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Guest Commentary: Comcast promises a pack of advertising lies

It’s no secret the war for consumer dollars among television providers has gotten ugly. With leaps and bounds in television technology since the turn of the century, more and more consumers are making the switch to high definition. When high-definition television channels first surfaced, the variety of programming was scarce and mostly limited to ESPN and a few local channels.

Ever since then, companies such as Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable, DirecTV and DISH Network have been scrambling to add more HD content to their lineups, and most of them have been doing a satisfactory job. As of today, Comcast – Houston’s major cable provider – offers 31 high-definition channels including local and premium selections. Though Comcast offers more HD channels, they have yet to be implemented in the Houston area.

Yesterday, I viewed a commercial Comcast has put on the air stating they have more HD channels than anyone – be they satellite or other cable companies. If the consumer does basic addition, one can see plainly this is wrong. Being a subscriber to Comcast HD service, I called its sales center last week and questioned when it would add other channels that are launching across the country or even other HD channels it already offers in other markets. I received a cold explanation that when more Houston subscribers get HD, Comcast will add more channels.

Meanwhile, Comcast’s biggest competition in Houston, DirecTV, has just launched three more HD channels, bringing their tally to 95. So how can Comcast claim it has more HD content?

Being a marketing student with a passion for advertising, I can’t wrap my head around how Comcast not only has the guts to claim its superiority, but how it can get away with it. My challenge to you readers: if you are a subscriber to HD service from Comcast, contact the company and ask why it claims what it does.

I feel like as a consumer I’m being lied to and taken advantage of. If anyone’s with me, call Comcast. If it doesn’t want to add more channels yet, fine, but don’t let the company lie to the citizens of Houston.

Burkman, a marketing senior, can be reached via [email protected].

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