Cable rates about to rise... again!

[NebariNookiee]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=&e=5&u=/usatoday/20040210/bs_usatoday/satellitecableoperatorsgetreadytoraiserates

I don't know about you guys, but it just isn't worth it anymore!

[grinner]

I would rather have Ala-cart channels... and only buy the ones that I want

[PrairieScaper]

Why is it that when cable/satellite rates increase, ESPN is so often singled out as the rationale?

If ESPN execs truly believe their programming is worth so much, then they shouldn't have a problem with being offered a la carte. It seems that if ESPN channels are so expensive, they should be the first channels peeled off and offered a la carte.

[grinner]

It isn't just ESPN... it is ALL of Disney's channels. Disney has a reputation of overcharging and forcing cable providers to carry their channels.

[PrairieScaper]

Hmmmm, that's interesting. I've never seen Disney cited by the cable/satellite companies as a particularly expensive service. But as I said, ESPN seems to come up alot in these situations. What have you seen on Disney? (Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time I saw good press on Disney.)

[NebariNookiee]

A la carte channels won't work. Because then you won't see the crappy programming on those channels and they cry about how unfair it is.

Well -- it's unfair that I pay for the Women's channel when there's no women in my house.

[grinner]

It is just something I was told by a buddy that used to work for AT&T Cable before ComCast bought them out. The last Cable increase was directly attributed to Disney.

[kechara420]

Actually, lots of cable companies have issues with Disney. I'm not sure if it's about price, but from what I've seen, there are issues. My company currently produces an e-mail newsletter for Mediacom, which features programming information for ALL of Mediacom's networks--except Disney and ABC Family, per Mediacom's request, because of issues they're having with Disney.

As for ESPN, it is the most expensive network for companies to carry. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most highly rated, so cable and satellite cos have little choice but to carry it.

[Antrobus]

The new prices will range from $36.99 a month for basic service with 125 channels

I should be so lucky! I pay almost $40/mos. for about 50 channels!

[Selena]

I gave up cable years ago and have never regretted the move. My satellite dish is the best. Great picture and the cost is way less than cable. In the last 8 years my satellite rates have gone up once and only by about $5, when the govt changed the way networks were broadcasting. I get 150 channels for under $40/month including all my local channels.