Last Friday the FCC released its Annual Report to Congress on Video Competition (via Technology360) and it revealed a few interesting facts. Cable subscribership decreased over last year’s number and we’ve all seen the price increases that consumers are faced with (this past year the rate hikes were 3-7% range – well above inflation). Match that with the 10% increase in revenues from cable companies saw over the last year (AP, via FreePress) and you can see why consumers are clamoring for real choices for cable. Price increases, profit increases, service quality decreases. In most other markets, the consumer could just walk away and find a new provider. Congress needs to act on franchise reform so next years FCC report shows the impact competition can bring to consumers.
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February 13, 2006
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cable should be provided by the federal govt... rabbit ear t v is free.... $ 30 per month is a fair price for 70 channel t v ...
Posted by: rick reichert | February 21, 2006 at 07:59 AM
There IS NO "federal government" paying for anything, WE do. The federal government simply sticks a gun to your back and wastes your hard earned money. Low prices and FORCED anything do not go hand in hand. With rabbit ear TV, advertisers pay for your television broadcast. Cable could be the same way if people were not so stupid. In the beginning, people paid for cable mostly because it offered commercial free television. People went to movies and payed high prices and expected no commercials. Now even movies have commercials in them. Advertisers should foot the bill just like mass mail marketers should foot the bill for our land fill. They should all PAY to get into our homes and sell us stuff.
Notice how the "cable choice" people aren't complaining about the fact that a fifth of your cable or phone bill is in government taxes and fees? This is like complaining about the gas prices being too high and then not complaining about the amount of taxes we pay on each gallon of gas. Then we threaten the oil companies with a winfall tax and more regulation. Spare us the socialist activism and fight for real competition and fewer laws.
Posted by: David | March 21, 2006 at 09:37 AM