Monopolies make bad brands
Jeff Jarvis recounts the ebb of cable customer brand experience in All cable companies must die.
I never cease to be amazed anew at how cable companies think it is their job to make their customers’ lives difficult.
I challenge any cable executive to publicly go through the experience of being a customer at their own companies and tell me straight-faced that it’s pleasant and efficient and worth the money and effort.
He’s not alone. For an ongoing exploration of cable brand shortfalls, one may also visit Comcast must die.
Brand failure precedes business failure
Cable companies seem destined to repeat the utter brand failure of the recorded music industry. Brand failure precedes business failure. Music lovers switched from CD’s to digital downloads, and then flocked to Apple’s iPod and iTunes. Apple now reigns as the preeminent music brand. The major music labels continue their plunge.
What new company will rescue terminally frustrated cable customers?
January 17th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Most cable company employees get their service free, or deeply subsidized. They don’t feel our pain.
I’ve often hated on my cable company (just search my blog for Time Warner and you will see).
Someone has to be able to do better. And it won’t be the phone company (been there done that).
Wouldn’t it be great to have a real Internet company supplying your Internet?
Maybe Google, or someone…
Rob
January 18th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Perhaps a new regime in Washington can prod the FCC into mandating more openness in broadcasting, so digital providers can compete with incumbents on a level playing field. Once an open digital broadcast technology is feasible, maybe even via WiMax, why would anyone want to stay under the thumb of old cable?