Just talked to a CSR in the U.S. (rather unusual, for me anyway). I'm betting E* is overstaffed today due to all the changes. As a matter of fact, there is a new VRU option "if you're calling about your HD channels". Anyway, I spoke to a very knowledgeable CSR, who I could tell had been around for a VERY long time and was even able to get me 'Cinemax for a Penny', even though I had AEP in February. Ok, so she SWEARS that the Voom takedown is a bluff. Even after I told her Charlie announced on the earnings call today that the other 5 Voom channels are outta here soon, she was like "nope, he does this all the time. I know for a fact that the opposite is true. He calls things undesirable to re-negotiate the deal."
I am NOT saying I believe it, nor that anyone else should either, and I know I'll get slammed for listening to anything a CSR says (and I tend to agree with the knock on poorly trained CSRs), however this chick knew her stuff, and I could just TELL she was far, far brighter than whom I normally talk to.
We shall see...