7 Ways to Reduce Your Cable Bill

Most Americans have cable.  One of the largest cable companies is Comcast was will be merged with Time Warner.  Comcast and a few other companies offer a triple-play bundle package that includes phone, cable and internet to help customers save money.  However, getting rid of a triple-play bundle may cost more because you will have to pay for each service separately; although in some cases it is cheaper to keep triple play.

It would be a smart alternative to ask if your cable company offers a two-play package because most companies don’t want to lose existing customers.  If you have been a customer for at least 2 years or more you have more negotiating power. If the price for a two-play bundle is higher than a triple play bundle ask to speak to a supervisor and ask about discounts and specials.  You can also remind them you have consistently paid your bill on time and are a loyal customer.

Since you can get basic cable for as little as $19.99 per month and cable plus internet for less than $40 per month, if you spend more than that on Netflix and Hulu or other digital programming then it is better to keep cable.

Since subscribers cannot get pay for only what you watch a-la-carte service, eliminating channels you don’t watch is a great alternative to cutting cable off completely because most people don’t watch all the channels offered on cable tv.  According to the News Tribune subscribers only watch 18% of the cable channels offered.

If you don’t watch premiums channels and other channels getting expanded basic service is a good option.  Prices range from $39.99 - $79.99 depending on the provider. You can save anywhere from 10% to 50% each month.

Basic cable can include up to 100 channels. Reducing your service to basic cable service is cheaper and could save you money. If the channels you regularly watch are included in basic cable service eliminating the channels you don’t watch can save a great deal of money. Here are some ways to reduce spending before getting rid of cable are:

1.      Get the cheapest cell phone plan possible

2.      Pay for only what you watch

3.      Eliminate channels you don’t watch

4.      Switch providers

5.      Ask about discounts and specials every 3-6 months

6.      Compare services and purchase a double-play or triple-play package

7.      Temporarily halt service, some companies may charge a fee

Money Saving Tips to Reduce Your Cable Bill

                                                 

Most Americans have cable.  One of the largest cable companies is Comcast along with Time Warner.  Comcast and a few other companies offer a triple-play bundle package that includes phone, cable and internet to help customers save money.  However, getting rid of a triple-play bundle may cost more because you will have to pay for each service separately; although in some cases it is cheaper to keep triple play.

It would be a smart alternative to ask if your cable company offers a two-play package because most companies don’t want to lose existing customers.  If you have been a customer for at least 2 years or more you have more negotiating power. If the price for a two-play bundle is higher than a triple play bundle ask to speak to a supervisor and ask about discounts and specials.  You can also remind them you have consistently paid your bill on time and are a loyal customer.

Since you can get basic cable for as little as $19.99 per month and cable plus internet for less than $40 per month, if you spend more than that on Netflix and Hulu or other digital programming then it is better to keep cable.

Since subscribers cannot get pay for only what you watch a-la-carte service, eliminating channels you don’t watch is a great alternative to cutting cable off completely because most people don’t watch all the channels offered on cable tv.  According to the News Tribune subscribers only watch 18% of the cable channels offered.

If you don’t watch premiums channels and other channels getting expanded basic service is a good option.  Prices range from $39.99 - $79.99 depending on the provider. You can save anywhere from 10% to 50% each month.

Basic cable can include up to 100 channels. Reducing your service to basic cable service is cheaper and could save you money. If the channels you regularly watch are included in basic cable service eliminating the channels you don’t watch can save a great deal of money. Here are some ways to reduce spending before getting rid of cable are:

·        Get the cheapest cell phone plan possible

·        Eliminate channels you don’t watch

·        Switch providers

·        Ask about discounts and specials every 3-6 months

·        Compare services and purchase a double-play or triple-play package

10 Ways to Reduce Your Cable Bill

One expense that people don’t seem to complain about anymore is paying for cable television service. Cable prices have increased over the years so why do we pay it without complaint.

Over 100 million people have cable or satellite service. The average cable bill is $75 a month. The average cable bill increases 5% every year. The average cost for cable service has tripled over the past ten years.

The top two cable providers are Comcast and Time Warner. There are different prices for internet and cable service. Comcast has promotions available on a quarterly basis that are not publicized.

According to the New York Times, cable subscribers on average pay approximately y $100 a year for sports programming and it doesn’t matter how many games you watch or if you don’t watch any at all. You pay for just having the channel. Most of the money is paid to the NFL. As costs increase for the NFL, those costs will be passed on to the cable companies and then passed on to customers.

As cable company fees increase, the increase is passed on to customers. However, many customers have found alternatives by renting movies, using rental services such as Netflix or Redbox or watching shows on the internet for free.

Cable companies are able to raise prices due to the lack of competition in some areas. The ability of cable companies to raise rates and increase revenues, even with rising programming costs stems from their market power. Cable companies would not be able to raise prices if they did not have monopoly power.

Some cable companies claim the increase in prices is due to system upgrades and better quality. I am still waiting for the better quality. I had better service when television was analog. If you are tired of paying high cable costs here are 10 tips to lower your cable bill:

1. Ask. Asking to reduce my bill worked. I was amazed at how easy it was to get my bill lowered. If you are unable to get it lowered, ask for the cancelation department.
2. Be pleasant. Be pleasant, don’t argue, don’t be rude or raise your voice.
3. Refer to the competition. Refer to specials and discounts offered by competitors.
4. State the facts. Don’t get emotional, just state the facts.
5. Do your research. Do research on discounts and promotions the company may be offering through advertisements or on their website.
6. Look for loopholes. Try negotiating a lower bill by talking to an online representative through chat.
7. Don’t make the first move. Let the company start negotiations and then decide it you will accept the offer or want to negotiate further.
8. Read your contract. Read your cable contract. You may have to give 30 days’ notice before canceling your service.
9. Cancel. If you watch television 10 hours or less a week you should consider canceling your cable service since you have found other ways to spend your time.
10. Write. Write your congressman and demand competition among cable companies in your area to reduce monopolies, lower cable prices and provide quality cable service.