RCN seems to be changing the business model of CATV. It is difficult to tell the details from their website, because they are not making a big deal about it. Conventional Cable was that you always had to buy the first tier (RCN's Signature channels) before you could purchase the higher level packages.
The way I read the website, if you are a new customer, and if you purchase internet + "limited basic" and agree to $8 increase in the 2nd and 3rd year (as opposed to $5 increase for internet only), you may now buy the second tier packages without purchasing the first tier. Second tier options include:
(A) Showtime & The Movie Channel
(B) Starz
(C) HBO and Cinemax
(D) Premiere Total Pack
(?) MLB Extra Innings® $199/season
You do not have the option of purchasing individual channels from the first tier (like Fox News or ESPN).
This option does not seem to apply to all cities.
Strangely it seems to be very subdued offering. There is no full color splashy ads to call your attention to this option.
If an RCN representative would like to comment, I am sure people would be interested. It would be nice to see some clarification of the rules (like is MLB an option). I am curious as to why it is so downplayed as it strikes me as big change.
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