My Spectrum cable bill has been slowly creeping up for the last few years so I finally called them last night to try and lower my bill. I was especially motivated after trying to watch ESPN and receiving a notice that Disney has pulled their TV channels from the Spectrum platform. RELATED: Why You Should Travel With a Roku Streaming Stick
Per CNBC, “Disney yanked its TV channels, including ESPN and ABC, from 15 million Charter Communications customers as the companies fight over a new deal on fees.” This was the straw that broke the camel’s back, especially after I saw in my local Facebook group that many friends and neighbors had reduced their bill by calling Spectrum up and threatening to cut the cord … and they came away with a good deal. This time, I wasn’t bluffing.
I was on hold for over an hour, which I think might be one of their tactics to retain customers, hoping they’ll just give up and hang up. It wouldn’t be so bad if they had a callback option like American Airlines does but they don’t.
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The good news is that the agent I spoke to, who was based in south Texas, couldn’t have been any nicer. While he was pricing out different plans, we briefly talked about everything from our Fantasy Football teams (I picked up his sleeper pick, Jalin Hyatt, because he plays for my beloved NY Giants and he’s got a hotel last name). He also told me about nearby South Padre Island, which he says is an affordable, family-friendly getaway. I’ve never been so I can’t confirm it.
However, the most important thing we talked about was lowering my monthly bill from a whopping $233 to $109. He gave me a $15 credit for the Disney debacle, I’m returning our last cable box (he made an appointment so I don’t have to wait in any long return lines) and he found some promotions to apply to my account. After today, I am only going to have 15 Spectrum channels, not including the local channels, which is more than I watch anyway. I rarely watch TV and my wife and kids all watch different streaming platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Disney, Hulu, Max, Netflix and PBS Kids. He even threw in a premium Peacock subscription and increased our internet speed to the highest possible for free for two years. I thought we already had it but we didn’t so it saved me $20 monthly. He also confirmed that there is no contract so I can still switch providers at any time if I choose.
So my advice to you is is to call up your cable company, prepare for a long hold, and threaten to cut the cord. I seriously was about to sign-up to YouTube TV and T-Mobile Wifi if I didn’t get my bill lowered significantly. I still might but I don’t feel like taking on that hassle right now. Saving over $100 a month has, for now, made me a much happier customer.
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April, you don’t need Spectrum for the Braves..We have the MLB app and a subscription to Surf Shark – a VPN. We only have internet and nothing else. We get our local channels with a HD antenna.
Spectrum is bad but I hold Disney and it’s greed more responsible. They want increase and pay for channels they don’t want. I pay 244 dollars this month but yet lost all Disney channels
Spectrum offered me 15 credit. I told them keep it, not enough. If they refund my money and lower my bill I am gone. Bye the way 32 years I’ve been with Spectrum was charter at first. They could care less
I’m 68 and on a fixed income, can barely walk around or go upstairs or downstairs. Disney and Spectrum are just like every other wealthy company, they only care about the $$$$$$$ period. Going dark with FX AND ESPN was just par for the course. I’ve had it and just don’t care anymore. My money is better spent with T-Mobile or Hulu. Later suckers. 🌄🌅😎😠
I have been too lazy to cut cable,it’s like my bank. I should switch to a credit union. But have direct deposit and paying bills automatically. This is the final straw. Heck blockbuster for movies is better then cable TV now.
Where have all of these people been?
This happens all the time when contracts are up.
Every single TV provider goes through this.
DISH has same issue now with FOX. Why no mentions of this?
It’s pretty easy to spot this as a fake article.
Also, no mention here of Spectrum’s demand that Disney give all of Spectrum’s subscribers free access to the Disney channel and ESPN+.
Like they are just going to give away 28 (14×2) million free subscriptions
Though I would like to say we have those long wait times for any other purpose. The reason IS because of this issue with the negotiations on Disney affiliated channels. Disney wants to hike up the pricing and we aren’t for it. The phone lines and chat rooms are almost maxed out, so I wouldn’t recommend to grab a coffee and stay on the line. DONT HANG UP. We understand the wait is long and you all will get the assistance. We understand your time is of upmost value and we’re working on the front lines with this because of Disney. We ask to please be patient while on the line, we’re doing everything in our power!
I want to dump spectrum also, but really uncertain how/when. In the past 2 yearsish I have lost 25+ channels and my internet is only 6 – 15 mbps. My old dial-up was faster! I paid $75 for this and the bill went up $5 this month. Every single time one of their ads pops up guaranteeing 300/400 mbps I just want to call them and scream! Or sue them for false advertising.
When I had spectrum come out and cut cable on well it’s due that day no prorating…so I’m on fixed income so get check 1st well on the 24th for last two yrs they interrupt my cable…and charge me extra 5 for putting back on they are only one around that I can use it sucks!!! I’m now paying 100.00 for basic cable….
We lost channels and the Internet went up. What up with that SPECTRUM?