2016 Team Challenge Cup - Gen Info/Pre-chat

[temadd]

As usual I think the price point is too high for one competition... I've been saying this pretty consistently but I think the powers that be do not have a realistic idea of what the average person will pay to watch one (non top level) competition. Sometimes they even charge more than what it would cost to buy tickets to see the event in person (though that's certainly not the case here). Compounding this problem is the fact that sites that charge almost invariably don't even have great streaming. I also think it's crappy that they are trying to charge season subscribers more for this competition. Basically I encourage people to just say no.

I agree. Just say no. With all the problems that icenetwork has had this season they should pay us. I'd rather wait and watch on youtube than pay another 10 bucks.

 

[semosk8tfan]

I emailed IN at their feedback account and it came back because they are over their quota, which I take to mean they have created a lot of backlash. They won't get another dime out of me

 

[demarinis5]

IN needs to fix their darn transmission problems before charging extra for this event. Case in point, some folks had so much trouble with IN
while watching Worlds. IN transmits from the US but the foreign feeds worked better and were free.
They really are ridiculous.

 

[tulosai]

IN needs to fix their darn transmission problems before charging extra for this event. Case in point, some folks had so much trouble with IN
while watching Worlds. IN transmits from the US but the foreign feeds worked better and were free.
They really are ridiculous.

Yes it was quite a few years ago but I actually stopped subscribing to IN because for every event but US Nats, there was always a better, clearer, more reliable stream that was free and very often that was legal/not geoblocked too. It truly saddens me every year to hear that it doesn't seem their service has improved. I don't live in the USA now but when/if I do again I'd be definitely open to resubscribing IF the stream were actually any good, but it just doesn't look like they care about making that happen- they seem to have the idea that they're a monopoly so they can do whatever they want (even though with the ready availability of other streams this has little basis in fact).

 

[sabinfire]

What the...? As a current IN subscriber, I need to pay $9.99 to access this one event?

 

[TwinnerA]

What the...? As a current IN subscriber, I need to pay $9.99 to access this one event?

I don't think so. If you look at the 2015-2016 Figure Skating Season Pass, the complete events list includes Team Challenge Cup.

 

[sabinfire]

I don't think so. If you look at the 2015-2016 Figure Skating Season Pass, the events list includes Team Challenge Cup.

But if you look at the TCC subscription page, it says:

http://ww2.icenetwork.com/subscribe/

Current Subscribers
On Sale Now $9.99

Non-Subscribers
On Sale Now $19.99

 

[TwinnerA]

But if you look at the TCC subscription page, it says:

http://ww2.icenetwork.com/subscribe/

Current Subscribers
On Sale Now $9.99

Non-Subscribers
On Sale Now $19.99

I know. I did see that, but it clearly has Team Challenge Cup listed on the Season Pass list of events, so which is it? I am going to hold off paying it until I know for sure.

 

[andromache]

I have an IN subscription, but now at the end of the season IN is trying to make me pay extra for the last event?

I'll watch it on a free stream. You're not getting more of my money for a product I've already paid for, IN.

 

[andromache]

I don't think so. If you look at the 2015-2016 Figure Skating Season Pass, the complete events list includes Team Challenge Cup.

It looks like they promised us one thing and are now trying to scam us. I'm hoping the backlash makes them reconsider.

 

[sabinfire]

The new article IceNetwork posted seems pretty clear on this:

http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2016/04/06/166621230

"Subscriptions to the 2016 KOSÉ Team Challenge Cup are now on sale. Current icenetwork subscribers can get access to live and on-demand video from the event for $9.99. Non-subscribers can purchase a subscription to the Team Challenge Cup for $19.99. Go here to purchase your subscription today!"

 

[Mrs. P]

I just got the email stating that the subscription is separate. I don't really understand the logic. World Team Trophy wasn't separate why is this event?

 

[apgold]

I don't subscribe to IN and am glad I don't - I did a few seasons back and found it a waste of money since everything I watched wound up on YT sooner or later.

What a load of BS to ask your loyal customers/subscribers to pay extra for one event when their stream isn't known for its reliability in the first place. They have a lot of nerve but are probably desperate for the extra streaming revenue. I'd love to know what their customer churn rate is.

 

[Moxiejan]

So it seems that TCC has its own separate price tag to watch on icenetwork

http://ww2.icenetwork.com/subscribe/

On that very same page is a link to the season subscription and a list of events included. It DOES list the challenge cup as being included:

http://ww2.icenetwork.com/schedule/current_season/2016

 

[tulosai]

On that very same page is a link to the season subscription and a list of events included. It DOES list the challenge cup as being included:

http://ww2.icenetwork.com/schedule/current_season/2016

They seem to be pulling a bait and switch.

 

[jenaj]

They seem to be pulling a bait and switch.

I guess they thought people wouldn't notice. If it was part of the package they sold when they sold the subscriptions, I think they should have to offer it without charge. Class action, anyone?

 

[Moxiejan]

I guess they thought people wouldn't notice. If it was part of the package they sold when they sold the subscriptions, I think they should have to offer it without charge. Class action, anyone?

I just got off the phone with them (actually, two phone calls) & was told the email was sent to everyone as a "mistake"; the only subscribers who have to pay the $9.99 are those who signed up only for the speed-skating package. Those of us who have the figure-skating package don't have to pay extra.

I told the agent that both the email and the website are very confusing and that many paid subscribers on figure-skating forums are quite upset and already discussing a class-action lawsuit. I recommended that Ice Network immediately issue a new email to clarify the situation & also immediately edit its website to more accurately describe the fee structure. (You can tell that I'm a retired newspaper reporter.)

So, stay tuned. We shall see if they take my advice,

 

[andromache]

I just got off the phone with them (actually, two phone calls) & was told the email was sent to everyone as a "mistake"; the only subscribers who have to pay the $9.99 are those who signed up only for the speed-skating package. Those of us who have the figure-skating package don't have to pay extra.

I told the agent that both the email and the website are very confusing and that many paid subscribers on figure-skating forums are quite upset and already discussing a class-action lawsuit. I recommended that Ice Network immediately issue a new email to clarify the situation & also immediately edit its website to more accurately describe the fee structure. (You can tell that I'm a retired newspaper reporter.)

So, stay tuned. We shall see if they take my advice,

"Mistake." Lol. Nice backtrack, Icenetwork.

 

[TMC]

I just got the email stating that the subscription is separate. I don't really understand the logic. World Team Trophy wasn't separate why is this event?

They realised they didn't sell enough tickets to cover the costs?

 

[Moxiejan]

"Mistake." Lol. Nice backtrack, Icenetwork.

Because, really, why would a speed-skating subscriber purchase just this one random figure-skating event? Makes no sense.

I think they totally figured that we would all just blindly subscribe & not click the link to "subscriber" events that they had on THE VERY SAME PAGE!