Comments
clrmoney
11/18/2016 2:49:25 PM
User Rank Platinum
Cord Cutting away
They are still cutting cord of course to save money from pay tv etc. to find something more affordable for everyone to invest and check it out for the customers.
dcawrey
11/18/2016 3:21:13 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
It's no surprise price is the biggest factor here.
Why would someone pay $100/mo for a cable package? People can get a lot of entertainment on the internet entirely for free. Or, at the very least, they can spend less than $10 per month on a streaming service.
afwriter
11/19/2016 6:02:46 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
Especially when they are only watching a handful of shows on a few networks. It is a lot cheaper to buy the episodes on Amazon the day after the show airs than to pay for an entire cable package every month. Even with the big 3 OTT services and Sling combined you still pay less than your average cable package.
Adi
11/21/2016 9:02:12 AM
User Rank Author
Re: Cord Cutting away
@dcawrey, @afwriter - do you think skinny bundles will make a difference, such as PlayStation Vue -- and the forthcoming DirecTV Now and Hulu services?
afwriter
11/21/2016 11:00:55 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
I think they will make a small difference. If I remember correctly Vue has DVR capabilities which I think will make a huge difference. I know that is something that I will miss when my cable contract is up.
Adi
11/23/2016 5:19:53 AM
User Rank Author
Re: Cord Cutting away
In the survey price was listed as a reason to cut the cord by nearly 83% of respondents, so it's obviously a factor. But generally, speaking price tends to rank high no matter what -- it's always going to be high. But 60% listed availability of OTT services, which I think is probably more significant in some ways. I think what we are all struggling with is some way to figure out how widespread and sustained this cord-cutting will be. It's worth mentioning again that 80% respondents in this survey still subscribe to pay-TV. The question for us is, for how long?
faryl
11/22/2016 5:26:57 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
I just uncut the cord because AT&T's internet was not working out for me (google took forever to load) and it cost me less to sign up for a bundle for the first 3 months with Cox than it would have for internet-only installation.
So far the only things I've watched on it are The Walking Dead & that Martha Stewart/Snoop Dogg show. I watch everything else on Hulu & Netflix.
elizabethv
11/23/2016 7:57:50 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
I almost wonder if that's how they plan to force all our hands to come back eventually. Make the cost of internet so expensive, that it just makes more sense for you to get a cheaper bundle.
faryl
11/25/2016 11:22:23 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
I wondered the same. Even the installation for cable with no contract is free, but it would have been $75 for internet only!
Ariella
11/26/2016 7:12:53 PM
User Rank Author
Re: Cord Cutting away
@faryl that amount varies a great deal, depending where one lives. In my area, the setup is free, and there was a promotional rate for the first 18 months when we had cable cover internet and phone. When the promotional rate ended, we dropped the phone and just kep the internet for $60 a month.
faryl
11/28/2016 11:58:41 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
I thought it was interesting that the customer service rep told me to just call customer retention after the introductory price ends so they could give me a lower price again.
elizabethv
11/29/2016 8:25:56 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
@faryl - the unfortunate thing is that actually really upsets me. I like being able to not have cable. The few days we had it at my grandmas with my kids I felt like I had moved into the toy aisle of Target they wanted EVERYTHING on EVERY commercial. It is so nice to not have those commercials. I'll be so mad if at some point I'm forced to get cable just to not have to pay an arm and a leg for internet. But then again, the cost may even out if my kids starting wanting all these toys.....
faryl
11/29/2016 12:31:06 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
Aside from Sunday nights (Walking Dead), I've been pretending I don't have it. :)
I'm actually going to call to cancel it this week, since there's no contract - I'd rather pay for internet only; it's not worth the added expense.
Ariella
11/29/2016 8:26:02 AM
User Rank Author
Re: Cord Cutting away
@faryl we've tried that with both Verizon and Optimum. But because they are the only two services in town, they don't bother extending promotional prices until you've actually switched off.Due to additional fees, Verizon ends up being more expensive than Optiumum in general unless one goes for the triple play package, which is more than what we wanted.
faryl
11/29/2016 11:43:48 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting away
That's why I've avoided signing up for broadband before now. I resent not having a choice.
But not enough to keep suffering with lousy internet! :-)
freehe
11/19/2016 7:49:26 PM
User Rank Platinum
Cord Cutting
I am not surprised at the statistics. Cable TV prices are too expensive and don't match the quaity and customer service given to customers. People are willing to pay more for a great quality product or service and great customer service, however, most cable companies lack this so they cut the cord.
Until cable tv prices drop, cord cutting will remain.
srufolo1
11/21/2016 4:02:38 PM
User Rank Platinum
Cord Cutting
What has to happen before the major operators realize they are becoming obsolete? In fact, I feel it may even be too late for them. Most millennials don't even bother with cable TV, and the older generation is taking their cue. That's what happens when companies become greedy. The cord-cutting will continue and cable companies will keep losing money. It's a no wonder they keep sending offers in the mail for dirt-cheap prices.
elizabethv
11/22/2016 6:48:48 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting
@srufolo1 - You're exactly right. I gave up cable almost two years ago now, and I've never looked back. In fact, a recent trip to my grandparents soldified my decision not to have cable. When my 4-year-old was watching cartoons, I felt like we were walking through the toy section at Walmart - and I avoid that entire section of the store for a reason. But while I was there, I also taught my grandma how to get Netflix on her computer, and why it was valueable. Here we are a few weeks later, and she uses Netflix just about daily, and very happily.
Ariella
11/22/2016 2:45:20 PM
User Rank Author
Re: Cord Cutting
I don't subscribe to any service myself. I have cable just for internet. I'd imagine there is still some market for sports viewing, though for programs that are avialble as streams, it doesn't seem to make sense to pay that much for access.
srufolo1
11/23/2016 8:44:05 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting
@elizabethv It's great you told your grandmother about Netflix. I think the older generation needs to be aware that there are other options out there besides Cable TV. They just have to be informed. Just watch what Millennials do and you'll be OK (well, for technology anyway.)
faryl
11/29/2016 12:37:12 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting
The point you bring up about kids & commercials is one I hadn't considered.
It's one thing for adults to have to sit through commercials they may or may not be interested in, but having to talk your kids out of sugary cereals and the latest car toy adds a whole other level.
dlr5288
11/29/2016 10:33:17 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting
Yes good point! I've never thought about that because I don't have any children yet, but that must be some task to try and talk them out of something they see on tv..
faryl
11/30/2016 12:12:00 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting
When i was a kid, I remember seeing all these commercials for "Baby Alive" (which is a really creepy name, come to think of it).
I really really really wanted one.
It's the only "in store" tantrum I remember throwing. Needless to say, I was not rewarded with a "Baby Aiive". :-)
(Leave it to young kids to actually want to pay for something that makes you feed it & change its diapers!)
dlr5288
11/30/2016 12:18:59 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting
Yeah I'm not sure if I had one of those moments, but it's so true! That definitely happens a lot. Bless the parents that have to deal with it..
Ariella
11/30/2016 9:18:37 AM
User Rank Author
Re: Cord Cutting
@faryl I had one. it wasn't that great. The doll design actually looks a lot creepier today than it did back in the day. My own daughters didn't care that much for dolls, and ones that mimic live action would have really horrified my oldest one who claims she still finds them creeepy.
faryl
11/30/2016 6:07:34 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Cord Cutting
I remember hearing (through whatever grapevine kids learned info through back then) that the baby food would start to rot in the dolls' heads after a while.
That convinced me I didn't want one!
Instead, I ended up with a doll with a hole in its back for your hand, so it was like a puppet baby. And it had one of those baby bottles that look like they have milk inside, and looks like it's empty when you tip it :-P
Ariella
11/30/2016 6:26:39 PM
User Rank Author
Re: Cord Cutting
@faryl all that's pretty low tech. Now we have dolls that connect to the internet like hello Barbie. But as with all connected things, it does open up the possibility of getting hacked. See http://www.pcworld.com/article/3012220/security/internet-connected-hello-barbie-doll-can-be-hacked.html
|
|
Italy's 5G auction could exceed a government target of raising €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion) after attracting interest from companies outside the mobile market.
The emerging-markets operator is focusing on the humdrum business of connectivity and keeping quiet about some of its ill-fated 'digitalization' efforts.
Three UK has picked Huawei over existing radio access network suppliers Nokia and Samsung to build its 5G network.
Vendor says that it's its biggest 5G deal to date.
Verizon skates where the puck is going by waiting for standards-based 5G devices to launch its mobile service in 2019.
Orange has been one of the leading proponents of SDN and NFV. In this Telco Transformation radio show, Orange's John Isch provides some perspective on his company's NFV/SDN journey.
10/16/2017
Huawei Network Transformation Seminar
The adoption of virtualization technology and cloud architectures by telecom network operators is now well underway but there is still a long way to go before the transition to an era of Network Functions Cloudification (NFC) is complete.
The Small Cell Forum's CEO Sue Monahan says that small cells will be crucial for indoor 5G coverage, but challenges around business models, siting ...
People, strategy, a strong technology roadmap and new business processes are the key underpinnings of Telstra's digital transformation, COO Robyn ...
Eric Bozich, vice president of products and marketing at CenturyLink, talks about the challenges and opportunities of integrating Level 3 into ...
Epsilon's Mark Daley, director of digital strategy and business development, talks about digital transformation from a wholesale service provider ...
Bill Walker, CenturyLink's director of network architecture, shares his insights on why training isn't enough for IT employees and traditional ...
All Videos
|
On-the-Air Thursdays Digital Audio
Special Huawei Video
Tweet This