Another Monopoly going down?

[John Connor]

"200 channels" is a direct conclusion, is it not?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Im actually impressed with Wheeler as the FCC head. I thought with him coming from the cable industry that he would be nothing but a shill (or dingo) but it seems that he is actually trying to do some good.

Now if they would just find a way to kill caps once and for all...

 

[Art&Science]

Im actually impressed with Wheeler as the FCC head. I thought with him coming from the cable industry that he would be nothing but a shill (or dingo) but it seems that he is actually trying to do some good.

Now if they would just find a way to kill caps once and for all...

Some times it's people from the industry that dislike it the most... you think as a consumer you dislike the indistry for X reason(s)... he's an insider - imagine what he knows (and dislikes).

 

[lupi]

I don't see this enticing cord cutters anytime soon. People cut the cord because the damn bill is so high for TV and since the a la carte bill failed that would have given the consumer a damn choice on what channels they wanted to watch people are constantly fucked. What's an extra $5/month when the cable bill cost almost $200 a month just for service?

Must watch: NSFW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcny_pixDw

This begs the question: Why do new TVs have like over a 200 channel capability? Is this for over the air HDTV? I heard in some areas you could plug in your cable line and get basic HDTV channels. Providing the cable is connected at the tap.

$5?

It's more like 10-15 per box, tack on another 15-20 if it's DVR capable.

 

[lupi]

Executive Office just doubled down on the FCCs new direction on this.


http://deadline.com/2016/04/preside...g-promote-set-top-box-competition-1201738259/

 

[Hugo Drax]

FCC to vote on proposal eliminating Cable company grip on set top boxes.


http://recode.net/2016/01/27/its-time-to-unlock-the-set-top-box-market/



He is correct in every point he makes and it is hard to say any unintended consequences would be worse than the status quo.

Yeah but now Cable companies will require a special cable

 

[Hugo Drax]

Some times it's people from the industry that dislike it the most... you think as a consumer you dislike the indistry for X reason(s)... he's an insider - imagine what he knows (and dislikes).

This is why we need Trump to Make America Great Again. He knows all the lobby scams and how politicians are bought.

 

[Linux23]

oh shit, are we really doing this?

 

[Linux23]

I pay about $160 a month for basic cable (no premium channels). Whole house DVR is $20 a month, plus $24 for two boxes. it's a friggin ripoff and i'm glad we are moving towards ending this bs practice of charging to rent a box in perpetuity.

I do have the DVR box for life deal, so without that, i'd be paying $180+ for basic cable.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I wonder when we'll see other options?
I think MS is set to make an Xbox work as a cable box but I'm not sure.

 

[John Connor]

$5?

It's more like 10-15 per box, tack on another 15-20 if it's DVR capable.

I think my basic box in my bedroom is $5. Wasn't talking about a premium box for lack of the proper term.

I know DVR's are another cost. I mean why not? If they're going to charge you for basic now, then that DVR capability will be charged too. I heard back in circa 2008 a certain DVR being sold on ebay went for big bucks because you didn't need some asinine subscription. It did what it's suppose to do. Just record a damn channel and not communicate with a greedy company and the while they catalog and index everything you watch and record. But I don't know the name of this DVR. I wish I did because I would like one.

 

[John Connor]

I wonder when we'll see other options?
I think MS is set to make an Xbox work as a cable box but I'm not sure.

That can only lead to bad things based on two that I know of and they are; the fact you needed a propitiatory joy pad from M$ to play GTA IV, and how M$ has turned you into a product with Windows 10.

Playstation has their network now. Can't remember what it's called. I used to like Playstation because they didn't charge to play, unlike M$. Now they followed the M$/BS route.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

That can only lead to bad things based on two that I know of and they are; the fact you needed a propitiatory joy pad from M$ to play GTA IV, and how M$ has turned you into a product with Windows 10.

Playstation has their network now. Can't remember what it's called. I used to like Playstation because they didn't charge to play, unlike M$. Now they followed the M$/BS route.

Um sure, I'd buy an Xbox if it had cable tuner built in.

 

[boomhower]

Yeah, this isn't going to save anyone any money. Cable companies aren't going to eat the loss of revenue. They are just going to raise rates and use the excuse of having to modify the network to work with the new boxes or some other BS. So your bill is going to end up being largely the same and you have to buy a box. Granted your experience with an actual decent cable box will be better but your not going to save any money.

I currently have satellite with DirecTV. Whole home DVR with a total of four boxes. I have the next to top teir and a couple small sport package add ons. Bill starts at $90 and ends up at ~$130 at the end of the contract. They are upfront of when the various discounts drop off so the bill is expected. I am on my second contract now and don't see myself changing when it ends. I hated TWC and still do, RR has been crap of late but their monopoly in the area leaves no other alternative. (yeah, no DSL where I live.)

 

[John Connor]

Executive Office just doubled down on the FCCs new direction on this.


http://deadline.com/2016/04/preside...g-promote-set-top-box-competition-1201738259/

LMAO!

He issued his Executive Order because “Congress has been stuck, partly for ideological reasons, in taking some common sense steps that would improve the economy and help working families. But I will tell you that consumer actions like this…they seem small bore initially ’cause they don’t get a lot of attention, but they can add up to billion of dollars out of the pockets of consumers.”

He should have thought about that before he and an MIT idiot decided to create a Quasi-tax in the name of health care.

I think with the tax dead line nearing, the people could care less about cable box fees compared to a 4-500 dollar Obumercare tax. Well, that figure could be quit low for some. Not to mention what an Obumercare health premium costs.

Yeah.. "common sense."

 

[John Connor]

Um sure, I'd buy an Xbox if it had cable tuner built in.

I don't think this would be a cable tuner. It would more than likely be their own network like Playstation. It would seem logical given the fact Playstation has one and M$ wants to compete in that market.

 

[John Connor]

RR has been crap of late but their monopoly in the area leaves no other alternative. (yeah, no DSL where I live.)

And that is the issue that if the FCC wanted to acctully do something prudent, it would be to mandate competition in areas with only one major ISP. Now that may sound stupid. I mean how the F can a Fed agency enforce competition? LOL I mean that right there is an oxymoron.

But it's true that if consumers had the choice of an ISP/TV provider the prices would be a lot more competitive. In my area it's largely a ComcrapNBCUniversal nightmare. I did vote yes on the ballot last year to have my town create their own ISP. Thankfully it passed. Apparently it won't cost tax dollars. Hopefully the service is decent and it competes with the big boy on the block, Comcrap.

 

[TeeJay1952]

The digital secret: $30 Yaggi will pull in 15 or so stations of highest quality. (in most cases,YMMV) Get one for when cable goes down and then you may consider your options.

 

[destrekor]

I don't think this would be a cable tuner. It would more than likely be their own network like Playstation. It would seem logical given the fact Playstation has one and M$ wants to compete in that market.

Microsoft already has a cable tuner released for the Xbox One. They have a fully official model for Europe that uses the superior DVB tech, but there is a Hauppauge branded model Microsoft released for US & Canada OTA access.

Still feature incomplete as a DVR solution but at least they support cord cutters better.

 

[CZroe]

I hear Ichinisan (works for a small cable co) complaining about issues with major STB manufacturers refusing to fix obvious problems when pointed out so at least this will force them to address them as a consumer issue. Probably more total issues but with a choice (pick the one with the fewest issues).

 

[Dude111]

Awesome! I might have cable TV today if it wasn't for the absurd rental fees of their boxes.

I might WATCH cable TV if there was anything GOOD on!!! (Almost nothing but rubbish)

 

[Aharami]

I might WATCH cable TV if there was anything GOOD on!!! (Almost nothing but rubbish)

as opposed to what? 10, 20, 30 years ago, when cable was full of quality shows?

 

[Sonikku]

Im actually impressed with Wheeler as the FCC head. I thought with him coming from the cable industry that he would be nothing but a shill (or dingo) but it seems that he is actually trying to do some good.

Now if they would just find a way to kill caps once and for all...

Love that guy. Obama and Comcast must have put him there solely to have the interests of the telecoms at heart. This is one betrayal I can live with,

 

[lxskllr]

as opposed to what? 10, 20, 30 years ago, when cable was full of quality shows?

As opposed to keeping your money in your pocket, and not having tv at all.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Speaking of Monopolies,there is a single dsl company in the town i live that for now offers a max speed of 12mbps and with included phone your bill sits at a pretty $108 a month when all promotions end lol.

The Monopoly i speak of actually at one point was pure dog shit,right around 8pm your speeds on a good day may hit 3mbps with constant disconnections.Enough bitching and its been mostly resolved but their modems are still dog shit on a pile of horse shit covered with flies.