More Cable Rate Increases for 2009

Here are more cable rate increases coming up for the following areas. Most of these rates are set to go up in March.

Orlando, Florida - Brighthouse plans to raise rates by 4.7% in March because of rising programming costs. Rates for standard cable will go from $52.99 to $55.49 a month. Digital cable subscribers will see an even larger increase, with their rates rising by 5.8%, from $59.99 to $63.49.

New York - Time Warner is raising monthly cable rates beginning in March. Basic cable subscribers will not see an increase. However, standard cable will go up about $4 a month and digital cable will increase $1. DVR costs will also increase by $1. Subscribers to "All the Best” package, which includes cable, roadrunner and digital phone, will see their bills go up $7 a month from $128.50 to $135.50 (before tax). The rate hikes are blamed on higher costs paid out to carry the channels, as well as recent channel additions, including more HD options.

Troy, Alabama - This month, Troy cable raised rates $3 a month for basic cable. The increases are said to be due to the digital switch and higher programming costs.


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Cable Rate Increases Looming for Subscribers All Over the U.S.

And we all thought food and gas prices were climbing... Cable customers across the country are bracing themselves again for more rate increases this year. Here's a rundown of which areas are affected:

Cambria County, PA - Cable subscribers should have noticed a 3-4 % rate hike in early June. Rising costs of gas, programming, and energy are blamed for the increases.

Las Cruces, NM - Cable subscribers likely noticed an increase of 7% on average on their June cable bills, depending upon the type of digital pacakge they subscribe to. Digital Premier customers are shelling out an additional $6.49 more a month for their services - yikes...

Norwood, MA - This area can expect to see a 5% increase on their monthly cable bills sometime in the coming weeks. The increase will cost customers an extra $3.15 per month on average.

Glasgow, KY - The rates will increase by $1.50 per month beginning in July. Basic subscribers will not be affected, but rather on next tier, which basically includes channels 29 through 100.

Tacoma, WA - Click! Network subscribers should expect an increase between 9 and 20 percent beginning in July, depending on location and their level of service. The average customer will see an increase of $2.75 per month on their cable bill.

Broward County, FL - Subscribers will see an average rate increase of about 2.5% on their monthly cable bill beginning July 1.

Omaha, NE - Cox cable subscribers will see a 6% increase on average on the July cable tv bills.

Tucson, AZ - Subscribers to Cox cable tv service will see increases from $2 to $5 beginning July 15.

Harrisburg, PA - RCN cable tv subscribers should expect to see an increase of at least $3 beginning in July.

Morganton, NC - Beginning on the October bills, rates for broadcast basic (channels 2 through 20) will raise from $15.95 to $18.95 per month. Basic cable (77 channels) will go from $40.95 to $45.95 per month. Now that you know, you should have plenty of time to shop around for cheaper TV service!

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High Foreclosure Rate Leads to Rise In Cable TV Rates

The high foreclosure rate has hit our neighborhoods hard. If you're living next to an abandoned home left at a result of a foreclosure, then you know what a nuisance that is. Some neighborhoods have even experienced higher crime rates as a result. One thing often not mentioned, is the higher cable bills that come as a result of fewer residents.

What does your cable bill have to do with the decrease in the number of homeowners? The answer is a lot, specifically if you have a neighborhood association and were receiving a discount cable TV package through the them. Often times, neighborhood associations are able to negotiate bulk contracts with the cable companies for lower rates. The more residents, or customers, there are, the better the discount and the lower your bill is. What is happening now is there are less residents paying into the association as a result of the foreclosures, therefor reducing the discount, and raising your bill. In essence, the neighborhood associations have lost their "bulk," which is their most important negotiating factor. The higher costs are then passed onto you, the resident, especially if you reside in a less affluent neighborhood. Likely, if your neighborhood has other features covered by your homeowner's dues, such as golf courses, security services, etc, they can cut back in these areas instead and not pass the higher cable costs onto you.

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Comcast Cable Rates Rising in Illinois and Indiana

Comcast is greeting roughly 1.2 million new subscribers with a rate increase, and the best part is, there is no real explanation for the rate hike.

The rate increase is expected to take effect in April. The Standard package price is going from $48 to $51, the Basic package is increasing by $1, and the the Expanded Basic package is going up $2. Additionally, Premium movie channels, like HBO, are increasing by $1-$2, and the monthly DVR service fee is increasing from $8 to $10. The average bill is expected to increase 3.5%.

This past January, roughly half of Insight cable subscribers in Illinois and Indiana were passed over to Comcast. The rate increase affects Illinois customers primarily in Rockford/Dixon, Quincy/Macomb, Springfield, Peoria and Champaign/Urbana, and affects Indiana customers in Bloomington, Anderson, and Lafayette/Kokomo.

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Time Warner cable rate increase for Syracuse, NY

Time Warner is raising rates again this April by 2.6% for subscribers in the Syracuse, NY area. Time Warner has already notified customers that will be affected by the rate increase. The increases are due to higher programming and gas costs, along with the added expense of doing business in central NY.

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Cox Cable Rate Increases for Tulsa, OK

Cable TV rates are rising for residents of Tulsa, OK in April. Cox cable is raising rates for thier Expanded Basic package by $2 a month, which will raise the cost of programming from $43.99 to $45.99. The monthly DVR service fee is also increasing from $9.99 a month to $11.99 a month. The raises are said to be due to higher programming costs.

If you are tired of cable rate increases, try switching to Dish Network satellite TV from All American Dish. Sign up now and receive a free DVR receiver upgrade and get $120 back. Programming packages start at just $19.99. Visit www.AllAmericanDish.com or call 1-877-444-4388 to order.

Cox to raise cable rates for Santa Barbara/ University of California area

Cox cable TV subscribers residing in the Santa Barbara/ University of California area will need to brace themselves for yet another cable rate increase beginning March 15. Cox attributes the increase to higher programming costs, network upgrades, such as the addition of High Definition channels, as well as increases in operational costs. Approximately nine cable services will be affected by the increase including the Limited Basic package, which will increase from $26.64 to $29.14, and the Digital Basic package, which will increase from $62.24 to $68.74.

Students living in University-owned residences will likely not notice any changes because their television service is included in their residency fees. However, students living off-campus, like local residents, will see increases based upon the services they subscribe to.

If you are tired of cable rate increases then look into switching to Dish Network. Dish Network has packages guaranteed not to increase until February 2009. Currently, Dish Network is offering free activation and installation to new subscribers, as well as free programming for 3 months and a free HD DVR upgrade. When you sign up through All American Dish, a leading satellite TV provider since 1983, you will also get a $50 Visa cash card. To view the complete Dish Network offer or to sign up today, visit www.AllAmericanDish.com or call (toll free) 1-877-444-4388.

Brighthouse customers in Orlando, FL and Detroit, MI to be left without channels

Nearly 900,000 Bright House cable TV customers may be left without programming after March 16 from CBS-affiliated WKMG-TV in Orlando, and NBC-affiliated WDIV-TV in Detroit. The concern is due to a showdown over money between Bright House Networks and Post-Newsweek Stations, which owns six stations. The companies are attempting to negotiate a new agreement before they reach the midnight of March 16 deadline. After this deadline, Bright House Networks will have to pay to continue to carry the CBS and NBC signals. If the two companies are unable to reach a deal, over 800,000 subscribers in the Orlando, FL market and over 100,000 subscribers in the Detroit, MI market will have to find alternative programming options if they want to continue watching their favorite CBS and NBC shows, respectively.

Some customer will be switching to Dish Network to get the best programming deal. Switch to Dish Network and get free programming for 3 months, free DVR upgrade and free installation. Sign up for Dish Network through All American Dish and also receive your choice of bonus gift, including a $50 Visa cash card, iPod Shuffle, or 7" digital picture frame. To get Dish Network today, visit www.AllAmericanDish.com or call 1-877-444-4388.

Cable Rate Increases for Indianapolis, Indiana and Surrounding Areas

Comcast is raising rates again for customers residing in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding areas. Areas affected by the cable rate increase include Indianapolis, Beech Grove, Marion County, Clermont, Cumberland, Homecroft, Meridian Hills, Southport, Speedway, Warren Park, Williams Creek, Wynnedale, Hancock County, Hamilton County, Boone County, City of Lawrence, Brownsburg. Also included in the cable rate increase are residents of Morgan County - Plainfield, Danville and Hendricks County - Plainfield/Brownsburg, Mooresville, Plainfield.

Basic cable tv rates will raise by an average of 4%.
Rates for Digital Services will increase by an average of 10%.
Digital cable tv package prices will increase by an average of 4%.
High Speed Internet will increase by 3%.
Pay-per-view (PPV) Video on Demand (VOD) movies will increase by $1.00.

These cable rate increases will be reflected on your January 2008 cable bills.

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Price for cable box may be increasing

Look out cable tv subscribers....

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Cable companies are planning to charge more for set-top boxes to help pay for new, more expensive versions mandated by the Federal Communications Commission.

They say the price increases are a result of the government's push to spur competition for the boxes, which are required to receive digital programming and change channels. It's not yet clear how much the charges will rise.

The FCC has been trying for nearly a decade to open up the set-top market so subscribers actually buy their own and then use a cable-company-provided card to decode their programming. The retail market for the boxes, however, has largely failed to materialize and millions of consumers still rent the boxes from their cable company.

As of July 1, cable companies were required by the FCC to start shipping the new set-top boxes with detachable cable cards.

The companies have lobbied against the rule, saying the new boxes are more expensive. Consumer groups say it's yet another excuse for cable companies to raise rates.

And higher rates are definitely coming. Cable industry officials said even consumers using the older set-tops will likely be hit if the cable company decides to spread the cost to all box renters.

Cable operators won't yet say exactly how much more consumers will pay to rent set-top boxes. It's also unclear whether the fee increases will apply to cable cards.

Both cable trade groups have said consumers would see $2 to $3 more in monthly rental rates for the new boxes, but that doesn't take into account spreading the cost out to all box-renters.

Find the complete article written by the Associated Press here.

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Analog TV to Digital TV - The Digital TV Transition

The DTV Transition - Are you ready?

On February 17, 2009 analog broadcasts will cease to exist, leaving many without the ability to receive TV programs such as the news or their favorite shows.

I wish I could say there's been a lot of buzz around this particular topic, but I can't. So far, it' s been more like a dull hum instead. If you either feel as if you don't know as much information as you should about the digital transition, or don't know anything at all, don't feel bad. You're not alone. It has been proven a majority of Americans are not even aware these broadcasts are disappearing.

February 17, 2009 has been selected by Congress as the date all analog television broadcasts will stop, and stations will fully transition over to Digital Television (DTV) broadcasts. Since early 2006, most TV broadcasters have been sending both analog and digital signals. Once these analog signals are discontinued for Television viewing, they will be reused for public safety services such as emergency, fire and rescue, as well as advanced wireless services.

Unless you recently updated all your televisions, you likely are relying on an analog TV to view your programs, and receiving either free over-the-air signals with an antenna, or subscribing to pay TV services. When broadcasters stop sending analog signals, you will not be able to view over-the-air signals without obtaining a separate set-top box. These converter or set-top boxes are capable of receiving the incoming digital signals, and then converting it to display on your analog set. Without the aid of this additional equipment, you will not be able to receive free over-the-air digital broadcasts to any form of analog TV, including your small handheld TVs, or that small black and white tv in the kitchen. While these converter boxes will be relatively low cost, affording one may be difficult for some. In order to ease the burden for these consumers, the government has set up a converter box coupon program. This program allows a household up to 2 coupons valued at $40 each to use toward the purchase of up to 2 converter boxes. If you do not want a separate set-top box, your options are to either upgrade to a new TV with a built-in digital tuner or subscribe to pay TV services, such as Digital Cable or Satellite TV. Most newer TVs, especially those manufactured after March 1, 2007, have been equipped with built-in digital (ATSC) tuners to pick up over-the-air digital signals. If you currently are a Digital Cable or Satellite TV subscriber, you will be least affected by the transition. However, if you want to view Digital TV at its optimum capability, called High Definition, you will want to check with your provider to make sure you have the right equipment.

Read more about the Digital TV transition and High Definition at www.2009Countdown.com.

The Sopranos - A grande finale or major disappointment?

I didn't really intend to use this blog to write about entertainment related topics, but with the unexpected ending of the Sopranos final episode, I couldn't resist.

I'll have to admit, I didn't start really getting into The Sopranos on HBO until last year. By "really getting into" it, I mean intentionally carving out my Sunday evenings, cancelling plans, doing whatever it takes to catch the episode. Hindsight shows me it probably would have been a good idea to upgrade to the DVR... Prior to 2006, I was a fair-weather fan, tuning in only when it was convenient, crossed my mind, or the only thing "good" on TV. Thank goodness A&E has started re-broadcasting the earlier episodes. I can finally catch up on everything I missed!

Regardless of my viewing commitment issues, I was really looking forward to the final episode. Poised and ready on the sofa for a really great ending, my husband and I were debating which of the remaining characters were going to get whacked. Would it be Tony? Paulie? Would A.J. step up to the plate and join his father?

Then. Fade to black.

What?!?!

It left so many questions unanswered. Yet it also brought up a few of more, like "will there be a movie?" and "what was the significance of the fade out?" A few people I know believed Tony was shot. To support this theory, they pointed out in more than one episode, Tony repeated the question "Do you ever hear the one that gets you?", and his family would often reference his advice to "make the most of the good times". My interpretation is not as gloomy. I think the Soprano family was given a chance to continue on as they always have with new challenges, and problems. Carmela was seen looking over plans for a beach house. Would Tony finally stop cheating on his wife, and would they settle down to live a quiet, more modest existence by the beach now that both children are fully grown? A.J. and Meadow both seem happy, and are looking forward to promising futures. I prefer to assume Tony does not die, and instead gets to spend his remaining time (before his looming trial date) making the most of the good times with his family.

I guess we'll just have to continue guessing, or resolve to feel confident in our own interpretations. Thanks David Chase for a great run.


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Cable Rate Increases

Cable Rates are set to rise for limited basic and full standard cable tv services on June 1 for residents of Worcester County, Maryland.

Wisconsin residents are bracing themselves for increases to their cable tv bills if plans continue to deregulate the cable market. Texas residents have experienced a 49% increase to their cable bills since 2005, despite new competition entering into the market.

Cable Rate Increases

Cable Rates are set to rise for limited basic and full standard cable tv services on June 1 for residents of Worcester County, Maryland.


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Cable rate increases scheduled for May 1

Here's a rundown of the areas expecting a monthly cable bill increase as of May 1st.

Marshalltown, IA
Northern IA - Mason City, Des Moines
Pennfield Township - Battle Creek, MI
Shenandoah, IA
Daleville, AL

Know of any others? Please send me an email or post a comment.

Time Warner raises cable rates for Albany, NY

ROTTERDAM-- Bills for some Time Warner Cable subscribers will increase next month.

Cost of cable rises at Time Warner Company says digital packages to increase $1.95 per month
By LARRY RULISON
Business writer
Friday, March 23, 2007

The price of three digital cable TV packages in the company's Albany division will go up $1.95 a month starting April 1.

The cheapest of the packages is now $57.90 a month, while the most expensive -- which includes four premium channels -- is $130.90 a month.

The price of most of product packages that combine two or three services such as TV, phone and Internet are also rising. The increases range from $1 to about $3 a month.

The ``All the Best'' package, for instance, which provides TV, Internet and phone, will increase from $126.95 to $129.90. The ``Watch & Talk'' package, which combines TV and phone, will go from $91.95 to $94.90.
Time Warner Cable is the dominant cable television provider in the Capital Region, with 440,000 customers. Increasingly, it has become a larger player for phone and high-speed Internet customers traditionally served by the phone companies.

Customers were informed of the price increases in their bills this month.

Peter Taubkin, vice president of government relations and public affairs in the Albany division, said Thursday the increases in the television rate reflect additional programming that has been added, including high-definition channels such as ESPN HD and MTV HD.

``Obviously, there's many commodities that increase in price but don't increase in capability or value,'' he said. ``We're always advancing and enhancing the product.''

Taubkin said the package prices are still relatively cheap when compared with buying the services separately or getting them from a competitor.

Officials frustrated with Comcast rate hikes - Greater Hanover and Gettysburg, PA

Officials frustrated with Comcast rate hikes

By MEG BERNHARDT
Evening Sun Reporter
Article Launched: 03/29/2007 10:15:12 AM EDT

Adams County cable customers upset with their service should not call their local municipalities, leaders have said this month.

"It's something we really can't control and it's unfortunate," said Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors Chairman John Gregor at Tuesday night's Cumberland meeting.

The township has been getting several dozen letters and phone calls complaining about rising Comcast cable rates that couple with the loss of three channels for basic service, Gregor said.

The same concerns were raised by municipal leaders around the county this month.

Gettysburg Councilman Bill Monahan has pointed out the complaints, but says the borough can't control fees. Similar complaints have been articulated by Fairfield Borough, Bendersville Borough and Butler Township, all of which reported fielding several calls from residents since the change in the fee structure and channel lineup.

Comcast bought out Adelphia Cable in July and gained control of cable in the Gettysburg area. In January, it increased rates by about 2.6 percent for the average customer and moved Hallmark, Court TV, Country Music Television, Oxygen and Shop NBC to the digital line up.

"We know and understand that channel moves can cause some customers discomfort, and they are difficult decisions for us to make," said Gabriel Weissman, a spokesman for Comcast. "Changes, such as moving channels to our digital lineup, allow us to increase space and flexibility on the network."

But many municipalities say the changes are unfair to the residents.

Fairfield Borough Council wrote a letter to Comcast dated Tuesday chiding cable company for cutting channels from basic service. It said the majority of Fairfield residents are of retirement age and on fixed incomes.

"Offering these channels on upgraded packages is of no use to individuals on fixed incomes, who enjoy the entertainment received but can little afford the increased cost," wrote Patricia Smith, the Fairfield Borough Council president. "Your company's actions have done nothing to endear itself to the local subscribers."

In Pennsylvania, local municipalities reach franchising agreements with cable providers, but since Comcast is the only one in Adams County, most municipalities have no negotiating power.

"We're between a rock and a hard place," Gregor said. "We could drop the franchise, but then a lot of people won't have television."

Comcast is a private corporation and determines its own fees and channel selection, he said.

Fairfield Borough is considering asking the Adams County Borough Association to take up the issue, but that's just an idea at this point.

Cumberland Township Manager Flo Ford said she's "asked, demanded and pounded on the table" for rates to be lower, but Comcast did not change its rates.

So if Adams Countians want a change, the best they can do is switch to satellite dishes or reception towers, officials said.

That's what Gregor is personally considering. And council members in Bendersville said they were also thinking of switching to satellite dishes.

"If we all (switched), it might have an impact," Gregor said.

Weissman said moving channels to digital has helped Comcast increase choices for the increasingly popular service.
"Throughout the region, the number of customers requesting new levels of service over the past few months alone has exceeded even our aggressive expectations as customers continue to understand the benefits of digital features," Weissman said.

Additionally, he said the price increase was due to "the increased value of our services and more than $215 million in investments in the region to provide advanced products and services, improve the quality of our products and enhance customer service."

"This investment also allows us to continually raise the bar on coaching/training for our technicians and customer representatives and to provide enhancements such as 2 hour service appointment windows, more late evening and early morning appointment times and more Saturday and Sunday coverage," he said.

Evening Sun reporters Matt Casey and Tim Pratt contributed to this story. Contact Meg Bernhardt at mbernhardt@eveningsun.com.

Mediacom Raising Cable Rates for Springfield, MO

Mediacom raising rates, cites business expenses

John Taylor
News-Leader

Mediacom is increasing its rates for cable services, but that hike will be smaller for existing customers, said Randy Hollis, the company's senior manager for government relations.The published rate of Mediacom's family-cable package, which includes basic and expanded-basic services, will increase from $48.95 a month to $51.95 a month, he said. However, those who already subscribe to cable service will just see an increase of $1. That information was not included in recent mailings to customers about the rate changes.

"All of us went through some devastation during January's ice storm. ... Through all of that, our customers were very understanding and very patient," Hollis said.

Mediacom customer Lloyd Cunningham said the rate increase was reasonable.

"I can't complain about it," he said. "I went out to the movies last weekend and spent more than I would on cable."
Bev Prochaska, who receives cable, phone and Internet services from Mediacom, said she plans to switch from cable to dish.

However, she indicated she is changing providers more because of Mediacom's service — and customer service — than because of the rate increase.

Hollis said rates are going up because "our cost of doing business continues to rise."

Those costs include fees paid to the different broadcast stations and cable networks as well as health-care costs for employees and the price of equipment.

The rate increase for basic service will be $3.76 per month. However, the expanded-basic rate will decrease 76 cents per month. Since family cable includes both, its published rate will increase $3.

Hollis said new customers might not necessarily pay the published rate because the company offers a variety of promotional packages to attract business.

Bills will include the rate changes beginning April 20.

Cable Rate Increase for Daleville, AL

City cable rates will increase

By Kara Episcopo
Sun-Courier Staff Writer
Mar 30 2007

City cable customers will soon be paying more for their cable service now that Daleville City Council members approved a hike in package prices and additional service charges during last Tuesday’s meeting.

City Cablevision customers will see an increase in their rates as soon as the next full billing cycle, which should be billed in May. The basic cable package rates will be increased by $2, raising the cost from $9.45 to $11.45 per month. Extended basic cable service will increase by $3 from $25.95 to $28.95 per month. Prices for each package upgrade after extended basic cable will be increased by 50-cent increments. Extended basic with one premium channel will increase to $37.45 per month and extended basic with two channels will increase to $45.45 per month from its original $41.45.

Extended basic with three channels will rise by $4.50 costing $52.95 per month and full package cable will rise to $59.95 per month.

“We’re still competitive with other cable companies,” said council member Ralph Chalker. “We’re much cheaper and we offer a quality product.”

In addition, the council approved a $25 initial hookup charge for new customers and an optional $4 per month wire maintenance program for new and existing customers. If customers opt out of the $4 per month fee, any maintenance for wire damage will cost $25 per incidence.

The $4 per month wire maintenance charge will cost customers a total of $48 per year.
“Ever since this cable was built, we have given our services away,” said Daleville Mayor Wess Etheredge. “We’re losing a lot of money without charging anything.”

The council also voted to charge $2 each per month for any additional converter box beyond the initial box to set up the cable service. Each additional remote, besides the first remote control, will cost customers 50 cents per month.
Because many customers upgrade and downgrade their packages often, the council agreed to charge a $5 fee for any type of change in the customer’s service.

The decision by the council to increase the rates came after the council appointed a committee to look into the future of City Cablevision last month.

The rate increase will help the city’s cable service pay for itself, something the service has not done since its inception in 1993.

The city initially invested $1 million to develop the cable system and has since then invested more funds to keep it updated.

The cable company earns enough to sustain its basic operation, but has never been able to generate enough revenue to pay its own debt.

Cable rates going up in city and three area towns

By Doug Russell
News Editor
mcalesternews.com

Cable rates are going up in Longtown, McAlester, Savanna and Arpelar.

The reason, Allegiance Communications officials said, is to offset climbing programming expenses, retransmission costs and other operational costs.

In McAlester, the current $14.61 limited basic rate is climbing to $19.95, while the expanded basic rate is dropping from $24.75 to $23.

The limited basic rate in Longtown isn’t changing. It will remain $19.95 per month. However the expanded basic rate is going from the current $22.50 to $25.

The limited basic rate in Savanna is climbing $3, from a current $34.95 to $37.95, while Arpelar’s limited basic rate is going up $2.20, from $32.75 to $34.95.

The rate changes will take effect May 1.

The changes don’t include taxes, franchise fees or FCC user fees.

All prices and services, including programming, channel locations and packaging are subject to change.

Depending on levels of service or programming taken, additional equipment and installation charges may apply. Cable customers have to subscribe to basic service to get other optional services.

Customers can file complaints with the local franchise authority within 90 days of effective date of the rate change.

For more information, go by Allegiance Communications, 205 E. Cherokee Ave., or call (800) 455-6460.