THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607260027
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 31 lines
``Cox Cable revamps rates, channels'' (Business News, July 6) stated that for an additional $3 per month, viewers will receive a new service option known as ``Cox Plus'' for six cable networks: ESPN-2, THC, AMC, TNN, TNT and DSC. What I don't fully understand: I am already receiving those listed except ESPN-2 and THC in what Cox calls ``Expanded Service.'' The rate increase apparently is tied to the popularity of the four channels listed. Two, TNT and DSC, were listed in the article.
The Cox corporate mentality must be that if something is good, charge for it. One cannot help but wonder if A&E, TLC and TBS become more popular, will the rates increase again and the new increased service be called ``Cox-Plus-Plus''?
I take exception to the rate increase for increased costs for programming and general inflation. I do not know about programming costs, but I am aware of inflation. The past Social Security increase was 2.6 percent.
I do not know if the State Corporation Commission was involved in any of this. I suspect, though, that the Hungry Head of Greed at Cox Cable was instrumental (totally) in the calculations.
The new monthly rate for Cox standard service in Virginia Beach is $26.21, previously $24.93, an increase of $1.28 per month before taxes. That amounts to an increase of 5.13 percent. That is double the inflation rate, and to me that's gouging.
RONDEL D. BRENDLE
Virginia Beach, July 15, 1996 by CNB