Comcast to Increase Cable Television Rates Jan. 1

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Comcast will increase rates to Du Quoin-area cablevision subscribers January 1st, ending its offering of a "basic cable package" to any new subscribers and continuing the basic package for current subscribers "until further notice."

The cost of the basic cable package --Comcast's most popular offering--climbs from $49.99 to $53.75 plus all applicable taxes. The cost of limited service will climb from $15.99 to $18.99 and the cost of expanded service will climb from $34 to $34.76.

All of the company's digital packages also climb January 1 as well as the cost of its premium subscription services (see table at right).

On February 17, 2009 broadcast television stations across the country will cease analog transmission and convert to an all-digital format. For Comcast customers, there will be no impact. Comcast will continue to provide all broadcast stations to you as you currently receive them. You do not need to purchase a new digital television nor will you need a converter box.

Comcast says in an insert sent to customers that it is experiencing business price increases and the cost of programming. It is also trying to cover its costs from any attrition resulting from subscribers who switch to satellite television services like Direc TV.

The rate hikes affect Comcast customers in Du Quoin, Benton, Buckner, Christopher, Ewing, rural Franklin County, North City, rural Perry County, Pinckneyville, St. Johns, Tamaroa and West City.

Comcast's third quarter financial statement to shareholders says that nationwide its operating cash flow grew 7 percent to $3.3 billion in the third quarter of 2008 from $3.1 billion in the third quarter of 2007.

Operating cash flow margin was 40 percent, a slight decrease from the 40.2 percent reported in the third quarter of 2007. The company incurred expenses related to a divisional restructuring and employee reductions, the impact from two major hurricanes on Comcast systems in the southern U.S., and additional investments in business services.

Basic video subscribers declined 147,000 or .6 percent during the third quarter.

Comcast added 417,000 digital cable subscribers during the third quarter - 69 percent or 16.8 million video subscribers have digital service.

Of that 7.3 million or 44 percent of digital cable subscribers have advance services such as digital video recorders (DVR) and/or high-definition television service (HDTV).

Video revenue increased 4 percent to $4.7 billion in the third quarter of 2008 from $4.5 billion in 2007. The revenue increase reflects price increases for video services and growth in digital video customers, offset in part by an increasing number of customers in bundles and promotional offers, as well as a decline in basic video customers.

Basic video subscribers decreased by 147,000 to 24.4 million during the third quarter, including an estimated loss of 15,000 subscribers due to the hurricanes, compared to a 56,000 subscriber decline in the third quarter of 2007. Year to date through September 30, 2008, basic subscribers decreased 342,000.

Comcast added 417,000 digital cable customers in the third quarter of 2008, compared to 503,000 in the same period one year ago. Year to date through September 30, 2008, Comcast added 1.2 million digital cable customers. PPV revenue increased 9 percent in the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2008. Comcast added 382,000 high-speed Internet subscribers during the third quarter - penetration reached 30 percent of homes passed or 14.7 million customers.

Comcast phone service also increased.