It's no secret that cutting the cord and streaming services are all the rage. They're cheaper, have more on-demand content, more live channels and are more customizable if subscribed to smartly. But newer studies have found that over half the US are actually spending more on average for streaming services compared to what they previously spent on cable. It's not by a ton, but it's still more than their previous cable TV service bills, but how can this be when the cost was the reason they cut the cord in the first place? It's because the service sucks! You can only nickel and dime customers, force them into lengthy contracts and provide terrible customer service for so long before subscribers push back.

Frequent Bill Increases

Long time subscribers are way too familiar with finding unexpected price hikes from a couple dollars to over $20 more. Then the multiple phone calls to get their bills back down to reality. This often requires  existing customers to jump through just to get a fair price on their monthly bill.

You Have To Make Threats For Better Prices

It only makes sense to call and negotiate for a better deal when you find a surprise bill increase. However, most cable TV providers won't give in even an inch until you make very direct threats to cancel. This often takes an hour or two hours of hard negotiation to try to meet halfway and for some subscribers they get stuck calling back multiple times before they reach any resolution to their needs.

Hidden Fees

There's nearly always hidden fees added onto the advertised price no matter which cable TV provider you pick. They tack on additional fees like equipment lease fees, regional sports fees, broadcast TV fees, installation fees, late payment fees and more. These fees added up all together can cost subscribers big bucks that they can't afford.

Terrible Customer Service

Everyone already knows that cable TV providers are notorious for providing the worst customer service possible. Cable providers like Comcast are repeat offenders that are well documented on forum boards. It's gotten so bad that they've been a repeat winner of the Worst Company In America for years.

Lengthy Contracts

Nearly all cable TV providers stick you with a fat contract for anywhere from a year to a couple years. If you want to switch, sure you could but then you're stuck with a hefty early termination fee on your last bill that makes switching moot. Who benefits from these service contracts? Certainly not the subscribers from the way cable TV providers raise their rates. TV providers like Verizon FiOS, DirecTV, and DISH Network all have two year agreements that their customers must agree to get all the new customer deals they advertise.

Loyalty Means Nothing

What do you get for being a loyal customer? Absolutely nothing. In fact so many cable TV providers slowly increase your price overtime hoping you won't notice. All those sweet deals are only reserved for new customers while the current customers make up the difference in cost.

Channel Blackouts

Cable TV providers are also notorious for having channel blackouts ranging from a couple days to a couple weeks. They claim that it is to help their subscribers and keep their monthly bills low, but every long time subscribers know that their bill will be going up anyway. These channel blackouts are often the most important channels to families; local channels. While you can get an antenna to pick up channels during the outage until it blows over, it makes you wonder what exactly you are paying for when you can't watch what you want.

Subpar Equipment

Most TV providers are not known for innovative equipment. In fact a lot of times it's not even any good; equipment is dated and refurbished over and over again as it moves from subscriber to subscriber. For selling entertainment, you'd think they wouldn't saddle their customers with subpar equipment.

Forced Upselling For The Good Channels

If you want Cartoon Network, Hallmark, ESPN, MTV, or Nickelodeon; you're stuck with the higher channel packages. You either have to forgo channels you really want or have to pay even more money than you were expecting. What's even more complicated is channel offerings from cable TV provider to cable TV provider vary dramatically. You may get popular family channels in the lowest tier package, but then it conveniently leaves the most important ones out.

They Get Caught Up In Lawsuits Often

Cable TV companies are always getting themselves caught up in lawsuits for their shady business practices. Spectrum got sued for providing internet speeds much slower than what they were advertising. They've also been sued for hidden broadcast TV fees, promotional prices ending early, misleading customers and many more. Comcast Xfinity also has been sued a few times for things like wrongful bill charges, early termination fees for just downgrading services and the list goes on.

Geography Limits Your Choices

You can't help where you live and more often than not it can severely limit your choices. Rural areas have much fewer options for TV service than urban areas do and no one is truly happy with their service. You're stuck choosing between a handful of bad choices instead of a TV service that actually cares about you due to current infrastructure.