The rule is: Cable/satellite companies will always find reasons to increase prices.  Whether their costs increase or not, they need more profit every year.  They will never settle for less profit to keep customers happy.  Even if they lower a bill for an insistent customer, they will find a way to get that money some other way.  I opted out of cable/satellite years ago and bought a CD player, and pay separately for internet access.  When I look at what is available on cable, I'm not missing much.