Can Tier Buy Through Cut Your Cable Bill?
Little-Known Law Can Save Money
POSTED: 11:20 a.m. EDT May 23, 2003
UPDATED: 2:40 p.m. EDT May 23, 2003
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BOSTON -- Do you want to save money on your cable bill? There may be a way, using a rarely publicized federal law.
It's called tier buy through, and it allows consumers to pick and choose the channels they want, without having to buy packages.
For example, in Boston, you can buy the basic cable service for $6.21, which includes 20 regular broadcast channels. Then, you can add HBO for an extra $13.99, for a total of $20.20.
Using the package deals Comcast advertises, most consumers think they have to buy a package for $56.12, which includes 80 other channels you might not want.
The law can be confusing, even for the cable companies, so Consumer Reporter Susan Wornick held a live chat. If you missed it or had computer difficulties, click here for a transcript of the entire chat.
Also, we've included a couple of links on this page for more information about the law and other rights you have as a cable consumer.
Copyright 2003 by TheBostonChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
