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Cable TV Monopoly nearly created
https://mail.chicagofanatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=85086
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Author:  Don Tiny [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:01 am ]
Post subject:  Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Comcast is about to acquire Time Warner (for about $45 billion, if you care). So that's a real plus for consumers, because nothing helps the average customer more than a huge corporation with a reputation for indifference getting considerably larger by removing their second-place rival .... never mind also meaning they will be able to tromp all over broadband customers until the great savior Google comes in (and eventually makes things worse but you can't say that because 'Google').

Now, it still all has to be approved so it's not 100%, and it's actually the internet side of the merger that might get the thing nixed by the feds, but I'll believe it when I see it ... and even then, it'd just be a matter of time.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-comcast-timewarnercable-idUSBREA1C05A20140213

Author:  Douchebag [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

This is some bullshit...

Fuck Comcast

Author:  IMU [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

You don't know what you have until its lost.

I feel that way about Comcast. I'll never complain about their prices ever again once I get them back.

Author:  Don Tiny [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Full disclosure .... I did have Comcast for a time at the palatial estate in Geneva .... dealt with customer service twice .... both times were just phenomenal .... so I technically never had problem one with Comcast .... button 48.

Author:  Darkside [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

When I called Comcast to say I could get better rates with ATT they said fine go leave. And I did.
I've had Uverse for 2-3 years now and it's just fine.
Course, I get 2-3 "We Want You Back" mailings a week from Comcast.

Author:  Frank Coztansa [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Same here. Very happy overall with UVerse. The internet is a little bit slower, but nothing that cannot be dealt with.

Author:  Nas [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Comcast is better and all the prices are pretty much the same once you get past the promos. I'm not sure how anyone can use AT&T'S internet.

Author:  Darkside [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Nas wrote:
Comcast is better and all the prices are pretty much the same once you get past the promos. I'm not sure how anyone can use AT&T'S internet.

Why? I stream videos on Netflix, have internet that's pretty much as fast as I need... no problems.

Author:  IMU [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Q.Bovifs wrote:
immessedup17 wrote:
You don't know what you have until its lost.

I feel that way about Comcast. I'll never complain about their prices ever again once I get them back.

Told you.

I never disliked Comcast. I gave them a shoutout thread once.

My current apartment complex does not allow Comcast. I'm not renewing my lease.

Author:  SomeGuy [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Wait for the data caps and overt throttling of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Author:  Don Tiny [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Nas wrote:
Comcast is better and all the prices are pretty much the same once you get past the promos. I'm not sure how anyone can use AT&T'S internet.



I think the same thing to myself ..... out here in the stix it's just ... it doesn't even qualify for third-world quality.

Author:  Nas [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Darkside wrote:
Nas wrote:
Comcast is better and all the prices are pretty much the same once you get past the promos. I'm not sure how anyone can use AT&T'S internet.

Why? I stream videos on Netflix, have internet that's pretty much as fast as I need... no problems.


You can't have multiple devices and you can't do more multiple things without the speed sucking. If I'm going to pay $200 after a promo I would rather have Comcast.

Author:  rogers park bryan [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

I have comcast internet but no cable.


The cable service was spotty and the customer service was non existant. The internet service has been great though

Author:  Douchebag [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

SomeGuy wrote:
Wait for the data caps and overt throttling of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Just use Xfinity. Problem solved....

Author:  Brick [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

What are you going to do, read? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Author:  conns7901 [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Darkside wrote:
When I called Comcast to say I could get better rates with ATT they said fine go leave. And I did.
I've had Uverse for 2-3 years now and it's just fine.
Course, I get 2-3 "We Want You Back" mailings a week from Comcast.


Same here. I pay the same price at this point I had with comcast but DVR can be used in either room and I have HBO and Showtime. Internet is not as fast but Im not a gamer or really watch videos.

Author:  Crystal Lake Hoffy [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Not sure if throttling is already occurring, but from what I read, the ISPs would rather create their own streaming option and features for stream caching to provide better service over Netflix. That said, I do think that eventually, provider fees will be coming. Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, etc., will move to a model that charges companies to "provide customers with web content". It will likely be tiered so that small websites are only paying a minimal charge for their bandwidth, but the real money makers are in the YouTube and Netflix type websites. I know there are obvious complications with this, but the cable companies already use this model with cable providers and its not a stretch to see it occurring with web content.

Author:  Chus [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Nas wrote:
Comcast is better and all the prices are pretty much the same once you get past the promos. I'm not sure how anyone can use AT&T'S internet.


Comcast has the fastest internet, and it isn't close. They also have the most HD channels, by far.

Comcast wins. Fatality.

Author:  IMU [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Crystal Lake Hoffy wrote:
Not sure if throttling is already occurring, but from what I read, the ISPs would rather create their own streaming option and features for stream caching to provide better service over Netflix. That said, I do think that eventually, provider fees will be coming. Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, etc., will move to a model that charges companies to "provide customers with web content". It will likely be tiered so that small websites are only paying a minimal charge for their bandwidth, but the real money makers are in the YouTube and Netflix type websites. I know there are obvious complications with this, but the cable companies already use this model with cable providers and its not a stretch to see it occurring with web content.

Not if we can get net neutrality back. Write your local congressman.

Author:  Bucky Chris [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Chus wrote:
Nas wrote:
Comcast is better and all the prices are pretty much the same once you get past the promos. I'm not sure how anyone can use AT&T'S internet.


Comcast has the fastest internet, and it isn't close. They also have the most HD channels, by far.

Comcast wins. Fatality.


I use Uverse internet and get about 2.5MB/sec on large file downloads. I'm pretty happy with it. Never goes out, never have to reset it. Felt like I was resetting my Comcast modem once a week when I had it (granted that was years ago).

Author:  Hank Scorpio [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Comcast sucks. I had nothing but problems with my cable and DVR. I had to call them all the time and they were total assholes. I switched to AT&T and have only had one issue, they were so apologetic about it and wanted to keep me as a customer that they gave me free premium channels for a year. I wont switch back to Comcast until they are officially the only game in town.

As far as the internet. We stream Netflix while my wife and I are both on laptops or tablets and we never have issues.


I'm sure I just jinxed the hell out of myself... :lol: :lol:

Author:  Bucky Chris [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

BTW, literally yesterday there were rumors about Time Warner and Apple working on a deal. Assuming that has been squashed... but would have loved to see what that would look like. Apparently a lot of signs pointing to a new AppleTV. Hoping they can bring some cable-like content.

Author:  SomeGuy [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

immessedup17 wrote:
Crystal Lake Hoffy wrote:
Not sure if throttling is already occurring, but from what I read, the ISPs would rather create their own streaming option and features for stream caching to provide better service over Netflix. That said, I do think that eventually, provider fees will be coming. Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, etc., will move to a model that charges companies to "provide customers with web content". It will likely be tiered so that small websites are only paying a minimal charge for their bandwidth, but the real money makers are in the YouTube and Netflix type websites. I know there are obvious complications with this, but the cable companies already use this model with cable providers and its not a stretch to see it occurring with web content.

Not if we can get net neutrality back. Write your local congressman.


The SC ruling could be a net positive in the long run as the judges told the FCC and Congress to do NN yhe right way and to designate them as common carriers...

Of courae the newly appointed and unelected head of the FCC is a former long time cable lobbyist so I don't think I'm going to hold my breath on that one.

Author:  Don Tiny [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 4:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Should the merger go through, here's a nice chart showing market share of cable subscribers in the USofA.

Image

Author:  Bucky Chris [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 4:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Something interesting I saw a Comcast Exec claim... Comcast and TW aren't available in the same zip code anywhere.

Author:  Phil McCracken [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 5:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

immessedup17 wrote:
You don't know what you have until its lost.

I feel that way about Comcast. I'll never complain about their prices ever again once I get them back.

This is how I felt. Had U-Verse for 2 years and it was a nightmare. Would drop the internet connection all of the time. I think we had somebody out to look at the router like 6 times. And then it would always be like welp its not working. Yeah I know thats why I called you. Did you try unplugging it and plugging it back in? Yeah dude. Well here's a new router. Then that one would work OK for about a month before it would shit the bed and the process would begin anew.

Author:  SomeGuy [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Don Tiny wrote:
Should the merger go through, here's a nice chart showing market share of cable subscribers in the USofA.

Image


Time to trust bust.

Bust 'em up like Bell in the 80's.

Also, I hope Uncle Sam asks the telecoms to refund us the 200 billion we gave them to develop a national fiber network...which they didn't and instead invested it into wireless tech to further gouge us with.

Author:  Don Tiny [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Bucky Chris wrote:
Something interesting I saw a Comcast Exec claim... Comcast and TW aren't available in the same zip code anywhere.


Don't know if I agree with the 'interesting' label ... what's his point? I mean, it's not like that was some secret ... actually I'll tell you his point ... his point was to deflect the lowest common denominator from realizing the (arguably) inappropriate competitive advantage Comcast would have.

Author:  Nas [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Doesn't AT&T have a larger market share in the Chicago area?

Author:  Scorehead [ Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Cable TV Monopoly nearly created

Nas wrote:
Comcast is better and all the prices are pretty much the same once you get past the promos. I'm not sure how anyone can use AT&T'S internet.


Dish is by far the lowest cost TV service.

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