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OT: Cable TV numbers
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USAFMEDIC Offline
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Post: #21
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(06-16-2017 11:35 AM)MplsBison Wrote:  They are necessary, if you want that type of viewing experience.

If you're fine with OTA and/or Roku type viewing experiences, more power to you.
Roku, Hulu, and PS Vue gives me everything. XTV on ROKU gets me all the big networks for free. 48 bucks per month for 5 tvs.
06-16-2017 12:38 PM
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NIU007 Offline
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Post: #22
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(06-16-2017 08:36 AM)MplsBison Wrote:  Spectrum is just a brand, like Xfinity. The actual company is Charter, which bought out TWC and Brighthouse.

I would be absolutely shocked if Charter's policy is to turn away customer loyalty requests ... doubt that is the case. Comcast has repeatedly come up with new promos in order to provide the same discounted service that we've had the last 3+ years (mainly for internet, but for the sake of appearances it includes a cable box that we don't use).

I would try calling up the customer service line for your Spectrum branded service again, and ask to speak to the loyalty department. Particularly if you approach the conversation in a non-threatening, non-agressive manner -- remember the people at the call center are just regular folks -- and explain that you'd simply like a new promo and/or to receive a similar discount on a similar product, usually they will help you. The "game" if you will is to profit off people who are too busy/too polite/too whatever to actually call in and ask ... which is far more than you think. So usually, if someone does call in they will help you out.


If they really are that stupid to turn away such requests, then cancel on the spot. Go with satellite TV and/or phone company internet, which should almost always be options in most major cities. Or maybe you're lucky enough to live in an area that has municipal or otherwise independent internet service.

That used to be the case with Comcast but the last 3 times I tried, they promised me a set, lower rate for a year, and all 3 times my rates went up within a month. So now they are just lying to get me off the phone.
06-16-2017 01:08 PM
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Post: #23
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
Over the course of 6 years I went from Comcast to UVerse to Direct TV (which brought me back to ATT).
When I left Comcast they didn't offer me any discounts, UVerse had just made it to my neighborhood and in fact I had started an install a couple months earlier and they had to pull the plug because the theoretical signal didn't match reality, soon as they fixed it, they called me back).

All the Comcast rep told me was how bad UVerse was.

When I left UVerse for Direct, ATT tried everything. I kept their internet and even had their bottom barrel tier because they offered it bundled with faster internet for less than the slower internet I had previously.

Since ATT bought direct, I've been very pleased. Out of the blue gave me Sunday Ticket last year. Later called to drop some extra channels and ended up selling me the next higher tier that included those channels for the price of the lower tier for two years

My experience is that ATT is currently being pretty proactive about keeping customers.
06-16-2017 01:22 PM
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billybobby777 Offline
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Post: #24
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(06-16-2017 01:08 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  
(06-16-2017 08:36 AM)MplsBison Wrote:  Spectrum is just a brand, like Xfinity. The actual company is Charter, which bought out TWC and Brighthouse.

I would be absolutely shocked if Charter's policy is to turn away customer loyalty requests ... doubt that is the case. Comcast has repeatedly come up with new promos in order to provide the same discounted service that we've had the last 3+ years (mainly for internet, but for the sake of appearances it includes a cable box that we don't use).

I would try calling up the customer service line for your Spectrum branded service again, and ask to speak to the loyalty department. Particularly if you approach the conversation in a non-threatening, non-agressive manner -- remember the people at the call center are just regular folks -- and explain that you'd simply like a new promo and/or to receive a similar discount on a similar product, usually they will help you. The "game" if you will is to profit off people who are too busy/too polite/too whatever to actually call in and ask ... which is far more than you think. So usually, if someone does call in they will help you out.


If they really are that stupid to turn away such requests, then cancel on the spot. Go with satellite TV and/or phone company internet, which should almost always be options in most major cities. Or maybe you're lucky enough to live in an area that has municipal or otherwise independent internet service.

That used to be the case with Comcast but the last 3 times I tried, they promised me a set, lower rate for a year, and all 3 times my rates went up within a month. So now they are just lying to get me off the phone.

Those ba$tards lied to me, charged me for things (a home phone) I never had or used. At the end, they were charging me $200 a month plus. They damaged my credit for not returning a cable box while I was gone on a military exercise. Comcast is a very bad evil company and they do not support the American military IMO. I will always say negative things about them. They are awful disgusting pieces of feces... sorry, I apologize to feces for the comparison.
06-16-2017 01:29 PM
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MplsBison Offline
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Post: #25
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(06-16-2017 12:38 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  Roku, Hulu, and PS Vue gives me everything. XTV on ROKU gets me all the big networks for free. 48 bucks per month for 5 tvs.

More power to you!


(06-16-2017 01:22 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Over the course of 6 years I went from Comcast to UVerse to Direct TV (which brought me back to ATT).
When I left Comcast they didn't offer me any discounts, UVerse had just made it to my neighborhood and in fact I had started an install a couple months earlier and they had to pull the plug because the theoretical signal didn't match reality, soon as they fixed it, they called me back).

All the Comcast rep told me was how bad UVerse was.

When I left UVerse for Direct, ATT tried everything. I kept their internet and even had their bottom barrel tier because they offered it bundled with faster internet for less than the slower internet I had previously.

Since ATT bought direct, I've been very pleased. Out of the blue gave me Sunday Ticket last year. Later called to drop some extra channels and ended up selling me the next higher tier that included those channels for the price of the lower tier for two years

My experience is that ATT is currently being pretty proactive about keeping customers.

Wonder if they sent some execs/management from the wireless side over to the TV side, and those guys were like "goodness, are you trying to drive away customers??? Here's how we're going to do things from now on!"


(06-16-2017 01:29 PM)billybobby777 Wrote:  Those ba$tards lied to me, charged me for things (a home phone) I never had or used. At the end, they were charging me $200 a month plus. They damaged my credit for not returning a cable box while I was gone on a military exercise. Comcast is a very bad evil company and they do not support the American military IMO. I will always say negative things about them. They are awful disgusting pieces of feces... sorry, I apologize to feces for the comparison.

(06-16-2017 01:08 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  That used to be the case with Comcast but the last 3 times I tried, they promised me a set, lower rate for a year, and all 3 times my rates went up within a month. So now they are just lying to get me off the phone.

Sorry to hear about these troubles. They've been great to my household for the last few years.

I suppose I'm due ...
06-16-2017 01:46 PM
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billybobby777 Offline
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Post: #26
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(06-16-2017 01:46 PM)MplsBison Wrote:  
(06-16-2017 12:38 PM)USAFMEDIC Wrote:  Roku, Hulu, and PS Vue gives me everything. XTV on ROKU gets me all the big networks for free. 48 bucks per month for 5 tvs.

More power to you!


(06-16-2017 01:22 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Over the course of 6 years I went from Comcast to UVerse to Direct TV (which brought me back to ATT).
When I left Comcast they didn't offer me any discounts, UVerse had just made it to my neighborhood and in fact I had started an install a couple months earlier and they had to pull the plug because the theoretical signal didn't match reality, soon as they fixed it, they called me back).

All the Comcast rep told me was how bad UVerse was.

When I left UVerse for Direct, ATT tried everything. I kept their internet and even had their bottom barrel tier because they offered it bundled with faster internet for less than the slower internet I had previously.

Since ATT bought direct, I've been very pleased. Out of the blue gave me Sunday Ticket last year. Later called to drop some extra channels and ended up selling me the next higher tier that included those channels for the price of the lower tier for two years

My experience is that ATT is currently being pretty proactive about keeping customers.

Wonder if they sent some execs/management from the wireless side over to the TV side, and those guys were like "goodness, are you trying to drive away customers??? Here's how we're going to do things from now on!"


(06-16-2017 01:29 PM)billybobby777 Wrote:  Those ba$tards lied to me, charged me for things (a home phone) I never had or used. At the end, they were charging me $200 a month plus. They damaged my credit for not returning a cable box while I was gone on a military exercise. Comcast is a very bad evil company and they do not support the American military IMO. I will always say negative things about them. They are awful disgusting pieces of feces... sorry, I apologize to feces for the comparison.

(06-16-2017 01:08 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  That used to be the case with Comcast but the last 3 times I tried, they promised me a set, lower rate for a year, and all 3 times my rates went up within a month. So now they are just lying to get me off the phone.

Sorry to hear about these troubles. They've been great to my household for the last few years.

I suppose I'm due ...

Well at least you know the whole reason why I always celebrate any threads about cable or ESPN numbers dropping. It's not just ESPN, I have issues with Comcrap too.
06-16-2017 02:52 PM
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MplsBison Offline
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Post: #27
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
Fair enough. No one should have to put up with crappy customer service, for what they charge people!
06-16-2017 04:38 PM
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solohawks Offline
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Post: #28
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(06-16-2017 09:09 AM)Wolfman Wrote:  
(06-16-2017 08:36 AM)MplsBison Wrote:  Spectrum is just a brand, like Xfinity. The actual company is Charter, which bought out TWC and Brighthouse.

I would be absolutely shocked if Charter's policy is to turn away customer loyalty requests ... doubt that is the case. Comcast has repeatedly come up with new promos in order to provide the same discounted service that we've had the last 3+ years (mainly for internet, but for the sake of appearances it includes a cable box that we don't use).

I would try calling up the customer service line for your Spectrum branded service again, and ask to speak to the loyalty department. Particularly if you approach the conversation in a non-threatening, non-agressive manner -- remember the people at the call center are just regular folks -- and explain that you'd simply like a new promo and/or to receive a similar discount on a similar product, usually they will help you. The "game" if you will is to profit off people who are too busy/too polite/too whatever to actually call in and ask ... which is far more than you think. So usually, if someone does call in they will help you out.


If they really are that stupid to turn away such requests, then cancel on the spot. Go with satellite TV and/or phone company internet, which should almost always be options in most major cities. Or maybe you're lucky enough to live in an area that has municipal or otherwise independent internet service.

Be shocked then. I was with Time Warner for 20+ years. I was even a beta tester for road runner in my area. Spectrum came in and increased the rates by 50%. I asked them about it and their first offer was to cut services. I had an offer from AT&T for the same services for about 50% less than that. They told me to go to AT&T then.

They told my mom the same thing. Charter truly does not care about customer retention. If you aren't a new customer you don't get a discount. Period
06-16-2017 08:41 PM
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MplsBison Offline
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Post: #29
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
Again, that is disappointing to hear. Sounds like it's more a trend than an exception, with Charter.
06-17-2017 09:09 AM
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arkstfan Away
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Post: #30
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
Charter's stock was trading at $70 five years ago, now its at $340. Wall Street seems to like them even if customers don't.
06-17-2017 10:47 AM
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solohawks Offline
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Post: #31
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(06-17-2017 09:09 AM)MplsBison Wrote:  Again, that is disappointing to hear. Sounds like it's more a trend than an exception, with Charter.

It is. Their corporate vision is a one size fits all package. You get three options for cable and one option for internet which runs about 65 to 70 a month if not bundled
06-17-2017 12:46 PM
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Big Frog II Offline
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Post: #32
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
I believe the TV contracts that come due in the mid 2020's are going to be very interesting.
06-17-2017 01:56 PM
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MplsBison Offline
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Post: #33
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
IMO, I think they'll prove once and for all that payTV is not dead and that college athletics (particularly football) are even more valuable to the payTV industry than it has ever been.
(This post was last modified: 06-18-2017 08:54 AM by MplsBison.)
06-18-2017 08:54 AM
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MWC Tex Offline
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Post: #34
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
https://www.fastcompany.com/40450179/cor...c-declines

Q2 2017 has 941,000 total customers estimated that have cut cable and satellite TV. Article show total by company as well as overall customers.

Now some of them are going to Sling/PS Vue and etc...however, the vast majority are just pure cutters and just going OTA which is the trend that is happening quarter over quarter and year over year.
The past 2 years (Q2 2015 to Q2 2017) from the overall chart shows a decline total of 4,564,0000 customers cutting cable and satellite.

I think this might now push the OTA viewership to 20% of households. My sister family have stop the Direct TV service and gone OTA and Sling. They were surprised of the number of channels on OTA and how clear the picture is.
08-08-2017 11:52 AM
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MplsBison Offline
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Post: #35
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
Trading a cable/sat channel bundle for an online streaming channel bundle isn't cord cutting. 07-coffee3

You're still getting ESPN, HGTV, Comedy Central, piped into your house via a cord. You traded a cable box for a cable modem, with literally the same connection on your wall. If it saves you money and you think it's worth it, more power to you.


Kudos for those who have decided they can live with just OTA and Netflix. There are definitely some of those ... and 4.5M out of what 120M peak channel bundle subscribers sounds about right.
(This post was last modified: 08-08-2017 12:04 PM by MplsBison.)
08-08-2017 12:03 PM
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Post: #36
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(06-16-2017 08:37 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  I think the point that people don't seem to realize is that cable and cable companies aren't going to just go away without a fight. It might take until they're on the brink, but they'll come up with something to save their skin.

Whether that be morphing into their own "streaming" services or repackaging services to be more customer friendly, a la carte options, they're not going to just roll over and die.

Doesn't matter what the source is, there will always be a need for not just content, but good content.

As Mark Twain said...... “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

Exactly. As the cable company customer base erodes, they will have less money. They will re negotiate their deals with their content providers allowing them to offer skinny bundles and a la carte--the effect of which will be lower cable prices for consumers.

As content providers see less money from cable companies, they will seek to replace that revenue from streaming companies that are enjoying growing income and have been paying much less for content than cable companies. The price for streaming packages will rise in response.

The effect of all this will be that the big price advantage streamers currently have will largely vanish and the cable vs streamers battle will look a lot more like the cell phone company wars we see today.
(This post was last modified: 08-08-2017 02:08 PM by Attackcoog.)
08-08-2017 02:07 PM
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MWC Tex Offline
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Post: #37
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(08-08-2017 02:07 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  
(06-16-2017 08:37 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  I think the point that people don't seem to realize is that cable and cable companies aren't going to just go away without a fight. It might take until they're on the brink, but they'll come up with something to save their skin.

Whether that be morphing into their own "streaming" services or repackaging services to be more customer friendly, a la carte options, they're not going to just roll over and die.

Doesn't matter what the source is, there will always be a need for not just content, but good content.

As Mark Twain said...... “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

Exactly. As the cable company customer base erodes, they will have less money. They will re negotiate their deals with their content providers allowing them to offer skinny bundles and a la carte--the effect of which will be lower cable prices for consumers.

As content providers see less money from cable companies, they will seek to replace that revenue from streaming companies that are enjoying growing income and have been paying much less for content than cable companies. The price for streaming packages will rise in response.

The effect of all this will be that the big price advantage streamers currently have will largely vanish and the cable vs streamers battle will look a lot more like the cell phone company wars we see today.

If it does come down to that, then there will be more real cord cutters and not cord shavers. However, the point is still that there are quite a bit more cord cutters than cord shavers. And the trend is steadily declining to less household that have cable/satellite and even OTT replacements.
08-08-2017 02:54 PM
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Attackcoog Online
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Post: #38
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(08-08-2017 02:54 PM)MWC Tex Wrote:  
(08-08-2017 02:07 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  
(06-16-2017 08:37 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  I think the point that people don't seem to realize is that cable and cable companies aren't going to just go away without a fight. It might take until they're on the brink, but they'll come up with something to save their skin.

Whether that be morphing into their own "streaming" services or repackaging services to be more customer friendly, a la carte options, they're not going to just roll over and die.

Doesn't matter what the source is, there will always be a need for not just content, but good content.

As Mark Twain said...... “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

Exactly. As the cable company customer base erodes, they will have less money. They will re negotiate their deals with their content providers allowing them to offer skinny bundles and a la carte--the effect of which will be lower cable prices for consumers.

As content providers see less money from cable companies, they will seek to replace that revenue from streaming companies that are enjoying growing income and have been paying much less for content than cable companies. The price for streaming packages will rise in response.

The effect of all this will be that the big price advantage streamers currently have will largely vanish and the cable vs streamers battle will look a lot more like the cell phone company wars we see today.

If it does come down to that, then there will be more real cord cutters and not cord shavers. However, the point is still that there are quite a bit more cord cutters than cord shavers. And the trend is steadily declining to less household that have cable/satellite and even OTT replacements.

Thats the trend while cable is much more expensive. If its roughly the same, the number of people switching could actually reverse as cable is typically a better more reliable product. No buffering, easier storage/recording of past shows, generally a better picture, with quicker changes between networks.
(This post was last modified: 08-08-2017 03:58 PM by Attackcoog.)
08-08-2017 03:56 PM
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MplsBison Offline
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Post: #39
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
Yep, that hard, steady decline from 0.5% to 1% to 1.5% to ...

Just 90 more years and your dream will come true! 07-coffee3
08-08-2017 05:57 PM
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MWC Tex Offline
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Post: #40
RE: OT: Cable TV numbers
(08-08-2017 05:57 PM)MplsBison Wrote:  Yep, that hard, steady decline from 0.5% to 1% to 1.5% to ...

Just 90 more years and your dream will come true! 07-coffee3

Realize that is 1% per qtr in decline of households. It'll be less than 90 years. But also, there will be an inflection point where the there will be more numerous declines.
5 years ago it was a trickle, now it is a stream, creek or crook depending what part of the country and getting bigger.
08-08-2017 06:43 PM
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