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aztecnology
O Rly?
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Murrieta, CA | Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes They're asking for a la carte programming and pricing, and they're not getting it, except when grabbing their ankles for price hikes... | |
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KeepOnRockin
Music Lover Forever
Premium
join:2002-11-08
Beaverton, OR
 ·Comcast
| said by TKJunkMail  :People always keep asking for more cable channels to be added. Go to any of the cable forum here at BBR. They get totally apoplectic if every new super narrow scope cable network isn't available to them and then they wonder why rates are going up. Well they get what they are asking for - and so they have to pay the price. As for me, I'm perfectly satisfied with the cable channels I have now. You'll never hear me begging for more channels.
If it meant paying a lower cable bill, I'd drop some of the channels I have now. | |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
| Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes said by KeepOnRockin :As for me, I'm perfectly satisfied with the cable channels I have now. You'll never hear me begging for more channels. If it meant paying a lower cable bill, I'd drop some of the channels I have now. I would be happy with a lot less channels too. But studies have been done(and not by the cable companies) that show that the a la carte pricing model just doesn't work. It results in higher costs for much less programming. Too bad too, because except for the networks, a few sports channels, HBO, and a couple movie channels, 70% of my channels are never watched.
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| | | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes said by TKJunkMail :I would be happy with a lot less channels too. But studies have been done(and not by the cable companies) that show that the a la carte pricing model just doesn't work. It results in higher costs for much less programming. Too bad too, because except for the networks, a few sports channels, HBO, and a couple movie channels, 70% of my channels are never watched. Please post said study. | |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
1 edit | Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes said by moonpuppy :said by TKJunkMail :I would be happy with a lot less channels too. But studies have been done(and not by the cable companies) that show that the a la carte pricing model just doesn't work. It results in higher costs for much less programming. Too bad too, because except for the networks, a few sports channels, HBO, and a couple movie channels, 70% of my channels are never watched. Please post said study. Ever hear of Google? Look for it yourself.
P.S.> Oh what the hell. I'll give you one. But if you want more, go looking.
»www.gao.gov/new.items/d048.pdf
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G_Poobah
join:2004-01-17
Schenectady, NY
| Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes "The study was rigged against consumers in favor of large cable companies, giant broadcasters and other media behemoths," says Gene Kimmelman of the Consumer's Union, publishers of Consumer Reports (see press release). The NCTA said the opposite, claiming the study was a validation of their belief A La Carte would result in "higher prices, fewer choices and less diversity in programming".
Here's the real study. One that wasn't paid for by the cable company and their lobbyist.
»www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_···656.html
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marigolds
Gainfully employed, finally
Premium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
| Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes There is no study in that link.
I think NOTOA did a similar study, but I don't know if I could actually find it. As well, I have seen internal studies done by government consulting agencies that indicated a la carte would be pretty disasterous under the current industry business models. You would have to revamp the whole television industry to really get it to work (starting with forced breakups of the major provider groups like ABC/ESPN/Disney).
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JakCrow
join:2001-12-06
Palo Alto, CA
| Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes said by marigolds :There is no study in that link. I think NOTOA did a similar study, but I don't know if I could actually find it. As well, I have seen internal studies done by government consulting agencies that indicated a la carte would be pretty disasterous under the current industry business models. You would have to revamp the whole television industry to really get it to work (starting with forced breakups of the major provider groups like ABC/ESPN/Disney). In most of the content world, it's the content providers that pay the network to carry their content and not the network paying the content providers. That's the biggest problem with the "television industry" a big factor as to why things are broken. | |
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| | | | | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL
| said by TKJunkMail :said by moonpuppy :said by TKJunkMail :Please post said study. Ever hear of Google? Look for it yourself. P.S.> Oh what the hell. I'll give you one. But if you want more, go looking. » www.gao.gov/new.items/d048.pdf Well, if you are going to propose a point a view, you must be willing to defend it. Obviously, you aren't willing to do that so your opinion and view become a mute point. | |
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| | | | | | MalakoPlus
join:2005-01-17
l165h3
1 edit | Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes That's a real fancy way of saying you are lazy as hell. You are so damn lazy you couldn't be bothered to put your response OUTSIDE the quote tags. | |
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| | | | | | | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes said by MalakoPlus :That's a real fancy way of saying you are lazy as hell. You are so damn lazy you couldn't be bothered to put your response OUTSIDE the quote tags. Feel better now? I got the quote tags right on this one. 
And it is not being lazy. If you are going to make a statement, you must have the evidence to back it up. Anecdotal evidence is rarely accurate unless it comes from multiple, un-connected sources.
If there was a study, show it. Or should we just take him at his word?  | |
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quetwo
That VoIP Guy
Premium
join:2004-09-04
East Lansing, MI
| All I know is that when I lived in Illinois (three years ago), we had Cablevision. $45/mo for 12 public access channels, 4 locals, 1 MTV, the super stations (WGN, TNT, TBS, TNN), Disney, LifeTime, and the SciFi network. ESPN and the movie channels were extra. In fact, the Discovery Channel was part-time with one of the public access channels! It was soo frustrating that we couldn't get any of the channels that anybody else got, and in most cases, we paid more! | |
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Maarvin
Premium
join:2005-04-11
Denver, CO | Actually, I have lost channels this year. | |
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| Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ
| how about we make sealed franchises illegal for CATV and Telco service. allowing for open competition is the only route to lower prices. its been proven in pretty much any market the more people offering the less you pay. think of it this way, if only intel and Nvidia made CPUs and GPUs you can bet a p4 3ghz would still be 800 bucks for the chip and a Geforce 7800gt would be 800-900.
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marigolds
Gainfully employed, finally
Premium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
| Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes said by Kearnstd :how about we make sealed franchises illegal for CATV and Telco service. They are illegal. They have been for over a decade. | |
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| donaldk
Premium
join:2000-10-19
Thunder Bay, ON
1 edit | and have a Happy New Year! | |
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GilbertMark
Premium
join:2001-05-02
Gilbert, AZ
·Cox HSI
| A la carte programming please!!!!
I would happily give up the 3 useless shopping channels like QVC and HSN.
I would happily give up 2 of the 3 PBS channels I get.
I would happily give up all the channels in languages I don't speak (Spanish, Chinese).
The Golf channel? Come on? You can have that back too. The only thing more boring than playing golf is watching someone play it on TV.
You can also have Nickelodeon and ABC Family back as well.
Get the idea? | |
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| | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| Re: Death & taxes & cable rate hikes said by GilbertMark :A la carte programming please!!!! .... Get the idea? You realize that ala cart pricing would cost MUCH more money all around right?
So, are you willing to pay half the price you pay now and only get about 15 channels? Your price per channel would go through the roof.
Your price per channel is about 0.63 based on 45 a month with 72 channels.
Take aboiut 15 channels for half the price and now you pay about $1.50 per channel.
SOME people may like this, but the majority don't. There are about 20 out of 70 channels that I don't watch from time to time. About 20 I watch regularly. I'll stick with the basic cable package myself.
At some point, though, basic cable is going to have to be regulated because the price is getting out of hand.
In the MN system, basic cable IS going up in January by $3.00 per month and all digital packages are also going up by about $3.00. (HSI and phone remain) However, if regulation does come, it's not going to be in the form you may think. Regulation is going to HAVE TO be at the network level because they are the ones driving up the cost of basic cable, not necessarily to MSO.
FOX New channel raised their rates from about .30 cents to $1.00 stating their popularity as their reason - not operating cost, but because they are popular and just can. WTF? However, it's s lippery slope to regulate a network in the first place. Regualte the MSO and they will loose money oon basic which means increases on evertying else such as installs, equipment rentals (which I guarantee would become mandatory) and HSI and phone.
It's not pretty but ala cart pricing is not the answer and is not going to happen .... EVER... do don't get your hopes up. There is virtually no support for this where it matters. | |
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marigolds
Gainfully employed, finally
Premium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
| If you gave up the shopping channels,
Your bill would go up.
If you gave up PBS,
your bill would go up.
Foreign language channels?
I -think- your bill would go down.
Golf Channel
Up.
Nickelodeon and ABC Family.
Down, but you would not be able to get ESPN then.
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ISCABBS - the oldest and largest BBS on the Internet
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Member: American Association of Geographers, American Geophysical Union, American Water Resources Association | |
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| MICROWAVE124
join:2003-05-09
Tucson, AZ
|  We don't need more channels, or rate hikes, if we could pick only the stations we wanted and paid for that I think things would get better. I think its lame that I have to subsidizes stations I don't like or never watch.......but thats how a monopoly works I guess......sad 2say 
Microwave124 | |
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KeepOnRockin
Music Lover Forever
Premium
join:2002-11-08
Beaverton, OR
·Comcast
| Thinking Twice quote:
Locals in three Illinois cities that voted down a municipal broadband and television network are gearing up for the third price-hike in their area since 2003.
Maybe they shouldn't have voted down the municipal networks. | |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| Re: Thinking Twice I'm surprised nobodys mentioned those CxO's that just got $1M + 125% base salary. this money has to come from somewhere and guess who gets to foot this bill? YEP, you got it!
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| | gatchel
join:2000-11-28
16465 | Re: Thinking Twice Could have saw this a mile away... | |
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Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
1 edit | said by dvd536 :I'm surprised nobodys mentioned those CxO's that just got $1M + 125% base salary. this money has to come from somewhere and guess who gets to foot this bill? YEP, you got it! As has been pointed out elsewhere these salaries are not out of line with other industries and in fact they appear to be lower end of what would be considered average; a good executive is going to bring in much more value in cash and reduced liabilities than what they're paid...and you aren't going to get people who are good at their job if you pay low wages.
Why don't you come up with a good argument instead of going for the "Evil Rich screwing the saintly poor" all the time.
The reason Comcast is raising their prices is because they think they can do so without losing many customers. Not because they can't afford to pay their employees, or because they want to screw everyone; if you had a product and thought you could sell it for more you would probably do so as well.
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G_Poobah
join:2004-01-17
Schenectady, NY
| Re: Thinking Twice "The reason Comcast is raising their prices is because they think they can do so without losing many customers. Not because they can't afford to pay their employees, or because they want to screw everyone"
Umm, isn't that an oxymoron right there? "Raising their prices because they can do so without loosing many customers".
That, is the CLASSIC definition of 'abuse of monopoly'. That's what microsoft got busted on. And you serve to strengthen my position by saying 'not because they can't afford to pay their employees'. They can raise prices because there IS NO COMPETITION. Umm, that's whats called a monopoly. By definition, it is because they want to screw everyone for their own benefit that the prices are rising.
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Sure the internet has lots of porn and piracy, but I'm sure there's a downside to it. | |
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Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
| Re: Thinking Twice said by G_Poobah :That, is the CLASSIC definition of 'abuse of monopoly'. Actually that's pretty much how the whole economy works my foolish little friend. Keeping your prices at the point where you can make the most amount of money per unit without losing so many customers that you actually start to lose money has NOTHING to do with abusing a monopoly; now weather or not the price Comcast has set is higher due to a monopoly is a completely different situation; a situation that cannot be factually proved without observing the company in question competing in the same market they were a monopoly in.
Not that there actually is a monopoly anymore...unless you pretend that certain things that do exist (satellite and to a lesser extent even movie theaters, video rental places and miniature golf courses) don't exist so that you can come to the conclusion you want without looking stupid.
I'd also like to point out that the implements designed to keep the monopolies in check (franchise agreements) actually had the affect of making it harder for potential competitors to enter the market.
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G_Poobah
join:2004-01-17
Schenectady, NY
| Re: Thinking Twice Sigh.. you still don't get it, do you..
Cable, by definition, is a natural monopoly. The reason they are 'natural monopolies' is the same reason your local water provider is a monopoly. The cost of the product (water/cable tv/electricity/etc) is minuscule in comparison to the cost of the infrastructure (telephone poles, pipes, etc). No one can compete with a company that has already paid for the infrastructure and half of the revenue would not pay for the bill; hence, in the "natural" course of events there would be only one provider.
Satellite is NOT considered a competitive provider to cable tv. Price competition is at the heart of the definition of markets, and satellite is Dish vs. DirectTV, not Dish vs. Cable.
When a second provider is in the same area, expanded basic cable television rates were 15 to 41 percent lower in 5 of the 6 markets with a 2nd provider when compared with their matched market. That's 41% CHEAPER because another provider is there. Why is it so much cheaper, because there is competition.
What's going to end up happening, what MUST happen, is we must not allow cable companies to own any channels. Period. The electric deregulation, as screwed up as it is, has the right idea when you have a natural monopoly. You pay for the bandwidth (or tv channels, etc) separately from the cost of the infrastructure. If comcast/verizon/sbc/etc isn't willing to do that, then I would have to wholeheartedly support govt takeover and breakup of comcast/verizon/etc (ala AT&T). They are all Natural Monopolies.
No logical person can argue that the breakup of AT&T has NOT lead to cheaper long distance, more features, better service, and all in all, empowered (have a choice) consumers. Do you remember your phone bills back in the 70's? It was 75 cents per minute to call across the country. In today's dollars, that would be equivalent to 3.18. Did the breakup cause tons of job losses, sure did, but new ones were created, and we all benefited. Once the infrastructure is completed by verizon/comcast/etc (i.e. fiber), I want to see takeover and breakup, since then EVERYONE benefits.
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Sure the internet has lots of porn and piracy, but I'm sure there's a downside to it. | |
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Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
| Re: Thinking Twice said by G_Poobah :Sigh.. you still don't get it, do you.. Oh, I get it. The problem is that you argue from a point of view that everything is simple, and if something feels a certain way then it must be true. Unfortunately for you complicated interactions exist, and feelings are ofte wrong.
said by G_Poobah :Satellite is NOT considered a competitive provider to cable tv. You're a fool if you think that. The only reason a rational person can say this is if it's merely a method of disqualifying any evidence that contradicts what you want to be true. Hell an economist would also considers the movie theatre, bookstores, the bowling alley and Nintendo as competitors to Comcast.
said by G_Poobah :When a second provider is in the same area, expanded basic cable television rates were 15 to 41 percent lower in 5 of the 6 markets with a 2nd provider when compared with their matched market. That's 41% CHEAPER because another provider is there. Why is it so much cheaper, because there is competition. How many of those were government backed organizations without the need to turn a profit. How many years elapsed between when competition began and the study was done. Any fly by night company can come in, offer an unreasonably low price for several years and then go belly up because that price wasn't covering expenses.
said by G_Poobah :What's going to end up happening, what MUST happen, is we must not allow cable companies to own any channels. What is that going to do exactly besides making you feel better because you did something.
I don't even know why I'm arguing with you, you are after all the person who think youngins' have posters of Nobuyuki Idei haning on their walls.
You are the perfect example of the dangers of a little bit of knowledge. Let me guess.. first or second year of college?
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| | | | | | | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20 | Re: Thinking Twice They are a competitor... GP doesn't know what he's talking about... as usual. | |
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tehsleeper
join:2004-04-17
Saint Paul, MN | Re: Thinking Twice do you say this every year?  | |
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ummmyeahok
| Its funny because DISH will have the same price hikes as well but then try and turn around and say, oh cable blows because they are raising rates. Whatever. They had price hikes this year as well so shutup already. | |
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Octopussy2
Premium
join:2003-03-30
Batavia, IL
| Ummmmm... that is what I was thinking....but I am sure it might take the Tri-City residents a few more years to figure this one out apparently. They must like paying more for less. And believe me...it is more money for less channels. And less channels that people actually want to see in the lower tiers that cost less. It is a racket.
Thanks god those folks in Iowa know what is up and voted for 17 of their communities to move ahead with Opportunity Iowa. That adds to the other 25+ muni broadband/cable/triple play providers already in operation in Iowa today. WAY TO GO!!! One can only hope that will help improve our standing in the world in broadband penetration.
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It's muni-licious! »www.tricitybroadband.com | |
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woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA
1 edit | hmmmm...... It's called "karma":):):)
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BlooMe | |
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dustman81
join:2002-05-28
Tallmadge, OH
 ·AT&T U-Verse
·RoadRunner Cable
| Just negotated a better deal from TW After I negotated with TW NEO to get HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, The Movie Channel and 5 channels of Starz/Encore for $11/mth until 11/06 and got a second digital box, now they're hiking rates on us. Guess someones got to pay for the Adelphia buyout.
I figured with a 2% price increase, I'll be paying $120/mth. And unless I get negotate a cheaper price for my RR come April when it's special rate expires, my cable will go up again.
Of course for that $120/mth, I get:
One DVR
One regular digital box
RR (standard 5MB)
Digipix 1000
HBO + HBO On Demand
Cinemax + Cinemax On Demand
Showtime + Showtime On Demand
The Movie Channel + TMC On Demand
Starz/Encore (5 channels)
But price increase after price increase, you'll be seeing more people heading to satellite. | |
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SolarPup
IT Geek-Dawg
Premium
join:2002-03-07
The Pound
clubs: | Re: Just negotated a better deal from TW don't be too sure of that, sattelite will be raising their prices as well. | |
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Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY
·Qwest.net
| Re: ESPN needs competition There is an increasing move to local sports channels. We have Altitude which originates out of Denver and carries Denver Nuggets, The Avalanche, and other area pro sports teams.
As you all know Monday night football is going to ESPN in the next couple of years so that will be locked up in cable and will bring a hefty price rise. Unless the Broncos are playing in the Super Bowl all I am interested are the ad's and those I can look at online as many times as I want after the fact.
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Low voltage Tech's are wimps, Real tech's use 45 pound filament transformers, plate voltages no less then 2400 volts with at least 10 amp's lighting 8877 triodes...BPL I'm coming to get you. | |
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MPScan
Premium
join:2001-08-24
Boston, MA
| Re: ESPN needs competition We've had NESN (New Englang Sports Network) in my area for at least two decades. They carry all the games (Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics) except for the NFL (Patriots).
Actually, when I was younger, it was a pay channel like HBO people paid $10/mo for... but about 6-7 years ago, it just became free and is included in all basic packages. | |
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Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY
·Qwest.net
1 edit | Dish Network Dish Network pulled three Comcast channels Outdoor Life channel, Men's Channel, and and a third I didn't even know I had it was so interesting. Comcast wanted to much money for them and it was apparent these channels where not high on the popularity ladder. I know I hardly ever watched them. Outdoor Network is much better anyway. I will not miss any of them.
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Low voltage Tech's are wimps, Real tech's use 45 pound filament transformers, plate voltages no less then 2400 volts with at least 10 amp's lighting 8877 triodes...BPL I'm coming to get you.
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edfg456hjr
@dsl-w.verizon | Re: Dish Network I can hardly wait for FIOS.. then it's Bu-buy ComSpastic | |
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| | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| Re: Dish Network said by edfg456hjr :
I can hardly wait for FIOS.. then it's Bu-buy ComSpastic
... and "hello" Verizon price hikes."
You think Verizon doesn't raise their rates? How boaut dish? direct? Everyone raises their rates. | |
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Geminimind
Premium
join:2003-12-20
Sacramento, CA | Comcast=Greed | |
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Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
| Re: Dish Network said by Geminimind :Comcast=Greed Or good stewardship of other peoples (ie: their investors) money.
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chaser7016
@68.34.x.x
| Buy a XP Media Center And join and enjoy the Internet TV revolution! The cable business model and the constant price hikes will be things of the past and our data bills will probably be larger, but oh well we'll finally get to watch and pay for what we want.
Buy TV shows thru Itunes and today's AOL annoucement is just the beginning of this revolution. Also, try out Skype its great and free! | |
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John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| Re: Buy a XP Media Center said by chaser7016 :
And join and enjoy the Internet TV revolution! The cable business model and the constant price hikes will be things of the past and our data bills will probably be larger, but oh well we'll finally get to watch and pay for what we want.
Buy TV shows thru Itunes and today's AOL annoucement is just the beginning of this revolution. Also, try out Skype its great and free!
Didn't you forget this:
/sarcasm
Just keep telling yourself it going to be different...
/sarcasm
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A is A | |
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JeedaiKnight
0verthinking
Premium
join:2002-03-15
Portland, OR
| What I don't understand... How can cable-rates go up when DSL prices continue to go down? How does this work?
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| | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| Re: What I don't understand... ...imrf, you forgot to mention too that Telco is already squaking about the lower price of DSL... only they, at least SBC, is choosing to go after Google, Yahoo, and Vonage (to name a few) for more money. (To me, it shows that at least SBC can't afford the DSL squeeze for much longer) | |
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inciter
Noobie
Premium
join:2000-08-30
Rohnert Park, CA
| You mean they don't? Do it twice a year now? Wow thats cool! I left when it was three times a year. I have proof! Cool well those that like it must use a lot of Vaseline.
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Playing Table Tennisis not a matter of life or Death, It's much more important than that. | |
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See 8 replies to this post |
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phaqu
join:2005-05-26
Marietta, GA | Get some rabbit ears... at least they're free......for now. | |
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Switching
@72.24.x.x | How comcastic of them They are trying to build $1,000,000 pyramids for the CEOs | |
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thinkneo
@71.241.x.x
| Re: How comcastic of them That's corporate parachutes to you!
I remember the key phrase of the 1980's.
1. Lay off as many people as you can.
2. Fatten your salary.
3. Leave the company, threaten the board of diretors you'll go to the competition
4. Get HUGE corporate parachute.
5. In 10-15 years, do so anyway.
Aint that American for you and me!
Land of the corporate swindlers...
Only one that got caught with the hand in the cookie jar was at Adelphia; tee-hee. | |
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jerry666
Premium
join:2002-12-12
Sainte-Anne-Des-Lacs, QC
clubs: | cable hike ? verry simple , don't watch tv !! jeez i get 2 channels and that's 2 to many ! | |
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bbreader2005
@bellsouth.net | Re: cable hike ? wasn't there an article yesterday or so about Comcast top exec's getting a $1,000,000 salary raise. no wonder the price hikes. | |
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| | bbscript
join:2004-11-09
Fairfield, PA
| Re: cable hike ? wanna jack prices do it to digital subscribers now us basic cable people. already paying 49.95 for basic now use to be 29.95 5yrs ago whata load of ****. paying near double in just 5yrs. cant wait for verizon to step in and force these companies to drop prices or go bankrupt. i have basic cable. only 7 channels are programmed in rest are useless or not worth watching. if i had it my way, id only pay for wat i watch **** the rates. to me for what i view is only worth maybe 9.99.now if u gave me something worth watching like 5 premium movie channels on basic then yes your worth the 30 bucks. but until then. all cable companies are in violation of my rules of price gouging people. lets all take em to court for price gouging. let the consumers deal with cable rates. | |
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| | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| said by bbreader2005 :
wasn't there an article yesterday or so about Comcast top exec's getting a $1,000,000 salary raise. no wonder the price hikes.
No, there wasn't. Why don't you actually READ the article - you may learn something. | |
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SolarPup
IT Geek-Dawg
Premium
join:2002-03-07
The Pound
clubs: | Excuse here. They're launching VOD and HDTV here tomorrow, definately a bonus, i'd pay more for it.
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...I don't have a 8mb speedy connection, I fly through the net at low altitudes! | |
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hobgoblin
Sortof Agoblin
Premium
join:2001-11-25
Orchard Park, NY
clubs: | Re: Excuse here. Excellent....Its easier to roll out new products when you are big and succesful.
Hob
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"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Ralph Waldo Emerson | |
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jasqid
Fiber In Your Diet?
join:2002-04-02
East Palestine, OH | Greedy Bastage! Guess we're picking up the tab on those 3 executives that are getting 3 million a year. (Plus Bonus). | |
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hobgoblin
Sortof Agoblin
Premium
join:2001-11-25
Orchard Park, NY
clubs:
| Re: Greedy Bastage! jasqid pondered
"Guess we're picking up the tab on those 3 executives that are getting 3 million a year. (Plus Bonus)."
Yeah lets do the maths to see how much YOU are contributing.
Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) of Philadelphia is the nation's largest cable company, with 21.4 million cable customers, 7.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 1.2 million telephone customers.
30.3 million subscribers to various products. How much is each of them contributing to the tab?
Oh and how much do you think someone with the experience of those gentleman running a Billion dollar company that is employing thousands and creating new jobs daily and contributing to the economy should be paid?
Hob
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"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Ralph Waldo Emerson | |
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jasqid
Fiber In Your Diet?
join:2002-04-02
East Palestine, OH
| Re: Greedy Bastage! Dont get me wrong, I'm all for capitalism. But it irks my chain when they payout huge bonuses that are 2.5x their salaries and then raise rates.
My point is, we all know these services are overpriced. If there was true competition I bet we would see prices 15-25% lower than what we see now.
Proof? Stongsville OH. Adlephia (Soon to be Comcast) and WOW. I actually have in-laws that have a choice. And their Adelphia bill is $28 lower for the same services that my parents have in New Castle PA. Yeah, it's Adelphia, not Comcast, but my point is about the industry and their monopolic grip on 85% of the consumers. Why would cable and HSD be $28 cheaper? Would it be becasue Wide Open West gives them a run for the money? You bet.
And yeah, there's many folks that have an option for DSL. But not many. My only option for an alternative broadband company is DirecWay, which IMO isn't really an option.
To each their own, but keep in mind, many people have a difficult time swallowing the big Cable Pill. "Hey, we just gave out multi million salaries and bonuses. Starting JAN 1 we'll begin billing you an additional 6.35!" | |
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| runlevelfour
join:2002-06-12
USA
| What everyone needs to remind themselves is television is a luxury. Yes the cable companies are greedy bastards who want the biggest slice of the pie at the least effort. Yes ESPN and pretty much everyone associated wants the same thing. In the end the consumers pay the bill, and if you want to stick it back to the man cancel your service.
This situation has evolved from capitalism, pure and simple. Thinly veiled greed saturating the entire system from top to bottom causes this and since most if not all of you live in this country you should not be surprised. If maybe america unplugged their precious boob tubes maybe they would start reading books, or god forbid, go outside more. Who knows, maybe america will start paying more attention to their government and what its doing to the rest of the world and its own citizens.
The publicly owned companies (bit of a joke that, given that majority shares are in the control of a few) have a responsibility to their shareholders. Make as much profit as possible. And since that money comes mainly from their customers who do you think is footing the bill? Instead of trying to hop from carrier to carrier or service to service why not join or start a drive in your community for muni?
Or, god forbid maybe stop throwing your lot in with democrats and republicans who are all business owners and part of the wealthy elite who set up the rules to allow this behavior? Gasp. But that would be thinking outside of the two (business)party system! | |
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fuego24
join:2005-05-23
Jackson, NJ
| That's life This cracks me up.
We all know that cable rates go up every year, but guess what so do DirecTV and Dish Network. Guess what they usually go up about the same amount. This will happen to the TELCOs too.
Why you might ask? Programming costs go up, Employees get raises, Equipment get upgraded, etc...
It is a part of life. Get use to it!!!
If you don't like it, disconnect your cable, satellite and put up an antenna and enjoy. | |
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| mykey2k
join:2001-11-19
Aurora, IL
| Re: That's life Unfortunately quoting the whole post above:
said by fuego24 :This cracks me up. We all know that cable rates go up every year, but guess what so do DirecTV and Dish Network. Guess what they usually go up about the same amount. This will happen to the TELCOs too. Why you might ask? Programming costs go up, Employees get raises, Equipment get upgraded, etc... It is a part of life. Get use to it!!! If you don't like it, disconnect your cable, satellite and put up an antenna and enjoy. History of DishNetwork price increases: »ekb.dbstalk.com/17
Just looking at the very basic package, from 40 channels for $20 in 1996 is now 60 channels and $27 in 2005. Local channels for $5 more. That's what? $7 in 9 years, $12 if you want local channels.... Of course I am assuming that website is correct.
Compare that to how much cable goes up per year, or what you were paying in 1996 compared to today.
Satellite, at least here in IL, is not a taxable item, and there are no municipal fees. But, in reality the tax would need to be nearing or over 20 per cent before it's more expensive than (digital) cable.
It may be a part of life, but it's not as bad on the Satellite side as you'd like to think.
-m | |
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| | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| Re: That's life Everyone speaks of the "number of channels" - that really means squat when you look at it.
Sat can offer 40 or 60 channels, but what are they? Are they worth anything? Mostly not to many people. The "good" channels or the "most popular" channels are in the higher tiers of service.
It's easy to look at what the cost per channel is, but in reality, it's not the best tool for comparing cost when you are really talking value. Everyone will "value" a channel at a different level. The trust cost per channel has to factor in the value to the subscriber and the provider selling it.
Many music channels are counted in the total number. SOme people LOVE a lot of music. The other 30 or so video channels may be right up their alley too! Great! It means VALUE. To me? That package would = not woth it. I'd probably be more suited in the 180 channel package (which about 60 channels are music) and the only reason I wanted the 180 channel package is because, say for example, National Geo is on the 3rd tier / 180 package. I had to buy a bunch of stuff I didn't want to get the one channel which means most of my cost per channel is pretty high.
Yes, you can put a cost to the channel - I know this very much. However, comparing the cost per channel between providers is not as transparent as one likes to think. My national geo channel may cost be 20 times more on one provider than the other. | |
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jamez818
please hold during the silence
join:2000-09-18
Sunland, CA | $$$ Cable prices going back up, Oh I thought this was real news. Never mind.... | |
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rachelsfx
join:2004-09-27
Pensacola, FL
|  ESPN Jacks Rates
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| fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| Re: ESPN Jacks Rates (So does fox news) Don't forget, so did fox news channel.
If you read the recent article about the fox news channel, they raised their rates to $1.00 per head "because their ratings" alone. Not because of cost to produce went up, but meerly on ratings.
The majority of your basic cable rate goes directly to the networks and not the cable company.
The Cable company makes their money from:
HSI
Equipment Rental
Inserted Ad Sales
Digital Tiers
Premiums / PPV
Telephone Service & Features
These are the Focus Products. | |
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Octopussy2
Premium
join:2003-03-30
Batavia, IL
| Re: ESPN Jacks Rates (So does fox news) I am just loving lately that Comcast has taken specific channels (like Sci-Fi), and bumped the one channel up to a digital tier because they want to make more money in our market. It caused a big uproar here recently when Comcast moved the one channel. Channel by channel...the prices are going up for everyone. Disgusting how they go about it.
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It's muni-licious! »www.tricitybroadband.com | |
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| | | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20 | Re: ESPN Jacks Rates (So does fox news) See my post above... | |
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marigolds
Gainfully employed, finally
Premium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
| Re: ESPN Jacks Rates said by rachelsfx :I'd love to dump ESPN for a $3 rate reduction (and a few others like those worthless home shopping channels). Home shopping channels reduce your rates. Those channels pay to be put on the air.
It is pretty much a given that the ESPN channels are well over $3/person now, but the real numbers are sealed.
(AFAIK, the fox news numbers are sealed as well).
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ISCABBS - the oldest and largest BBS on the Internet
telnet://whip.isca.uiowa.edu
Member: American Association of Geographers, American Geophysical Union, American Water Resources Association | |
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| | nguyen27
join:2003-05-14
Quincy, MA
| Re: ESPN Jacks Rates Can I just get a package with just
SCI-Fi/TNT/TBS/Spike/Weather/Discover and dump the rest like ESPN? ESNP, sport channels and the rest of blah blah blah for $20? Glad I'm on Dish right now | |
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HappyBunny
Hi. Cram It.
Premium
join:2001-06-23
Long Beach, CA
·Charter Pipeline
| Give us choice! It seems like that with digital tv, we should be able to go through a menu and select what we want on our cable system and be billed accordingly. I would have about 10 stations--at $1.00 each, say, my bill would be just $10.00 per month. The four networks (NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox) along with TVLand, HGTV, Discovery and uh.. CNN. Okay, not even 10. I dont watch sports, I dont shop on tv, I dont watch stations in languages I dont speak and I dont have kids. And if I werent paying for all the crap I DONT watch, I might sign up for HBO and pay for something I WOULD watch. But right now, my bill is so high, I dont add on the things I would like, like HBO and DVR. Instead, I waste money on crap I will never watch. If I got HBO and DVR, I would be spending about $100 a month, JUST FOR TV! For that much, it should cook me dinner and serve it to me.
I think there must be others out there like me, who would still spend just about what they do now, but spend it on different features, if they had more choice in how they spent their cable $$. | |
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It's Cable Price-Hike Season
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