Beginning next week, many television service providers are increasing their rates again. It’s now getting very close to $100/home to have what many people would claim to be a normal level of service. Is $100 too much for TV?
This question is very interesting these days as some never before available options are now becoming available. IPTV is here and relatively cheap (free in some cases). With service providers reaching $100/month and the economy floundering, these other options start to look very attractive.
If you have access to over the air (OTA) TV signals, then you can take advantage of completely free TV. This would only provide you with network TV options, but many people can get by with this. Add in Netflix streaming for movies and you could have an arrangement that provides you with significant programming at a fraction of the cost a service provider may charge. Even sports buffs can take advantage of ESPN via ESPN360.com if they are with an Internet Service Provider that carries this option.
Granted programming via IPTV may not be in High Definition, but as approach that magic $100 threshold, watching a program at a reasonable fee may be more important than watching it in the best possible quality. The service providers are doing what they need to do to make a profit. Unfortunately, prices are getting out of reach and more and more people will seek cheaper alternatives even if that means a reduction in what is available to them.