So Cablevision, When can I expect my rate decrease?

You know this does make me think of something interesting...

If I could have my dream TV setup it would be a system where you only
pay for the networks you want to watch.... so the less networks you
pick, the lower your bill is.


But I doubt it would happen.
not when there's people like me in the world... haven't owned a tv
since 2004 and the only networks i truly like are fox news & BBC
America.

heh... i've actually scared people when they find out i don't watch
tv...


but anyway good luck :)

Is definitely something that has been batted around for some time. It
is logical to ask why someone should pay for 100 channels, when they
watch only 15.

I heard that cable companies charge viewers over $1 a month for ESPN.
Recall that Scripps was only getting $0.25 for both HGTV and Food
Network combined.

I had a TV before I moved in with my now-husband but no cable and
crappy reception, so it was like not having a TV. In a way, it was
kind of nice as it forced me to find other things to do (like read) to
occupy my down time.

Now we have a TV and a full cable package. It's good to have when I
need a break from my very-active two-year old or need something to
keep him occupied while I get ready for work, but it's way too easy to
get lulled into watching TV rather than doing something else.

My sister finally has a TV (and cable) after seven years of not having
one, and she's finding the same thing out: it's just way to easy.

THIS WORKS:

Call Comcast, Cablevision, whatever.

Tell them about that great DirectTV deal going on for 6 months where
you only pay $30 a month. Explain you like the cable company but costs
are tight and you haven't gotten a salary increase or bonus. Explain
you need to cancel your service if they can't cut you some sort of a
deal.

I do this EVERY SIX MONTHS and they ALWAYS chop 30-40 bucks off my
bill - taking it from $84 a month to about $50.

They always fall for this scam. And it doesn't matter if it's the
truth or not....or if you're just bluffing. Every cable company is a
huge corporation with obscene levels of profits.

Fight for your right to be treated fairly and not like an ATM machine.
Believe me, the cable companies can afford to give you that discount!

Best of luck to you....now call your cable company and give 'em the
sob story I do!

This is why hubby and I canceled cable. We love channels like Food
Network, HGTV and Bravo. But it wasn't worth paying the outrageous
amount we were paying every month for it. They nickel and dime you to
death and they NEVER lower rates, only raise them. Don't seem to care
much if you lose channels you like to watch etc. etc. I know these
companies are running a business and the goal is to make money, but
I've decided they are no longer getting any of mine.

Good letter.

I've had similar discussions with other companies. The answer is
always the same: "we told you that the programming we provide is
subject to change."

No amount of "...but if you're not paying for The Food Network (or
whatever), why are you charging me for it?" every helps. The "subject
to change" line is the other thing that they ever say.

I'll bet you that Cablevision not only doesn't decrease your rates,
but that you'll actually see an increase.

In theory, I completely agree with your letter. In reality, I doubt it
will happen.

And I'd be upset about losing HGTV. How would I know how to rearrange
my table to make the space look larger? :)

I doubt they will give you any discount.
If these were channels you watched, you may have a good case to get
out of any contract you may be in because they changed their
"product".

Hopefully you can get some sort of discount, or cancel their service
and find some other way to get Food Network and HGTV.

Telling viewers to make their wishes known on some website. My take
is this is not a sealed deal, though there was very some tough talk a
few days ago.

If there is a chance they could be put back on, Cablevision probably
doesn't want to move quickly to lead customers to believe their bill
is permanently going down, just to increase it within a month. They
probably don't want customers to ever think the bill is going down (:

Or why not poll your customers and see if they are willing to pay a
little extra every month to have those channels available? Let the
majority rule.

That is around $0.25 a month for both channels combined, I believe,
per subscriber.

You can see why Scripps is upset. That is about the cost of a
designer coffee, from what I hear. But just one a year.

Every penny counts.