As a consumer I am sorry to hear of any cable company doing this to fans. Unfortunately, professional sports and teams are getting to the point where they are charging too much for the rights to broadcast to the cable and satellite companies. Why do they do this? To pay the multimillion dollar contracts they are crazy enough to sign these players to.
The smaller cable companies have to cut costs where they can, after all they get their customers by promoting low priced monthly packages. Unfortunately this ties their hands in investing in better quality programming that is in demand. They add these things and raise their base package price, they lose customers. On the other hand they do not add these things, they lose customers. What do you do?
I will never ever have cable again and have learned both DTV and Dish are worth more money if you want more programming choices at a reasonable price, some will say it is too much. Your choice, less money less good programming, adequate at best customer service, and terrible picture quality (compared to satellite). OR More $$$, much better programming, customer service and picture quality. Hell many cable companies and somewhat dish are too scared to even add the NFL Network or BigTen Network due to the expense to the companies.
Sports fans in particular are much better off going with DTV. They have better packages, and a much better reputation for working with the sports leagues in making programming available. Is it risky for them? Hell yes, because so many people shop for services on price alone without considering much more than that. They then find out the hard way what company and services are worth the extra money. Fortunately for DTV, the majority of their customers understand this and have no problem with paying more for better.
The cable/satellite industry is no different than any other. You have your more expensive providers with better features, benefits, and support. Then you have your less expensive providers that sacrifice everythingelse to just get an affordable cost. Granted no company is perfect in any industry. However, I have had all the services, and prefer DTV by far over cable, and slightly over DISH.
I am willing to pay more money for what they provide me that makes me a very happy customer. Dish is close to DTV, only thing is DTV is much better for sports than Dish. Other than that, it is pretty even.
Choose who you want for the price you want. What is important to you, and choose your company accordingly. Keep in mind, these companies have price increases based on what customers want, unfortunately, they cannot give them what they want without raising the rates accordingly. Like any company these expenses are passed onto the consumer market. DTV is the only company investing billions in accomodating future technology in terms of new satellites, and aggressively establishing a strong foothold with all the sports, collegiate and professional. They already have exclusive contracts with NFL, NCAA Basketball, and Nascar. They are close to having exclusivity (sp?) with MLB too.
The industry is much more cut throat now, especially with the invent of HD. Unfortunately the consumers feel the cut throat philosophy in any market. Unless Sports leagues and Hollywood ever gain empathy for the consumer market or the consumer market makes a stand in not shelling out all this money to cover all the ludricrous contracts, this trend will continue to grow. The demand is there, therefore the contracts will continue to go up, the cost to broadcast will go up, and in turn we pay more to get what we want.
If you do not like cable, use your power and change to satellite, DTV or Dish. All the companies have their "own" niche market. Subscribe to a provide that fits your niche market. PS, be understanding to the technical or customer service reps. They all have a tough job regardless of industry. They have no decision other than to follow what has been directed to them to follow. Being a jerk or Ahole to them does not help at all. Thank God, my days in customer service are over, but I learned enough to appreciate their job in the time I did it. :thumb:
