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"I can't beliefi

it's n o t wood. Smarter choices
for a better world
Flooring's fabulous AUGUST 2017 CR.ORG
new fakes
Does Anyone Sti I
Need Cable?
Mew streaming services can cfefiver your
favorite TV shows for 0 tot fess maney than cabEe.
Heres what you, g e t a n d what y o u give
t i p w h e n 3501; switch :0 stgeamifigm
by James K. W fl k o x

DERECTV
Now
PHO'FOBLLEESERATEOE BY GLHEKFF
W I T H O N E D A U G H T E R headed t o college and another
just a few years away, single dad Ron Baslow was looking
for ways to economize. One easy target: his $125 monthly
cable TV, internet, and phone bill.
I never used the phone, and only watched a few of the
dozens of cable channels I was getting in the package, he
says. Baslow downsized to an antenna for free local broad
casts and a promotional $20-permonth internet rate,
good for one year. Hes planning to add a $20-permonth
subscription to Sling TV, an online service that offers ac
cess to cable channels he likes, including CNN and ESPN.
The result will be annual savings of more than $1,000
and no sacrifice in the TV content he wants.
N o t everyone will choose to cut backas aggressively
as Baslow, but many Americans are experimenting with
cord cutting to get a better deal. Close to 800,000 Ameri
cans dropped their traditional pay TV package in the first
three months of 2017, accordingto research firm Moffett
Nathanson. For the better partof 15years, pundits have
predicted that cord cutting was the future, senior research
analyst Craig Mofiett says. Well, the future has arrived.
Todays consumers have more options, from familiar
services such as Netflix to new takes on streaming from
Sling TV, HBO, and others. These choices are exciting, but
they c a n also be hard to navigateand industry jargon
doesnt help. Even the t e r m cord cutting is misleading.
It implies you can dump your cable company altogether,
but youll probably still need it to provide internet service.
Consumers face some regulatory confusion, aswell.
This summer, the Federal Communications Commission is
taking comments on a potential rollback of net neutrality
rules designed to prevent internet providers from influ
encing what web content we can see. The outcome of that
process could affect consumer choice in the future.
The following pages w i l l help you make sense of your
TV, streaming, and internet optionsand show you how to
get the best deals and understand the important debates
on privacy and net neutrality.
 How,Content Gets to You
Today, you can watch many of the some shows and movies using cable,
sateH-ite providers, online services, or even antennas. This diagram shows the
services clamoring for your attention*ond dollars.

Broadcast
channels
/
6

Satellite
_l._
Antenna
( g s ROUTER

Cable
channels

$ Cable TV
services
Pay-per
view movies

Your _ , Cable TV Satellite TV Online Cable Single-Channel

You know these g u y s
Expanding companies such as
Comcast, Charter, and
Options Optimum that charge you
monthly fees, ranging from
occasional promotional
rates as low as $30 per
month for TVto m o r e than
$100. If you like familiar.
programmed television,
as well as live local sports
and news, it's hard t o g e t
around a traditional pay
TV package. These same
providers also supply
internet and landline
phone service.
Satellite companies Replacement Websites, Apps
such as DirecTV and
Dish provide paid TV
Services such as Sling TV
and Hulu With Live TV
You can subscribe to
some TV channels'
services, just like cable
companiesbut you'll
compete directly with websites and apps to
cable by offering live watch just their shows
probably need a channels online for a without signing up for a
separate line to your monthly fee of around larger TV package. CBS,
home for intemet. Prices $20 to $40. But the HBO, Showtime, and
usually range from choices can be limited. Starz all offer this option.
$50 to $125, depending You can get a smattering Some channels have apps
on the amount of of broadcast (such as that let you watch their
programming. ABC and NBC) and content only if you are
cable'type (Bravo, already paying through
CNN, HGTV) channels. a cable or satellite
Premium channels (HBO, subscription. (Also see
Showtime) may be on tap "6 Ways to Watch HBO,"
for an added fee. on page 28.)

26 CR.ORG AUGUST 2017 ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE T O M AGENCY

 CONSUMERS W H O VALUE their privacy
Who Has can limit what they post on Facebook and

a Right adjust settings on sites such as Instagram.

B u t internet service providers have the best

to Your vantage point on what consumers do online

and theres much less you can do about it.
Data? After all, your ISP is the conduit for
everything you read, View, or shop for while
Consumers say they accessing the web at home.
want more power New rules governing the way ISPs can use
Online cable/ ouer how their consumer data were adopted in 2016 and
satellite browsing habits are scheduled to go into effect this December. But
replacement Broadcast collected and used. they were scuttled by President Trump and
services channels Congress this spring. That leaves the future of
broadband privacy practices unsettled.
For many consumers, this is a new topic.
Heres what you need to know:

3
Cable
Single-channei channels
websites, apps
Original
shows, older
Subscription
network series,
streaming
movies
services We asked consumers
who is the rightful owner
of information on how
they use the web: them or
their internet provider.
Heres what they said.
Individual
Pay-per-view movies,
services TV shows
Subscription Pay-Per-View
Streaming Services
Services such as iTunes
Netflix, Amazon Prime,
Hulu, and other smaller and Vudu let you rent or
players charge a buy single titlesa
subscription fee, usually movie, one episode of a
around $8 to $10 per show, or a whole season.
month, for unlimited Amazon Vi d e o t h e
viewing of all their TV company's payperview
content and movies, serviceoffers this
including original shows option, too. (Note,
such as Netflix's "House Amazon Prime members:
of Cards." Shows are Not all of Amazon's
delivered over the content is included with
internet, so y o u c a n watch your subscription.)
on a computer, smart TV,
or mobile device.
WHAT CONSUMERS THINK
Consumers say they want more, n o t less,
regulation of broadband privacy.
In a nationally representative survey of
1,008 Americans conducted in early May for
the Consumer Reports National Research
Center, 80 percent of respondents told us
that ISPs should need to get permission
before sharing consumer data. Six out of 10
didnt think ISPs should be allowed to sell or
share this information at all.
We also asked the most fundamental
question: Who is the rightful owner of all
this data about where we go and what we do
online, the consumer or the ISP?
Eightyfive percent of respondents say the
data rightfully belongs to them.
85.2%:
The WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
consumer
Under the recently defeated rules, broadband
providers would have faced a n e w opt-in
requirement, forcing them to get
permission before using data such as web
browsing histories.
Opponents of the rules said it was unfair to
hold ISPs to stricter standards than internet
companies such as Amazon, Google, and
10.4/o ' 4_4o/ Facebook, which are regulated more loosely.
The internet
service
Unsure/ That argument w o n the dayand consumer
other
provider advocates reacted strongly. Congress wiped
o u t groundbreaking rules intended to em
power consumers and protect their privacy,
says Jonathan Schwantes, senior policy
counsel for Consumers Union, the policy and
mobilization arm of Consumer Reports.
Going forward, state laws could pick up
some of the slack. By the end of May, more
than a dozen states had proposed some form
of legislation tackling the issue. Privacy
protection bills were also being discussed in
Washington, D C . B u t privacy experts dont
expect much from the bill. After all, this is ,
the same Congress that voted to roll back the
existing privacy protections.

Source: 2017 Consumer Reports Survey. AUGUST 2017

I 6 Ways to WANT A LOOK at the future of watching TV? HBO is a good example. It now lets you access shows
such as Game of Thrones and Veep through a dizzying array of options. HBO may be an extreme
Watch HBO case, but other channels are close behind.There are even four ways to watch CBS, counting apps and
streaming servicessee H o w Content Gets to You, on page 26.

1 Have cable or satellite TV? Can't tell HBO GO from HBO Now? You're not
"Game of Thrones" alone. HBO Go is a free service for those who
fans c a n watch the Starks already p a y for HBO through cable or satellite. 3 HBO Now is a web and
vs. the Lannisters the To watch your show on a laptop, go to the a p p streaming service
old-fashioned way, by HBO website. For a mobile device, download for those who want
adding it to a regular the HBO Go app. Either way, you'll log in using HBO but don't want to
pay TV plan. Usually your p a y TV credentials. buy it through their
you'll p a y about $15 per
cable provider. It costs
month for a variety of
$15 per month.
HBO channels and access
to HBO Go. What's that?
See number 2.

4 The best deal for HBO

binge-watchers could be
Amazon Prime, where
subscribers can view
HBO's back catalog
of shows for no added
charge. Prime members
can also add HBO via
You c a n sign up for HBO Amazon Channels for
as an add-on to some $15 per month. This is
cable-replacement You c a n also buy your favorite HBO TV series. basically the same as
services, including DirecTV The shows are for sale from Amazon Video and HBO Now but is billed to
Now, Sling TV, and Sony iTunes as downloads for about $3 to $4 per your Amazon account.
PlayStation Vue. On episode. Or y o u c a n purchase a TV show on DVD
DirecTV Now, it adds just or Blurayyou'll pay around $30 to $45 for a
$5 to your monthly bill. season or $100 and up for a complete series.

The Freedom DirecTV Now

MONTHLY BILL: $35 and up
Showtimeand live
TV from some other
50 hours on a cloud
DVR. You can pay extra
Of Cable- 9 WHAT YOU GET: DirecTV
Now should appeal
networks isayailable only
in larger cities.
for more users and DVR
storage, and the option .2;
Replacement , to anyone who wants
DirecTV service but Hulu With Live TV
to skip commercials.
WHAT YOU DON'T: Not all

Services without the satellite dish.

You get about 60 channels
MONTHLY BILL: $40 and up
WHAT YOU GET: The
streaming devices are
supported, and y o u
for $35 per month, or 80 service offers about 50 can't watch AMC,
channels for $50. Add channels,rinc-luding major Discovery, or Viacom
CABLE TVCHANNELS uSedto keep you tethered,
to pay TV. But onlme
. - streammg
. serVIces
_. now $5per month.
HBO for Just networks in
' some areas Nickelogeon
(Comed S ikeMTV,
Central, TV)
. . . . WHAT YOU DON'T: and sports channels such . P ~
g l v e any cord cutter Wlth an mternet connection .
, , , There 5 no CBS or as CBS Sports, ESPN,
unprecedented TV-Watchmg freedom. Package and Fox Sports You can
details can change often, so check the latest watch on two devices
offers before srgnmg up. a at a time and record

28 CR.ORG AUGUST 2017

 New, Cheaper Ways to Watch TV
There are lots of Choices for getting the shows and movies you wont. llere ore four
approaches to entertoinrnentincluding three cordcutting options that can bring big savings.

Classic Triple Cord Discriminating Hard-Core

Player Shaver Viewer Cord Cutter
You want it all and don't You want most of what you You want local stations, plus You depend solely on
mind paying for it. get from cable T V b u t Netflix and HBO originals online video c o n t e n t
without the cable. a n d not much of it.

WHAT YOU START WITH

Pay TV, internet, and phone,
all bundled together ($185)

WHAT YOU ADD

Amazon Prime ($8.25/month)
and Netflix Premium
($12/month)

WHAT YOU C A N WATCH

Hundreds of channels and
Netflix and Amazon Prime
TV shows, movies, and
original programs. A DVR
that lets you record shows.
Premium Netflix lets four
people use the service on
different devices at the
same time and includes 4K
programming. (Basic allows
for only one screen at a time.)

MONTHLY c o s T

$205.25

. Slihg TV , month,and youlcan add TVstyle programming YOUTUbe TV , YouTube Red Originals.
M o m - " L y BILL: 320 and tip HBO ($15), Showtime ($10), plan. Packages range MONTHLY BILL: 535 and up Showtime can be added
WHAT Yo u GET: Sling's $20 . and Starz ($9). from a $40-permonth WHAT Y O U GET: YouTube for an additional $11 per
Orange package includes _WHAT You Dorm: Sling basic option to a $75 TVisavailable in just , month. _ ,
. about 30 cable thqhheb - lacks CBS, Discovery Ultra" plan with about five major markets 50 WHAT Yo u aoH'TaThe
but nobroadcast TV. Channel, and Fox News. 90 channels, including for, with more on the list of cable noshows
It supports one user at 1A cloud DVR is being premium channels such as way, the company includes Comedy Central,
0 time. Sling Blue (525/ , rolled out. Showtime and HBO. You says. You can watch on CNN, HBO,and HGTV.
month) supports three * ' , : get local channels in some three deVices at a t i m e , . _ .; ,
users and about 40 Sony PlayStation markets and ClC l e DVR- getting major networks,
channels, including local ,Vue WHAT Y 0 DON'T: Vue l5t a decent selection of
broadcasts and regional ._ *MGNTHLY BIL-L: $40 and up access to Viacom stations cable channels, and a
sports. Acombined WHAT Yo u GET: Vue (Comedy Central, MTV, cloud DVRwith unlimited
plan costs $40. Themed can be configured to Nickelodeon, Spike TV) storage. You also get the
addeon packs cost $5 per resemble an expansive, if last years original programming on
, somewhat pricey, cable

EThe average cost of a triple-play bundle comes from responses to the Telecom section of the Consumer Reports Fall 2016 CR.ORG 29
Annual Questionnaire. [EThe average internet cost of $60 per month is based on Leichtman Research Group estimates.
 Get the Broadband Speed You Need
Planning to stream more of your entertainment over the lnternet?
Youd better make sure your connection can handle the added traffic.

AUDIO AND VIDEO arent created equal when it comes to their demands on HOW WIFI MAKES WAV E S
your broadband service. The difference is measured in bit ratehow much data The modern household runs on WiFifor
travels to your home each second. You can see the bit rates neededtostream a web browsing and devices such as baby
few types of entertainment below. Services such as Netflix may compensate for monitors, but also for streaming TV
a slow connection by downgrading the video quality you see. shows and movies to your TV, laptop,
and smartphone.

BIT RATE
VIDEO

4K HDR

HD (108)
HIGH QUALITY

so (36)
HIGH Q U A L I T Y

LAPTOP

AUDIO
STANDARD a
QUALITY MUSIC _
128 kbps

FAST BROADBAND tool consumers can use right. If severalpeople

Broadband networks to measure their home's are watching movies
ofjust a few years a g o internet speed. on separate devices,
would have sputtered Download speed you may start to notice
and stalled if faced is critical for video decreaSed performance.
with today's consumers streaming; upload speed A final factor is WiFi
and their appetite for matters if you share a lot strength, which may be
streamingservices. of videos or play online inconsistent from room
However, networks are games. Note that web to room. If so, try moving
faster now. The average speeds can slow in the the router to a central
US. broadband speed evening, during the data spot. If y o u have a very
hit 50 megabits per equivalent of rush hour; oldirouter, consider '
second last summer. Your household's buying one that TV CHOlCEs
Thats a 40 percent jump viewing habits matter, follows the 802.11ac 'Smart' TVs connect to WiFi on their
from 2015, according too. As data enters your standardthe router own; other sets need a device like
to Ookla, the company home, its distributed should be both faster an Apple TV or a Roku media player.
behind Speedtestnet, a via VlLilfi,as shown at and more secure.

30 CR.0RG AUGUST 2017

 Who Should
Control Your
Access to
Content?
There's a struggle going
on over whether internet
providers should be allowed
to play favorites with
websites, affecting speed
and the cost ofseruices
for consumers.
MOBILE PHONE
DOY O U T H I N K its okay for your internet
service providerthe company, such as
Comcast or Verizon, that connects you to the
internetto decide what websites you can visit
or to determine which streaming services will
look best on your smart TV? If the answer is
no, youre probably in favor of net neutrality.
Net neutrality is the concept that ISPs
should treat all data equallywhether its
a movie from Netflix, a YouTube video of a
CONNECTED DEVICES speech, or a conversation with your aunt
Baby monitors and using a new video-chat service. No content
smart thermostats also provider gets special treatment, even if your
t a p into home WiFi. ISP has a financial stake in it.
Net neutrality is the law of the land for now,
but that may change. If it does, consumers
could feel the effects for years to come.
CONSUMERS V O I C E CONCERN
Many Americans support n e t neutrality rules.
Thats what Consumer Reports learned from
a nationally representative phone survey of
1,008 people we conducted in May (also see
Who Has a Right to Your Data? on page 27).
We asked respondents about specific
scenarios. First, if an ISP has its o w n movie
streaming service, should the company be
allowed to block access to the website of a
competitive service? Sixty-seven percent of
respondents said this shouldnt be allowed.
What if, instead of blocking the other
website, the ISP decided to simply slow down,
or throttle, the contentso that it didnt perform
as well as the lSPs o w n service? Or what if the
AUGUST 2017
internet provider offered paid prioritization
deals, providing the fastest delivery of content
only to companies able to pay for it?
Sixty-two percent of respondents said these
practices should be off-limits, too.
WINNERS AND LOSERS
The current n e t neutrality rules were p u t
in place by the Federal Communications
Commission in 2015. This May, under the
leadership of a n e w chairman, Ajit Pai, the
FCC proposed getting r i d of the regulations,
along with a related measure that defines ISPs
as common carriers, similar to traditional
phone companies, under Title II of the
Communications Act. Federal courts have
confirmed that its the Title II designation that
gives the FCC legalauthority to set the rules.
If the FCC makes these changes, ISPs could
still voluntarily follow the principles of n e t
neutralityor they could t r y to cash in on
paid prioritization deals.
Consumers Union, the policy and
mobilization arm of Consumer Reports,
thinks that rolling back the rules could
diminish competition, harming consumers.
The move is also opposed by technology
companies such as Amazon, Facebook,
and Roku. We' believe that clear rules
should be in place to prevent ISPs from
interfering in content delivery, says
Steve Shannon, Rokus general manager of
content and services.
In addition, in a letter to the FCC, a group
of more than 800 startup companies said
that without net neutrality, ISPs would be
able to pick winners or losers in the market.
They could impede traffic from our services
in order to favor their o w n services or
established competitors.
Broadband providers argue that the current
rules are onerous. The Internet and Television
Association, which represents ISPs, says in a
published statement, the FCCs misguided
2015 decision to impose heavy government
regulation of the internet networks raises costs,
which are ultimately born by consumers.
H O W Y O U C A N HAVE A SAY
The FCC has launched a two-stage period
for public comments, with the first round
open until July 17and a period for responses
running until August 16. Consumer Reports
readers are, of course, members of the public,
with a right to weigh in. You can do that at
the FCCs website (search for 17-108) or at
ConsumersUnion.org/netneutrality.
If the FCC ultimately does do away with n e t
neutrality rules, opponents could file lawsuits
to challenge the decision. And theres a slim
possibility that Congress could act, taking the
decision away from regulators and making
net neutrality a matter of law.
omens 31
 recognized by the Federal Communications
Are City- Commission.
Owned One response to this problem is
municipal broadband, in which towns
Networks and cities launch their own internet
services to serve both residents and local
Better? businesses. But these networks can be
controversial. Some have faced lawsuits
Some of the best-loved from private providers, and about t w o
broadband companies dozen states have passed laws that
are owned and r u n by discourage municipalities from acting.
local gouernmentsbut
they face opposition. WHERE IT W O R K S WELL
Most municipal broadband providers are
t o o small to make it into Consumer Reports
ratings. One exception is EPB-Chattanooga,
a municipal broadband provider in
Tennessee that is one of the top-rated
services.
EPB launched asa public power company
f
back in 1935 and added its internet
C A B L E PROVIDERS ARE among the least service about 15years ago. According to
liked companies in Consumer Reports MuniNetworks.org, a website that tracks
surveys. Some of the biggest~such as municipal broadband deployments, it
Comcast and Spectrumearn low scores is one of more than 500 such networks
in multiple categories, including value in the U S . r u n directly by a local
and customer service. government or in cooperation with a
Unfortunately, consumers have few private company.
options. A 2015 White House study CityNet, a public network based in
found that three o u t of four Americans Santa Monica, Calif, serves both
had access to only one broadband businesses and homes, paying special
provider offering speeds of at least 25 Mbps, attention to underserved communities.
the threshold for high-speed service We have committed to connecting all
of our affordable housingbuildings first,
community broadband manager Gary
Carter says. In those buildings community
rooms, he adds, CityNet
has installed desktops, and provides
free 10gigabit broadband for students
to do their homework, complete
college applications, and engage with
the community.
WHY THERE IS DEBATE
Municipal broadband has its naysayers.
One concern is that the systems put
taxpayers at financial risk.
A recent study by the University of
Pennsylvania Law Schools Center for
Technology, Innovation and Competition
suggested that many public broadband
networks may be unable to cover
their operating costs going forward.
Provo, Utah, spent $39 million on
a network and operated in the red for
several years before essentially giving it
to Google Fiber, an ISP that operates in
several cities.
Consumers Union, the policy and
mobilization a r m of Consumer Reports,
opposes restrictions on municipal
broadband. Senior policy counselJonathan
Schwantes says, Local governments
should have the freedom to provide their
residents with alternatives that hopefully
spur additional competition.

TV ANTENNAS AREN'T with programs such reception areas and as inexpensive as

$2 as outdated as
y o u might think.
If you live near a
as older TV shows or
public channels not
available on cable.
the ability to receive
broadcasts on your
smartphone.
$30 work well for
many p e o p l e b u t
they c a n require

2?: city, theres a good

chance you can get
networks such as
Even more viewing
options a r e on the
way. A n e w technical
There will be some
downsides, howeverf
You m a y have to p a y
some fiddling. Follow
these tips to get the
best reception:
ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, standard, called for some content, > Try the antenna
PBS, and Telemundo ATSC 3.0, will let and today's TVs in different spots
over the air. broadcasters send won't be compatible around the room,
The main benefit, highquality 4K TV with the new preferably near a
of course, is that signals over the broadcasts. All of window.
Antennas the broadcasts are air, something they these developments > Try an amplified
free. But there a r e can't do today. will be rolled out antenna if y o u live
Make a other advantages, And you'll be able over several y e a r s far from a broadcast
comeback too. The qualityof to get internet nothing is changing tower or your
the picture m a y be content through your in 2017, and today's reception is marginal.
They can make your better than what antenna, too. Other TVs aren't in danger > Rescan for channels
TVwatching f r e e cable provides. And anticipated benefits of becoming obsolete periodically; y o u
and what's not to many stations now include better anytime soon. might get a n e w
like about that? offer "sub-channels" coverage in spotty For now, antennas station or two.
m.

32 CR.ORG AUGUST 2017

 Ratings ) TV Providers Check out all the new TV-vlewlng options in the preceding 9 0 o o 6
pages, then see how TVserVIce provnders did In our ratings, below. WORSE _ BETTER

. Reader - -- Channel Technical Customer VOD VOD

Rellublhty (Paid) -M
TV

EPB Fiber

Google Fiber

Armstrong Cable

Consolidated Cable

'V RCN Cable

Midco Cable

Verizon Fiber

Dish Network Satellite

Bright House Cable

Cincinnati Bell Fiber

WOW Cable

DirecTV Satellite

Spectrum (Charter) Fiber

Wave Cable

Spectrum (Time Warner) Fiber '

CenturyLink Fiber

SuddenLink Communications Cable

Comcast Fiber

GCI Cable

AT&T Fiber

Cablevision Cable

Cox Communications Cable

Blue Ridge Cable

Spectrum (Charter) Cable

CenturyLink Cable

Service Electric Cable

Comcast Cable

Spectrum (Time Warner) Cable

Cable One Cable

Atlantic Broadband Cable

Frontier Fiber

Mediacom Cable

AUGUST 2017 CR.ORG 33

Ratings ) Internet Providers Even if you wont to cut your TV service, youll probably still wont internet
access. Heres how the providers stock up forjust internet, and for bundled services.

- Reader .. Technical Customer

Rellabmty Support
INTERNET

Google Fiber

Consolidated Fiber A.

Armstrong Cable

EPB Fiber

RCN Cable

Midco Cable

Verizon Fiber

Cincinnati Bell Fiber

Wave Cable

WOW Cable

CenturyLink Fiber

SuddenLink Communications Cable

Bright House Cable

Spectrum (Charter) Cable

Cable One Cable

AT&T Fiber

Cox Communications Cable

Cablevision Cable

TDS Cable
EarthLink Cable
GCI Cable

Verizon Cable

Spectrum (Time Warner) Fiber

Service Electric Cable

Consolidated DSL
Comcast Cable

Frontier Fiber
Spectrum (Time Warner) Cable

Atlantic Cable
AT&T Cable

Verizon Wireless Mobile

Comcast DSL

Cincinnati Bell DSL

EarthLink DSL

Rise Broadband Fixed Wireless

Mediacom Cable
Frontier Cable
CenturyLink DSL

AT&T DSL

AUGUST 2017
 ooroyoe
WORSE BETTER

; INTERNET Continued

I Windstream Fixed Wireless 9 9 e 9

TDS DSL E 9 9 ~

? Dish Networks Satellite m 9 9 o 9

Windstream Cable m 9 i 9 9 0
Verizon DSL E- 9 9 9 9
Excede Satellite m 9 9 9 a

FairPoint DSL m 9 9 0 9
Frontier DSL m 9 9 9
HughesNet Satellite m 9 9 9 9

B U N D LE D

Bright House Hybrid 9 0

Bright House Cable _ 9 o

' wow cable 3- 9 ~ 0

Verizon Fiber _ 9 o

}' Cincinnati Bell Hybrid m 9 ~ 0

SuddenLink Cable fi- 9 - 0

AT&T Fiber m 9 9

Verizon Hybrid _ 9 o

DirecTV Hybrid [_ 9 9

wow Hybrid [_ 9 o

. Cablevision/Optimum Cable E- 9 o

E Cox Communications Cable m 9 0

AT&T Hybrid [ - 9 k _, 0

Spectrum (Charter) Hybrid [ - 9 0

Comcast Cable m 9 9

3 Spectrum (Charter) Cable _ 9 0

Spectrum (Time Warner) Hybrid m 9 - 0

Spectrum (Time Warner) Cable m e _ ... o

Mediacom Cable m 9 9

Frontier Fiber I E 9 9

1 HOW WESURVEY: Ratings of
\ telecommunications providers
reflect the experiences of Consumer
Reports subscribers who completed
the Telecom section of the Fall 2016
Annual Questionnaire. They are
based on: 114,107 respondents for
TV service providers, 90,838
respondents for internet service
providers, and 24,642 respondents
for providers of bundled services
(TV, internet, and phone). When looking
at Reader Score, differences of
less than 4 points for TV service,
5 points for lSPs, and 4 points for
bundled services a r e not meaningful.
A blank space in a chart indicates
that we had insufficient data on that
measurement to provide a rating. Note
that the experiences of CR subscribers
may not reflect those of the overall
population of the U.S.

AUGUST 2017 CR.ORG 35