 "2016-09-11T04:47:20Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > I’m in Atlanta. I’ve never before heard of an area where you can’t get cable or internet by itself. Well here in PA it’s not an option. That’s why on the bill it says “Xfinity Bundled Services” ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/17 "2016-09-11T04:50:50Z")
You can get a Comcast bundle just about anywhere. The Double Play is a bundle. ---
**Author:** ![cg16](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@cg16](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cg16)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/18 "2016-09-11T04:54:32Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > You can get a Comcast bundle just about anywhere. The Double Play is a bundle. When I call them tomorrow morning I will confirm if i can lower the internet or cable. Im pretty sure I was told a few ago by a Comcast rep that I can’t lower cable by itself since both come as a package. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/19 "2016-09-11T05:09:26Z")
> [@cg16](#): > > When I call them tomorrow morning I will confirm if i can lower the internet or cable. Im pretty sure I was told a few ago by a Comcast rep that I can’t lower cable by itself since both come as a package. Well… if you are subscribing to a package like Internet Pro Plus, then you can’t lower cable by itself without ending the package. It may also be complicated if you have a contract for a certain number of months. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544/20 "2016-09-11T05:14:30Z")
I get the Red Zone for ‘free’. That’s because it’s part of an expensive package. I don’t know if it’s offered separately. It’s worth it. If I want to watch football I can watch football instead of commercials. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-called-comcast-to-add-the-redzone-channel-before-the-nfl-season-starts/765544.md?page=2)