Cable carrier sees drop in users

[Bebop]

Big surprise?

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=684237

Maybe lack of HD channels might be one of the reasons too?

[jeffski]

No surprise here, except not ONCE was it mentioned lack of new HD channels was another reason:rolleyes:

[Tom Snyder]

These numbers are stunning... and the "it doesn't hurt" attitude of the cable industry guys is just laughable.

[RLJSlick]

You Got To Love It!!!!

[Mikey]

So, the Cable Co.'s say:

While acknowledging the erosion of subscribers nationwide and in Wisconsin, spokesmen for both companies say other factors are behind the loss of cable subscribers. They include the downturn in the economy and the roiling of the housing market, as well as heightened competition from telephone companies in major cities around the country.

"The impact of not having the NFL Network or the Big Ten Network has been non-existent," said Alex Dudley, a Time Warner spokesman in New York.

Anita Lamont, a Charter Communications spokesman, echoed that comment, saying her firm had not seen a loss of customers due solely to people unhappy about not being able to purchase the two sports networks.

So, if that is the truth...how come DirecTV and Dish have added 240,000 and 170,000 respectively?

Are they not affected by the same market/economic conditions that the Cable Co's are subject to?

Pathetic.

The Cable Co's REPEATEDLY LIE TO OUR FACES.  

I can't wait to have a second option.  I will never return to a Cable Co. once I switch to one of the dishes.

I'm really just tired of being treated like **** by TWC.  

And this is just the cherry on top of the pile of ****...

Mark Silverman, president of the Big Ten Network, said the cable companies, especially Time Warner, have been saying that talks have been ongoing. The statement was repeated Thursday by Dudley, the Time Warner spokesman. But Silverman said that isn't the case.

"That's a blatant attempt to hold on to their subscribers," he said. "They are not negotiating and they say they are."

Un-F'N-believeable.

[RLJSlick]

That's totally BS, I bet you anything that they are hurting from this whole BTN/NFL deal. I don't buy that for a single minute! Losing 83,000 customers in 3 months isn't just a hiccup in the industry, and they are trying to say that because times are hard they are losing some subscribers? Oh, please, even the poor watch TV, I'm just not buying that for a single freakin second.
I can't wait to hear what gparris will have to say about this one.

[vegasvic]

They'll just raise prices to make up for lost revenue.

[RLJSlick]

It's just amazing how they are saying that losing costumers have nothing at all to do with the whole BTN/FNL deal. How the hell do they know why people have drop them for one thing, and I bet the fact that Direct TV and the Dish have seen a surge in subscribers will tell you that TWC PR department have some more research to do.

[bubbaridesfast]

So, the Cable Co.'s say:


So, if that is the truth...how come DirecTV and Dish have added 240,000 and 170,000 respectively?

Are they not affected by the same market/economic conditions that the Cable Co's are subject to?

Pathetic.

The Cable Co's REPEATEDLY LIE TO OUR FACES.  

I can't wait to have a second option.  I will never return to a Cable Co. once I switch to one of the dishes.

I'm really just tired of being treated like **** by TWC.  

And this is just the cherry on top of the pile of ****...



Un-F'N-believeable.

This is pretty much why I left cable for D* years ago, I was tired of their attitude towards customers and the price increases. Picture quality was secondary back then but a pleasant surprise.

So if they aren't losing all of those subs because of the NFL/BT networks, what is it? Crappy PQ? Crappy customer service? Not enough HD? Price?

[Mikey]

The only enjoyment I take right now regarding TWC is the fact since they offered the Time Warner Cable stock (symbol TWC) in Jan of 2007, it is down roughly 38%.

That's right.  It launched around 41 per share or so and is down to 25.5 or so...in 10 months.

I should have shorted the stock.

:bang:

[brewguru]

Let's hope Channel 58 saw the article.

[Jack 1000]

Wow!

Those numbers are stunning!  I would think that if correct it would show that even MORE people would be moving to Dish systems if they were not in areas obstructed by trees and had to pay up front commitment contracts.  In addition to apartment/housing project landlords/landladies that may not approve of a dish on their property for whatever reason.

The only saving grace for TWC and the cable companies in general might be the All in One Packages.  I still like the idea of all services consolidated on one bill.  We are saving about $30/$40 a year over when we used to have separate providers for phone and Internet.  I have had cable TV for 15 years with TWC. (I do think that their Road Runner and Digital Phone service are great, and really haven't had the cable problems that others are reporting. )  I don't have HD TV yet.

However, I think that for people who may not want an All in One Package because they may just want HD programing, than Dish (if their environment allows it) seems to be the way to go.

I think another reason for the subscriber loss, (and not having Big Ten Network or NFL Network are certainly valid reasons,) is due to the poor design and bugs associated with the new Navigator program guide.  I don't think you can put the blame on one thing.  I think it could be a combination of many things.

Jack

[gparris]

That's totally BS, I bet you anything that they are hurting from this whole BTN/NFL deal. I don't buy that for a single minute! Losing 83,000 customers in 3 months isn't just a hiccup in the industry, and they are trying to say that because times are hard they are losing some subscribers? Oh, please, even the poor watch TV, I'm just not buying that for a single freakin second.
I can't wait to hear what gparris will have to say about this one.

Okay then:

-TWC offers a great internet access service called RoadRunner.

-Their Digital Phone service offers a great value at its many price levels, when it is a coupled service with RR, provided it is installed correctly (don't get me started).

-TWC is good for those with many TV sets in their homes, not requiring digital service like childrens bedrooms, workshops and the like - no box add-ons required.

-But for many of their other subscribers:
- Those with the need to watch BTN/NFL networks
OR
- Those subscribers that do not want to wait however LONG it will be to get the many HD channels as satellite and U-Verse offer:

-Forget it!:mad:

TWC has had some leadtime with those satellite launch delays to "get their act together" to sign contracts and setups for more bandwidth.

Today, TWC HD subs in Wisconsin are begging for the few newest (10+) HD channels TWC offers nationally
vs. what is really out there HD channel-wise, including BTN and NFL networks in HD.

Sort of sad in a very bad way, isn't it?

It is no wonder why some cable subscribers are leaving in droves, though not completely, just the (HD)TV part, IMHO.

[syrett4]

I just called DTV yesterday and moving from TWC.  Lack of HD being the main reason, BTN and NFL Net are secondary.  Not even addressed in the article.

Goodbye TWC :wave:

[gparris]

My clients, family and friends are starting their calls earlier this year about HDTV and HT setups and I have to point out the sources for HD programming.

The good news is some already have satellite service (D* or E*) and have expanded their subscriptions or setups to include what is needed to further their enjoyment of HDTV.

The bad news is new setup specs involving TWC's locally-meager HD channel availablity vs. Directv, Dishnetwork and U-Verse (where available).

I have a difficult time answering the question of "why" after the "how many" in regards to price and HD channel availability of each when TWC is mentioned.
Recently, TWC (for the Wisconsin folks) is now put "out of the equation" for any setups, unless these are mainly geared to disc movies (HD DVD and/or Blu-ray discs) with an occasional HD network show.