Being Blackmailed into Digital Cable

Let me start out by saying, I'm not afraid of new technology. I may not always be the first to try something, but I'm also not going to lock myself away in a shed in the desert to avoid it.

Lately though, I've been feeling a bit pressured to upgrade to newer technologies well before I'm ready to do it. This is especially true when it comes to digital cable.

I watch roughly 10 hours of television each week on seven different channels. Despite this, I pay $50 each month for an expanded basic cable tier that includes 70 channels. I could save money by downgrading, but then I would lose 5 of the channels I watch.

Very recently, I received a notice from Charter saying they are going to remove one of the 7 channels I watch and add it to their digital line-up. They aren't replacing the channel with anything or lowering my bill. Instead, they are removing it and telling me the only way I can see that channel is upgrading to digital.

It's technology blackmail. I can't afford digital cable and, even if I could, I honestly don't think it's that good of an investment considering my limited viewing time. However, one by one, the channels I enjoy are being taken away from me in an effort to force me to make the switch.

And, it's not like I have many alternatives. Putting an antenna on my house would give me free viewing, but I would probably only get 2 or 3 channels that way. And, none of them would have the cartoons my daughter craves each day.

Satellite is an option, but once again, isn't very affordable. The base rate is less than what I pay for cable, but I would have to pay extra to get any of the local channels.

So, unless we get an affordable form of competition for the cable monopolies, us average customers are being put into a squeeze. It's very similar to having a mafia henchman telling me I have to pay him more money every month or he'll break both my legs. The only difference is this is actually legal.

If we don't fork out the extra cash for the better technology, we will find ourselves back in the dark ages of television, with only one or two decent channels to watch and 60 home shopping or c-span channels to choose from.

Again, I have no problem with change, but I don't like being forced into it either.