Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2011 August 23

= August 23 =

Cable TV Question
You know that Guide menu on your TV Remote that when you press it, it brings up a listing that shows you what's airing right now on which channels? I noticed that I have channels that are "Not Authorized" and "Require a Premium Subscription". I was just wondering what the difference is between them. For clarification, my Service Provider is "Comcast Regular". --98.247.164.145 (talk) 19:23, 23 August 2011 (UTC)
 * I have satellite TV, but the terminology is similar there. There are two different terms for "basic cable channels of a higher tier package" and "premium subscription stations" (like HBO or Showtime).  If you purchase the 200 channel basic package, and try to view the station for one of, say, the 300 channel basic package that you don't have access to, it probably says "Not Authorized".  If you tried to view an HBO channel, you probably get the "Require a Premium Subscription" notice.  -- Jayron  32  23:02, 23 August 2011 (UTC)
 * So it's not a regional lockout problem then? Because I live in Washington State. --98.247.164.145 (talk) 09:04, 24 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Regional lockouts are normally due to sporting events. Are these sports channels that you're trying to access?  Dismas |(talk) 09:53, 24 August 2011 (UTC)
 * No. Not Sports Channels. Just regular ones. Speaking of which, is it possible that one Channel "Not Authorized" in this state is "Authorized" in different states instead? --98.247.164.145 (talk) 01:43, 26 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Probably pay-per-view channels (either sport or movies, where you pay to watch an individual program) have a different message from regular subscription channels (where you pay a monthly fee to watch everything). You should note down which channel gives which message, and I'm sure someone here will identify a pattern. --Colapeninsula (talk) 10:35, 24 August 2011 (UTC)