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Shaw is ripping the wires out of its analog FM cable radio service, formerly delivered free of charge to all Shaw subscribers.
Shaw Communications’ plans to abandon its analog cable FM radio service, delivered free of charge to basic Shaw subscribers, has been met with resistance by customers who appreciated the improved reception the service delivered.
Some noted Shaw is eliminating the free service and replacing it with one that requires a digital cable subscription to receive. Shaw:
Shaw previously offered customers access to FM radio stations free of charge with their coax cable connection, as part of their Shaw service. Given that many of our customers no longer use these stations, we are in the process of removing this service across our systems.
Removing FM radio stations allows us to free up additional bandwidth, which means Shaw can deliver faster Internet speeds, increased High-Definition content and more Shaw Exo On Demand programming. This change is part of Shaw’s dedication to providing our customers with leading edge technology through our superior Shaw Exo network.
How can I access my radio stations?
There are a number of options for customers to continue listening to radio stations:
- Most radio stations offer their services via online streaming. We have provided links to local radio stations’ websites to allow you to stream their programming online. You can access these lists below.
- You can also purchase a radio transmitter at stores like Best Buy or Future Shop, which will allow you to tune into your favourite radio stations. These devices cost as little as $30 and require an Internet connection to receive any “out-of-market” services. Installation can be as easy as plugging in the transmitter into the “Audio Out” feed of your computer, and gives you access to thousands of stations around the world.
We also offer a number of commercial free radio stations through our Galaxie service – customers with a digital box have access to up to 55 channels to enjoy a variety of music styles and offerings. To learn more about Galaxie, visit: http://vod.shaw.ca/music/galaxie_player/
The problem with both of Shaw’s options, according to readers who have contacted Stop the Cap!, is that they come at an added cost.
“Shaw would love it if we streamed those radio stations, which all count against our bandwidth cap, instead of listening to them for free on the cable radio,” says Irene Delasquay from Prince George, B.C. “Galaxie is just a music jukebox service that requires you to buy a digital cable subscription and rent a box to listen, and I don’t want all that extra equipment and expense.”
Some wonder why Shaw is discontinuing the service in the first place. Shirley and Meg Bonney told the Comox Valley Echo:
When we finally we able to speak to a person at Shaw we were told that they “didn’t think that many people were using the FM frequencies”. Had they ever inquired? Had they even tried to find out? Or had they just made a biased assumption – perhaps to try to force people to buy their digital black box in order to access even more of their own, commercial music channels?
We were also told that the CBC frequencies were a “gift” from Shaw.
Many readers who have been in touch with Shaw are being told their best alternative is streaming radio signals over a personal computer, but that presents a problem for some who don’t have a personal computer, have located it in an inconvenient room to listen, or who do not want to waste electricity running a computer just to listen to the radio.
While cable radio is no longer common in many parts of the United States, the vast expanse of Canada combined with an often-insufficient network of low-powered FM repeater transmitters, has made reception of commercial and certain public radio signals difficult, especially inside homes.
Roger and Isabel Thomas feel the loss hurts their ability to stay in touch with informative programming long-abandoned by commercial stations and cable networks:
The FM service provided us with daylong (and night-time) enjoyable, culturally stimulating, commercial free listening. It kept us abreast of national and world-wide events and allowed us to enjoy our selection of favourite music, eclectic though it may have been.
Other stories of interest:
- Shaw Abruptly Terminates Cable Radio Service in B.C., Angering Customers
- Shaw Uses DTV Conversion to Sneak Through Its Own Digital Conversion Rate Hike
- Cable Consolidation: Shaw Buys B.C.-Based Sun Country Cablevision, Armstrong Cablecom and Enderby Cablecom
- “Holy Crap,” Shaw Customer Exclaims, Their Broadband Service Could Cost You Hundreds a Month
- Shaw Cable Technical Support Wants to Know If You’re Alone or Not
This is the second time Shaw discontinued CBC in Brooks, AB (where we have no other radio CBC radio reception). In 2009 CRTC suggested Shaw ensure our radio be brought back as it was required under the Broadcast Act and Shaw maintained CBC had never been off air though I have a copy of Shaw’s email saying CBC was offair. Now, in 2012, a Shaw rep told me first they discontinued CBC because no one was listening. The second rep told me Shaw has no way of determining who listens to any stations.
Internet cable through Shaw is very poor even though we have high speed and streaming CBC often has huge sound delays. Also ther is poor sound outside of our stereo system hooked up for our FM Cable Radio. I believe someone like Shaw who has a monopoly on Cable service delivery should be required to deliver public service stations such as CBC in Western Canada.
the FM radio band is not used in broadcasting for anything other than FM radio. With outside interference a problem for cable plants the free up bandwidth argument is getting a little old and tiring to listen to them. They are loosing customer due to their insincere media releases as it seems like a broken record. People are not as dumb as Shaw seems to think. If they just made an honest statement like we want to add it revenue that would probably get more respect.
ps. thanks for over billing me over 100 dollars and then when i cancelled your service thanks again for charging me another month even though you digitally cut my service off almost instantly.
I agree that cable FM radio is a legacy service, but it does have a loyal following, and having traveled across Alberta myself, I am very well aware that FM reception is much easier in the prairies than in the mountains to the west. I can only imagine what it is like in parts of BC.
The other issue is that outdoor reception in the car may be perfectly adequate, but as soon as you go indoors, it gets downright awful, especially if you have shielded windows.
Since Shaw does not seem to be listening, I am willing to offer assistance and guidance to anyone who wants some tips on setting up streaming radio in their home to replace this service when it goes away. Thankfully, western Canada has much more generous bit caps than Ontario and Quebec. People can even use an el-cheapo prepaid “smartphone” with Wi-Fi and either a speaker extension or a small FM transmitter if they don’t want to tie up their computer.
The best portable transmitter I have used by far is from C Crane Company, which will ship to Canada. It’s $60US (remember our American dollar is worthless, so Canadian cash goes a long way here) and they will ship to Canada:
http://www.ccrane.com/radios/fm-transmitters/fm-transmitter-2.aspx#.T8Tky9VfHuN
You can choose any FM frequency, and it actually delivers a stable stereo signal from any device with an audio out jack.
As for your bill, I would not let them get away with that. I suggest you take a few minutes and file a complaint with the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecom Services.
Once you try (and fail) to work out the billing dispute with Shaw yourself, you can proceed to CCTS.
Their website: http://www.ccts-cprst.ca
or call toll-free at 1-888-221-1687
Let me know how it works out.
Vancouver’s Lower Mainland Shaw feed for FM cable apparently was killed today. While listening happily to KPLU (National Public Radio from Seattle) I suddenly found myself listening to a local Hindi language FM station. I quickly checked for my other preset FM stations on my receiver to find that none of them were available.
The worst thing about Shaw’s customer service suggestions is, as others have pointed out, who wants to turn on their TV to listen to a radio station? Sure, those of us with a computer and internet feed can connect it to a sound system and stream stations that way, but the quality of the sound is not even close to what we can get from an direct FM broadcast. Most stations cannot afford the bandwidth to stream more than a 64kbs signal over the internet. That is about 1/10th of the actual information contained in a recording that an FM broadcast can transmit. It’s like listening to a child’s toy record player versus a CD on a stereo)
Looks like i’ll be installing an FM antenna on the roof of my house and switching from Shaw TV to another cable provider.
Have a nice afterlife in hell all you Shaw Cable marketing creeps!
I just tuned into my cable radio from nanaimo bc and got no reception. the problem with shaw is you have to have an internet connection and your computer on. this sucks. thanks alot shaw for assuming no one uses this service anymore
Your right Kevin…this is all BULL****..!! Cut off our radio reception with NO NOTICE..!! Then on their website, tell us to go to Best Buy or Future Shop to buy a $30.00 radio transmitter…well I just called BOTH stores and they do NOT have an item for your stereo…ONLY FOR CAR STEREOS..!!! Where the hell did they ever get the frigging idea that NO ONE listens to the radio anymore..??? Total BULL ****…..LIES, and BULL ****..!!! My husband and I are so damn angry..!!!!!!! EVERYONE out there that lost their service, PLEASE call Shaw and tell them this is BULL ****…WE want the service back..!!! We are thinking hard now of dropping shaw’s services….makes you wonder if the government is part owner of shaw…as this is an under handed move that the government would pull..!!!!!!!
rogers told me teles cut their bandwidth teles says no someones lying what an asshole thingee thing to doo
How arrogant of Shaw once again to automatically change it services without consulting consumers. For many years I have used the FM service to my receiver. The equipment and room that I use the equipment in is away from my computer so it make streaming almost impossible plus such would tie up my computer resources. The FM equipment that I use is good quality and far superior to any equipment that I could stream an FM signal though. Now all is waster, thanks a lot Shaw once again you never think of the long term subscriber. Some of us boomers use the FM tuner to receive a better quality of sound. We are not all the 20 year old geeks who either work in your facility or who you are aiming your product at.