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The average cable TV subscriber pays nearly 3 times as much for cable now as they did in 2001. And the costs are going up all the time.
The cable industry says that’s because of the high cost of the programming it buys, and its need to maintain an infrastructure to bring you those 500 channels.
In some ways, you’d think this would be a tough time for cable. New ways of getting the shows and movies you used to get from your set-top box are popping up every day...Netflix, Hulu, Roku, Boxee. So-called “rogue” internet sites are providing programming to many for free.
But a new study shows that cable networks are doing just fine, negotiating big license fees from providers. Some of those providers - like Comcast - are also in the programming business so they’re making money that way.
And there’s that question of “monopoly.” If you want cable service in your town, you really only have the one choice - don’t wanna pay the bill? Then cut the cord.
Today, we look at the ins and outs of the cable industry.
