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shelby10763
join:2005-03-12
Greenville, NC

shelby10763

Member

New reason to raise cable bills

Not sure if anyone has seen this yet, but Suddenlink has created a site to garner public support for their rebroadcasting fights.

»suddenlinkonyourside.com/

I guess Fox is trying to bully Suddenlink into giving more money, and of course they're going to be forced into passing the cost onto the consumers.
WVUFloydFan
join:2010-02-24
Charleston, WV

WVUFloydFan

Member

It's funny that SuddenLink just raised our rates due to "the rising cost of TV programming" yet don't want to fork over that money for TV programming. They see fit to raise our rates without providing any additional services, even after assuring Charleston, WV back in July that there would be no change in rates when they needed approval from our franchising authority for the sale of the company. Now after breaking their word, and after raising our rates without any additional services, they have the nerve to act outraged that someone is asking THEM for more money. Ridiculous! I can assure you that if they do drop these channels our rates won't go down. I'll still have to pay the same amount for the sports tier, including the recent increase, even with less channels.

gatorkram
Need for Speed
Premium Member
join:2002-07-22
Winterville, NC

gatorkram to shelby10763

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to shelby10763
I for one am glad cable companies and sat companies put up a big stink when it comes to re-transmission costs. If they didn't then they'd try to get away with it all the time, or for maybe more money.

Now I guess we need to organize and bitch and moan when they try to raise our rates.

Human greed at it's worst. Everyone wants more more more.

Cabal
Premium Member
join:2007-01-21

Cabal to shelby10763

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to shelby10763
Good for Suddenlink, most of these channel owners are ridiculous.

My family cut the TV portion of our bill 6 months ago and couldn't be happier - now using OTA (UHF/hi-VHF attic antenna and pre-amp), Netflix streaming, and Hulu Plus.
Suddenlink
join:2009-08-26

Suddenlink to shelby10763

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to shelby10763
Hi - Tina from Suddenlink here. Thanks, shelby10763 for posting a link to our website specific to the dispute www.suddenlinkonyourside.com. There is an FAQ section of this site that addresses several questions regarding negotiations and increases in costs. You can also engage with us regarding this topic on our Suddenlink On Your Side Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/suddenlinkonyourside.

moldypickle
Premium Member
join:2009-01-04
Haughton, LA
ARRIS SB8200
Ubiquiti UDM-Pro
Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-nanoHD

moldypickle

Premium Member

I find it absolutely HILARIOUS that SL would absorb some of the 8.5% increase each year on just tv. I've never heard of a business making a move that would cost them profit. But wait, I guess that could be covered with the increase to the internet pricing. Then there's the ridiculous never ending equipment rental fees. So yes, I guess that's good for you SL! Absorb that 2% of the price increase or whatever it is. While we're at it, why don't you guys release the ACTUAL prices you are being required to pay and the suggested increase? Transparency please! You are negotiating with our monthly bill for our service, right?

I mean when you step back and look at it as a whole, the channel owner really isn't doing anything wrong. They are just trying to get as much money as they can out of their product. What company doesn't do this? In fact, isn't that what your local ISP does when they charge a high base rate and then add caps? Anyone looked at their cell phone bills?

I just absolutely HATE that this big a deal gets made from these disputes but no facts are ever delivered on the subject other than to make the content owner look like the devil.

gatorkram
Need for Speed
Premium Member
join:2002-07-22
Winterville, NC

gatorkram

Premium Member

I'd be willing to bet, one side or both, have non-disclosure clauses in these agreements.
jdmm72
join:2002-02-12
Cary, NC

jdmm72 to moldypickle

Member

to moldypickle
said by moldypickle:

I find it absolutely HILARIOUS that SL would absorb some of the 8.5% increase each year on just tv. I've never heard of a business making a move that would cost them profit...

Actually, you'd be surprised at how many companies try to absorb the costs. The food industry has been very public about this recently. Fast food companies (McDs, BK, Wendy's) have absorbed fairly large percentage increases. Canned food companies (Conagra and more) also has come out publicly recently.

Ultimately, business will past the cost on to consumers when it becomes unprofitable.

Raising prices/rates is a risky proposition, there is only so much profit to be made before people bail for greener pastures. If you raise them and start losing customers, your revenue goes down, then you must lower them EVEN more to gain the customers back.

Ultimately, SL has to compete with Dish Network and DirecTV, and for the most part do compete price wise. Dish just promised to raise their rates, and DirecTV is always a little more expensive, so what does SL have to lose?

moldypickle
Premium Member
join:2009-01-04
Haughton, LA
ARRIS SB8200
Ubiquiti UDM-Pro
Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-nanoHD

moldypickle

Premium Member

Every time I've called, both satellites have been EXTREMELY higher to get the shows I wanted, but only after the first 12 months. There was also them wanting money upfront for the equipment. And the 2 year contract. But even if they are absorbing the cost increase, it's clearly made back up in the year end price increase. If you want me to believe that SL isn't making money hand over foot and trying to make it look like they are being hurt here, then they need to start posting the facts.

But even going to greener pastures is only a mild worry at best. From where I sit and available tv options, my money won't be going to a competitor, it'll be buying an antenna. Besides, haven't you seen all the articles about how cable cutting isn't actually happening? LOL

And I sure that some companies are absorbing the instant increase, but watching the prices go up over time, it looks like they are covering the increase withing a year or two with far more gradual price increases. I mean just in my life time i can remember going to mcdonalds for half the total price, lol
jdmm72
join:2002-02-12
Cary, NC

jdmm72

Member

After you factor out the "new customer" subsidy, Suddenlink is very competitive with Dish. I would consider switching after my contract. Oh, and I don't like contracts.
Cobra11M
join:2010-12-23
Mineral Wells, TX

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I agree with modlypickle on this one.. and in any case people will just switch to antenna's all over again. Let's face it this economy everything is getting more expensive and no one (practically) is getting a pay raise.. so in a since the first thing that people will drop is cable TV.. for better options such as that of OTA TV and Internet services.. once this happens as it already is showing you have the broadcasters wanting more so they can even out the costs.. If anyone thinks that cord cutting isn't real they need to check the private sector again, its a live and growing at a big rate.. People can't afford 300+ dollar AT&T/Verizon bills nor can they afford 200+ dollar bills from the cable co's, it gets to a point where the average American will eventually say enough is enough and shut off everything to bare min

we in fact just did it the last 2-3 months, we went all the way down to basic for now (plan on getting some antennas installed soon) and we gladly dropped AT&T and their over charging.. since then our bill is now 60-70 bucks with Suddenlink (10mbps, 1mbps) and just basic

as for wireless the switch to T-Mobile was easy with prepaid.. granted we knew coverage would take a hit out side of our town.. but we are still covered pretty well.. that being said out phone bill is only 80 for 2 lines.. and both have data (Hopefully soon they reframe the area.. till then its GPRS for me haha but its ok cause im prob the only person in town using it kinda feels like edge haha..)

moldypickle
Premium Member
join:2009-01-04
Haughton, LA
ARRIS SB8200
Ubiquiti UDM-Pro
Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-nanoHD

moldypickle

Premium Member

I'm killing my ATT also in march, going w/ a mvno as i barely even use this $140/month phone plan. Cable tv will be following once I grab an antenna and figure out a new wiring plan for the house. Need to grab a couple of them converter boxes to, yes,,,,, still using old tvs, LOL
jdmm72
join:2002-02-12
Cary, NC

jdmm72 to shelby10763

Member

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I would love to get rid of Dish, but I like The Blaze, which SL doesn't have, and it's not over the air.

moldypickle
Premium Member
join:2009-01-04
Haughton, LA

moldypickle

Premium Member

There are a couple shows/channels that I'll miss when I cut my cable, but that is EASILY made up for in the savings. I can learn to get by, lol