Cable TV Rates Jumped 6.3 Percent, FCC Says

[Mark Holtz]

Cable TV Rates Jumped 6.3 Percent, FCC Says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. cable television service rates soared 6.3 percent in the year ended June 2002 as the number of new subscribers slowed, the Federal Communications Commission said in a report issued on Tuesday.

Of the vast majority of Americans who subscribe to pay television service, about 68.8 million receive it from cable operators. But satellite companies are making inroads, with approximately 18 million subscribers, the FCC said in its annual competition report.

Cable operators added only about 250,000 new subscribers during the 12-month period, compared with the roughly 2 million subscribers who signed up during that time for satellite services provided by EchoStar Communications Corp. and Hughes Electronics' DirecTV service.

Full Story Here (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=802&e=1&cid=599&u=/nm/20021231/media_nm/media_cable_fcc_dc)

[raj2001]

I heard a funny ad on WCBS radio 880 AM last night... I couldn't remember the whole thing but it went a little like this:

"Cablevision would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy new year 2003.... With a rate increase!!!"

Then it went on to become an ad for DirecTV. If I get a chance to record it I'll share it with you guys... Too funny.

[pez2002]

I was Talking to My Girlfriend she said the cable bill was $150
She has HBO/Cinemax I cant Beleave it Drop Cinemax & Keep HBO they both show the same Movies



Or get the Dish :D

[Jacob S]

What has been the rate of inflation this past year and the years before that?

[Bogy]

Originally posted by pez2002
I was Talking to My Girlfriend she said the cable bill was $150
She has HBO/Cinemax
What else does she have? My bill is about that, not counting long distance charges, but that's for digital cable, internet and phone.

[pez2002]

Originally posted by Bogy

What else does she have? My bill is about that, not counting long distance charges, but that's for digital cable, internet and phone.





To tell you the truth I dont know but for a Cable bill Thats Alot

[Bogy]

Originally posted by pez2002
To tell you the truth I dont know but for a Cable bill Thats Alot Just how many XXX pay-per-views has she been logging? :D

[bryan27]

Speaking of price increases. This one is totally off the scale. Basic service with AT&T was 19 channels at $11.95, today it went up to the new Comcast rate of 19 channels for $26.95!!!!!!! Expanded Basic is now $42.95 for 60 channels, and the lowest digital tier is $65.95 which just gives you the extra Discovery, MTV/VH-1, A&E channels plus the Encore Theme Channels.

I think the reason basic doubled is that those who are outside the city limits, and thus not in a regulated franchise area have a higher rate than those inside the city limits where the price for basic is regulated. When I checked an address "in town" it was still $11.95 :(