Charter claims they are going to provide better pricing

[Bruce]

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/charter-new-pricing-internet-speeds.html

Of course, there is a catch-

Spectrum said it will charge as low as $30 a month for its 500Mbps internet plan, or $40 a month for 1GB service, when either are bundled with two mobile lines or cable TV.

Of course, their Cable TV offering is priced in the DirecTV range, when you add in all the fees, like Broadcast Channels for one example.

 

[harshness]

Better for whom?

 

[John2021]

There will be rate increases along the way. I belive you have to bundle services to get them rates

 

[Bruce]

There will be rate increases along the way. I belive you have to bundle services to get them rates

There are rate increase from all Live TV Providers, Charter is no exception.

Look at the massive increase of DirecTV (3rd increase in 21 Months), when a basic plan like Entertainment is going to be over $150 with a DVR and another box.

Then compare that to YTTV, who has only had three increases since it started in 2017, now $73 with the DVR and 3 rooms.

 

[harshness]

Then compare that to YTTV, who has only had three increases since it started in 2017, now $73 with the DVR and 3 rooms.

As a self-proclaimed numbers person, you seem happy to ignore certain details to support your holy mission.

YTTV hit the ground at $35 with limited distribution. Now it is $72.99 which is a 114% price rise over six years.

There have been at least four price increases to get there, not three. Somewhere along the line, the price went to $40. In 2019, the price vaulted to $50. In 2020, the price vaulted again to $64.99. Most recently (April 2023), the price jumped to $72.99.

To be fair, YTTV expanded its offering significantly over that time but that has brought with it some baggage that subscribers didn't want while still not reeling in some channels that people felt were missing.

The value of any pay TV service (whether tradtional MVPD or streamer) is the cost per channel desired. Only now are the carriers doing something about it.

 

[Bruce]

As a self-proclaimed numbers person, you seem happy to ignore certain details to support your holy mission.

YTTV hit the ground at $35 with limited distribution. Now it is $72.99 which is a 114% price rise over six years.

Who cares about the percentage, I care about the final costs.

Dish-package close to YTTV is America 120+ at $102.99, plus $14 for locals is $116.99, then a DVR is $10, plus one more box is $7, a total of $133.99, $60 more then YTTV.

DirecTV-package close is Choice, but no RSN or fee of course
$129.99 +DVR and 1 more Box, brings it too, over $150, a $77 difference.

There have been at least four price increases to get there, not three. Somewhere along the line, the price went to $40. In 2019, the price vaulted to $50. In 2020, the price vaulted again to $64.99. Most recently (April 2023), the price jumped to $72.99.

Started in 2017 at $35
First increase in 2019 to $50
Second in 2020 to $64.99
Third was in March 2023 to $72.99

So three increases since 2019, basically 5 years, DirecTV has had 3 in 21 months.

To be fair, YTTV expanded its offering significantly over that time but that has brought with it some baggage that subscribers didn't want while still not reeling in some channels that people felt were missing.

I agree, lot of channels that could go, but since that is true of other providers also, at a extremely more expensive pricing.

The biggest channels missing, RSNs, but those have about 1-3 years left.

The value of any pay TV service (whether tradtional MVPD or streamer) is the cost per channel desired. Only now are the carriers doing something about it.

Who is doing something about it?

DirecTV caved on Disney’s demands, even kept the channels Charter was able to get of.

 

[harshness]

Who cares about the percentage, I care about the final costs.

The point is that YTTV isn't immune to price hikes and it may well be that they end up where conventional MVPDs are now.

So three increases since 2019, basically 5 years, DirecTV has had 3 in 21 months.

According to a couple of sources, there was a $40 step. Either way, DIRECTV has gone up around 45% while YTTV has gone up 114%.

Who is doing something about it?

DISH has been doing something about it for several years by offering more granular packaging that allows the subscriber to substantially omit certain genres.

DIRECTV has now launched its effort in a big way with Disney.

Others (including live streaming services) will follow.

 

[Bruce]

The point is that YTTV isn't immune to price hikes and it may well be that they end up where conventional MVPDs are now.

According to a couple of sources, there was a $40 step.

Post a link then to these sources, should be in your browser history, otherwise, just admit you were incorrect.

Either way, DIRECTV has gone up around 45% while YTTV has gone up 114%.

Again, who cares, if something that costs $5 went up 100%, it would only be $10.

When a lower number goes up, it is usually a higher percentage.

If a service goes from $70 to $84, $14 more, that is a 20% jump

But if a service goes from $130 to $144, the same $14, that is an about 10.7%.

But the fact does just change, DirecTV is now about double what YTTV cost, Dish is a close second to that.

DISH has been doing something about it for several years by offering more granular packaging that allows the subscriber to substantially omit certain genres.

Except those packages with less channels then YTTV, are still more expensive, especially when you add in the dvr and box charges.

DIRECTV has now launched its effort in a big way with Disney

….and completely failed at it.

Others (including live streaming services) will follow.

Possible, but even Spectrum, who did the same as DirecTV, while able to get rid of 8 channels, is still paying for stuff nobody wants via Charter-

Analysts at LightShed Partners, in a July 16 blog, noted the report from Puck’s John Ourand indicates less than 10% of Charter’s roughly 9.5 million Signature Select video package customers are activating Disney+ and questioned if the operator’s vision for video is wrong.

“Charter is back to where it started, stuffing video offerings into its bundle that the vast majority of its consumers do not use, which hurts the price/value of the video bundle,” wrote analysts led by Richard Greenfield. Meanwhile, Disney is getting paid $3-4 per subscriber per month by Charter for all 9.5 million subscribers even though less than 1 million might be using it

Comcast exec: StreamSaver bundle ‘strong out of the gate’

As the video landscape evolves operators have been looking to offer new kinds of TV options and packages, including bringing streaming into the fold in different ways. | Christine Whitaker, president of Comcast’s Central Division, told StreamTV Insider initial results indicate the Netflix...

www.streamtvinsider.com

 

[harshness]

Post a link then to these sources, should be in your browser history, otherwise...

YouTube TV's monthly price has been raised from $40 to $50

YouTube's Sling TV and PlayStation Vue competitor, aptly named YouTube TV, has given customers a pretty good value so far. For a mere $35/month, subscribers used to...

www.techspot.com

YouTube TV Price Increasing to $40 for New Subscribers Starting Tomorrow

The price for Google's YouTube TV subscription service will be increasing to $40 per month for new subscribers starting tomorrow, up from the current price of $35 per month. Google first warned potential subscribers about the new pricing for YouTube TV in February, and today is the last day...

forums.macrumors.com

The above are different sources than the ones I was looking at yesterday. I offer them as they don't seem to have an axe to grind (versus a pay TV blog).

Again, who cares, if something that costs $5 went up 100%, it would only be $10.

If a train leaves Philadelphia at twice the speed of another train coming from Chicago...

When a lower number goes up, it is usually a higher percentage.

But over 100%?

But the fact does just change, DirecTV is now about double what YTTV cost, Dish is a close second to that.

It certainly doesn't but it does strongly suggest where the price is headed.

These price increases aren't limited to the live streaming services. Consider what has happened with Disney+, Max and Paramount+ in a rather short time.

 

[Bruce]

YouTube TV's monthly price has been raised from $40 to $50

YouTube's Sling TV and PlayStation Vue competitor, aptly named YouTube TV, has given customers a pretty good value so far. For a mere $35/month, subscribers used to...

www.techspot.com

YouTube TV Price Increasing to $40 for New Subscribers Starting Tomorrow

The price for Google's YouTube TV subscription service will be increasing to $40 per month for new subscribers starting tomorrow, up from the current price of $35 per month. Google first warned potential subscribers about the new pricing for YouTube TV in February, and today is the last day...

forums.macrumors.com

The above are different sources than the ones I was looking at yesterday. I offer them as they don't seem to have an axe to grind (versus a pay TV blog).

and mine-

Since its launch in 2017 at $35 a month, YouTube TV has seen several price hikes. The price went up to $50 in 2019 before another increase to $64.99 in 2020.

https://fox59.com/news/entertainment/youtube-tv-raises-price-to-72-99-a-month/#:~:text=Since%20its%20launch%20in%202017,month%20to%20%249.99%20a%20month.

When I signed up for YouTube TV in 2017, its $35 monthly price tag felt too good to be true.
In 2019, when the cost went up to $50, that felt more realistic. For the features and channel lineup, it was a great deal compared to other providers.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90868190/youtube-tv-price-increase-still-worth-it

These price increases aren't limited to the live streaming services. Consider what has happened with Disney+, Max and Paramount+ in a rather short time.

And yet, the price gap between them and Cable/Satellite is growing.

It is even a bigger gap with Comcast and DirecTV.

Monthly charge, no Discount-

Hulu/D+/ESPN+-$27
Paramount+w Showtime-$12
Peacock-$12
MAHBO)-$17
AMC+-$9

Those are all the services ( that also has more content, better video/sound) that carry Paid Live TV Programing and have the majority of content from it-

A total of $77

Now Dish 120 Package-roughly $125 a month with DVR/a total of 3 boxes
DirecTV Entertainment-roughly $130 a month with DVR/a total of 3 boxes

And those do not include HBO/Showtime, my streaming services pricing does.

The above is probably why just 29.2% that cancel Cable/Satellite TV subscribe to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV to replace.

That means more than 70% of all new cord cutters go directly to an on-demand only service like Disney+, Peacock, or Paramount.

Just 29.2% of New Cord Cutters Subscribe to a Live TV Service Like Fubo & YouTube TV | Cord Cutters News

One of the questions cable TV executives often ask is how many cord cutters can they get to subscribe to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu, or Fubo. Now, thanks to a report from MoffettNathanson, we have an idea of how many subscriber who cancel cable TV switch to a live TV […]

cordcuttersnews.com

 

[harshness]

Since its launch in 2017 at $35 a month, YouTube TV has seen several price hikes.

You claimed there were only three hikes but my evidence shows four ($35->40->50->64.99->72.99) In the long haul it doesn't matter but it does suggest that you're evidence isn't comprehensive.

I would also note that your subscription to bundles to get to the bottom line that you claim only applies to a limited subset of the population. Many would prefer to get discounts on the component packages rather than having to swallow a bundle at a short-term discount. I would like to be able to get Paramount+ without Showtime and have access to the Marvel content without the rest of the Max baggage.

As long as the bundle is the only way to get to the content, I'll just have to endure some FOMO in the name of voting with my wallet.

 

[Bruce]

I would like to be able to get Paramount+ without Showtime and have access to the Marvel content without the rest of the Max baggage.

Specially since the Marvel content is not on MAX.

 

[primestar31]

I despise Charter/Spectrum for their pricing, which internet-ONLY just went to $82.99 a month for 300/10, (which by the way I never get higher than around 175~/10). But I really don't need any higher speed. I'd LOVE to find an internet provider that was under $50 a month, but there's nobody else here except TDS Telecom DSL, and TDS is far WORSE than Charter/Spectrum with outages and technical issues, and locked down network. I got rid of their POTS line 10 years ago, and was happy as a clam to do that.

 

[John2021]

I despise Charter/Spectrum for their pricing, which internet-ONLY just went to $82.99 a month for 300/10, (which by the way I never get higher than around 175~/10). But I really don't need any higher speed. I'd LOVE to find an internet provider that was under $50 a month, but there's nobody else here except TDS Telecom DSL, and TDS is far WORSE than Charter/Spectrum with outages and technical issues, and locked down network. I got rid of their POTS line 10m years ago, and was happy as a clam to do that.

82.99 for 300 down. id'e call in and threaten to cancel to get a better rate. they gave us there gig service for 45.00 a month for one year once i told em we could get fiber now. the rep didn't know what to do said he could not compete with that and was sweating once i said fiber!!! i use my own modem and router also i won't use there crap!!!

 

[telstar_1]

The cablers have done that since they first started offering broadband- tying it to their multichannel services such that it's uneconomical to purchase as standalone. It's really what in the end saved cable even as satellite services made inroads.

 

[primestar31]

82.99 for 300 down. id'e call in and threaten to cancel to get a better rate. they gave us there gig service for 45.00 a month for one year once i told em we could get fiber now. the rep didn't know what to do said he could not compete with that and was sweating once i said fiber!!! i use my own modem and router also i won't use there crap!!!

They won't deal around here, at all, not even if you go into their "local" office, which is 35 miles away in Saginaw. I tried that, even CSR roulette. They refuse to give you ANY deals (except bundling of course, and that increases your price in total, not lowers it), and IF you even dare to threaten to quit, they'll immediately say, "Ok, sorry to see you go, I'll cancel your account right now".

They KNOW we don't have any options around here, not even 5g internet is available to us from any supplier. NOT having internet is no longer an option, it's a MUST to have it.

 

[EarDemon]

I despise Charter/Spectrum for their pricing, which internet-ONLY just went to $82.99 a month for 300/10, (which by the way I never get higher than around 175~/10). But I really don't need any higher speed. I'd LOVE to find an internet provider that was under $50 a month, but there's nobody else here except TDS Telecom DSL, and TDS is far WORSE than Charter/Spectrum with outages and technical issues, and locked down network. I got rid of their POTS line 10 years ago, and was happy as a clam to do that.

Under the new pricing standalone internet pricing is $80 for 500 Mb and $100 for 1 Gb. A good portion of their footprint has either been upgraded to high split or is in the process of being upgraded. By next year this time pretty much their entire service area should have symmetrical speeds.

If you are only getting 175 Mb, then there is an obvious problem that needs to be looked into. Have you called them about it and scheduled a truck roll?

Personally I am sooo glad that those of us who have more services will be getting treated better and getting better pricing. The current bundling discounts now are pitiful and weak. I have Internet Gig, the old TV Gold Package with Epix and Cinemax, 2 DVRs and home phone. It appears there will be some significant savings for me. I will give in a week or two before I go to the local office and make the change.

I am one of the ones in the 35 – 40 age demographic with beyond zero interest in streaming and who prefers talking on a landline phone. You will have to pry my cable box remote from my cold dead hands before I make streaming my primary source of TV viewing.

 

[primestar31]

If you are only getting 175 Mb, then there is an obvious problem that needs to be looked into. Have you called them about it and scheduled a truck roll?

Yes, they replaced a splitter to even get it that high, when my modem and speed was upgraded to the 300/10 speeds. They originally sent me a "self install" kit with the new modem, and it didn't change my speed from the old 100/10. So, tech came and replaced an ancient splitter from back when I had cable AND internet, and that upped me to 175/10. I can't remember now if he installed a newer splitter, or replaced it with a coax to coax connector. It comes up behind and in the middle of a HUGE tv stand, and it's not easy to get back there without a major operation.

 

[telstar_1]

I see that DiSH still puts out a self-install kit.

Can I install my own Dish Network?

Ask questions on any topic, get real answers from real people. Have a question? Ask it. Know an answer? Share it.

www.answerbag.com

 

[John2021]

Under the new pricing standalone internet pricing is $80 for 500 Mb and $100 for 1 Gb. A good portion of their footprint has either been upgraded to high split or is in the process of being upgraded. By next year this time pretty much their entire service area should have symmetrical speeds.

If you are only getting 175 Mb, then there is an obvious problem that needs to be looked into. Have you called them about it and scheduled a truck roll?

Personally I am sooo glad that those of us who have more services will be getting treated better and getting better pricing. The current bundling discounts now are pitiful and weak. I have Internet Gig, the old TV Gold Package with Epix and Cinemax, 2 DVRs and home phone. It appears there will be some significant savings for me. I will give in a week or two before I go to the local office and make the change.

I am one of the ones in the 35 – 40 age demographic with beyond zero interest in streaming and who prefers talking on a landline phone. You will have to pry my cable box remote from my cold dead hands before I make streaming my primary source of TV viewing.

we threatened to cancel and goto fiber as it was cheaper they gave us the gig plan for 45.00 a month for a year!!! it will be interesting to see what happens when i have to call in and rattle there brains again for a better rate. i'll drop em and not care for a better rate