Time Warner's 'Conversation' Website Ditches All Comments; The Conversation Is Just Them To You

from the that's-not-a-conversation dept

Fri, Jan 11th 2013 2:59pm — Mike Masnick

Last summer, we talked about a site that Time Warner Cable had launched called Time Warner Cable Conversations, which it insisted would be a "conversation" between it and the public. As they put it, the goal was "to interact with our customers and to contribute to the on-going conversation about cable." Except... as we noted at the time, they didn't seem to want to discuss what most customers wanted to talk about. The "conversation" was limited to discussions about TV network deals, just as they were fighting with Time Warner Cable about how much the various networks would cost. If anyone wanted to "converse" about things they didn't like about Time Warner Cable, such as it's super low data caps, too bad. The comments on the site were limited and heavily moderated. Even friendly discussions about data caps were rejected.

And, now, it appears that TWC has decided to make the "conversation" even less of a "conversation." It has removed the ability to comment altogether. So, it's no longer a "conversation." It's just a marketing brochure.

This week we checked back and discovered the dialogue had decidedly turned one-way: namely from Time Warner Cable to you. The company deleted the few views that were published on cable television programming costs and removed its comment section altogether.

Of course, this is how companies like TWC view "a conversation." They talk. You shut up and listen.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: broadband, comments, conversation, data caps
Companies: time warner cable

38 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Anonymous Coward, 11 Jan 2013 @ 3:05pm

They keep using that word...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- That One Guy (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 3:13pm
  
  Sorry, couldn't resist
  I do not think it means what they think it means.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Not an Electronic Rodent (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 4:00pm
    
    Re: Sorry, couldn't resist
    Inconceivable!
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Rich, 11 Jan 2013 @ 5:21pm
      
      Re: Re: Sorry, couldn't resist
      No more rhythms, I mean it!
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
      - Anonymous Coward, 11 Jan 2013 @ 5:46pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Sorry, couldn't resist
        Anybody want a peanut? (It had to be said...)
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        DMCA Bot, 11 Jan 2013 @ 10:00pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Sorry, couldn't resist
        Scanning ... warning, unauthorized public performance detected ... copyright infringed! Lumping all participants into a single lawsuit in 3...2....1...
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
        
        Anonymous Coward, 12 Jan 2013 @ 12:25am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Sorry, couldn't resist
        I'm sorry. You can't do that because I AM THE LAW, DROKKER!!!
        [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Aria Company (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 3:25pm

"They talk. You shut up and lxsxex torrent."
I felt a correction was necessary.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
MrWilson, 11 Jan 2013 @ 3:28pm

The obvious truth is that no one would need to have a conversation with Time Warner if they were just doing their jobs as good little consumers and using up their pittances of data allowances and paying their overage bills on time (or early!). Ask not what the company can do for you, but how much more you can pay to the company.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
PlagueSD (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 3:29pm

They're a broadcast company...What do you expect?

They broadcast...If you don't like it, go somewhere else. Oh wait, they have Zone monopolies so if you want to change providers, you have to move to a different area.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- DannyB (profile), 14 Jan 2013 @ 8:17am
  
  Re:
  > They broadcast...If you don't like it, go somewhere else.
  
  People are. Cable cutting is on the rise.
  
  We're doing it next month. There's nothing to watch. We'll get rid of an expensive bill, plus the bill for three TiVo's. The bills for subscribing to other internet based streaming, and even a few redbox rentals a month will be much less.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Jan 2013 @ 3:30pm

A conversation assumes they are willing to listen, and accept criticism. These are not skills required of senior people, who learn to just say yes sir until they reach the top. Customer service people are trained to follow a script. All this make holding a real conversation difficult, so get rid of the comments.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Trails (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 3:33pm

Actually it's even simpler...
They're yelling in an empty room. No one listening, no one to shut up, just echo and dust.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
McCrea (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 4:17pm

Not much to say.
So, now it's similar to a Facebook page. No dislike button, no matter what they put up. Okay, we (sadly) got used to that years ago.

They do provide my service, and I do love to complain, but the bottom line is that the service is better than Verizon or satellite. Whether or not I can comment on some website doesn't change that. *shrug*
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Zos (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 4:46pm
  
  Re: Not much to say.
  i recently had WOW expand into my area, offering me better speed, no caps, no 6 strikes sign ons, and ten bucks cheaper.
  
  I took great pleasure in making the time warner retention specialist cry, and eventually admit that he had nothing whatsoever to offer me that would offset his company being run by evil d-bags.
  
  I was not impressed by his offer of ten bucks less a month, especially after the dmca nastygrams threatening my service (before i got a proxy).
  
  Vote with your feet if at all possible.
  
  And watch the sneaky pricks. Before cutting their service entirely we'd cut the tv cord about a year before, just going to internet service. A few weeks later i get a call asking if they could come "verify that i was getting the speed i was supposed to be". I'm thinking, well that's odd, since i haven't called lately to complain about them throttling me, but sure.
  
  So this guy shows up, and asks to be shown to a computer to run a speed test. i take him over to the wifes wireless lap top, across the house from the nearest router, getting maybe 2 bars, (with utorrent running) where he proceeds to go to speedtest.net and run a quick up/down (now mind you, once again, this was supposed to be a TECHNICIAN, who had just walked in and run a speed test on an obviously WIRELESS device, to convince me that i was getting the speed they prommised, (obviously i was not, with everything else going on the connection)
  
  Note anything stupid there? I kind of assumed it was a cover for a home invasion and had a 38 on him when he turned around, and i invited him to explain just what the fuck exactly he was doing in my house and what was really going on.
  
  Turns out he'd been sent out to pitch me to come back to their tv service, had no technical training whatsoever and was simply there to sell me on coming back. he left rather quickly after that, i think he needed to change pants. apparently no one had ever called him on this bullshit before.
  
  it's a bad neighborhood, home invasions happen a lot around here. the whole set up seemed pretty shady, even before i found out he was a fucking schill. if they'd put that much effort in to making sure my connection actually worked maybe they'd have more satisfied customers.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Anonymous Coward, 11 Jan 2013 @ 5:50pm
    
    Re: Re: Not much to say.
    I love happy endings...
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Hephaestus (profile), 12 Jan 2013 @ 1:22am
    
    Re: Re: Not much to say.
    Truth be told I would be better off in my area with DSL. One third the cost and I only download upgrades and some Youtube videos.
    
    Someone should create a site. Am I better off with DSL? .com
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Pitabred (profile), 12 Jan 2013 @ 12:16pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Not much to say.
      I actually get better service with DSL in my neighborhood. Youtube on Comcast was hit and miss, always buffering. CenturyLink is much more reliable and stead, even if the top speed isn't as high.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Jan 2013 @ 4:55pm

"It's just a marketing brochure."

It's propaganda, the only thing government established media outlets ever deliver.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
PRMan, 11 Jan 2013 @ 5:12pm

Data caps
As of 10/1/12, no data caps could be found:

http://gigaom.com/2012/10/01/data-caps-chart/

I'm certainly not aware of any super low data caps...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Wally (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 7:59pm
  
  Re: Data caps
  Yes but their six strikes policy in the US, they will be landing users on a web page containing anti piracy propaganda, force you to watch an antipiracy video, and repeat steps one and two for EACH CLICK ON A LINK YOU MAKE....just for using a BitTorrent legitimately or not.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - gorehound (profile), 12 Jan 2013 @ 4:46am
    
    Re: Re: Data caps
    Slime Warner licking the Boots of MAFIAA !
    Get yourself on a VPN
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Anonymous Coward, 12 Jan 2013 @ 8:26am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Data caps
      Until you get directed to an antipiracy page for using a VPN.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 12 Jan 2013 @ 2:03pm
  
  Re: Data caps
  I'm pretty sure it depends on the market. My ATT doesn't have a cap and I imagine that's only because they have 5 competitors for my business.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Wally (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 7:54pm

Services
I'm willing to bet the only reason they got rid of user comments is because they were tired of hearing how poor their services really are. Well here goes....

Time Warner Cable, I'm going to lay it on you hard. Your services suck, you're technicians suck, and you charge WAAAY TOO DAMN MUCH for just wanting an Internet Connection without cable or phone...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Ed C., 11 Jan 2013 @ 9:20pm
  
  Re: Services
  Despite some of the troubles I've had with TW, including charging modem rental fees while I was still under a 12 month agreement that included the modem for free, they are still far better in every respect than Insight. Hell, now that I'm looking to move, when I call about a property I have to ask who the provider in their area is just so I can avoid being stuck with Insight again. They are just THAT bad.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Zos (profile), 11 Jan 2013 @ 9:44pm
    
    Re: Re: Services
    there was your first mistake. never take their crappy refurb rental equipment.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 12 Jan 2013 @ 12:31am

Of course, this is how companies like TWC view "a conversation." They talk. You shut up and pay.

FTFY
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Josef Anvil (profile), 12 Jan 2013 @ 2:40am

The title of this article suggests that someone confused the words broadband and broadcast.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Wolfy, 12 Jan 2013 @ 5:26am

I, too have noticed that the prices for the most basic internet service have sky-rocketed... I used to pay $60 for cable tv...and the cost would creep up with no warning. I had enough of that and cut the cable. I got internet only for about $25/mo. (Mine's the second from the bottom tier speed-wise)... WOW bought out the company, and now my internet bill is... wait for it... $60/mo. I wrote them a letter reminding them all they're doing for me is giving me a open pipe... they shouldn't be trying to charge me for the content I get through it. And people wonder why assault weapons are so sought-after.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
vegetaman (profile), 12 Jan 2013 @ 11:42am

As usual, the word "conversation" really means "a one sided lecture".
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
E G Nyquist (profile), 12 Jan 2013 @ 1:43pm

Screw Time Warner. Municipalities should pay attention to; I am not alone in being one of the people to check what internet is available when deciding on a place to live. Time Warner is #1 on my "No chance in hell" list.

If they want to encourage tech-savvy people to move in, local governments would be wise to encourage competitors to enter the local market.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Tex Arcana (profile), 12 Jan 2013 @ 9:41pm

Now THIS is a good reason for a DDoS...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 13 Jan 2013 @ 8:21pm
  
  Re:
  And basically cut off services for other users....no, a DDoS is not the solution. More like see how long it lasts.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
private, 27 Mar 2013 @ 5:51pm

WE BUY HOUSES - American Property Buyers
TV network deals, just as they were fighting with Time Warner Cable about how much the various networks would cost.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
DANIEL, 26 Jul 2013 @ 5:33pm

CHANNEL DROP
I WILL SAY THIS TO A COMPANY THAT DOES NOT DESERVE ANYMORE THAN WAT THEY GET HOW DARE YOU TRY TO TAKE AWAY OUR NETWORK CBS CHANNEL TWO BECAUSE YOU WANT MORE MONEY EVERY YEAR IT IS THE SAME BS WITH YOU THREATING US CUSTOMERS WITH TAKING AWAY A CHANNEL OR ITS PROGRAMMING I FIND THIS VERY DISCCUSTING AND VERY WRONG MY LAST NOTE ON THIS MATTER IS IF I HAD ANOTHER CABLE NETWORK TO GO TOO I WOULD DROP TIMEWARNER LIKE FLY
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Aug 2013 @ 5:16pm

twc sux
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Jack (profile), 5 Aug 2013 @ 10:35pm

They Ain't Fooling Anyone
I get TWC in NYC and I have no doubt that TWC and CBS are totally in cahoots right now. This is about the 4th or 5th time TWC has announced that this channel or that one was demanding a huge price increase and told us how they were fighting for us, their wonderful customers.

This is the first time there was an actual service disruption. Not sure how the others were rectified but I imagine TWC and the channel involved agreed to a lower increase and both claimed to have won a victory for their subscribers. We paid a lower increase and were supposed to breathe a sigh of relief.

I see this as the same scam V2. TWC and CBS are accusing each other of outrageous demands. In the end, there will be a huge compromise, again both will claim a victory for their subscribers and we will pay.

This time we will be expected to be happy that our service is back, the threatened rate increases will be lower and then the other shoe will drop...right on our heads.

All the other broadcast networks will get the same increases as CBS and we wwill pay again. As I said, they ain�t fooling anyone.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]