I Want My HGTV

Cablevision subscribers in the tri-state area woke up Jan 1st to find out that HGTV and Food Network had been dropped from the lineup. Scripps Networks, owners of the two networks, are feuding with Cablevision over fees for the channels. Cablevision has been launching attack ads against Scripps ever since urging subscribers to pressure Scripps into making a deal with Cablevision. Cablevision just raised my rates so I am a little annoyed that two of my five favorite stations are now gone. What the hey?

If you happen tune in to these now blank stations, you will be treated to Cablevision's apology/explanation claiming that Scripps is being unreasonable for requesting triple the fees that it once got from Cablevision to be a part of the lineup. Cable networks are biting back because they want a bigger piece of the action; they want some of the subscription fees that cable providers collect from all of us poor sods. I'm paying Cablevision $85 for television and double that when you add in internet access and voice lines; there is no competition, yet.

I don't know how much Scripps Networks should get so how do we know whose side to come down on in this feud. I know that Cablevision is making a mint and now that they also own Newsday, they have a virtual media monopoly on the Island. So, maybe they should give Scripps what they want. On the other hand, does Scripps deserve triple their fees. I don't know, I just want my HGTV.

Read the Fine Print: Your Credit Limit May Be Lowered

Today, Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) officially announced a 4% rate increase for electricity bills. (See 6/9/08 entry). Heating Oil is now near $5 per gallon meaning that homeowners with oil heat are looking forward to a 1^st winter fill-up of at least $1000. Most oil companies give you 30 days to pay before charging late fees and you definitely have to pay or else you won’t get your next month’s $1000+ fill-up. How do most of us plan to cover these extra costs? Credit Cards. Many of us are already using credit cards to make ends meet now that our economic stimulus checks are spent.

Well, before you start whipping it out again, you’d better check your limit. It might not be what it was last month. Yes, credit card companies are LOWERING credit limits based on their assessment of your ability to pay. Now that financial institutions are suffering from mortgage losses, they are turning their attention to credit card defaults which are slowly creeping up. If you are late on any payment or are carrying a high debt ratio, beware, your only notice will be on your bill in that blurb of fine print as usual.

Obviously this is a bad time to lower limits for some people who are surviving on credit cards. At least the analysts see a bright side - credit card companies will in effect help to limit consumer exposure to more debt. So, if you open your bill and your limit has been reduced, please be sure to thank them.