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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:07 AM

No TV choices for poor

This Reader Forum submission is to bring awareness about problems with our cable programming to the people in this community.

I am an Ottawa native who moved back to Kansas in 1996. I lived in Franklin County until 2001, then lived in Shawnee County until I moved back in 2007.

Because of my very limited income, I have had the TV cable company’s extended basic package for the three-month trial. It was cut back to the basic package because of my income. The cost of this package now has risen to $27.41 per month. Since there is a cable TV monopoly in this town, I have had no other option.

Because of all the paid programming on the basic channels, I end up paying for about 15 1/2 hours of advertising-oriented infomercials — not including commercials — every day.

On my small budget, there is no way I can afford to buy this service. Why are the poor having to pay so much for so little?

I do not watch sports or soap operas, so all the channels with paid advertising leave very little for me. And the monopoly cable company is rewarded at my meager expense.

I have approached Allegiance for a group rate for low-income customers. The people there told me to “take it up with the city.” The city told me their people have no control over what’s available.

If you have any doubt about what I’ve said, get a good TV Guide and check the programming for yourself.

— Judy Bell, Ottawa

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No TV choices for poor

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.