[Tfug] why not cable?

[John Gruenenfelder]

On Tue, Sep 12, 2006 at 07:23:00PM -0700, Stephen Hooper wrote:
>>
>> So I've got 6 Mbps cable service from Comcast.  And it's pricey, too (by my
>> standards).  It's $65/mo for the service I receive.  But... if you also sign
>> up for basic cable TV service (that's just the local channels) then you get
>> $10 off your bill for a total of $55/mo.  The best explanation I have heard
>> for this is that Comcast wants you to be a "cable TV subscriber" at all
>> costs.  This inflates their subscriber base and so they can charge advertisers
>> more.  I don't know if this is the real reason, though.
>
>You still have to pay for cable TV right?

If I wanted "extended basic" which is what most people consider basic cable,
then yes, I would have to pay quite a bit more.  What I get with "basic cable"
here is the local (OTA) channels from Boston and Hartford, plus NECN (New
England Cable News), GAC (Great American Country), BET, and Comedy Central.  I
really don't know why they include those last three, but I'm not going to
complain.

>I thought the reason was that it was impossible for them to block
>basic cable if you are a cable modem customer.  That is why they
>decided to bundle the two together for a "lower" cost.  You can either
>pay them, and receive basic cable; or not pay them, and receive basic
>cable.

I don't think so.  The channels I listed above are the only ones I can
receive.  The others are all missing.  Now, is it impossible for them to block
the few that I am receiving?  Probably not, since they are blocking the others.

>If they are actually charging you less than the cost of both cable tv,
>and internet then they are being super cool, and my whole world view
>about cable companies is shattered.

I don't think it's time to rethink your world view just yet.  :)
For me, it's $65 for net and no TV, or $55 for net and TV.  I'll take the
latter, but I just know they're up to something...


-- 
--John Gruenenfelder    Research Assistant, UMass Amherst student
                        Systems Manager, MKS Imaging Technology, LLC.
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