I guess you don't watch any sports .65 a month gets you everything that would cost 150 a month on Comcast.
85 channels without 30 channels in Spanish that you can't get out of paying.
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YouTube TV Raises Prices From $50/Month to $65/Month
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I guess you don't watch any sports .65 a month gets you everything that would cost 150 a month on Comcast.
85 channels without 30 channels in Spanish that you can't get out of paying.
The thing is, these are viewership that they have no info about and can't advertise to...it was never really about the TV bill.
Its still cheaper than cable for most. Just added it up on Spectrum and their cheapest cable package is $45. Add in 3 HD boxes at $8 each and another $10 for DVR service for all of them, that's $79, and that's before all their BS hidden charges that would probably bring my total closer to $100 a month. Thats only for the first year too. That Spectrum package goes up to $65 and would bring my total to $120 or so a month, twice YouTube TV's $65 a month, no thanks. Plus I get unlimited DVR storage and way easier time and better quality watching from my iPhone and iPad.
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That $99 deal you mentioned is only good for one year. That's how they get you in the door. It's like $200 after that first year, at least for Spectrum. I know Comcast is the same as well. $65 for YouTube TV, especially for those of us who watch a lot of sports, is still a helluva deal compared to cable.
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If you can show me what cable service gives you all the channels YouTube TV does for $65 a month, please let me know. I'd love to subscribe to that cable service. Cable companies give you a sweetheart deal for 12 months and then increase the price 100% after that. For those of us that watch a lot of sports, we know how good of a deal YouTube TV still is at $65 a month.
I am not knocking anyone that wants to pay for stuff that they like, but I personally do not think that is a good deal even with all the potential content.
For 300Mbps down and 350 Mbps up, I pay $40 a month.
I pay for Netflix ($16) and the Disney Plus bundle with Hulu and ESPN ($13).
I occasionally sign up for HBO and Showtime for a few months, catch up on my favorite shows, and then cancel.
I also have Prime Video, but not counting it because I originally got it for other Prime services.
My most used service is Plex, which I paid the Life-Time membership fee a few years back.
So, @ $69 a month, with the occasional extra charge for HBO or Showtime, I am paying significantly less than @$165 a month. Actually, I am paying over $1000 less a year compared to @AZMecha.
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It depends on where you live in the US. In some places in the US, there is only one cable/ISP available, so with no competition, there is little incentive to lower prices.
But, even with place with multiple cable/ISPs available, like where I live, some people just do not bother shopping around, and end up paying way more than they should pay.
I did a poll on a local forum where I live, and about 30% of the people in my area pay over $200 a month to their ISPs. I gave advice to them on how to lower their cable/ISP bills, but many people just don't feel like shopping around and is content with paying the crazy high prices.
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I posted a thread about this a few years, there are ways to get around the price increases after the introductory rate expires.
This can easily be done if there is more than one ISP available, but still can be done with only one ISP.
I would look into Verizon FiOS.
About six months back, they changed their policy on increasing pricing. The reason? They were constantly losing some of their customers to their competitors right before the rates would increase only to get those customers back after their competitors' prices were about to increase.
They got smart and basically gave anyone a fix, low price to anyone that asked. The catch is that it can only be done via their Mix and Match website:
Fios Mix and Match: Custom Internet, TV and Phone Packages | Verizon
With Fios Mix & Match, you choose the internet, TV or phone plan that works for you - no contracts or surprises. Bundle packages or pick a standalone service.
verizon.com
Doesn't bother me though, as I much rather go through a website than call someone to get the deal.
When I used it, I went from paying $40 a month for 100Mbps service to paying the same $40 a month but for 300Mbps+ service.
Verizon FiOS is only available in heavily populated areas from what I've seen. They aren't dropping fiber lines unless the population density warrants it. So FiOS remains unavailable to a lot of people within the US.
In my area, Spectrum is the only ISP. AT&T is around in random places but it's low end DSL. The large ISP's have a monopoly on internet and can charge whatever they want IMO. That is why 5G can't come soon enough...competition for home internet services.
Spectrum will not make a deal from what I've seen and experienced. You can cancel your service, return the equipment, and sign up again. However, you must provide your SSN when signing up so if they see you had a recent closed account, they will make you wait 30 days before signing up again.
Lack of competition is always bad for consumers and the large ISP's know you don't have another option.
Yeah, they are definitely not as big as many other ISPs, but if one is lucky enough to have FiOS, they are now offering really good deals to retain their customers, and just not keep them.
Actually, the deals in my area to retain their customers are much better than the new customer deals. Less than a year ago, this was not the case.
Another thought, in addition to their own tv services, FiOS is now including a subscription for YouTube TV as an option for your service. It is full price, so probably not worth bundling with the ISP, but for people that like having a single bill, this could also be an option.
Yeah, it is more of a oligopoly than monopoly, but you are correct about the lack of competition.
That said, if you really want to save money, there are still ways that you can do this.
I was in a similar situation as you at a point in my life, about 15 years ago. If you have a significant other, you use their SSN to sign up. There are a few downsides, such as you might have to have a small break in service, but given the potential to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, this might be worth it.
If Spectrum offers signing up and activation online, it is possible to not have a break in service.
There is other things that can be done even if you only have one SSN to use.
But.....
Would it be possible to switch to DSL for a month? Then sign back up as a new customer to Spectrum? Yeah, the speeds suck, but again, if you end up saving hundreds of dollars, it could be worth it.
I am hoping the same thing, but with 5G Fixed Wireless Access, not mobile 5G.
Mobile 5G gets most of the attention, but I think the 5G Fixed Wireless Access could have a much greater impact in the US in the short term. Increasing competition for ISPs, especially in areas that there is currently only one.
I am unsure why 5G Fixed Wireless Access hardly ever gets talked about.
Either way, there are options out there, now. For people that are cord cutting and thinking about tv alternatives like YouTube TV, Hulu TV, and Sling, there are things that can be done to lower ISP bills so people are not spending $165 a month for their various services.
More people staying at home, more people watching stuff, more demand, more bandwidth and servers being used, higher price. Simple economics really.