As a programmer, I find it hard to believe that the data for legacy channels on VIP versus the individualized listing that I got in my email is in different places.
As mentioned, a database is driving what is authorized on our boxes.
When I made a change on my current package to a new promotion package and changed my bonus channel and theme pak, I automatically got an adjusted list in my email, and when they picked the wrong bonus channel anhd corrected it I got another one.
One factor that make make it a bit of a programming night mare is how the data flows - the information that gets produced by the terminal operator (CSR or whoever), when they click yes, is pushing data to billing systems, and creating a set of data that creates the confirmation notice of pricing and term, the terms of use and channel list and the overall descrition list (Critical summary document - now required by CRTC - they didn't send that to me the last time - had to request that it get sent to me - some glitch prevented it coming)
But then this database may then get pushed to manage what comes to our PVR.
These lists may be coming from the creation of the package at the order side and not be coming from the media server database.
So depending upon where the data for VIP and grandfathered plans are located, they not be able to create a report as the report querries and reports may never have been created.
It is comparable to the quote and invoice and confirmations that ocme when you buy any type of service - the billing database is usually seperate and is used to populate the operational data systems for services.
But it is known that you can ask them to tell you the channel mix you have on the VIP older packages, if you have them read them out to you, or get them off your setbox guide.
Way back when they had lists of these different channel mixes, but over time, they dropped access to them, and I agree, they really don't want us doing the comparisons - it is work for them, and it just annoys us all - they want us to focus on the comparison to retail prices and our term discounts, comparisons to the other company new packages - in my last hone call, I got a "lesson on retail versus discount" and what a great deal it was - my answer - don't talk to me about retail price - if I didn't get the pricing I need, I would just be cancelling - yes, some people will pay retial prices, same as car purchases, but not me. I also heard about the comarison to the price presented by the other parties at new prices - again, it wasn't a pure comparison of oranges to oranges, I have middle grade apples, the other guys have lower grade apples, but feature set the others have high quality oranges, Rogers just has middle range apples at this time.
Marketing is a skill and an art of balancing how companies want to present prices and product in a way to influence buying behaviour and the Telecoms spend a lot of money on it, and we can see they collect a lot of Analytics on Internet usage, and I am sure TV use too to guide to the best marketing pitch to minimize churn, get more people on higher packages to keep cash flow up, and to keep revenues up, and dividents, although shareholders weren't happy that they didn't see increases in their dividents this time around because Rogers is trying to keep cash flow as the Internet upgrades and first failed TV guides, then failed IPTV, and now getting Comcast out there - It is the price increases by us across all products that are keeping these projects going.
So in summary, - yes they could do it, it would require writing a script application to the database for service delivery of TV channels, not from the Billing side, and then has a short shelf life, and it is information that for many is just going to annoy the customer when their goal is get us to in market plans, away from the competition to hgher data plans and share plans on phones, increased Internet caps and speeds with related priceincreases, and ultimately the new model that impacts all services in the home.
So no I don't think they will do it. Not in the business plan I suspect.
But you can still ask for it or get off your device, as much as I an others can say how much of a pain it can be
Bruce
