Cable TV and internet prices rising by up to $8 in March

Telecom company Videotron is raising prices for its cable television and internet customers and some say they’re surprised by the size of the increase.

Prices will rise by between $0.95 and $8 per month, the company said, depending on the plan a customer has. The increases will go into effect March 1.

“Videotron’s continuing priority is to offer the best client experience and services at competitive prices. To be able to do that and to continue meeting our customers’ evergrowing needs for entertainment and connectivity, Videotron needs to invest considerable amounts in its infrastructure on a yearly basis,” said Marie-Ève Villeneuve, the company’s director of external communications.

She said the company spent $225 million on infrastructure in 2016.

“The price adjustments will mostly affect grandfathered ‘old’ internet access or TV packages which haven’t been adjusted to market price in a long time. Nonetheless, the adjusted prices still remain lower than current offers,” she said.

Rosemère resident François St-Hilaire, who will be paying an additional $8 a month, said “the increase seems enormous.”

Montrealer Dave Fullard said Videotron told him the increase was due, in part, to inflation, but his bill is rising by more than the inflation rate.

“While I don’t mind an increase and $3 more a month won’t exactly break the bank, I just don’t see the value I’m getting. I can’t watch a show for more than five minutes without seeing an advert,” Fullard said. “Inflation is up two per cent from last year, which would result in about $1.50 increase on my existing subscription, which is perfectly fine.”

The increase came shortly after Videotron told Fullard it would be dropping premium channel AMC.

“Dropping a channel, which is obviously costing Videotron a lot of money, followed by increasing the price above inflation seems to be somewhat of a money grab,” he said.

Videotron says it was unable to reach a deal with AMC and will stop carrying the channel Feb. 12.

“Although Videotron would have liked to keep carrying AMC, we were unable to accommodate their financial demands. After long negotiations, we weren’t able to come to an agreement,” Villeneuve said.

“It is difficult for Videotron, operating in a regional market, to meet AMC’s numerous demands and requirements.”

St-Hilaire said he’s not dropping Videotron yet, he’s going to give the company a chance to convince him not to take his business elsewhere.

Fullard wants to see more competition among cable providers.