Cable TV: No connection between price and programs offered
Paying more for analog cable TV and radio service does not necessarily mean you get more channels. This is the conclusion reached by the Price Supervisor based on a random sample of 62 cable network operators with more than 5,000 subscribers in Switzerland.
The basic offers in the analog cable network differ significantly, as the price monitoring agency announced in its newsletter on Thursday, according to SDA. The average monthly price was CHF 17.44, for which an average of 45 analogue television channels were on offer. However, the monthly subscription fees varied greatly depending on the provider. At CHF 5.36 per month, customers of the municipality of Binningen BL, for example, paid around five times less than Grischa Vision subscribers (CHF 27). On the other hand, the people of Basel had 55 channels on offer, only seven fewer than Grischa Vision.
For the 50% of providers that were closest to the average price, the price monitoring experts determined an average price of 41 centimes per month and program. With a range of between 35 and 48 centimes, the deviations in this group were relatively small. Cablecom was above this category with 55 centimes.
The offers of several cable network operators deviated very strongly from the median values. The municipalities of Binningen, Birsfelden BL, Ittigen and Muttenz BL offered a comparatively large range of channels at below-average prices. They charged 10 to 13 centimes. At the other extreme were the western Swiss companies Services Industriels de Lausanne, Télécarouge, Téléonex, Télémeyrin, Télédis, Télélancy and Cometo in the Bernese Mittelland. These companies offered comparatively few programs at a higher price. Their prices were between 57 and 65 centimes.
The study showed that public or outsourced public-sector companies tended to be cheaper per TV channel than private or semi-private companies. 85% of the cable network operators surveyed charged a one-off fee for a new connection. Consumers must expect to pay at least CHF 1,000 for a new connection to a building and at least CHF 100 for a connection to a single apartment. All of the companies surveyed covered renewal and repair costs up to the house itself, 32% also carried out work up to the socket. However, this often has to be paid for by the property owner.
The price monitoring also found that the environment for cable network operators has changed considerably as a result of the digitization of television.
Even though the companies still have a monopoly on analog distribution, they are increasingly exposed to competition from other distribution channels when it comes to digital services. All providers surveyed offered digital television. 98% offered Internet access and 95% fixed-line telephony.
For the 50% of providers that were closest to the average price, the price monitoring experts determined an average price of 41 centimes per month and program. With a range of between 35 and 48 centimes, the deviations in this group were relatively small. Cablecom was above this category with 55 centimes.
The offers of several cable network operators deviated very strongly from the median values. The municipalities of Binningen, Birsfelden BL, Ittigen and Muttenz BL offered a comparatively large range of channels at below-average prices. They charged 10 to 13 centimes. At the other extreme were the western Swiss companies Services Industriels de Lausanne, Télécarouge, Téléonex, Télémeyrin, Télédis, Télélancy and Cometo in the Bernese Mittelland. These companies offered comparatively few programs at a higher price. Their prices were between 57 and 65 centimes.
The study showed that public or outsourced public-sector companies tended to be cheaper per TV channel than private or semi-private companies. 85% of the cable network operators surveyed charged a one-off fee for a new connection. Consumers must expect to pay at least CHF 1,000 for a new connection to a building and at least CHF 100 for a connection to a single apartment. All of the companies surveyed covered renewal and repair costs up to the house itself, 32% also carried out work up to the socket. However, this often has to be paid for by the property owner.
The price monitoring also found that the environment for cable network operators has changed considerably as a result of the digitization of television.
Even though the companies still have a monopoly on analog distribution, they are increasingly exposed to competition from other distribution channels when it comes to digital services. All providers surveyed offered digital television. 98% offered Internet access and 95% fixed-line telephony.
