New TV Channels

[cp2k]

Can anyone who has recently been on a Carnival Cruise confirm the list of channels? I've found this online, but several at that point said "TBD". I'm very disappointed in this change for sure. We're cruising with our young daughter who goes to bed early. We're use to watching the news and enjoying "Big Bang Theory" on TBS at night when she is sleeping. This isn't going to give us very much at all to watch vs. the old lineup. 

 

• Channel 11: Fun Finds (No Change)
• Channel 13: Cruise Life (No Change)
• Channel 14: Channel Guide (No Change)
• Channel 15: Safety Information (No Change)
• Channel 16: Fun Aboard/Cruise Life Television 2 (No Change)
• Channel 17: Carnival Adventures (No Change)
• Channel 18: Map Channel (No Change)
• Channel 19: Forward Camera View (No Change)
• Channel 20: Lido/Aft Camera (No Change)
• Channel 21: Audible FunTimes (No Change) 
• Channel 22: CBS National News (Changed from CNN)
• Channel 23: SPYDAR (Changed from CNN International)
• Channel 24: Kids Central (Changed CNN Espanol)
• Channel 25: Nickelodeon (Changed from HLN)
• Channel 26: HGTV (Changed from Boomerang)
• Channel 27: Food Network (Changed from Cartoon Network)
• Channel 28: Travel Channel (Changed from TNT)
• Channel 29: Discovery Channel (Changed from TBS)
• Channel 30: TBD (Changed from TCM)
• Channel 31: TBD (Changed from TruTV)
• Channel 32: Complimentary Movie Channel (No Change)
• Channel 33: Fun For All (No Change)
• Channel 34: Ocean View (No Change)
• Channel 35: Good to KNow (No Change)
• Channel 36: Music Channel (No Change)

[MisterOJ2]

10 minutes ago, cp2k said:

Can anyone who has recently been on a Carnival Cruise confirm the list of channels? I've found this online, but several at that point said "TBD". I'm very disappointed in this change for sure. We're cruising with our young daughter who goes to bed early. We're use to watching the news and enjoying "Big Bang Theory" on TBS at night when she is sleeping. This isn't going to give us very much at all to watch vs. the old lineup. 

 

• Channel 11: Fun Finds (No Change)
• Channel 13: Cruise Life (No Change)
• Channel 14: Channel Guide (No Change)
• Channel 15: Safety Information (No Change)
• Channel 16: Fun Aboard/Cruise Life Television 2 (No Change)
• Channel 17: Carnival Adventures (No Change)
• Channel 18: Map Channel (No Change)
• Channel 19: Forward Camera View (No Change)
• Channel 20: Lido/Aft Camera (No Change)
• Channel 21: Audible FunTimes (No Change) 
• Channel 22: CBS National News (Changed from CNN)
• Channel 23: SPYDAR (Changed from CNN International)
• Channel 24: Kids Central (Changed CNN Espanol)
• Channel 25: Nickelodeon (Changed from HLN)
• Channel 26: HGTV (Changed from Boomerang)
• Channel 27: Food Network (Changed from Cartoon Network)
• Channel 28: Travel Channel (Changed from TNT)
• Channel 29: Discovery Channel (Changed from TBS)
• Channel 30: TBD (Changed from TCM)
• Channel 31: TBD (Changed from TruTV)
• Channel 32: Complimentary Movie Channel (No Change)
• Channel 33: Fun For All (No Change)
• Channel 34: Ocean View (No Change)
• Channel 35: Good to KNow (No Change)
• Channel 36: Music Channel (No Change)

 

I didn't watch much TV on my cruise last month, but that *looks* right to me. I wouldn't swear to it though. I do know that there was a couple channels that had nothing on them and that was probably the ones that are listed as TBD there.

[kwokpot]

There is TCM. The CBSN news channel is terrible, really awful. Basically it shows news clips segments in 10-15 min. max segments followed by 5 minute pauses in programing where nothing is shown. The segments aren't necessarily live so there's lots of re-broadcasted segments. 

The new TV service is VOIP and the picture quality is terrible(Not enough bandwidth). It's OK for the entertainment shows but CBSN was literally unwatchable, with static interference obscuring the picture. This was apparent on the Sunrise as well as the Horizon.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

On 1/16/2019 at 12:50 PM, ProgRockCruiser said:

 

Undoubtedly it will be fleet-wide.  Roll-outs might have slightly different timing, but it is probably easiest if they do it all simultaneously.

I hope not. carnival had Miami local stations. Needless to say if the port was Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and even Port Canaveral. Guess, no longer. No FOX News? What is that telling me about Carnival? Guess no more room for that channel.

[ProgRockCruiser]

1 hour ago, twodaywonder said:

I hope not. carnival had Miami local stations. Needless to say if the port was Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and even Port Canaveral. Guess, no longer. No FOX News? What is that telling me about Carnival? Guess no more room for that channel.

 

I think the change was made fleetwide pretty well all at once back in January.

 

As mentioned, the dropping of the channels was because the main broadcasting networks decided to charge a lot more to carry them via satellite (which is how the ships have to operate - nothing is "local", even when docked at a US port, switching feeds would be a complication they don't need).

 

Imagine, if you will, that Greygoose suddenly jacked up its price 600%.  Carnival would immediately drop it from their bars, and find a substitute equivalent brand vodka.  That is basically what happened with the TV stations, except finding an equivalency is challenging, obviously...

[jimbo5544]

3 hours ago, twodaywonder said:

I hope not. carnival had Miami local stations. Needless to say if the port was Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and even Port Canaveral. Guess, no longer. No FOX News? What is that telling me about Carnival? Guess no more room for that channel.

OK, I maybe sorry for this....what does that tell you about Carnival?

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

21 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

OK, I maybe sorry for this....what does that tell you about Carnival?

Trying to keep the cost down for those that like lower cost cursing. All regular cruise lines are cutting back somewhere.

[young_k92]

On 1/16/2019 at 12:42 PM, Doggielover68 said:

This looks like some good additions. Food Network and HGTV are always good for killing time during the "in between" moments. 

I like them, too. They're anesthetizing, in a really good way!

[jimbo5544]

The reason for the changes were changes from the satellite companies, nothing regarding Carnival...that is what I meant.

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

The reason for the changes were changes from the satellite companies, nothing regarding Carnival...that is what I meant.

 

Do you know who Carnival is using for satellite service these days?  I never paid too much attention to the available TV channels in the past, but over the last 1.5 years or so the availability of live sporting events has gone way down on Carnival ships. Not a deal breaker for me, but in the past it was nice watching most major college football games, NCAA basketball tournament games, Stanley Cup finals, etc.  on a ship. 

[jimbo5544]

8 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

Do you know who Carnival is using for satellite service these days?  I never paid too much attention to the available TV channels in the past, but over the last 1.5 years or so the availability of live sporting events has gone way down on Carnival ships. Not a deal breaker for me, but in the past it was nice watching most major college football games, NCAA basketball tournament games, Stanley Cup finals, etc.  on a ship. 

I do not, there were some threads in the topic when all these changes occurred a few months back.

[coevan]

from the channel lineup, it appears Carnival got in bed with Turner Broadcasting.  

[MSseawind]

On 1/16/2019 at 1:37 PM, coevan said:

I would be willing to a pay a fee for network TV stations. I know I'm in the minority, but I don't care

I agree!   No, I don't cruise to sit in the room, but I'm old and do need some down time and peace and quiet.   I miss having tv!   I really miss the network stations. 

[elephant98]

I miss being able to watch the sports channel in my stateroom.   Going to the sports bar to watch isn't really an option when you have young kids that nap and have an early bedtime.  Not a deal breaker, but a bummer.

[cp2k]

This is the current TV lineup on the Carnival Sunshine as of 7/25/19:

 

Channel 11- Channel Guide

Channel 13- Safety Information

Channel 14- Cruise Life TV

Channel 15- Cruise Life TV 2 

Channel 16- Carnival Adventures

Channel 17- Choose Shopping

Channel 18- Choose Fun Ashore

Channel 19- Ocean View 

Channel 20- Movie Channel 1

Channel 21- Movie Channel 2

Channel 22- CBSN News Network (CBS's online streaming news network)

Channel 23- Turner Classic Movies

Channel 24- Cartoon Network

Channel 25- Nick on Board (a special version of Nickelodeon for Cruise Ships) 

Channel 26- HGTV

Channel 27- Food Network

Channel 28- Travel Channel 

Channel 29- Discovery Channel

Channel 30- Good to Know

Channel 31- Audible Fun Times 

Channel 32- Map Channel 

Channel 33- Forward View Channel

Channel 34- Lido Camera View

Channel 35- Rotating Selection of Music Video Clips 

 

FWIW the inputs on the TVs aren't really "disabled"- at least on the Sunshine because it doesn't have the interactive TV system. It uses a traditional coax cable plugged into the cable/antenna input. You just can't switch inputs because the hotel remotes they provide don't have a button for it. We brought a universal remote and a USB stick loaded with cartoons for our young daughter (and some movies for mom & dad) and it helped keep both her and us entertained during down times early in the morning and late at night. 

[wms99]

I like the channel that shows ship speed, location, water depth, and other little bits of info.

 

[coevan]

4 hours ago, cp2k said:

We brought a universal remote

 

 

where did you find the TV code? 

[cp2k]

8 minutes ago, coevan said:

 

 

where did you find the TV code? 

 

The remote came with a comprehensive list but I lucked up. It was pre-programmed for Samsung TVs and the Sunshine (or at least our cabin anyway) had a Samsung tv in the room so it worked out of the box. I also carry one of the LG “Hospitality” remotes with me when I travel for the same reason. It can come in handy in hotels for the same reason. I’ve even found some cases where there are “hidden” channels only available in bars but not available in rooms that you can get if you re-scan the TVs. That trick didn’t work on Carnival, however. The Casino is showing the various ESPN channels but they obviously operate separately from the other TV wiring.

[coevan]

Thanks, good to know. If they had decent internet, TV channels would be a mute point. Now all I need is to switch inputs to HDMI to get my signal from iPad to TV.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Just returned from the very inexpensive 2 day short cruise to Freeport Port Lucaya on board the Grand Celebration. Bahamas Palm beach Cruise Line. Local palm beach channels on the TV. Great for checking out the weather at the port when returning. We live not fat from palm Beach and great to check out the news. So a tiny cruise line has the channels. Hum!

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Just now, twodaywonder said:

Just returned from the very inexpensive 2 day short cruise to Freeport Port Lucaya on board the Grand Celebration. Bahamas Palm beach Cruise Line. Local palm beach channels on the TV. Great for checking out the weather at the port when returning. We live not fat from palm Beach and great to check out the news. So a tiny cruise line has the channels. Hum!

Forgot to mention. It was DirecTv

[diesteldorf]

On 7/25/2019 at 8:05 PM, cp2k said:

 

The remote came with a comprehensive list but I lucked up. It was pre-programmed for Samsung TVs and the Sunshine (or at least our cabin anyway) had a Samsung tv in the room so it worked out of the box. I also carry one of the LG “Hospitality” remotes with me when I travel for the same reason. It can come in handy in hotels for the same reason. I’ve even found some cases where there are “hidden” channels only available in bars but not available in rooms that you can get if you re-scan the TVs. That trick didn’t work on Carnival, however. The Casino is showing the various ESPN channels but they obviously operate separately from the other TV wiring.

Could you please share the brand/model #s of the universal remotes that you use?  The only time I would use these would be with Carnival and when staying at hotels.

[coevan]

3 hours ago, twodaywonder said:

Hum!

What are humming? Directv for a couple of hundred or Directv for 100,000's. There is nothing nefarious, strictly dollars and cents. Carnival use to use Directv and I guess thought it was too expensive. I hate the new channel line up, but as i said if they had decent wifi, wouldn't matter.

[cp2k]

3 hours ago, diesteldorf said:

Could you please share the brand/model #s of the universal remotes that you use?  The only time I would use these would be with Carnival and when staying at hotels.

 

This is the one I picked up: GE Universal Remote Control Model 33709.  If I had it to do over again I would pick up the backlit version if I traveled a lot. 

 

[Banditswife]

Interesting topic. we are older & rarely watch TV at home or away.  I am happy to hear HGTV is on the list though.  Like someone else said it's good for those short down times.