The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities Board of Directors approved a recommendation on Tuesday to raise some of the BPU’s cable television rates.
The Coldwater City Council is scheduled to take action on a resolution next Monday. If approved, the new rates would go into effect February 22, 2018
CBPU officials cite significant increases in off air and sports programming as one of the reasons why they have to raise rates. They also cite continued increases in the cost of presenting regular programming.
But the proposed rate hikes has led to some angry social media comments. One poster said it was extortion. Another said the extended basic service was not worth the new monthly rate of $81.80.
Others pointed out the price advantage of living in a community where two companies offer cable TV service.
The new rates call for Lifeline basic service to increase seven dollars a month to $32.50.
Expanded basic service would go up by $14 to $81.80. In addition, rates will go up for digital service and digital basic service.
The installation fee would also be hiked to $35 which would be an increase of $10.
