 NOVA_GuyObamaCare Kills AmericansPremium
join:2002-03-05 | Here's an idea or two... Comcast blames the higher costs on the higher costs of programming (specifically sports), but also lays the blame on "new advanced set top boxes and modems" and DOCSIS 3.0 network upgrades.
Simple solution, Comcast (and all other providers): move all sports channels to a sports tier where they belong. Then drop the cost of basic cable without the sports tier down to reflect the savings. Those who are interested in having the sports tier can then purchase it as a premium package, just like movies and pay-per-view. This way those who do not care about receiving channels like ESPN don't have their bills inflated because of it.
These companies could also offer access to the sports tier on a pay-per-view type basis, charging some fee for 48 hour access over weekends or the like, for casual sports viewers. (Weekend access fees, when measured on a per-day basis, would be higher than just buying monthly access to the sports tier of course.)
Or, even better yet, why not just offer ala carte access to all channels-- like many users have been requesting for many years? The technology required to do this is in place, for the most part. The only thing stopping it is broadcasters, who bundle channels together to force viewers into paying for channels they neither want nor care about.
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ObamaCare encourages euthanization of the old, pays for abortions of the almost-new, and rations care for all those in between while raising your taxes to pay for it. Government rationed, government controlled health cartels screw the middle class. |
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 RobIn Deo speramus, God Bless the USAPremium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
kudos:2 | said by NOVA_Guy:Comcast blames the higher costs on the higher costs of programming (specifically sports), but also lays the blame on "new advanced set top boxes and modems" and DOCSIS 3.0 network upgrades.
Simple solution, Comcast (and all other providers): move all sports channels to a sports tier where they belong. Then drop the cost of basic cable without the sports tier down to reflect the savings. Those who are interested in having the sports tier can then purchase it as a premium package, just like movies and pay-per-view. This way those who do not care about receiving channels like ESPN don't have their bills inflated because of it. Comcast did that and the FCC, after complaints from the NFL, forced them to move it back to regular channel lineup.
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CheckSite.us | YourIP.us | Reverseip.us |
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:2 | reply to NOVA_Guy
said by NOVA_Guy:Simple solution, Comcast (and all other providers): move all sports channels to a sports tier where they belong. I don't believe most of the sports content owners/distributors allow that. Do you really think Disney wants ESPN off of the basic tier? |
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 Jwobot
join:2002-08-14
Sterling Heights, MI
1 edit | reply to NOVA_Guy
said by NOVA_Guy:Comcast blames the higher costs on the higher costs of programming (specifically sports), but also lays the blame on "new advanced set top boxes and modems" and DOCSIS 3.0 network upgrades.
Simple solution, Comcast (and all other providers): move all sports channels to a sports tier where they belong. Then drop the cost of basic cable without the sports tier down to reflect the savings. Those who are interested in having the sports tier can then purchase it as a premium package, just like movies and pay-per-view. This way those who do not care about receiving channels like ESPN don't have their bills inflated because of it. These companies could also offer access to the sports tier on a pay-per-view type basis, charging some fee for 48 hour access over weekends or the like, for casual sports viewers. (Weekend access fees, when measured on a per-day basis, would be higher than just buying monthly access to the sports tier of course.) Or, even better yet, why not just offer ala carte access to all channels-- like many users have been requesting for many years? The technology required to do this is in place, for the most part. The only thing stopping it is broadcasters, who bundle channels together to force viewers into paying for channels they neither want nor care about. A Education Tier, Music Tier, Kids Tier,ect…. That way people who want to watch those types of channels can and those who don’t wish to watch, don’t have to pay for them. |
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AVonGaussPremium
join:2007-11-01
Boynton Beach, FL | reply to Rob
With the current climate, maybe it is time to do that again? |
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NOVA_GuyObamaCare Kills AmericansPremium
join:2002-03-05 | reply to Rob
said by Rob:Comcast did that and the FCC, after complaints from the NFL, forced them to move it back to regular channel lineup. That's too bad. When did that happen-- it should have been more widely publicized. And Comcast should include a sentence like "Complaints from the NFL to the FCC, forcing us to carry sports channels, are part of the reason your bill is increasing this year." in every bill each time the price they charge their consumers increases.
If the NFL can use the government as their tool to force consumers to pay higher prices, then cable/satellite companies should be able to fight back by making inflammatory statements in their literature that is distributed to the public.
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ObamaCare encourages euthanization of the old, pays for abortions of the almost-new, and rations care for all those in between while raising your taxes to pay for it. Government rationed, government controlled health cartels screw the middle class. |
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Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
kudos:1 Reviews:
 ·CenturyLink
 ·Comcast
·Embarq Now Centu..
 ·Millenicom
| reply to Jwobot
 Tier, Tier, Tier. The only tear that I know of is the tears I shed every month when I write a check for their overpriced service. I pay more to rent two HD Digital Terminals with DVR than I pay for premium programming. Your suggestion is too practical. |
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NOVA_GuyObamaCare Kills AmericansPremium
join:2002-03-05 | reply to openbox9
There's a simple solution to that too. How long do you think Disney would last before they caved in if Comcast, Time Warner, Dish, and DirecTV dropped all Disney channels from the lineup? A week? A month? During that time period, the cable/satellite companies could compensate consumers by dropping prices on their service dramatically.
Disney relies on the income from pimping out this entertainment very heavily. I think that they would give in quickly if there were an organized boycott of their programming by the major players in the cable and satellite industry.
It's too bad this will never happen. Sometimes reality sucks.
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ObamaCare encourages euthanization of the old, pays for abortions of the almost-new, and rations care for all those in between while raising your taxes to pay for it. Government rationed, government controlled health cartels screw the middle class. |
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:2 | I agree and would quickly welcome such a move, but how well do you think Comcast, Time Warner, Dish, and DirecTV would fare in the face of their irate sports- and Mickey-loving customers?
I plan to do my part when my Dish time runs out next year by cancelling service. My family simply doesn't watch TV that much. In fact, I can't remember the last time my wife watched a program and I only rarely watch CNBC. OTA does more than enough for us. |
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| said by openbox9:I agree and would quickly welcome such a move, but how well do you think Comcast, Time Warner, Dish, and DirecTV would fare in the face of their irate sports- and Mickey-loving customers? Plus ABC is Disney. Noone is going to drop a big 3 network. |
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SunnyD
join:2009-03-20
Madison, AL | reply to NOVA_Guy
Too bad that can't ever happen. Disney would just take all the cable operators to court and win megabux and an injunction because of the cable operators committing collusion. |
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NOVA_GuyObamaCare Kills AmericansPremium
join:2002-03-05 | reply to openbox9
said by openbox9:I plan to do my part when my Dish time runs out next year by cancelling service. I have DirecTV and am considering doing the same when my contract runs out. It's not that I dislike their service or equipment, it's that I don't find it worth the nearly $100 I pay for it each month.
Before I switched to DirecTV from Comcast, I had two HTPC boxes set up for recording programs, each with a bunch of TV tuner cards in it. We get enough OTA TV here in the DC area that I should be able to pick up most of what I watch with a decent antenna. The rest of my entertainment (movies, etc.) can come from instant streaming from Netflix and the like.
If I really need more channels than that, I'll get the basic programming tier from Comcast. I still use them for internet, and by the time they drop my internet price $10/mo for having "bundled" service the extra cost shouldn't be too bad. I'll just need to pick up another 1 or 2 HDHomeRun boxes to be able to record up to 6 digital channels at once and I'm all set.
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ObamaCare encourages euthanization of the old, pays for abortions of the almost-new, and rations care for all those in between while raising your taxes to pay for it. Government rationed, government controlled health cartels screw the middle class. |
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:2 | reply to viperlmw
Yep, Disney owns a lot of content that many people probably don't realize. |
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said by Jwobot:said by NOVA_Guy: A Education Tier, Music Tier, Kids Tier,ect…. That way people who want to watch those types of channels can and those who don’t wish to watch, don’t have to pay for them. SKY TV uk, small world media uk, foxtel aus, and most cable and sat co in Canada have that. |
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:2 | reply to NOVA_Guy
said by NOVA_Guy:Before I switched to DirecTV from Comcast, I had two HTPC boxes set up for recording programs, each with a bunch of TV tuner cards in it. We get enough OTA TV here in the DC area that I should be able to pick up most of what I watch with a decent antenna. Concur. I have no problem receiving Fox, ABC, CBC, NBC, CW, and their numerous sub channels (and many other channels that I will never watch) with my HTPC and a HDHR. I don't have a Netflix account but have considered setting one up. Redbox works well too. |
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openbox9
join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
kudos:2 | reply to SunnyD
It's not collusion if the distributors don't sign/renew contracts with content owners. But, you're right, it still won't happen because the distributors aren't willing to deal with consumer backlash....the price increases are easier to handle. |
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 Morac
join:2001-08-30
Riverside, NJ
kudos:1
·Comcast
| reply to NOVA_Guy
said by NOVA_Guy:That's too bad. When did that happen-- it should have been more widely publicized. They resolved their difference a few months ago and it was pretty widely publicized. See this page for details.
That's why digital plus subscribers now get NFL Network, MLB, NHL, etc as part of regular package. Comcast is making lemonade out of lemons though by now promoting the sports channels in their commercials and raising rates (NFL costs 45 cents per subscriber) to compensate.
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The Comcast Disney Avatar has been retired. |
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KearnstdElf WizardPremium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ | reply to Rob
that is the sad thing, the NFL went crying like a baby they didnt get to be on the normal digital.
but really did the FCC even have a right to force comcast to take NFL off the sports tier? i know the FCC has must carry channels but i doubt they could must carry an optional channel.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports |
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| reply to NOVA_Guy
said by NOVA_Guy:Comcast blames the higher costs on the higher costs of programming (specifically sports), but also lays the blame on "new advanced set top boxes and modems" and DOCSIS 3.0 network upgrades.
Simple solution, Comcast (and all other providers): move all sports channels to a sports tier where they belong. Then drop the cost of basic cable without the sports tier down to reflect the savings. Those who are interested in having the sports tier can then purchase it as a premium package, just like movies and pay-per-view. This way those who do not care about receiving channels like ESPN don't have their bills inflated because of it. These companies could also offer access to the sports tier on a pay-per-view type basis, charging some fee for 48 hour access over weekends or the like, for casual sports viewers. (Weekend access fees, when measured on a per-day basis, would be higher than just buying monthly access to the sports tier of course.) Or, even better yet, why not just offer ala carte access to all channels-- like many users have been requesting for many years? The technology required to do this is in place, for the most part. The only thing stopping it is broadcasters, who bundle channels together to force viewers into paying for channels they neither want nor care about. Even better ideas -
* Drop commercials
* Allow customers to choose their own channels
This is the exact reason why I don't have cable TV. Not that I am admitting to piracy, but you have to wonder why people would rather pirate a TV show that doesn't have commercials vs pay to watch the TV show and commercials. It's kind of counter-intuitive if you think about it:
Free: Commercial free
Pay: Commercials
If the programming was commercial free, then I would most certainly consider cable TV. |
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Reviews:
·Comcast
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said by NOVA_Guy:Comcast blames the higher costs on the higher costs of programming (specifically sports), but also lays the blame on "new advanced set top boxes and modems" and DOCSIS 3.0 network upgrades.
... Or, even better yet, why not just offer ala carte access to all channels-- like many users have been requesting for many years? The technology required to do this is in place, for the most part. The only thing stopping it is broadcasters, who bundle channels together to force viewers into paying for channels they neither want nor care about. Whoohoo! À la carte! |
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