Changes coming to Bell Satellite TV Effective May 20 & June 1, 2025

[dks]

I noticed the following announcements on my April 2025 bill for my Bell services. This is for Satellite TV customers only. Given that many don't see announcements, this is an advance notice for you, if you use these services. 

• Starting June 1, 2025, On Demand content and Pay-per-view movies will no longer be available through your Satellite TV receiver(s). Don't worry, On Demand content is still available through the Fibe TV app and you can still enjoy Pay-per-view live events. Also note that the way recordings can be managed is changing. You'll just need to manage them through your PVR and the Fibe TV app separately. For more info on the Fibe TV app, please visit bell.ca/apptv
• As of May 20, WildBrainTV, Family Channel, Family Junior and Télémagino will no longer be offered. For questions or to add, cancel or modify your services, call 1 866 310-2355.

[dks]

Thank you for your thoughts. I have a similar challenge at my cottage. No internet provider at all and no other service other than hotspotting from my cell phone. That gives a poor quality video image as well as having to be careful of a cell service data cap. My solution is to do without any Bell Satellite TV features which require an internet connection and services such as On Demand. I can't say anything more than to share my own decisions.    

[dks]

Thanks for your thoughts. The whole broadcast provider content situation is very much in flux. Bell has announced new channels coming in the fall. Other providers have also announced new channels. To be clear, there are now two dominant providers in the satellite TV field, including Bell. Other regional satellite TV providers have also removed On Demand and services, too. I wish I could wave a magic wand and give you what you want, but that's not possible. 

[Jaccocam]

I do not know if you have been answered but in a word, yes. Also, we cannot use the app anymore as a remote to program anything on any satellite PVR.

Basically, what I found out is we all got a new 320-hour cloud space for upcoming recordings to use through the app, and then available on any of the devices one would authorize on his account (a mobile phone, a Fire TV stick or a PC…) for up to 60 days, just like before.

By the way, for all of you who may feel concerned, devices like a Fire TV stick (even the "Lite" version if I’m not mistaken, still sold new), a third-gen and up Chromecast or a fourth-gen (and up?) Apple TV (sometimes sold used on Facebook Marketplace) can get the app and can connect to your TV through HDMI to make it "smart" then access recordings and on-demand content.

[Zaps1262]

Ever since they canceled the on demand on the receivers and restricted it only to the app can't get recordings from the receiver anymore either shows up as no recordings even though there's recordings on the receiver and yes the receiver has an IP address

[Mikomunch]

I believe I'm waking up to this same problem. 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day & Welcome to the Bell Community Forum.

Do you subscribe to Bell Satellite TV? If so, recordings are now being managed separately on the Fibe TV app & on your satellite PVR. You can no longer record on one and watch on the other & vice versa. You are still able to record & playback on the Fibe TV app. Recording on your satellite PVR receiver are no longer accessible on the Fibe TV app. & vice versa with your satellite PVR.

These recent changes took effect on June 1, 2025. This change in programming was announced & included in the Important messages section of your Bell April 2025 bill. If you are a Bell Satellite TV subscriber, the following excerpt was included with your monthly bill:

Important messages

• Starting June 1, 2025, On Demand content and Pay-per-view movies will no longer be available through your Satellite TV receiver(s). On Demand content is still available through the Fibe TV app and you can still enjoy Pay-per-view live events.
• Also note that the way recordings can be managed is changing. You'll just need to manage them through your PVR and the Fibe TV app separately. For more info on the Fibe TV app, please visit: Stream Content with Fibe TV App

Please let us know if further assistance is required.

Take care.

[BDcampbellford]

Why did on demand disappear for satellite customers?

[dks]

That is a question Bell has not answered. Anything I might say is speculation. You can access On Demand and PPV with the Fibe app, however. 

[BGL]

I am on Bell Satellite for a reason, no alternative!  Not happy with the loss of my favourite networks and show it have followed for years.  I will be switching to a different format when I find the ones that work for me.

[dks]

I get that. I have Bell Satellite TV at my cottage with no other options. However, I have found some of the new channels have some good shows and are getting better by the month. 

[dks]

That is correct. The Satellite TV receiver and the Fibe app are now separate products. Bell made that announcement in April. 

[Joni]

Exactly! There are many parts of the country that don't have reliable internet service so we rely on our Bell Satellite. Now that they have cut PPV and On Demand we are seriously just thinking of scrapping it. Our main tv is not a smart tv so we can't download the Fibe app unless we pay to get more doodads to hook up to it...and then we need to rely on the unreliable internet! Ridiculous!

[DLD]

I encourage everyone to fill out a complaint form online with the CCTS (Commission for Complaints for Telcom-television Services. I did after reading on reddit that this was an avenue to perhaps force Bell to either reinstate this service or give compensation. After filing out the form, I was advised that the CCTS had accepted my complaint and that Bell had 20 days to resolve this issue. Bell immediately contacted the CCTS stating they object to the CCTS getting involved. The CCTS advised me that they will review Bell's objection along with my complaint to re-evaluate if whether they can continue to handle the complaint. I figure, if enough people take this route, either the CCTS will have to examine this problem and Bell will somehow be forced to explain their action. Nothing might come from it, but the frustration for Bell to continually have to answer the CCTS is reward enough! 

[Tech God]

Complaint opened with the CCTS.  Bell's initial response was to deny that the CCTS has jurisdiction, which the CCTS rejected.  They've tried that response twice and the CCTS has rejected it twice.

They have a day or so to provide a resolution acceptable to the CCTS.

Don't give up.  What Bell has done is to reduce service without compensation.   There really is no reason to make these changes because the traffic is point to point. 

[Sweet]

What is Bell’s reason for discontinuing On Demand programming for Rural Areas with Satellite TV. I was getting it because I paid for Crave and now it’s been discontinued.