When it comes time for the proverbial belt to tighten, what's one of the first places you turn? That outlandishly huge cable bill, we'd wager. Apparently Comcast users in particular have been calling in by the hundreds asking how the carrier can lower their monthly bills, and it has even gone so far as to create an "economy video tier that costs below $30 a month with 50 TV channels plus music channels." Of course, it also just
raised rates for most subscribers along with practically
every other provider in America (
Atlantic Broadband notwithstanding), but hey, it can't hurt to call up and politely throw around that "switch to satellite" threat.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
andyg8180 @ Dec 9th 2008 10:16AM
I had my bill lowered to $0 per month :-)
With all the free programming over-the-air, Hulu's 1 commercial per break, and Netflix, is there really a need for cable programming??
Okay, so nickelodeon and cartoon network will be missed, but unless you like watching old guys on C-SPAN argue over the virtues of Jay-Walking, there's almost no point in subscribing to cable anymore... you just have to know where to look :-)
Jason @ Dec 9th 2008 11:19AM
But I wanna watch Oprah!!!!!!!!!!!
Stupid wife.
siva @ Dec 9th 2008 3:47PM
But Oprah comes OTA! Screw cable!
Prey521 @ Dec 9th 2008 3:39PM
For as much content as there is to watch online, it's still not there yet where it can replace cable/sat. Maybe if you're not into sports and just watch network programming it may work, but for sports junkies....not even close.
watice @ Dec 10th 2008 5:45AM
Just wanted to let you know.. CSPAN has a channel on youtube where you can get all the good stuff.
Galley @ Dec 9th 2008 11:06AM
I broke down in October and reactivated my DirecTV service just so I could watch the MLB playoffs on TBS. The only thing keeping me from deactivating it again is the MLB Network which launches on Jan. 1. At least it will be included in the $30 Family Pack.
Big Wizz @ Dec 9th 2008 11:24AM
People need to stop treating cable as a necessity.
Either pay for the options/channels you want or don't pay at all.
Pip @ Dec 9th 2008 2:14PM
My only issue is all the new channels are all sports channels. I have literally 50+ sports channels. None of which I watch, but every time they add 1-2 my rates keep going up.
Seriously, they need to reform their lineup and dump ALL sports into a single tier. I've been waiting FOREVER for Charter to carry Travel HD, and all I get is Golf HD?
COME ON ALREADY. Get that off my bill!
Evan @ Dec 9th 2008 3:01PM
An economy package of SD channels is not going to bring people back from the internet. Cable companies need to fundamentally change how they offer their services (e.g. no tiers, a la carte subscriptions to individual channels, larger VOD catalog).
Stringfellow Hawk @ Dec 9th 2008 4:11PM
I called Comcast and threatend to swith to Dish (which I am strongly considering), and all they did was go into a satellite tv bash fest. After I said that I was aware of all the pros and cons, the rep tried talking me into switching to basic cable which is like 15 crappy channels in my area. They didnt offer anything to lower my rates. Dish, here I come!!
John B @ Dec 10th 2008 12:52AM
I just switched to Verizon's FiOS TV. Their bundle is saving me approximate $60/month over Verizon FiOS (without TV) and Comcast, and I get a hell of a lot more channels. Screw you, Comcast, and your VHS quality "high definition" channels!!
Gerald @ Dec 10th 2008 8:11AM
Stringfellow:::
I am sorry to hear about that they would not lower your bill I suppose it depends on who you talk to because after my promo was up I called and I did exactly what you did and told them I would switch back to Dish and twice they lowered my price good for a year and HSI 19.99 for 6 months. I would try again and hopefully you get a good CSR. I am currently in Chicago right now and when I move to Washington State Next year I am switching to FIOS which I will be excited about alot more HD channels for less and NON- Conpressed HD as well. Good Luck
Nate @ Jan 13th 2009 6:00PM
The deal making probably varies market to market.
CMCS SUX @ Dec 10th 2008 9:16AM
Comcast is a joke. I signed up for FiOS, lowered my bill, got more HD channels, got faster internet and at the end of the year my bill will stay the same- unlike comcast where their teaser promo rolls up about 30% at the end.
I also got cash back when I signed up. If youre interested in my contacts name at FiOS email me at spidere4re@yahoo.com.
COMCAST MUST DIE!