Comcast offering a free Wii to new 'Triple Play' subscribers

We've seen our fair share of subscription-dependent giveaways in the past in the form of Eee PC's and even the rare PS3 offer -- but handing out a Wii with cable service strikes us as somewhat notable. According to an offer from Comcast, newcomers to the company's "Triple Play" of digital cable, VOIP service, and high-speed internet will also be able to bag an honest-to-goodness Nintendo Wii on their way out the door. Sure, you've got to sign a two-year contract (à la mobile telco policy), but you'll also walk away with a console that still can't be found on a lot of store shelves. Does this signal the ultimate dilution of the Wii into a ubiquitous and truly casual mainstay, or does it simply suggest Comcast and the big N had a sweet -- and likely limited -- deal? Only the suits know for sure.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Jul 28th 2008 1:50PM]

So exactly which sports did you say you got your letter in in high school?

Lame ass.

But don't let me rain your biggest joy :)

[gcww99 @ Jul 28th 2008 8:03PM]

My friends received an offer from Harrah's ( Paris, Bally's ect.. Casino Las Vegas) that included a free Wii if they come down and play.

It looks like everyone has these to give away free but no one can go to the store to buy them.. Bastards..

[v3xx @ Jul 28th 2008 1:54PM]

as bad as comcast is, they look like gods compared to charter communications. plus they're the only guys around so im stuck.

[v3xx @ Jul 28th 2008 1:57PM]

also how far can they go below their advertised speed? im paying for 15megs but my fastest speed test is 10.3 megs. also if i download anything my speed test goes to 1.5 meg download.

[Striker @ Jul 28th 2008 2:10PM]

On Cox Orange County, CA, I'm paying for 12 megabits per second, and I average around 20 lol

[rez410 @ Jul 28th 2008 2:18PM]

Really? I pay for "Ateast 6Mbps" and I get around 22Mbps on an uncapped server...from Comcast

[kjb434 @ Jul 28th 2008 2:22PM]

Read your Comcast agreement. You'll see they are doing nothing wrong.

The are perfectly fine in regulating speed for certain actions as long as they don't block.

I've notice BitTorrent isn't as fast, but i still get my downloads versus when they were blocking them.

The webpages and web video still come in fast. I think it is a fine situation until we all have the luxury of having fiber optics directly connected to our houses/apartments.

[v3xx @ Jul 28th 2008 2:43PM]

i guess a lot of people have trouble reading. i have charter not comcast. and why did i get a low ranking? all i said was im not getting what i pay for.

[Cory @ Jul 28th 2008 11:14PM]

I pay for 6mbit and i get 1.5mbit! how comcastic

[Jin @ Jul 28th 2008 7:08PM]

you....suck

[CELLGUY030 @ Jul 28th 2008 1:55PM]

slogan contest:

"come take a wii with us!"

[Colin Potter @ Jul 28th 2008 2:48PM]

We have something Wii in store for you!

[brett @ Jul 28th 2008 2:50PM]

How about:

"Have a Wii on us!"

or

"Comcast: you pay us to Wii in your house!"

[derX @ Jul 28th 2008 2:50PM]

A free Wii on us!

[Jared @ Jul 28th 2008 3:33PM]

Is a wii worth selling your soul to the devil?

[Adam @ Jul 28th 2008 1:55PM]

I think it means Comcast will eventually fulfill its half of the promo by the time the Wii 2/360 is out

[John H. @ Jul 28th 2008 1:58PM]

Out of respect to all engadget surfers, I will not shout out that I was or wasn't the first poster. Nor shall I flame i-sheep for his post, mention the "i word" or any other unacceptable anything. I will simply provide my input on the topic. And so, without further ado, pretty cool, but I already have a Wii.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Jul 28th 2008 2:00PM]

I'm not your buddy, guy.

[Runoff @ Jul 28th 2008 2:03PM]

Dammit. Just signed up about 2 months ago for the triple play. Wound up costing about $18 more per month than they said it would & I certainly didn't get a Wii.

http://www.filterra.com/stormwater

[michelle @ Jul 30th 2008 10:42PM]

Don't worry-you didn't miss anything. My mother signed up the day that Comcast started advertising this "promotion" and after about an hour and 3 robots later, I was told that she didn't qualify since she already had "standard" cable. Whatever that means. She doesn't have digital or a cable box, and there is no other choice for cable in our area besides Comcast. However, that is all besides the point. Their promotion in writing states that the offer is good to all "New Triple Play Customers". It's a scam. Tell everyone about it.

[iheartsteve @ Jul 28th 2008 2:04PM]

what's all the fuzz about? they are essentially giving away an effing toy here, people! And if you think that is actually a respectable next gen video console, then you are waaaay off!!!!

[kjb434 @ Jul 28th 2008 2:25PM]

Who at the big N said this was a next gen video console that was supposed to have superior graphics?

The Wii was supposed to offer a completely different concept to gaming that breaks away from the mold of just building something with raw power and high end graphics.

For being an effing toy, it's pretty damn good and popular! It also appeals to so many more people than core gamers.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 28th 2008 2:28PM]

If you don't like it, then sell it!

[iheartsteve @ Jul 28th 2008 2:28PM]

yeah right, it was so perfect, that now they have to produce an add on to it's "sensitive capabilities", LOL!!!

[iheartsteve @ Jul 28th 2008 2:34PM]

good, I win

[phil @ Jul 28th 2008 2:46PM]

Well, I suppose if winning means people no longer want to carry on a conversation with you.

Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

[iheartsteve @ Jul 28th 2008 2:49PM]

Sorry, but it has already been stablished that I win

[Gary Combs @ Jul 28th 2008 3:29PM]

The wii is what it is. And apparently it is a lot of fun for a lot of people.

[iheartsteve @ Jul 28th 2008 4:50PM]

No it isn't. that's what they want you to believe, but Wiis are bought, used for two weeks, and dumped, and that's a fact

[iheartsteve @ Jul 28th 2008 4:51PM]

No it isn't. that's what they want you to believe, but Wiis are bought, used for two weeks, and dumped, and that's a fact

[inteller @ Jul 28th 2008 2:05PM]

so THAT'S who has been causing the Wii shortages! I bet they had to wait in store lines a LONG time to collect the wiis for this offer.

[John Z @ Jul 28th 2008 2:08PM]

Does anyone else find it highly suspect that they'll give you a console that barely uses any online capabilities as a way of promoting their online service that's barely usable anyway?

[James Jones @ Jul 28th 2008 2:19PM]

I thought there was a Wii shortage(at last in the U.S.).I would like to know how many Wii are available to C*

[phanbouy @ Jul 28th 2008 2:41PM]

i don't think wii'll ever know

[kjb434 @ Jul 28th 2008 2:27PM]

There is a shortage. If you have a customer ready to buy on a single order thousands of your product, you would sell it to them.

[Ari @ Jul 28th 2008 2:37PM]

When i signed up with Comcast last year i got a free DS lite. Probably Comcast and Nintendo have a deal together.

[Sora @ Jul 28th 2008 2:43PM]

I'm not your guy, friend.

[Allen Jazeera @ Jul 28th 2008 2:47PM]

At least now you'll have something to keep you entertained while you're TV, internet, and phone are down. Clever ones, they are, although the Romans did it first.

[phanbouy @ Jul 28th 2008 2:49PM]

while my is TV is down?

[Podaman @ Jul 28th 2008 3:09PM]

that sentence is awesome

[Gary Combs @ Jul 28th 2008 3:10PM]

I'm not your friend buddy!

[phil park @ Jul 28th 2008 3:55PM]

so they're the one stealing the wii away from us at the local bestbuys. just confirms how evil they are. how dare they steal the wiis from the children and the young at heart. :/

[bluestriker @ Jul 28th 2008 3:12PM]

This sucks, I have Triple Play already. :( Ah well, I already have a Wii, too.

[Cagrino @ Jul 28th 2008 3:30PM]

Yeah, but what do they plan on giving you in exchange for your privacy and dignity?

Com-crap-tastic deal!

[John John De Vries Wealth for the Nations @ Jul 28th 2008 3:33PM]

sounds okay to me. where do I sign?

[Miguel @ Jul 28th 2008 3:33PM]

2 years of comcast is not worth a Wii.

[Daniel @ Jul 28th 2008 3:39PM]

i just called because i am moving into an apartment soon. they require that you sign a 2 year contract for the preferred plus plan which is $130 a month for the first year, then it goes up to like $170 the second year. so if you are wanting the basic triple play and a wii, you are better off just saving your money and buying a wii on wiibay.

[Michelle @ Jul 30th 2008 10:51PM]

Don't worry-you didn't miss anything. My mother signed up the day
that Comcast started advertising this "promotion" and after about an
hour and 3 robots later, I was told that she didn't qualify since she
already had "standard" cable. Whatever that means. She doesn't have
digital or a cable box, and there is no other choice for cable in our
area besides Comcast. However, that is all besides the point. Their
promotion in writing states that the offer is good to all "New Triple
Play Customers". It's a scam. Tell everyone about it.

[Matt Miller @ Aug 4th 2008 6:39AM]

I am a lawyer who represents consumers in class action lawsuits, and I am investigating this matter. Michelle (or anyone else), please call me if you are interested in discussing it.

Matt Miller
Cuneo, Gilbert & LaDuca, LLP
Washington, DC
[e-mail]
[phone]

[Whingnut @ Jul 28th 2008 3:54PM]

So let me get this straight... You sign a contract worth around $2900 for crap service and you can have a free Wii worth $250???? How bout this, Comcrap - I cancel your service, take the money I saved for 2 months and buy a Wii with no strings attached and hopefully by then they will have finished rolling out U-Verse in my neighborhood? Just a thought...