Will anyone actually buy this argument?
Seeing this episode when it came out vs in 2023 really hit different. It never dawned on me how finely honed their comedy was that season.
Which episode is that?
Basic Cable
South Park: Season 23, Episode 9
Early termination fees are not that horrible. They can give you a monthly cost where some of the costs for installing it might be distributed over they contact period. Fine and ok
But i should still be able to cancel my contract without jumping through 11 loops and queues.
If you sign up for a given contract, that’s what you have agreed upon. It sucks if you only have one option and they can set a ridiculous price. So if you want to regulate pricing, that’s a different matter. Cancelling is something else altogether.
If you sign up for a given contract
Listen, it says clear as day down here in the fine print that I get a pound of flesh closest to your heart. I don’t see what you’re complaining about, a contract is a contract.
“Early termination fees are good because without them, we will just do something worse.”
Something better, as the price would be overt and transparent rather than arbitrary and hidden.
Me, the cable company: “If you don’t let me charge people an assortment of fines and fees after they’ve signed up for service, then I’ll increase our base rate before they sign up.”
Consumers, looking at the high price of cable: “Fuck, I can’t afford this. Guess I won’t sign up.”
Me, the cable company: “Regulations are destroying my business!!!”
