2003 Cable Price Hikes Far Exceeded Inflation

U.S. cable television prices increased at almost three times the rate of inflation in 2003.

The Federal Communications Commission said rates for basic and expanded basic service and equipment rose 5.4% to an average of $45.32 a month in the year ended Jan. 1, 2004, up from $42.99 a year earlier.

Cable firms had 66.1 million subscribers in the year ended June, adding about 50,000 customers. Meanwhile, satellite TV services saw a 14% boost in customers to about 23.2 million, adding 2.8 million subscribers.