It’s just not a great time to be in the cable industry, it seems. Following closely behind fellow cable company Comcast’s massive subscriber hemorrhaging, Time Warner, the nation’s second-largest cabler, has announced a 306,000 subscriber decrease in the third quarter.
Analysts had predicted that Time Warner was “only” going to drop 180,000 or so subscribers. And unlike Comcast and other cablers, TW was unable to offset its cable subscriber losses through high-speed internet or telecommunication increases, as the company saw major drops in those subscriber counts as well.
All told, TW and Comcast have shed 435,000 subscribers in the most recent fiscal quarter alone. As consumers cut the cord in increasing numbers and turn to the web for their home entertainment, what can major cable operators do to stanch the bleeding?
[via Home Media Magazine]
“What can major cable operators do to stanch the bleeding?” Hmm, let’s see:
First they need to change the business model so that cable channels do not show ANY commercials! For more than 30 years I’ve never understood why people tolerate paying for channels that also make them sit through commercials. Many cable channels also show “Paid Programs” too- no more of those! Second, cable companies should threaten to drop any channels that keep their logos onscreen all the time. That is entirely unacceptable, and why I no longer watch network TV either (as far as that goes, the FCC should have banned it a long time ago.) Then, channels need to re-assess why they are on CABLE instead of broadcast TV. Cable was supposed to provide material that broadcast stations couldn’t or wouldn’t show, but it’s devolved into just more of the same. No more reruns of network shows, and make every channel go back to its original intent. MTV is the most blatant example of how that has fallen apart- they were supposed to be a channel for MUSIC, but now mostly show stuff that has nothing to do with it! Overall, have some respect for viewers instead of treating them like idiots!
Why Keep Cable TV?
A. The price is way out of line.
B. Nothing much on but crap and remake crap.
C. You pay for about 75-100 things you don’t want.
D And that all = RIP OFF.
Cable needs to wake up.. And set something up. Where for $25.00 a month you can get 10-12 things you want. And nothing more. Why should I pay for B.S. I don’t want.
YES! they can do it. They don’t want to..
No big E on my end. I cut the cord years back. YES! I have Cable for the net.
And it is going at 55-60. And that is ok..
I just use NetFlix. RedBox and the W/B’s online deal. Got way more then I can watch.
Don’t need/want cable TV..
Until they can give me just what I want…
No thanks cable!
As someone who has spent their entire life watching cable and watching over 80 hours of content a week, I currently do not subscribe. I agree as well that the pricing has gotten crazy high for weak content. I just got tired of paying for crap I don’t watch. With online services for streaming the traditional model isn’t needed for more and more people. There’s always gonna be those who don’t want to get online or like channel flipping, good for them, but I think that is only gonna continue to drop. At this rate, even if they give in and allow us to choose channels, it will be too little too late. I am over too having to pay for menu costs, box charged, DVR service and all that mess. It’s been much easier watching local channels live and streaming when I miss stuff or more than 1 thing is on. Once cable companies just have a VOD service with their cable in a affordable bundle then we can rid ourselves of all the ads and wasted bandwith
Hi,
Well said.. And 100% right….
You are one more that is sick of paying for crap and things you don’t want…
Good for you. I am one also….
“What can major cable operators do to stanch the bleeding?”
How about making it easier for current subscribers to upgrade to their new offerings. I have Comcast and called about upgrading to X1. They want to charge an installation fee to upgrade. No thanks.
-What can major cable operators do to stanch the bleeding?
What the operators WILL do is jack up IP service fees. :(
I gave up cable tv a couple of years ago. I realized there were about 5 channels I watched regularly….not enough to warrant the price they charged. If they ever let me choose what I want to pay for….I’ll go back. But I doubt that will happen.
Just a matter of time, and this is just the tip of the iceberg for these cable whores who have been ripping us off for years with their near monopoly. I cut the cord as well, and with new streaming technologies, combined with new concept of choice, now you can get paid to watch TV and movies. Talk about a reversal, you get paid for the commercials you agree to watch, and you choose, new FREE concept which should sweep country in time. I have been beta testing system, coming soon nationwide. Register to learn more and cut your cable and satellite bills.
FREE-MOVIE-BIZ.com
All very well articulated, and I agree 100%. Our free enterprise capitalism form of business operations are being demonstrated. The consumer, through the natural marketplace, will ultimately decide which companies will provide services. Some companies will be able to adapt, and some will not; remember Blockbuster?
I’d love to dump Comcast TV. But I was just on the Hallmark channel site, and it says that I need a TV provider (in addition to high-speed internet)–and only two series are available (as far as I can figure out). So I’d have to subscribe to Comcast or its ilk, unless I don’t understand something here. I’ve watched the major networks’ shows on my computer, but the other stuff? I really want to dump cable TV! How????
$130 a month and still nothing good to watch? no thanks. Cut the cord last year. havent regreted anything.
Every try and call Comcast? You end up talking to somebody in India that has no idea what your channel line up should be and when they have specials, it is only for new subscribers not for their loyal customers.
I will give it two yeas tops and the Cable people will jack your net service fee up about 50-75% You MAY ? Are MAY NOT? Get better speed.
And they may also put a cap on how much you use. If you go over. They will charge up up the kisser.. They will find some new way to give you the shaft!
It’s what they do best!
I have Comcast internet and CATV. It cost me right at $155 a month with
two TVs and no premium channel. I watch less than a handful of channels.
My electric power bill runs about $125 a month. There is no way cable TV is worth more than the electrical energy that power my home. The price for Cable goes up
ever year. Sometime twice a year. Comcast has just price itself out of the competition.
Cable companies can stop charging highway robbery prices for crap TV. Haven’t had cable since 2005 and I am not missing a thing.
You got that right my lady…….
Highway Robbery 100% it is…
But they will get you with the Net bit!
I have T/W for the net. It is going Ok.
I have a bad feeling in the next year are so. They will up the price a good 25-30%.
Put a cap on its use. And then charge up up the kisser when you go over.
I bet everyone will start pulling that bit in the next few years. It will be how they make there money. As more and more people dump the cable TV… And go to the net. So in the end they will still have you by the A$$.
Sad but true!