(10-30-2019 09:31 PM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-30-2019 07:47 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(10-30-2019 07:43 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(10-30-2019 04:59 PM)TrojanCampaign Wrote:  I would get cable if I didn't have gigabit internet.

That is the reason for some people to stick with cable. Streaming TV services are not the way to go for people who have slow and/or unreliable home internet.

There's another reason as well: In many small places, the local cable company may also have a virtual monopoly on internet service. Nobody else is offering it. And if you decide to cut the cord and just get the internet without their cable TV, then they jack the price way up on that, which basically eliminates the savings you would get from streaming.

Municipalities have contracts with one provider typically whether urban or rural so it can still be a problem in the larger cities.

Prices and taxes also can be higher in the larger cities. Comcast mid range internet is $65 but with taxes and device is $85. Non promotional price is $95-$115 a month.

For cable+internet mid range is $115 (with devices & taxes $155) at the promotional rate and expect to pay around $195 when the promotion is over. That is for a cable package that is missing quite a few important sports and movie channels.

I pay $190 a month for internet and cable. That's for fast internet and an expansive package that meets my family needs, and includes HBO. That's on a deal I struck last November, so it is coming up for renewal this month.

No doubt, in two days or so when I get my November bill, it will say something like $220. And I will get on the phone ask why and they will tell me about how I had all these wonderful discounts that just expired and all their costs have gone up.

So I will threaten to cut the cord or go to ATT or Direct TV or something, and by doing that, they will tell me they double-checked and seeing that I've been a "valued customer" for 19 years and somesuch they will magically find some savings and bring the bill back down to $200. Still up, but not as much as it would have been if I didn't *****.

Neither of us will like it, I won't like paying $10 more, they won't like that I'm not paying $30 more, but for both of us it's better than going our separate ways - and on my end, I've priced out all the streaming options that meet my needs.

I have been doing this for years, it's an annual ritual.