Cablevision's Sports Programming Surcharge

Two days in a row, right?  Must be something really big for Chris to be at the computer two days in a row.  There is. I opened my latest Optimum cable bill last night and found the newly levied Sports Programming Surcharge on the bill.  We read about the skyrocketing costs of cable programming all of the time.  We also read of the battles between cable operators (MSOs) and cable programmers (e.g. Viacom) over the MSOs having to take bundles of cable program channel in order to get the ones they want, and that most of the cable subscribers actually watch.

The feeling about this new surcharge is I, as a consumer, have no choice.  If I want to continue to receive my cable services from Optimum/Cablevision the company has the right to raise prices and assess fees at their whim and I have no recourse.  I am in a monopolists territory and really have limited options in replacing this service.

I just love the little insert in my cable bill too, explaining why "The Man" must take these actions.  First, it is rationalized sports programming is viewed by 99% of Optimum subscribers, so everyone gets to pay the fees.  Secondly, the sports programmers insist in being on the most basic levels, so again all of you share the pain.  And, by calling it a surcharge you, Mr. Consumer, can understand this is not going to Optimum.  No sir, its being passed right to ESPN and Fox Sports and the new NBC Sports Network.  Kind of like that line fee that appears on my telephone bill every month that Verizon swears it not their fault.

What I love most about the explanation is how Verizon FiOS and DirecTV introduced the sports programming surcharge first.  Its like when telling your mother your brother hit you first, so hitting him back is justified.  Gotta love the logic!

And then there is the argument about how programmers bundle networks, making MSOs take dogs with no viewer base to get the primary channels.  This is where the argument starts to feel like the subscribers are being used as a tool of Optimum in their law suit against Viacom.  Piss off one's subscribers hoping they will take up arms in your fight against those bad guy programmers.

I also love the argument that the costs controlled by Optimum, the network related costs, are being managed responsibly.  Is that how Dolan has the money to buy the Knicks and Rangers and MSG and Radio City and.....you get my point.  Its not us, its them.  I can't believe they put this stuff in an insert to their customers!  And Dolan's soon to be ex wife, who was responsible for marketing and the branding change, just got promoted to President.  Great job honey!  I believe his brother-in-law was just promoted too.  Let's keep the largess in the family!

And I just love the last paragraph.  "And stay tuned.  Its important to us that you, our customer, know where we stand".  I don't know where you stand, but I do know where you hand is.  In my wallet.