Letter of the week, 1/7/08: Cox Cable's "excuse"

[David]

Cox Cable’s lame excuse

Editor:

I'd like to dispute Cox Cable's lame excuse for putting TCM (Turner Classic Movies) on a digital, or Hi-Def section.

The content which TCM mainly provides are old films -- which were not digital, nor hi-def. Digital (or hi-def) is achieved from content which originates as such. Taking old movies, and broadcasting them through a digital signal does not constitute a true digital/hi-def experience.

Newer channels which provide true digital content would be beneficial to move to a digital section.

I would encourage your subscribers to dispute Cox Cable's TCM matter as much as possible.

MARCUS HAMILTON, MERIDEN

[collie]

That is an excellent point to make!

[eds]

Like I've said, it wont matter after February 2009. Everything will be digital no matter the source and you'll need a converter to get that signal to work with older sets. The FCC wants to use the current bandwidth set aside for TV for other communication. Its the same for old music. I'm a fan of swing and traditional jazz, but everything is on CD or MP3 these days. You don't really get the snaps and pops from the vinyl they had when I was a younger man. That is what is happening these days. It's actually better in many regards. Like everything that changes, better thing are accomplished and somethings are made worse. I'm just glad I don't have to keep feeding the horses to keep the buggy moving. And I absolutely hated dialing anyone's phone number with a zero in it. Businesses used to try to get as many 1's in their number as possible. And this here electric message board is something totally new. :D:D:D. Beats having a pen pal.

[Fit 2 Print]

When I read all the letters in the newspaper from disgruntled/deeply annoyed and disappointed Cox customers, I have to wonder IF this firm really listens to its customers, or just railroads its business agenda in cavalier fashion...

[eds]

Actually one letter mentions 90% of cox customers subscribe to basic cable. That can't be true. 90% probably do subscribe to basic cable, but also, of those 90% many of them also subscribe to the higher tiers and digital which receive ch. 162. So they would not be affected. Think about it. If 90% *only* subscribed to basic cable, Cox would not make any money.

I wonder how many customers lost TCM. You may find it to be only a small amount of their customer base. During Cox's risk planning they figured many might abandon Cox and then factored the lost revenue into the equation. The loss of revenue would then be a reason to raise rates. Either that or it was determined to be an acceptable risk.

The 10% of cox customers that do not subscribe to basic may in fact be telephone subscribers only.

I just find it hard to believe that only 10% subscribe to their digital or higher tier levels.

[Golden Gooch]

:cool: For those of you annoyed with Cox,you can use Dish .

[Common Sense]

That 90% figure was given out by Cox Communications themselves give or take a few percentage points.

[Common Sense]

Here is the quote from the newspaper article. It wasn't from Cox but from this person whom I believe is a reliable source.

Beryl Lyons, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Utility Control, said her agency doesn't regulate cable companies' pricing structures.

The FCC mandates channels for public access, networks and public television, but beyond that, cable companies are on their own.

Ninety percent of Cox's customer base subscribes to basic or expanded basic cable, said Lyons, who is also a Cox customer

[eds]

But of that 90% how many watch TCM? I would guess Cox figures that it is a minority of customers who do, and every business plans for loss of customers. In fact, many banks plan on a 2-4% turnover during a merger. They basically say so what if we loose 2-4% of the customer base. Some businesses actually want certain customers to leave because they do not make any money on them and they cost them money at times. So depending on how Cox views the situation there may not be anything we can do.

[Common Sense]

Evidently quite a few of the 90% viewed TCM, since Cox National Headquarter's said they are still receiving calls and keeping track. 1-888-566-7751. You can talk to a real person during business hours or just leave a message after hours. They are keeping track of all calls whether or not a person leaves their name and number if it's after business hours.

[eds]

So then the marketing "guru's" at Cox must not have done the research properly.

Seems like they should be pretty well in-touch with their customer base, but I guess not. Oh well. I signed a two year contract with them and got a great deal. I guess my situation is different.

Wish you all luck on this.