The EPB Building is located at the corner of Market Street and MLK Blvd.EPB will raise prices on all TV customers starting January 2015, a rate hike that will result in increases ranging from $2 to $9 per customer, the utility said in a news release.
The utility has previously discussed such a rate hike, noting that content providers continue to raise prices to deliver TV channels, a proposition that is usually presented to EPB as a "take it or leave it" deal, officials said.
Other television providers such as Comcast, Charter and AT&T U-Verse typically raise prices in the beginning of each year for similar reasons.
EPB's bronze TV package currently costs $12.99, with its silver and gold tiers coming in at $59.99 and $71.99 respectively.
The cost of add-ons such as premium channels, HD service, the utility's sports package, and the company's equipment and service charges will remain the same, said Greg Eaves, executive vice president for EPB.
"Because we're committed to providing customers with exceptional value, we have held the line on a television rate increase for 18 months while channel content providers continue to dramatically increase their charges to us," Eaves said. "Unfortunately, like all television distributors, EPB cannot absorb these rapidly growing content costs without passing them along."
EPB will continue to offer customers discounts for bundling its various phone, Internet and TV services together, and basic installations will remain free.
Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.