Cable bill to go to $1,950 per year

[jcarrera]

Just received an email. My promo rate is going to expire. My payments will go from $1,715 per year to about $1,950 per year. Am I getting nearly $2000 value from my cable hookup (TV+internet)? NO! $2000? You have got to be kidding me.

Most of the time when I have the TV on, we are flipping through cr** channels showing cr** programming. Yet, there are a few--a very few--that I would like to keep. But that option does not exist. You have to pay outrageous bills to bring 100s of channels of useless cr** into your house in order to have access to a few good ones (about 8 channels). I have to do something. It will be painful.

I see no way to reduce the outlay so long as I insist on retaining the channels I like. In essence, I am paying $2000 for 8 channels and internet. There being no way to pay less for those 8 channels and internet, the only remaining option is to cut the cord. Which is sensible: to pay outrageously or get news/entertainment by smartphone (it is $2,300/year--so double whammy), radio, OTA TV, and low speed internet? Smartphone plus cable over $4000/year...I am crazy.

But I can become uncrazy. $4000 per year! How have they done that to me and I let them? How good would I feel when the bill goes up to call and cancel everything but internet, and reduce it to the lowest cost available? You know, that would be very good.

And you know what? I wouldn't die from OTA TV. I really wouldn't. I am feeling better and better about this. In fact, I am feeling really good that getting that cr** out of my house would be a positive thing. Can you see my smile now?

[Islandguy43]

Just received an email. My promo rate is going to expire. My payments will go from $1,715 per year to about $1,950 per year. Am I getting nearly $2000 value from my cable hookup (TV+internet)? NO! $2000? You have got to be kidding me.

Most of the time when I have the TV on, we are flipping through cr** channels showing cr** programming. Yet, there are a few--a very few--that I would like to keep. But that option does not exist. You have to pay outrageous bills to bring 100s of channels of useless cr** into your house in order to have access to a few good ones (about 8 channels). I have to do something. It will be painful.

I see no way to reduce the outlay so long as I insist on retaining the channels I like. In essence, I am paying $2000 for 8 channels and internet. There being no way to pay less for those 8 channels and internet, the only remaining option is to cut the cord. Which is sensible: to pay outrageously or get news/entertainment by smartphone (it is $2,300/year--so double whammy), radio, OTA TV, and low speed internet? Smartphone plus cable over $4000/year...I am crazy.

But I can become uncrazy. $4000 per year! How have they done that to me and I let them? How good would I feel when the bill goes up to call and cancel everything but internet, and reduce it to the lowest cost available? You know, that would be very good.

And you know what? I wouldn't die from OTA TV. I really wouldn't. I am feeling better and better about this. In fact, I am feeling really good that getting that cr** out of my house would be a positive thing. Can you see my smile now?

What are the 8 channels you watch?

[yaz96]

Just received an email. My promo rate is going to expire. My payments will go from $1,715 per year to about $1,950 per year. Am I getting nearly $2000 value from my cable hookup (TV+internet)? NO! $2000? You have got to be kidding me.

Most of the time when I have the TV on, we are flipping through cr** channels showing cr** programming. Yet, there are a few--a very few--that I would like to keep. But that option does not exist. You have to pay outrageous bills to bring 100s of channels of useless cr** into your house in order to have access to a few good ones (about 8 channels). I have to do something. It will be painful.

I see no way to reduce the outlay so long as I insist on retaining the channels I like. In essence, I am paying $2000 for 8 channels and internet. There being no way to pay less for those 8 channels and internet, the only remaining option is to cut the cord. Which is sensible: to pay outrageously or get news/entertainment by smartphone (it is $2,300/year--so double whammy), radio, OTA TV, and low speed internet? Smartphone plus cable over $4000/year...I am crazy.

But I can become uncrazy. $4000 per year! How have they done that to me and I let them? How good would I feel when the bill goes up to call and cancel everything but internet, and reduce it to the lowest cost available? You know, that would be very good.

And you know what? I wouldn't die from OTA TV. I really wouldn't. I am feeling better and better about this. In fact, I am feeling really good that getting that cr** out of my house would be a positive thing. Can you see my smile now?

Why don't you act like a reasonable person instead of a crazy, and call them and tell them if they want to keep you, they must reduce the bill. OR, cancel, wait 30 days and re-sign up for another promo.

And what kind of TV/Int package is $143 a month at promo price? Sounds like you have Premium package TV and Higher tier internet.

[iceturkee]

does the op realize he can call and see if they can put him on a different promo?

[jcarrera]

What are the 8 channels you watch?

Why does that make a difference? Some are available OTA (network stations); most are in the non-basic tier--whatever the correct name is for that.

[jcarrera]

Why don't you act like a reasonable person instead of a crazy...

Why, thank you for your kindness and classy response.

And what kind of TV/Int package is $143 a month at promo price? Sounds like you have Premium package TV and Higher tier internet.

I have higher level internet. Tried to reduce the service level once, and they said it would cost me MORE. There is a thread here about that. I have no Premium packages like the movie/sports ones--just what used to be called the digital tier. I have one DVR and two other STB's in bedrooms.

[Steve Mehs]

Buy every episode of every show you watch on those 8 channels for 3 bucks a pop on iTunes, cancel cable and then see how much more money you’re spending watching TV that way as opposed to cable.

[jcarrera]

Buy every episode of every show you watch on those 8 channels for 3 bucks a pop on iTunes, cancel cable and then see how much more money you’re spending watching TV that way as opposed to cable.

Well, that would be stupid too. Perhaps the conclusion is that information/entertainment delivered via TV is simply vastly overpriced. Well, I guess it would be more accurate to say "it is overpriced for ME."

If $2000 per year to have access to 8 channels (or MORE if accessed through other means) fits your definition of acceptable value, then it is fine--for YOU. I assume your income can handle the $2000 outlay and you have no other more important use for that money. Neither of those conditions is true for me.

Please understand: I am not saying it is 'wrong;' I am saying it is wrong for me--and I suspect for many others who probably do have a better use for that $2000.

We are in this position because it used to not cost so much, and we kept on paying the higher and higher rates as they were laid in without really contemplating how much is going out the door on an annual basis. "It's only $10 (plus tax) more." "It's only $6.95 (plus tax) more." "It's only $8 (plus tax) more." "It's only $15 (plus tax) more." At least that is what happened to me. When I got the increase notice, it prompted me to multiply my monthly by 12, and I was shocked.

[The Insider]

if you dont watch the premium channels you can get your bill down to under 120$ a month. that would be with 1 dvr and you would lose the 2 other boxes.. if you want to keep them it would put you around 140-150 a month.

[harshness]

I have higher level internet.

If the $1950 includes Internet, you're not being truthful about how much you're paying for TV.

The simple answer is to see if you can't find a different setup where you can get the service you need. You're probably not going to be able to convince another cable company to duke it out with Brighthouse when their franchise comes up.

When someone asks you what channels you want, tell them the names of the channels, not some indeterminate classification. We can't help you if you're determined not to tell us what you need.