my cable provider has also let me know that my system (TiVo w/ cablecard) will be obsolete after August 31, 2022. nothing to do except ditch my TiVo (2 of them) and start streaming (YouTube or other...?)... really bums me out... no alternative that i can think of...

 

August 22? Was that in writing or in speaking to someone from Spectrum?

 

There have been several reports similar but then when people talked to the cable card experts at Spectrum they were told that isn't true. Who knows

 

Yesterday I wrote the FCC about this, and today I got a call from Spectrum. The woman was not familiar with Tivo or any other technology, but she confirmed that they will stop supporting the cable cards. When I asked her when, she said that it would be in the near future, but that there's no date yet.

 

If Spectrum (or anyone) decides to sunset cable card devices, they must have data showing that a majority of their TiVo customers will just sigh and convert to using one or more cableco supplied set top boxes (and its monthly lease billing).

Or they're just being stupid. Sometimes it's difficult to tell. How can you assess the sanity of a service that keeps shedding subscribers and compensating to appease shareholders by raising rates on those who remain, driving even more of them away? I wonder if Netflix, who is now threatening to do the same, is paying attention.

Either way, if they dump cablecards I will no longer use their cable TV package for which I am currently paying about $150/month (plus $75 for Internet). I will keep the internet, but their $1,800 annual revenue from my cable TV use will be gone. I can get all the streaming services I can eat for $1,800 a year.

I've been staying with them mostly from inertia and the familiarity and ease for me and my family of having used TiVo products for about twenty years (currently a Roamio Pro and four Minis), but that would push me fully into the "I stream everything now" camp. I already own enough streaming hardware that I don't need to buy more (for now, of course).

 

I put in Spectrum internet and at the time I was using Layer3 TV which became TVision. A box and DVR. Video quality was superior to this QAM 256 encrypted stuff from Spectrum. TVision died as a service. I had it for 3 years. Now we have used an Edge 2T, cable card & TA. Have to fiddle with the incoming level from spectrum to the TA to get it reasonably stable. For the most part it works fine to the Sony 4K Set. Could use some more Apps but then I have a Roku if we need more streaming. The wife drives the Edge quite nicely. I really wanted the OTA Edge but was out voted. So may the cable card stick around for a few more years. I hope so.

 

Thanks, everyone. I love my Tivo and my wife is mostly indifferent, but likes the ability to have at least the Netflix and Prime apps on it. She just can't get used to the idea of changing inputs to get to our Firestick.

When they pull the plug on the cablecard, I'm pretty resigned to the thought that I'll have to experiment with our only other cable provider, Hawaiian Telcom. For the price, they offer better internet speeds and my friends seem to be happy with the dvr performance. They've never had Tivo, so they can only compare it to Spectrum hardware. One thing that I'll be happy about is eliminating the dance to get the TA synced and the MOCA connection to my mini.

 

I saw this the other day and put in some inquiries with some folks I know at Spectrum. I was told that yes, the cable cards are on their way out but that a date will depend on some contract negotiations that are underway even as we speak. I was also told that cablecard is about three precent of Spectrum's overall video business, so it is seriously considering whether or not it is worth continuing. For this household, a loss of Tivo on Spectrum would mean that we immediately drop all Spectrum services, as their DVR service is nothing less than pathetic. We would probably go back to DirecTV (as expensive as it is) as it has IMHO the most stable DVRs in the (shrinking) business.

 

I've felt for the last couple years that if my current Tivo died I probably wouldn't replace it, so if/when Spectrum drops cable card support that would probably be the end of Tivo for me as well. IIRC Spectrum has a package where you can get local channels plus 15 channels of your choice via streaming; I could fit just about everything I currently watch into that. I'd probably also look at just getting local channels via OTA & getting everything else via Apple TV apps, but in that case I'd be looking for cheaper ways to record OTA channels.

 

IIRC Spectrum has a package where you can get local channels plus 15 channels of your choice via streaming;

Anyone know anything more about this package? I can't find it on their site.

 

Dear Spectrum Customer,​

You are currently paying a monthly fee for one or more CableCARDs. A CableCARD is a one-way card device - about the size of a credit card - that allows access to TV services. As we continue to upgrade our networks and technology, CableCARDs will not be compatible with future service upgrades for some time. We have other options for you to consider that will enhance your TV viewing experience, including providing you DVR functionality and access to thousands of Video On Demand options. Avoid the monthly fee of a CableCARD by taking advantage of one of the below: 50% off Apple TV*** (not available for pick-up in stores) Free Spectrum Receiver for 24 months* In addition, we are offering free Cloud DVR services for 24 months! ** With Spectrum's Cloud DVR service, you can record your favorite TV programs and watch them remotely from your devices. To learn more about these offers or if you no longer require your CableCARD(s), call us at 866-532-2598 or stop by your local Spectrum Store. Visit Spectrum.com/stores for locations. We will remove any monthly CableCARD fee from your account. You do not need to return your CableCARD(s) to Spectrum.​

 

Dear Spectrum Customer,​

​ You are currently paying a monthly fee for one or more CableCARDs. A CableCARD is a one-way card device - about the size of a credit card - that allows access to TV services. As we continue to upgrade our networks and technology, CableCARDs will not be compatible with future service upgrades for some time. We have other options for you to consider that will enhance your TV viewing experience, including providing you DVR functionality and access to thousands of Video On Demand options. Avoid the monthly fee of a CableCARD by taking advantage of one of the below:​ 50% off Apple TV*** (not available for pick-up in stores) Free Spectrum Receiver for 24 months* In addition, we are offering free Cloud DVR services for 24 months! ** With Spectrum's Cloud DVR service, you can record your favorite TV programs and watch them remotely from your devices. To learn more about these offers or if you no longer require your CableCARD(s), call us at 866-532-2598 or stop by your local Spectrum Store. Visit Spectrum.com/stores for locations. We will remove any monthly CableCARD fee from your account. You do not need to return your CableCARD(s) to Spectrum.​

Yup, I just got this email and I'm livid. I don't know what other choices are good or not good, but I need something other than just live tv. In addition, they didn't give an effective date for this. I have shows on both of my Tivos and don't know if they will just disappear or I can at least view them.

I feel like I need a lot of help with this. I do have a Spectrum store nearby. I don't get why they can't just continue with it.

 

Thanks for that info, Steven! I'm really just gobsmacked by this as, last I heard locally in my market, this was not even a thing.

Tomorrow I am going to be in the strip mall where a Spectrum store is, so I think I'll stop in after I get my shot at the Safeway store.

 

I just got the spectrum email as well about the cable card. It isn't clear what they are going to do or when. It is very frustrating! I hope that there will be some definitive information soon. I would go completely to stream and if it weren't for local sports.

 

I got a similar email as well (about an hour & a half ago, St Louis area). I didn't get offered a discounted Apple TV, just a free Spectrum receiver for 2 years, but as I already have 2 Apple TVs I wouldn't have bought another one anyway.

It's annoyingly vague about the future plans for cable card support. For now, I plan to do nothing.

 

I just got the email as well. I think it's funny that they say they don't want the cable cards back. Doesn't say anything about the tuning adapter, though, which would be more of a hassle to return (our local Spectrum store closed several years back).

The Apple TV offer is interesting, especially considering this: How to control your Apple TV with a TiVo remote

Thankfully, when the time comes, I can just switch the Bolt to antenna, which is 80% of what we watch anyway. If it weren't for sports, I would've likely cut the cord a long time ago.

 

I just got the email as well. I think it's funny that they say they don't want the cable cards back. Doesn't say anything about the tuning adapter, though, which would be more of a hassle to return (our local Spectrum store closed several years back).

The Apple TV offer is interesting, especially considering this: How to control your Apple TV with a TiVo remote

Thankfully, when the time comes, I can just switch the Bolt to antenna, which is 80% of what we watch anyway. If it weren't for sports, I would've likely cut the cord a long time ago.

I had no idea the ATV4K was that versatile in terms of learning non-Apple remotes. Thanks.

In exchange, I'll point out a 'hidden' ATV4K remote feature I just love: You're watching a show, and miss a bit of dialog. Hit the mike button on the Apple remote and say "What did she say?" and the device will rewind 20 seconds, turn on closed captioning, play back that 20 seconds of rewound video, then turn off closed captioning. It's magical.

 

Thanks, Doug! I do have a Firestick and Roku. I'm making notes on what channels I need for what I record to see what all I'd have to subscribe to, to continue getting that content. It's probably cheaper to drop HBO and SHO and stream those. I mostly use HBO and have their streaming for free, since I currently subscribe to HBO.

I saw something online (maybe it was old info, at least I hope) that the Spectrum dvr only has one tuner. I cannot imagine that at this point, so I REALLY hope it's wrong if I take that route.

I really have to have tv as it's about the only thing that keeps me halfway sane with all I'm dealing with these days. I keep reruns of certain shows on hand for evening viewing. It's the only thing that gets me outside of my head, which is where I absolutely have to spend time each day. I pay them a lot of money each month and if there was a viable choice I would leave. Just for cable, landline, and internet, it's about $297 a month, having just gone up by over $20 recently. Thanks. Charge me more and take away some of the service.

 

@sharkster Do you have any non TiVo streaming devices? If so, your easiest path may be to take the 24 month cloud DVR option and use the Spectrum app. If you're open to other approaches, YouTube TV, DirecTV streaming, and others may work as well.

I use the Spectrum app for a few channels as I refuse to use the tuning adapter. Haven't used the Cloud DVR but the app itself works "OK". It ain't TiVo.

 

I haven't seen an email yet. Will be interesting to see how widespread this is.

 

It would be helpful if people who got the email mentioned what part of the country or what state they live in. This may or may not be rolled out to major cities for a while.

But it is coming. I think most of us knew that when the FCC dropped the cable card requirement.

 

St. Louis here.

 

I do wonder about this in general. If these early locations end up representing a critical mass of CableCard users, would Spectrum then just cut everyone off at once as any support effort begins to outweigh any benefit to them.

(Random musings as I listen to a customer not understanding why they won't receive finalized engineering deliverables at contract signing.)

 

I do wonder about this in general. If these early locations end up representing a critical mass of CableCard users, would Spectrum then just cut everyone off at once as any support effort begins to outweigh any benefit to them.

It is an interesting wonder. I would certainly expect that at some point Charter will make the call (and drop everyone), because the remainders are so small, but will they front load all the CableCARD cancellation work long before they are ready for high-split in most locations? We will know a lot more when Charter starts sending out hard drop dead date emails across their footprint (if the masters of this board feel a great disturbance in the force as all Charter TiVo-ites suddenly cry out and are then silenced at once, we will have our answer).

 

If Spectrum drops cable cards, our household will drop Spectrum and TiVos and go to streaming plus Channels DVR. It is not worth paying all of these cable boxes with little DVR flexibility.

 

As we know, there is no FCC rule anymore that Charter has to support CableCARD. They can give any explanation/excuse they want why they are pulling the plug. I recently moved from a small town that Charter is the provider and right before the move, I received a letter from them that they are discontinuing CableCARD support. I moved to another small town where Comcast is the provider and no issues with CableCARD here. Thank goodness I am done with balky Motorola tuning adapters.

 

Interest replies, answered most of my questions before I had to ask. I have a Premier Series 4 w/ lifetime subscription so I am not looking forward to losing this. I have kept this box because it has OTA capability. Spectrum is the only cable provider in my area. I did get the email and a hard copy letter also. I have been thinking about going to OTA only because my basic cable cost has risen to $120/mo which I think is outrageous. My household watches about 3 hrs/day which is mostly news. But we record a lot of cable-only programs for viewing at other times.

Is OTA my only option for using Tivo if they do drop the cablecard? Will I still be able to use Season Pass on OTA? Guess I better start looking for a way to set up an antenna.

For those attracted to the Apple TV offer, be aware that all the good stuff on an ATV is on their subscription TV+ service. I use my ATV primarily to stream other services (Netflix and others) but when I want to watch a weekend news program like Face the Nation or Meet the Press the stream is broken into segments and those segments are in reverse order, so when a particular segment ends the ATV jumps to the next earlier segment. This is very annoying to me. If I was willing to watch from end to beginning then it works, it's just that the presentation is 'backwards'. I have never used the Spectrum app on my ATV so can't say if it is useful or not.

 

Is OTA my only option for using Tivo if they do drop the cablecard? Will I still be able to use Season Pass on OTA?

Yes and yes. Recorded older material should continue to be playable.

 

I am just going to add for the lucky St. Louis customers. Pure speculation.. but this has been generally true in the past.
Charter Cable (now Spectrum) was founded in St. Louis. Traditionally St Louis gets things first as a kind of beta test.

St. Louis go the first (or one of the first few) high bandwidth services at no upcharge.
Makes sense to me that we will be "lucky" and get to beta test the "confiscation" of cable cards.
Managers ar Charter stores in the St Louis Metro may get training and then teach others.
Training: "Throw cablecard in trash bin. Offer mobile service."

 

I just got a phone call from a strange 866 number. They left no message. I googled it and it said Time Warner cablecard support. I was completely dumbfounded as to why Time Warner cablecard support would be calling me until I remembered they might be part of Spectrum now. I'm guessing it was either to follow up on yesterday's e-mail, or something more threatening to pressure me by telling me they'll be turning me off by a certain date.

 

They've been talking about Bally Sports offering a stand-alone streaming package for Cardinals games for a couple of years now. The impression was it's getting close and there was even a recent story that it's expected to cost about $20/month.

Edit:

Sinclair’s Bally Sports streaming service won’t arrive until summer

Sinclair’s planned Bally Sports direct-to-consumer streaming app—which will feature live games from five MLB teams—likely won’t arrive until this summer. | Sinclair’s planned Bally Sports direct-to-consumer streaming app—which will feature live games from five MLB teams—likely won’t arrive until...

www.fiercevideo.com

No Cardinals. They pick the five teams with no demand so they can justify not rolling it out for other teams. Somebody is definitely dragging their feet. I think they'll keep the Cardinals exclusively on Spectrum and DirecTV until enough people simply refuse to keep paying those services; then they'll roll out direct-to-customer streaming.

 

They've been talking about Bally Sports offering a stand-alone streaming package for Cardinals games for a couple of years now. The impression was it's getting close and there was even a recent story that it's expected to cost about $20/month.

No Cardinals. They pick the five teams with no demand so they can justify not rolling it out for other teams. Somebody is definitely dragging their feet. I think they'll keep the Cardinals exclusively on Spectrum and DirecTV until enough people simply refuse to keep paying those services; then they'll roll out direct-to-customer streaming.

NESN in Boston apparently beat out Bally for stand-alone streaming Red Sox and Bruins games.

Boston’s NESN Offers Break From Cable Bundle With Streaming Service Launch

NESN 360 will stream live Red Sox and Bruins games, and cost $30 per month.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

Boston’s NESN, the regional sports network that televises Red Sox and Bruins games, will be the first RSN to offer its full slate of programming directly to consumers through a streaming service, allowing them to bypass the pay-TV bundle.

 

Indeed...the Spectrum receiver has the Cable Card functions embedded in it. But I've found them almost as much hassle to activate as a Cable Card ever was!

 

Here is the transcript of my chat w/ Spectrum Support today:

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Spectrum. I see you have questions about hardware. Please give me a moment to review your information.
To get started, may I please verify your full address including zip code.
Michael ****, 2036 *** DR NE, ***, MN, **
Thank you. One moment please while I search that address.
How can I help?
I have received 2 e-mails about cablecard support ending, but none say when, and it is unclear why I am receiving this information. Do you have more detail as to how long my cable card will continue to operate?
If you are receiving the email it could be just one mass email to inform everyone.
I will check your account to see if you have anything pertaining to a cable card.
well, the e-mail seems more of a marketing type e-mail than a service update, but it is cause for concern
Alright let's take a look.
I can assure you, if Spectrum removes support for Cable Cards, i will cease being a Spectrum customer and will get my internet from elsewhere, and use a streaming service.
I understand. One moment.
Alright so I see where you have a Tuning adaptor which may be the reason you received the email.
I have a tuning adapter and a cablecard
We have discontinued them and they will no longer be available.
I run a TiVo on Spectrum TV service, have for more than 20 years
Right tivo will be cable card.
currently, have a TiVo Roamio with a cable card
The little small box that piggy backs off of the big box will be the tuning adapter.
so, the question is, when will these mentioned "service updates" take place that will render my TiVo useless?
I am aware about what the hardware I have is, and what it does
The text of the e-mail i received says this:
Dear Spectrum Customer, As a reminder, you are currently paying a monthly fee for one or more CableCARDs. A CableCARD is a one-way card device - about the size of a credit card - that allows access to TV services. As we continue to upgrade our networks and technology, CableCARDs will not be compatible with future service upgrades for some time. We have other options for you to consider that will enhance your TV viewing experience, including providing you DVR functionality and access to thousands of Video On Demand options.
2:28 PM
so, I am asking, WHEN?
it is the most horribly worded message ever: "...CableCARDs will not be compatible with future service upgrades for some time."
what exactly does that mean?
One moment and I will provide you with a when the system will change over.
June 14 at 2:32 PM
Still looking into this for you, thank you for your patience.
would prefer a true and correct answer to a fast one, so no problem.
I definitely understand.
Alright one moment.
June 14 at 2:37 PM
Alright so from what I gather we are not cutting them off we are simply discontinuing the product. Meaning if you have one you may keep it until it no longer works but once it stops working we will not have the equipment to replace it.
Right, totally understand that, asking when you are cutting them off...
is it in a week, a month, a year, 2 years?
or will it just quit working one day and that is that?
They aren't cutting them off.
That is what I thought at first when I read the email but they aren't cutting them off they are discontinuing the equipment.
so, if the equipment quits working, then I am out of luck, but if it keeps working forever, then it will just keep working?
I kind of doubt it, I thought the network operator had to get rid of it to make way for the high bandwidth network improvements...so when you roll out the next level (high-split??) internet, that is when cablecards are going to hit the dumpster?
As weird as that sounds yes.
So think of it this way. If you have a cell phone from 2010 they are not going to automatically cut the phone off just because it is old.
But once that phone breaks you will have to upgrade because they would no longer make that model.
Ok, I believe that is what you were told, but I don't believe it is the truth..we will see I guess...net, its a warning across the bow, sometime in the future, it may not work, but we have no plans right now...
This information was posted on something equal to an attention board.
So if it is wrong that think all agents would be in trouble haha.
ok

 

Here is the transcript of my chat w/ Spectrum Support today:

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Spectrum. I see you have questions about hardware. Please give me a moment to review your information.
To get started, may I please verify your full address including zip code.
Michael *, 2036 DR NE, *, MN,
Thank you. One moment please while I search that address.
How can I help?
I have received 2 e-mails about cablecard support ending, but none say when, and it is unclear why I am receiving this information. Do you have more detail as to how long my cable card will continue to operate?
If you are receiving the email it could be just one mass email to inform everyone.
I will check your account to see if you have anything pertaining to a cable card.
well, the e-mail seems more of a marketing type e-mail than a service update, but it is cause for concern
Alright let's take a look.
I can assure you, if Spectrum removes support for Cable Cards, i will cease being a Spectrum customer and will get my internet from elsewhere, and use a streaming service.
I understand. One moment.
Alright so I see where you have a Tuning adaptor which may be the reason you received the email.
I have a tuning adapter and a cablecard
We have discontinued them and they will no longer be available.
I run a TiVo on Spectrum TV service, have for more than 20 years
Right tivo will be cable card.
currently, have a TiVo Roamio with a cable card
The little small box that piggy backs off of the big box will be the tuning adapter.
so, the question is, when will these mentioned "service updates" take place that will render my TiVo useless?
I am aware about what the hardware I have is, and what it does
The text of the e-mail i received says this:
Dear Spectrum Customer, As a reminder, you are currently paying a monthly fee for one or more CableCARDs. A CableCARD is a one-way card device - about the size of a credit card - that allows access to TV services. As we continue to upgrade our networks and technology, CableCARDs will not be compatible with future service upgrades for some time. We have other options for you to consider that will enhance your TV viewing experience, including providing you DVR functionality and access to thousands of Video On Demand options.
2:28 PM
so, I am asking, WHEN?
it is the most horribly worded message ever: "...CableCARDs will not be compatible with future service upgrades for some time."
what exactly does that mean?
One moment and I will provide you with a when the system will change over.
June 14 at 2:32 PM
Still looking into this for you, thank you for your patience.
would prefer a true and correct answer to a fast one, so no problem.
I definitely understand.
Alright one moment.
June 14 at 2:37 PM
Alright so from what I gather we are not cutting them off we are simply discontinuing the product. Meaning if you have one you may keep it until it no longer works but once it stops working we will not have the equipment to replace it.
Right, totally understand that, asking when you are cutting them off...
is it in a week, a month, a year, 2 years?
or will it just quit working one day and that is that?
They aren't cutting them off.
That is what I thought at first when I read the email but they aren't cutting them off they are discontinuing the equipment.
so, if the equipment quits working, then I am out of luck, but if it keeps working forever, then it will just keep working?
I kind of doubt it, I thought the network operator had to get rid of it to make way for the high bandwidth network improvements...so when you roll out the next level (high-split??) internet, that is when cablecards are going to hit the dumpster?
As weird as that sounds yes.
So think of it this way. If you have a cell phone from 2010 they are not going to automatically cut the phone off just because it is old.
But once that phone breaks you will have to upgrade because they would no longer make that model.
Ok, I believe that is what you were told, but I don't believe it is the truth..we will see I guess...net, its a warning across the bow, sometime in the future, it may not work, but we have no plans right now...
This information was posted on something equal to an attention board.
So if it is wrong that think all agents would be in trouble haha.
ok

Thank you for posting this. As usual, only people at the very top know (maybe), and they're not sharing. Very frustrating.

For those of you using OTA in the St Louis area, what have you had to do in terms of getting good reception? I have a Roamio which apparently does not work with an antenna, so I'm wondering if purchasing an OTA is the way to go. I don't necessarily want to have an antenna installed on the roof in the backyard. However, I love the functionality of TiVo and hate to lose it.