The Dark Side of Cable TV!

Transcription

1 Volume 15 Issue 1 Winter 2015 Quarterly newsletter for the members of The Dark Side of Cable TV! How TV Programmers control costs and boost their bottom line at your expense - Page 4. This Issue: Directory Changes or Additions - Page 2 The Trio Quiz and Important Dates - Page 3 Reporting a Service Outage After Hours - Page 5 ME-TV Update - Page 5 Manage DVR Recordings from Anywhere - Page 6 TrioTel Employees Give Back - Page 6 Give Your Wireless Signal a Boost - Page 7

2 Volume 15, Issue 1 The Trio C L I P & S A V E D I R E C TO R Y C H A N G E S O R A D D I T I O N S ALEXANDRIA Ainslie, Sherry Northrup, Kathy Smith, Amanda Zubke, Kendall CANOVA Kinsman, Ladonna Kleinsasser, Kenneth & Diana Tobin, Josh CENTER Grace, Rebecca & Travis Kuhl, Brian CLAYTON Pullman, Greg & Chelsea EMERY Berg, Gerald Golder, Brittany Linaman, Rochelle SALEM Barth, Andrea Better Living Allergy/Pain Center Davis, Rachel & Evan Downs, Krystal Feterl, Jameson Finley, LeAnn & Roger Hawk, Charlene Hubbard, Kevin & Teri Kebede, Tiggy Kentch, Alan Krutsinger, Cheryl Lauck, Elaine D Maly, Adam McGregor Livestock Sandine, Owen Sehr, Mason Shaheen, Richard Stripe, Kristina Taylor, Michael & Rachel Vondracek, Luke Wicks, Marilyn SPENCER Aragon, Gatonya Rieck, Donald & Joyce Page 2

3 The Trio Volume 15, Issue 1 Curl up to these great brainteasers! Mail this in with your next payment or your quiz answers to customerservice@triotel.net. Please include your name and telephone number to be entered into a drawing for $10 off your next bill! CONGRATS TO OUR FALL WINNERS: CORY & LEANNE EICH FROM CANOVA! Answers to the Fall Trio Quiz: stefrankin JANOB cof fee it Frankenstein M1LLION 1 in a million Name: Telephone Number: ti me halftime TrioTel Billing Dates: IMPORTA N T DATES 1st of the Month - Bills are mailed out 15th of the Month - Prompt payments due (1st year customers) 20th of the Month - Payments due Please remember to return the bottom portion of your bill along with your payment. Moving or wanting TrioTel services installed? Appointments fill up fast! Please give us a two week notice of your move. Page 3

4 Volume 15, Issue 1 Page 4 The Trio TV Programmers - Boosting Their Bottom Line at Your Expense The average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day. That equates to 28 hours per week and 2 months a year of non-stop television watching.* So even with the rise in Internet streaming, watching TV is still a fundamental household activity. As your TV provider, TrioTel works very diligently to keep your content flowing and affordable. Throughout this past year, TrioTel and cable companies across the United States have been fighting against programming fee increases. When negotiations take place broadcasters always have the upper hand, and if demands are not met, broadcasters will force cable providers to take their signal off the provider s system. As a small cooperative, TrioTel s lack of negotiating leverage leaves us at the mercy of broadcasters. We ultimately have no other choice than to agree with programmer s demands and consent to increasing fees each year. Just in the last month, programming fees made up over 80 percent of cable TV costs.** Since 1992, television stations have been authorized by the U.S. Congress to grant or deny permission for a cable television provider to carry their signal. This right is renewable every three years. Unfortunately, excessively high retransmission consent fees have become an accepted practice by broadcasters to make money, which directly impacts you, our TV subscriber. Even though all TV providers (cable or satellite) face this same problem, programmers try to deceive consumers about their demands. Broadcasters ultimately, don t care about the costs, stress, and inconvenience increased fees place on our customers. TrioTel will continue to stand up against excessive fee increases. As a member/ owner of SDN Communications and the National Cable Television Cooperative, we are able to negotiate as a large group to gain cost benefits. Yet, for the next three years, the billed line item, Retransmission Fee to Local Broadcasters will continue to change. For more information about TV network disputes, visit or contact the TrioTel office at * **Based on January 2015 revenue and programming expenses.

5 The Trio Volume 15, Issue 1 Reporting a Service Outage After Hours? If an issue arises with your telephone, TV, or Internet service in the evening or on weekends, please follow these steps to report it: 1. Call TrioTel at or dial 611 from any telephone landline. 2. Listen to all options below and press the number associated with your trouble category. - PRESS 3 for Internet problems. - PRESS 4 for TV problems. - PRESS 5 for telephone problems. 3. Be sure to leave your name, contact number, address and a detailed description of the problem. A technician will contact you. Internet customers may also call our 24/7 Internet Support at (your 3 digit prefix) (Example: ) TV Network Service Interruption Update Due to ongoing technical issues, stations KWSD DT1 (Me-TV), and KWSD DT2 (KAUN - RTN) are without programing at this time. TrioVision channels 7 and 8 appear with a blue screen identifying that broadcasting is not available. If a signal resumes, TrioTel intends to carry KWSD s programming. For questions or concerns regarding this outage, contact Me-TV Network directly by or at their mailing address, 26 N Halsted, Chicago, IL You may also reach our office at Page 5

6 Volume 15, Issue 1 The Trio Manage DVR Recordings from Anywhere! With the ManageMyTVs app, you can connect to your DVR when away from home! Schedule and manage new recordings or view a list of future recorded programs. Additionally, you can view and search the TV program guide for your favorite shows or programs. iphone & ipad Users: Visit the App Store and download the free app called ManageMyTVs. To sign in, enter the following URL: First time users will need to create a username and password with TrioTel before signing in. Android Users: Visit the Play Store and download the free app called ManageMyTVs. First time users will need to create a username and password with TrioTel before signing in. For complete instructions call the TrioTel business office at or visit Page 6 TrioTel Employees Give Back Over the last 15 years, TrioTel employees have contributed over $7,500 back to our service area communities and families through the TrioTel employee Jean Fund. The jean fund was created as a way for employees to give back to those in need and to wear blue jeans to work on Toys and clothing donated to local families. Fridays. Last holiday season, $350 was donated to local children, senior citizens, families, and organizations throughout our service area communities.

7 The Trio Volume 15, Issue 1 Give Your Wireless Signal a Boost! Do you have an overload of wireless devices in your home? Using multiple smart devices such as an ipad, Kindle, Xbox, or laptop may cause your wireless internet strength to drop. If that s the case, you may want to ensure your wireless router has a clear, strong connection with these three tips. 1. Position your wireless router in a central location. If your router is against an outside wall of your home, then it can create a weak signal. If possible, place your router in a central room or central location in your home. 2. Keep your wireless router off the floor and away from metal objects. Metal objects, walls, and floors can interfere with your wireless signal. The closer your router is to these items, the weaker your connections may be. Double check where your router is located and if it s near a metal file cabinet you may want to consider moving it. Example of a wireless router. 3. Add a repeater. A wireless repeater is the easiest and best way to boost your wireless signal. A repeater works by distributing your existing network further throughout your home. It is easy to install and doesn t require any additional wires or connections. TrioTel has wireless repeaters that plug directly into an existing power outlet for purchase. In some cases, multiple repeaters may be needed, depending on the size of your home and your desired network reach. Visit for more helpful hints! Always make sure that your wireless router is secured with a strong password. Please call TrioTel at with any questions. Page 7

8 Get the Internet Speed that your devices perform the best on. P.O. Box 630 Salem, SD Internet speeds available 100 megabits! Search for available pricing or call today to upgrade. Faster Internet Speed = Faster Device Performance! Like TrioTel on Facebook!