Cable Company's losing 1 million customers a year - Page 2

Piggie · 05-28-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

How is their pricing for service on two additional televisions any different in Gainesville as compared to anywhere else?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo-Ray

are you sure you're comparing similar packages? I priced a year ago, and Dish was 20% higher than cable in my area with "like" digital programming packages and DVR rental.

I live in Orange Springs FL, about 40 miles from Gainesville. I watch their TV channels so I hang out in the Gainesville Local Reception forum at AVS. Cox only feeds the town of Gainesville so I can't get their service. I use DirecTV as a back up to OTA which I mainly watch. I get Orlando locals on DirecTV because I actually live in the Orlando FL DMA, just 2 miles south of the Jacksonville FL DMA and 8 miles east of the Gainesville DMA. I am in the middle, but DirecTV goes by address so I get Orlando locals which pleases me fine as I get Gainesville locals on OTA.

So I am going what the guys and girls in the AVS Gainesville thread tell me. That thread is Cox, OTA, Satellite, since it's a small market we didn't separate the threads per provider, so I read all their posts. In the last several month, there was a lot of conversation about DirecTV vs Dish vs COX. DirecTV is out of the game because they don't carry Gainesville DMA locals. Dish just added locals in HD this month there. Cox has had them HD for about a year. So since now Dish has their locals they are truly in direct competition with Cox for customers. After following their threads, Dish was a little cheaper on their 2nd tier which included HD and HD locals than Cox, with a better picture and more channels. Hence that is my source.

bicker · 05-29-2009, 02:54 AM

Okay, but I think you're missing the point. Satellite's base price typically is less expensive. Where satellite gets more expensive is when you add a third or fourth box to your system. So general conversations, such as the one in the AVS thread, would reach one conclusion, where threads that specifically recognize the need for service on more than a couple of televisions will reach another conclusion.

Just for fun, I ran through the DirecTV order entry process: Besides charging $200 extra for the extra DVR I'll need to replace my kitchen DVR (which I cannot use with any other service, should I decide to cancel), there is also this $15 lease fee they add on every month because of the extra outlets, for a total of $96 per month minus $16 discount for the package (but only for 12 months; after that, it goes back up in price). This is for the same level of service I'm currently paying Comcast about $44 per month (going back up to $60 per month in six months), and TiVo $10 per month, for a total of $54 ($70). So if it wasn't for how much extra satellite charges for the extra outlets, satellite could be competitive in price.

Piggie · 05-29-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicker

Okay, but I think you're missing the point.

I was missing your point.

I am in a position where my local cable is total joke. It's a small local cable company. You name possible cable problems, they have it. Cross talk from too much gain on some analog channels, not enough gain on other channels, leaving light snow on them with herringbone because the adjacent channel is too strong. The only digital they have is clear QAM on the 4 local stations main programming. It's also their only HD and only thing besides mono sound. Yes you heard me right, their analog channels are in mono, including MTV and HBO, etc....

So years ago when I moved here I got DirecTV and am on a very old plan, cheaper than current plans even with their increases on all plans.

I only had SD on satellite which to me if fine as I get 7 digital stations with 14 unique programming choices. I am not counting weather channels or duplicate programing from PBS where it's 24 hours the same like Create or World or analog translators. HD I get 7 channels. So I don't feel like I want to go back to either satellite company and make a new deal, get a 2 year contract, or pay a penality and buy new DVRs. If anything I would just cut off my DirecTV except I really like a few channels and getting Orlando locals.

Aries · 06-05-2009, 12:55 PM

When we have internet TV, an economy having issues, as well as utterly ridiculous prices, things will get tricky for cable companies. Not to mention that we fork our $60 a month for mediocre service that is loaded with ads and subject to censorship. I'll keep my money and buy DSL and download an adblocker. :P

HTNut · 06-05-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aries

When we have internet TV, an economy having issues, as well as utterly ridiculous prices, things will get tricky for cable companies. Not to mention that we fork our $60 a month for mediocre service that is loaded with ads and subject to censorship. I'll keep my money and buy DSL and download an adblocker. :P

Just like every corporation, I'm sure they'll find away to thrive by adapting with technology. Most cable companies have a monopolyon hard wired internet service too, so they'll probably find a way to offer TV service somehow, at a lower cost.

Just to think of all of the infrastructure that cable companies have laid in the ground that'll be outdated in the next couple of decades. Will all of them go to fiber optic? Who knows. I'd like to see faster wireless products than wasting natural resources on pulling fiber cables everywhere.


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