Video Services from TelAlaska

Please visit our News page for updated information regarding programming in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor.

To cover increasing programming costs for the basic cable networks, Eyecom had planned a rate increase for those networks in 2019. Due to the loss of the Viacom programming, along with more favorable pricing for the new channels, there will be no change in the basic cable portion of your bill. Unfortunately, the Anchorage Channels Pass-Through Charge, which covers what Eyecom must pay ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to provide their programming to our customers, will increase by $4 in January. Please read below for more information regarding fees for local broadcast stations.

We hope that you’ll agree that even with this adjustment to your line-up, cable television remains an excellent source of entertainment and education. We appreciate your business and we welcome your comments and suggestions. Please call or email us if we can assist you in any way.

Phone 1-800-478-2982, or email customerservice@telalaska.com

************************************************

Additional Information Regarding Fees from Local Broadcast Stations

The fees for the Anchorage stations, which cable companies refer to as “retransmission consent fees”, has continued to increase each year. With advertising revenues declining, broadcasters are trying to find ways to get consumers to pay more for these “over- the-air” channels, which have traditionally been available for free over the public airways. In 2006, retransmission fees were only 6¢ of the average cable customer’s bill per month. In 2019, Eyecom’s pass-through charge for this programming will be $15.35.

Cable television companies regularly must negotiate new rates for these stations and if an agreement is not reached, customers face a blackout of that channel until it’s resolved. An effort is underway to encourage the FCC to reform outdated rules concerning retransmission consent. Consumers are encouraged to contact the FCC with their concerns about increasing cable television bills and potential blackouts. More information and a link for contacting the FCC is available at: www.americantelevisionalliance.org

************************************************

We regret to inform our Eyecom cable television customers in Unalaska and Dutch Harbor that our pay-per-view provider has relocated their programming to a different satellite that is out of the viewing area in Unalaska. Unfortunately, there is no other pay-per-view programming on the satellites that are available. Pay-per-view programming will no longer be available after February 22, 2019. We are very disappointed to lose these pay-per-view options and should we discover an alternative we will consider adding it to the system. Thank you for your understanding.

************************************************

Eyecom Cable supplies cable television equipment for the blind or visually impaired. Set top boxes with audible accessibility for menus and guides are available upon request. Please contact our Unalaska office at (907) 581-1399 for more information or to order accessible navigation devices.