So many restrictions on watching content

[kenadams17]

So, I pay for a Rogers cable subscription. I pay for the tv package which includes TSN4. I pay for a PVR and the ability to access my recorded content. I am away from my home and want to watch something I recorded on TSN4 on my laptop, yet I'm only allowed to watch it if I'm in my home using my home wi-fi?...So, you can't "watch anything, anywhere". I get it if I'm not in the country or in the province, but I'm an hour away from home and I'm not able to watch something I pay for. This kind of issue is the reason why everyone switches to fire sticks, IPTV, illegal streaming sites, etc. 

*Added Labels*

[Biollw]

Btw those restrictions are placed on the content by the broadcaster not rogers.

[Pauly]

Yeah, those restrictions are placed on the content by the broadcaster not rogers.

[57]

A bit of a clarification on what @Pauly and @Biollw stated. These restrictions are negotiated between the broadcaster and the provider.  Each provider can have different restrictions when negotiations are complete.

These restrictions can affect

- How the programmes air

- Whether they can be recorded

- Whether they're available on-demand

- Whether OD programming can be FF.

- Where they can be watched geographically

- Quality of video and audio streams

- Whether the programme can be streamed and where

- Whether "restart" is available

- Etc.

Some providers may have different restrictions on different programmes. For example, Bell may "favour" their owned channels and Rogers theirs providing additional capabilities, etc.  The more capabilities, the higher the cost to the provider.  They do a cost/benefit analysis to determine these capabilities.  For example, if very few people watch in a particular manner, the provider will not pay for that capability.

[kenadams17]

okay, whoever is in charge, stop it.

[rdwoof]

Rogers also restricts watching certain content (NFL games) if you have your modem setup in BRIGE mode.  When you use a third party router (which is required if you want to do any port forwarding and remapping as the Rogers modem has terrible functionality) you can only use the $12/month STB.  You cannot use your tablet, laptop or desktop.  Why? Why? Why?  My brother has Bell and he did not even need to be in the house for him to watch the Superbowl on his phone.  

[57]

@rdwoof : The whys are outlined in my post - 2 posts up from yours.

You could have watched the Superbowl (TSN5 - a TV Go Channel) on any device, provided you were within Canada.  If you're outside your home, you are restricted to TV Go channels, however, your router has no effect if you're not at home.

First I've heard that there are restrictions if you use your own router.  If you temporarily disconnect your router, can you watch on devices in Rogers default configuration?

Certain non-standard configurations can certainly stop certain functionality.  For example, a VPN would stop all but TV Go channels and if the VPN is outside Canada, it would stop everything.

[rdwoof]

@57  - your "whys" do not explain why Bell has negotiated better streaming options or why Rogers does not support other home modems.  When you are using a non-Rogers modem, your IP address is still your Rogers assigned home IP address and the internet connection is still through the Rogers gateway.  This restriction could be addressed.

I call tech support twice to resolve this issue (could not watch the NFL on CTV) and neither representative mentioned TSN5 as an option.   Obviously I should have used this form vs. customer support.  Frustrating.  Also, I cannot verify that your suggestion would have solved the issue (as you were not aware of the issue until you commented on my post).

I would have thought that a good percentage of users would be using their own much more capable modem vs. the limited basic Rogers modem.  It is unfortunate that Rogers considers this a "non-standard configuration" and does not fully support home streaming under this configuration.  I guess that is the difference between Bell and Rogers.  Bell is a technology company that wants to give you a full home internet solution and Rogers is an entertainment company that wants to keep you inside their restrictive ecosystem.

[Pauly]

do people forget how TV started? we had no choice to watch TV in our home,   yes things have opened up a bit, but just because new technologies like netflix and amazon have very little geolocation restriction, does not automatically mean TV will automatically become that way.  TV was negotiated on being a fixed platform, it will probably take a long time or changes needed in the telecommunications industry to change this.  don't blame rogers nor bell, they did not make the rules.