Cable TV subscribers are often angry about favorite channels not being included in their subscription package, but Comcast’s recent move of Turner Classic Movies has a new batch of fans up in arms. Subscribers who had previously watched TCM in their packages, now see an onscreen note that says the channel “requires a subscription,” and can only be seen if the viewer upgrades.

What happened to TCM? It’s now part of Comcast’s Sports Entertainment Package. Which means subscribers who had already been paying for TCM and want to keep it, now have to sign up for a package that costs extra, and doesn’t seem to have much in common with movies starring Bette Davis, Clark Gable, and other Golden Age Hollywood classics that made up much of the TCM schedule.

Here’s what the Comcast information page says about the Sports Entertainment Package:

“The Xfinity TV Sports Entertainment Package – also known as More Sports & Entertainment in some regions – has movies, shows, and sports coverage from networks including NFL RedZone, CMT, CBS Sports Network, ESPN Goal Line & Bases Loaded, Military History Channel, Outdoor Channel, MLB Network, Turner Classic Movies, and more.”

Fans of TCM know that the channel provides a variety of programming, including B-movies, classics, musicals, comedies, dramas, Westerns, film noir, along with special themed tributes to overlooked films, stars of color, cult favorites and filmmakers and actors who have recently died.

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I just got off the line with a customer service representative who I could barely understand through her hispanic accent as she tried to bullshit me past my complaint. The company claims low TCM viewership and even those watch maybe two films a month.