LEHIGH VALLEY SUBSCRIBERS - Please be aware that your channel lineup will change on February 12th. All channels in the 500's will move to their new dial positions. Example: Dial Position 502-SEN will be found on Dial Position 2. For more information, please see the letter and lineup card included with your December statement. Your series recordings will need to be reset with the new dial positions.
NJ SUBSCRIBERS - Your channel lineup has already changed to an "All-HD" lineup, eliminating the 500 series channels. For more information please see the letter and lineup card included with your December statement or click the link for the Hunterdon Lineup.
Many people think that we are ‘gouging’ them with price increases, but the truth is that Service Electric is doing everything we can to control prices, which are skyrocketing because of fees beyond our control. Each year, Service Electric and our cable cooperative negotiate agreements with networks and local broadcast stations to help us control pricing. You may not be aware that…
Using old legislation from the 1990’s, networks continue raising prices, forcing Service Electric to constantly renegotiate to keep their channels.
Networks threaten “blackouts” of their programming if we cannot arrive at an agreement, then blame us for not giving in to their outrageous demands. Service Electric is willing to keep networks on the air until we reach an agreement, but they decide whether to black out channel(s).
The bulk of your cable bill goes to Network, Broadcast and Sports TV channels. Service Electric tries to minimize that through negotiation.
Service Electric pays a fee to Networks and Station Owners per channel, per month, per customer.
Service Electric evaluates every channel in our lineup each year to offer more choice at the best value.
Service Electric is often able to negotiate increases that are a fraction of what the Networks demand, keeping that money in your pocket.
The cost of sports programming has increased exponentially since the 1990’s – costing more than $15.4 billion in 2023. (SEE DETAILS)
See how retransmission fees have gotten out of control
Make No Mistake… Media Giants Control Pricing
There are 6 media giants that control 90% of the Networks, and they are constantly using their size and power to demand more money from Service Electric and you, our customer. These media companies are:
Comcast (NBC, Universal, Xfinity, Focus Features)
Walt Disney Company (ABC, ESPN, Pixar, Marvel, Hulu, FX, FXX)
AT&T (WarnerMedia, DirecTV, HBO, New Line Cinemas)
Viacom CBS (CBS, Showtime, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount)
Sony (Sony Pictures, Columbia, TriStar, Sony Music)
Fox (Fox, Fox News, Fox Sports)
Your cable bill basically consists of three things: Network Fees, Cost of Service, and Taxes; with the Network Fees being the most significant. Our Cost of Service fees allow us to improve and maintain infrastructure, provide customer service, and keep our lights on and our support staff working.