Changes to Ignite TV Channels in Packages and Theme Packs

[-G-]

I'm starting this thread to give us a place where changes to the Ignite TV channel lineups can be announced and discussed.

Rogers already has pages that show Free Previews and New Channels but I have not been able to find any pages that list planned/upcoming changes to the default channel lineups for Ignite TV Packages, Theme Packs or the Flex Channels that we can choose from.

For example, my latest bill contains a note informing me that Fox Sports Racing will no longer be part of my package effective June 14, 2020 but will still be available to subscribers as part of the Adventure Theme Pack.  However, it still shows as an included Flex Channel in Premier and an optional Flex Channel in Popular.

@CommunityHelps  Are you aware of any other upcoming changes that you can share here so that we can also plan accordingly?  Thanks!

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[toolcubed]

Yeah...I think they're still working thru the changes.  Having said that, these new bundles are more expensive across the board.  Granted, they all include more channels than their older equivalents, and they all now include the local US channels, but we're still talking at least $20-25 more per month for channels I don't particularly need or watch.  This might be the final nail in the coffin I was looking for to finally drop TV altogether and go with internet only once my current promo ends (I've been thinking of doing this for a while).

[Lorne4]

I see I now have an offer to switch out my existing Flex 10 bundle for the new Popular TV package. Pretty good price if one wants all those channels, which I don't. I really like the idea of the flex channels and am very disappointed that it seems that this approach will be dropped. And I don't understand why  CTV Ottawa doesn't show anywhere, but I assume it's still a bit of a work in progress. They may already be messing with my current bundle by dropping the number of flex channels down to 9 from 10.

[hiho]

i am still trying to figure out this new and improvved ignite flex packages 🙂

been going through the diffrent chanel comparison chart and i see that these have a red checkmark for them does that mean when i get the flex 20 package that they are allso included in my 52 total channels i get and if so how do i access those high number channels

136
Citytv Toronto 137
Global Toronto (CIII) 140
YES TV 142
TV Ontario 143
APTN 144
AMItv 145
AMI-audio 146
CPAC English 147
Ontario Legislature 148
OMNI East 150
CHCH 153
OMNI.1 (CFMT) 154
CBC Winnipeg 156
Citytv Winnipeg 157
CBC Calgary 161
CBC Vancouver 166
Citytv Vancouver 167

[ReneHache]

Did Rogers change CityNews 24/7 again? Since this morning I only get the east feed (ch. 100), the west feed (ch, 108) is gone. Last week they where both gone for a day, but both back the next day.

Also I spotted 3 channels that are marked has "Flex Channel" on the channel list, but don't show up on the Flex page, CNN International, The Africa Channel and Fox Sports Racing.

[RogersMaude]

Good day @ReneHache,

Thanks for your post! CityNews 24/7 East & West were on free preview until October 31st, 2023.

Since November 1st, 2023, we no longer offer Flex Channels as part of our Ignite TV plans. Existing Flex Channels customers will continue to keep them as part of their current plan.

Were you looking to add CNN International, Africa Channel and Fox Sports Racing to your current channel lineup?

Let us know how we can further assist you! 

RogersMaude

[danno100]

Used to get Fox Sports on a felx channel now have to pay$7 a month for it.Now they have changed their packages around, added more junk channels and more$$$. No thanks..keep my flex channels for now.

[57]

The following was contained in my most recent bill:  Always scan your bill statements.

TV channel update: MTV2:

Unfortunately, the channel MTV2 will no longer be aired by the broadcaster as of March 29, 2024. As a result, it will be removed from the Music and Entertainment theme package. If you subscribe to this channel as a separate monthly service, it will be removed and you will not be charged as of this date.

If you have MTV2 selected as a Flex channel, please visit www.rogers.com/igniteflex and replace it with another available channel of your choice. You can swap Flex channels every 30 days.

The rest of your Rogers TV package will remain the same. If you have any questions or no longer wish to subscribe to your TV services, please reach out to us in any of the ways listed in the Contact Us section of this bill.

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[danno100]

They have a new package now and all the sports etc is included, I think they call it total. It's a 24 month contract with ignite and now I got my fox sports back included

[-G-]

I do not know exactly when this happened but, over the weekend, I noticed that Rogers have updated their Ignite TV bundles yet again, and the lineup now consists of "Essentials TV", "Popular TV" and "Ultimate TV".

I'm not sure what all the changes are as of yet.  With Ultimate TV, the total number of advertised channels in my area is down from 150+ to 141.  However, it also now includes 4 channels from the Super Channel theme pack.

I didn't notice any changes to Popular TV.  Both Popular and Ultimate include a subscription to Disney+ Standard with Ads.

Essentials TV replaces Starter TV and drops from 40 (or so) channels down to 31.  Looks like the major change is the removal of the US networks.  (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, etc.)

[-G-]

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@-G- wrote:

I'm not sure what all the changes are as of yet.  With Ultimate TV, the total number of advertised channels in my area is down from 150+ to 141.  However, it also now includes 4 channels from the Super Channel theme pack.

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With Ultimate TV, Rogers dropped a lot of younger viewers' channels, offset by the inclusion of Disney+.

[ReneHache]

The Exchange Flex and the Channels/Themed Pack pages seen to be broken too:

[57]

Noticed the following in my latest bill.  I'm on the "Total" plan:

We are making changes to our TV channel lineup and as a result HLN and will no longer be included in your TV package as of December 30, 2024. If you wish to continue watching this channel, contact us to subscribe to it as a standalone or as part of a theme package.

We would like to let you know that the broadcaster for NASA TV unexpectedly stopped airing this channel on August 28, 2024. As a result, it has been removed from your TV channel lineup. If you subscribed to this channel as a separate monthly service, we stopped charging you and a credit was applied to your first bill on or after September 30, 2024.

If you had NASA TV selected as a Flex channel, please visit rogers.com/flexchannels and replace it with another available channel of your choice.

[-G-]

FYI, earlier today, I posted about significant changes that will soon impact all TV service providers in Canada: https://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Rogers-Xfinity-TV/Significant-changes-to-the-Canadian-TV-lands...

Soon after, Rogers sent out an "Updates to your TV package" email concerning the Cooking Channel, which will cease broadcasting effective January 1, 2025:

We would like to share an update with you about your TV service.

Starting January 1, 2025, the Cooking Channel will no longer be aired by the broadcaster – but good news, you can continue to access your favourite Cooking Channel shows on-demand and on the Citytv+ app. You will be able to log into the Citytv+ app, at no additional cost, with your MyRogers credentials.

[ReneHache]

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@57 wrote:

We are making changes to our TV channel lineup and as a result HLN and will no longer be included in your TV package as of December 30, 2024. If you wish to continue watching this channel, contact us to subscribe to it as a standalone or as part of a theme package.

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On my last month's bill I got the same message for OutTV. A little sad, I liked cheching out that channel sometime. I have it as a Flex.

[-G-]

I saw the following message on my December bill:

TV channel update: MTV

Starting January 1, 2025, the broadcaster of MTV will stop airing this channel. As a result, it will be removed from your TV package or theme pack. If you subscribe to MTV as a standalone channel, you will no longer be charged as of this date.

If you have MTV selected as a Flex channel, please visit rogers.com/flexchannels and replace it with another available channel of your choice.

The rest of your Rogers TV package remains the same. If you have any questions or no longer wish to subscribe to your TV services, please reach out to us as indicated in the Contact Us section of this bill.

[ReneHache]

Is dropping CNN from Flex was planned? my flex count went from 86 to 85, and when I check the channel list, I saw CNN gone from the list, I know HLN was suppose to be removed, but there was no mention of CNN. Also CNN don't show up on the Channels pages either, my channel count got from 118 to 117 too.
Is it an error or Rogers planning to remove CNN completely? There was no annoucement about it, I just want my 86th Flex slot back...

[-G-]

@ReneHache I could be wrong but I cannot see Rogers dropping CNN as a Flex channel.  I suspect that the product teams are making changes backstage, preparing for the upcoming year-end/new year channel realignments, and we are bound to see "accidents" and glitches between now and then.  I also suspect that your flex channels dropping from 86 to 85 is MyRogers not knowing how to deal with some anomaly.  If the problem does not resolve itself in the next few hours, send a private message to @CommunityHelps and ask them to open a ticket with their support teams.

[ReneHache]

Possibly, I could just be an error, that they deleted by accident, I'm still subscribe to it on TV, it just don't show up on the website. Also I wonder if the new channels will be included on the Flex list, I'm guessing the rebranded ones will, but I think it could be too soon to know for the new ones. I already exchange the channels that are being shutdown/removed at the end of the year. 🙂

[-G-]

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@ReneHache wrote:

Also I wonder if the new channels will be included on the Flex list, I'm guessing the rebranded ones will, but I think it could be too soon to know for the new ones. I already exchange the channels that are being shutdown/removed at the end of the year. 🙂

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The Home Network and Flavour network have web sites up.  However, their "where to watch" pages still show "Coming Soon" next to all the major TV service providers.

https://www.homenetwork.ca/where-to-watch/

https://www.flavournetwork.ca/where-to-watch/

Corus' HGTV and Food networks are supposedly going to shut down and get replaced by Home and Flavour on December 30... and HGTV and Food won't get relaunched by Rogers until January 1.  However, the Guide still shows regularly scheduled programming on December 31.

We need to wait another day for the January 1 listings to appear in the Ignite Xfinity TV Guide... but we might also need to wait until almost the end of the year before we see the first signs of the big realignment going live.