SELCO Cable Rates Increasing April 1
According to a SELCO release the rates are comparable to other area providers.
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Cable subscribers in Shrewsbury will see an increased bill starting April 1.
According to an email sent out by SELCO, basic and expanded basic cable prices will be increased to continue to provide the same channels.
"Due to rising programming costs, SELCO will be increasing Basic and Expanded Basic cable rates by approximately 7% as of April 1," the release said.
This means basic cable will increase from $16.68 to $17.83 and expanded basic from $39.92 to $42.72.
"Please note, the Basic and Expanded Basic cable rate increases will cause the SELCO Super Pack price to rise from $126.95* per month to $127.95 per month. The SELCO Value Pack will increase from $106.95 per month to $107.95 per month."
In addition HBO and Cinemax costs will be climbing along with the commercial expanded basic.
"Despite these increases, SELCO’s Expanded Basic cable rates remain nearly 30% to 40% below other area providers," the release says, leading to a chart indicating costs for other municipal and private cable providers.
Premium services including digital cable and HDTV will not be affected.
SameOld
9:19 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Lots of satellite dishes in my neighborhood. With this increase, probably time to check out the deals.
sal locascio
2:59 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
again
lower the electric bill and raise the cable bill no wonder why we can't get ahead...
Stephen Pohl
6:34 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
First, I realize that our cable rates are cheaper than other local choices. Having said that, I have several questions and observations.
Second, these two things I understand; 1.) An issue is thru-put, hardware can only support so many 1's and 0's, and upgrades are needed to support everyone... and 2.) companies the town subscribe to for channels have packages only, not a la cart choices.
As for #1, it is my understand that middle schools having iPads have increased home usage 40% during the evening. SELCO Chairman Michael Hale said that. So, tell me why should I pay for usage by students? Whose parents should pay... and should have paid for the iPads, as well, IMO.
As for #2, I think the town can negotiate for a la cart choices. Who listens to any of the 40+ music channels?? I would love to see a break down of channels that are actually watched. I'll bet that 50% of the hundreds of channels are never watched.
My solution to all this is two fold. 1.) Like water and electric, a customer (that includes schools) should pay for what they use, I don't need to have my bandwidth taken up by some gammer. 2.) Years ago, the town contracted with some company to provide internet service, and it cost a lot. My suggestion to a member of SELCO was that Shrewsbury could set up a server, and do it themselves, like our electric. That suggestion is what we now have. I now suggest that the town use those satellite dishes on Parker Rd. and start our own TV station.