It is only February, and already multiple cable TV companies have announced plans to shut down this year.
DUO Broadband
DUO Broadband announced that it will shut down both its traditional cable TV and its streaming TV services soon.
According to DUO Broadband, it is being forced to make this change because of the “extreme price increases from programmers” that make running TV unprofitable. This means customers in Kentucky counties will soon lose access to their cable TV service.
Here is the warning message DUO posted on its website:
TV delivery is changing, and DUO Broadband has to change as well.
All DUO TV Services to Be Discontinued
Streaming TV will end 1/4/2024.
Because of extreme price increases from programmers, we will phase out our streaming TV service rather than pass along large price increases to our customers. The good news is that you have excellent alternatives for your continued TV service. The MyBundle Streaming marketplace is a great resource to find your best options.
Traditional cable TV will end 12/31/2024.
Due to the extreme costs associated with cable TV systems, maintenance, and facilities, DUO Broadband will no longer offer traditional cable television. Extreme increases in programming rates would have required significant, continued price increases that would be a burden for our customers. Larger national providers are able to negotiate better rates and can keep your rates lower than we could.
You can learn more about this story HERE.
KPU
KPU, a small cable TV company in Alaska, announced that it will be shutting down its TV service in 2024. Ketchikan will no longer have cable TV service because the other option in town closed a few years ago.
Ketchikan was the first town in Alaska with cable TV and in September 2024, cable TV service will not be available there.
Currently KPU offers TV starting at $74.95 a month plus fees and taxes. When the service shuts down in September it will only offer residential and business internet and phone service.
According to an interview with Alaska Public Media, KPU said it is shutting down TV service because “It just doesn’t make sense anymore.” Customers will pick from a growing list of streaming or satellite services if they want TV service.
You can learn more about this story HERE.
Consolidated Communications
Cable TV provider Consolidated Communications began notifying communities that it will cease offering video services at the end of the year and will focus solely on broadband.
The company alerted municipal governments across Butler County, Pennsylvania, according to the Cranberry Eagle. The publication said an executive from the company said it wants to focus on being “broadband first.” Consolidated offers services in more than 20 states around the country.
Consolidated is the latest in a string of cable companies to announce they were either shutting down their TV service or going out of business entirely. The industry is facing tremendous pressure not just from cord cutters leaving the service, but the increase cost of paying for programming and carrying ever pricier channels.
You can learn more about Consolidated Communications’ plans to shut down TV service HERE.
The question now is how many other cable TV companies will also shut down in 2024.
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