The scam of CanalSat and its FUCKING Cube S
Published on 15 January 2016
A unique TV experience created by CanalSat," which has the advantage of letting you connect over Wi-Fi to receive TV. Perfect, that's what I'm looking for. Sure, I'm going to pay even though the free digital terrestrial channels would be more than enough for me, but never mind. [](https://i0.wp.com/www.macarel.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/canal_cubeS_01.png) In 2016, what do you expect when you subscribe to this kind of thing? Whether via a box, a decoder, or whatever? Well at a minimum, to receive TV, and possibly to have the usual recording and live TV control functions, available everywhere. So you browse the site, and you're quickly reassured, it's possible! (spoiler: actually no) [](https://i0.wp.com/www.macarel.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/canal_cubeS_02.png) There's indeed a little asterisk, pointing to a lost line somewhere, indicating that the service is available but requires compatible hardware. Fine. Indeed, when you set up your Cube S, you're asked to add an external hard drive to enable the features. So ok, why not. A hard drive is mandatory, it doesn't work with a USB stick, so off you go to FNAC to buy a USB hard drive, to enable its function, we agree? [](https://i0.wp.com/www.macarel.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/canal_cubeS_03.png) You come back from FNAC, plug in your brand-new little hard drive, initialize it, everyone's happy, the decoder tells you "Well done, mate!", and there you try to "pause" one of your TV channels, or record something. Suddenly the drama of the son of a bitch: [](https://i0.wp.com/www.macarel.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/canal_cubeS_03b.jpg) On ALL channels, a message from a ONE-EYED BITCH tells you the feature is "not available on this channel." Surprised, you ask CanalSat on Twitter, who casually points you to some vague exchange on their forum where they calmly explain that the feature simply isn't available, that it's under development. UNDER DEVELOPMENT, FOR FUCK'S SAKE. Meanwhile the monthly debits on your bank account aren't "under development," GODDAMMIT. [](https://i0.wp.com/www.macarel.fr/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/canal_cubeS_04.png) Hmm. How to put this... YOUR FUCKING UNIQUE TV EXPERIENCE IS A DECODER THAT DOESN'T DO MUCH BETTER THAN THE TV TUNERS OF THE 80s, GODDAMN PIECE OF SHIT. Let's take a breath and recap. So CanalSat announces an innovative product, with a great experience thanks to a product whose features they tout on their site that don't exist. It's exactly as if Renault ran an AD on its site telling you how cool it is that its car has a steering wheel, except that once you've paid for your car, those same guys at Renault tell you "AH BUT WAIT MATE, the steering wheel's coming soon, right now you can just drive straight ahead, but thanks for your check, eh!!" It's appallingly dishonest, and it's simply a scam. Even their fine print doesn't match reality. I'll allow myself to use the word "scam," which is a loaded term, no pressure. Having no choice to receive TV today, I'll keep their crappy Cube, but don't get fooled, Canal+ and CanalSat lie on their site, and advertise features that don't exist. Let's finish with this other victim, annoyed too.
Photo credit: DR
By Paingout