Cable Prices Keep Rising, and Customers Keep Paying

[douglas9]

Cable Prices Keep Rising, and Customers Keep Paying
By MATT RICHTEL

Americans discouraged by higher gas prices and airline fares may decide to spend more vacation time at home, perhaps watching television.

But that, too, will cost them more than ever.

Cable prices have risen 77 percent since 1996, roughly double the rate of inflation, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this month.

Cable customers, who typically pay at least $60 a month, watch only a fraction of what they pay for — on average, a mere 13 percent of the 118 channels available to them. And the number of subscribers keeps growing.


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/24/technology/24cable.html?sq=cable&st=nyt&scp=1&pagewanted=print

[alarimer]

1. That's what happens in a monopoly.

Oh, some communities have more than one option for TV but usually it's just cable or satellite. I live in a apartment complex and my ONLY option is Time Warner, even though there is another cable company in town. And I am not allowed to put a satellite dish on my building.

[TwixVoy]

2. I worked at a time warner office BRIEFLY

about 3 years ago. I remember all the people I worked with would constantly laugh about "Here comes more money!" every time someone walked in the door.

People would come in and pay $300+ cable bills. It was nuts.

I only stayed two days. Too much like working at a car dealership.

As a side note, I don't pay a dime for cable. I don't want TV at all.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

3. This is an important issue

and I have addressed it before.

Monopolies are supposed to be illegal.

I would like to be able to choose between at least 2 carriers.

Here is a good place to start: http://www.wewantchoice.com/

K&R:kick:

[Echo In Light]

5. The Telecommunications Act of 96 played a big role

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Editorial-Page.htm?InfoNo=010209

[KharmaTrain]

4. Ala Carte Pricing...Long Overdue

It'll be interesting to see how many people are giving up their cable or cutting back service as a response to the economic downturn. Thanks to more "de-reg", the cable companies (is there more than Comcast anymore???) can charge what they want with little oversight or redress. There needs to be some big changes in the future...

First is to restore local control over their cable franchises. The original system put the power in the hands of the communities where the systems are wired...and if one company charges too much, then another company should be invited in.

Also it's long overdue for "ala-carte" cable...pay for what you want and not what you don't. I'm certain 99% of the people here would drop Faux Noise like a rock and I know of a good number of other channels that I don't want to pay for (especially those that kick back money to the cable companies...they're all dobule dipping). Or to make the boxes addressable...pay as you go.

Also, it's time to evaulate if the cable company is a true utility...if so, then it needs a lot stricter federal regulating...

[Occulus]

7. Ala Carte pricing wouldn't support the big budgets of many television networks

The Sci-Fi Channel, for one. I can't imagine shows like Farscape or Galactica or Stargate (all jewels in the channel's crown, by the way) surviving on ala carte pricing.

And considering the network has some of the best television I've ever seen (Galactica, Dr. Who), seeing shows like those I mentioned disappear would make me Very Sad.

[KharmaTrain]

9. The Would You Be Willing To Pay More For It?

I don't watch Sci-Fi...not even the least interested, but I appreciate your value for it and thus my question. There's a good chance I'd pay for another network owned by the same company. The network also makes money through commercial advertising (it's one of the biggest bargains out there) and through franchising fees that we'll all pay no matter just to have it accessible to the system.

I very much favor ala-carte or a better selection system...similar to how it once was where you could get a variety of packages. I don't go out to movies too often (too much of a hassle) or like fighting the crowds at other venues...cable it my biggest form of entertainment...but I realize it being as such. I grew up without it, have lived without it over the years and could do so again.

[Efilroft Sul]

10. You can watch some (maybe all) of your sci-fi shows on Hulu.com.

Much of the stuff is quite current, too.

[El Pinko]

6. Cable companies are REQUIRED BY LAW to offer a cheap, bare-bones plan...

...and they do, but the problem is that they don't promote it.They will offer "Basic", "Expanded" and Higher packages, but if you ask them they have to tell you that they offer an "economy basic" which is basically C-span & some local channels for about $13-15/mo.

If I remember right, the law was passed in the 80s or 90s, and it is still in effect, but they have gotten around it because they don't have to ADVERTISE the cheap package.

[Deja Q]

8. When it's not just cheaper, but far cheaper to buy one season of a tv show on DVD per MONTH,

you know something's goofy.

Still, to each his own.

[Lorien]

12. And it's free to borrow them from your local library. n/t

[Lorien]

11. My solution: $300 HD TV (Sharp)+ rabbit ears + library card

I get about 15 digital channels (4 Network, 7 PBS, the rest is garbage) so I can tune in when there's a news item I need to know about-like a hurricane headed our way. Since most TV programming is crap, I get DVDs out of the library and watch them at home instead.Besides, if I want to watch a popular cable series like "Rome" or "Sex and the City", or even a network series like "Lost", my library has them. That's $330 for the first year and zero after that (as long as I turn my DVDs in on time) as opposed to $720 every year, with chances of an increase. I can also walk to my library; good exercise and no travel costs!

Edit to add: you can find MANY inexpensive HDTVs with internal digital tuners on Craig's list these days.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

13. And the movies suck

I've noticed that with a few exceptions like Turner Classic Movies that the films they show on groups of channels like HBO, Showtime, Encore, The Movie Channel, Starz and the like are getting older, of lesser quality, and shown more often. I remember when cable movie channels showed a lot more recent films and ones of A quality. Now, they're showing B quality movies for the most part and showing them over and over again.

[demosincebirth]

14. Thats why I have satellite tv

[Fumesucker]

15. If you have broadband DSL

You can watch just about any show you want online anyway..

An under $40 adapter to hook the computer to the the TV and there you are.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Grandtec-PC-to-TV-Video-Component-Converter-VGA-Adapter_W0QQitemZ220238706425QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3759QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I even have a DTV tuner in the computer so the Mrs can catch the local shows she likes too.

Dropped cable and satellite a long time ago and don't miss them a bit.

[undeterred]

16. I've never had cable television

If anything, I'm likely to throw out my television when it stops working and not replace it.

[Kansas Wyatt]

17. There needs to be a serious crackdown on Corporate America

And this Corporate Globalism bullshit when BushCo, Inc. finally slithers out of the White House door. And make sure their damn spawn are thrown out in front of or behind them too! Everyone and/or corporation who raped and pillaged the American People, should be pinned down with Uncle Sam's boot on the back of their necks and be at the mercy of 'We The People.'

Piss on them all... 'We The People' deserve justice and payback!

[orleans]

18. i used to swear i would never pay over $50 per month for fucking TV

god--i'm so weak.....:-( :nopity: :cry: