Marpin 2k4’s management has announced an increase in subscription rates for its cable television service.
Chief Financial Officer Calvin Patrick told the media that the company’s monthly bill will be raised by $20 in order to keep the organisation viable as it faces a rise in expenses. This new amount, along with VAT, adds up to over $80 per month for a single customer.
This has not gone down well with the public as a number of persons have openly voiced their disapproval of the measure on local talk shows and other mediums since the announcement.
According to Patrick, the decision was inevitable as the company has seen a significant increase in programming costs from providers in recent times.
“These increases have just been inevitable really for us. In fact you know Marpin has not had, either under the predecessor company, a price change of any sort since 1994. So we really had to take a rational look at that situation,” Patrick said.
“We’ve trimmed the costs wherever possible to keep our operations viable. The other avenue open to us was to seek an increase in the basic subscription because the subscription as it stands at $50 just wasn’t viable for us. There has been no price increase in 15 years. We felt, when we look at the numbers, we did go to the drawing board and we’re still at the drawing board…” he stated.
Patrick explained that a substantial amount of subscription revenue goes into the company’s programming while the rest goes into running company operations. He acknowledged that VAT was a “big problem” faced by the company. He however assured that customers with more than one Marpin service would receive discounts.
Patrick declared that this price increase is not related to the fee that the company paid for airing the 2010 World Cup soccer games.
@de caribbean change: I agree with you. It’s a lot more in the US for cable BUT, there are better channels, better service. I recently moved back to Dominica and was greatly disappointed when i turned on the television. I still am.
marpin want to raise price..look all now so i schedule to watch mtv video music awards ..guess what happen? the channel out of service..
@Mr. Johnson:
Are you serious about what you are saying?? Do you know what M2K4 programming fees are?? Do you not see the countless Dish Network on your television? Please Marpin 2K4 has fees to ex-patriate and that is the basis behind the increase. Of course our dear Goernment will say nothing because it means more VAT for them too!!!
For me it’s simple, disconnect Marpin and take SAT. This month is my last with Marpin. What they think it is?
AFFORDABLE TV FOR ALL!! you have it. now i checking it you so right 900000%
SAT is a volcano. It is sleeping. See how Marpin erupted with their $20. They are all on the same page!
@Kikit: Marpin out or down , SAT in or up, DLP out or Down( 20 more yrs inopposition) like 1980- 2000) But guess what? who we have to put in and up? nobody.I hear is Chinese lol!Let’s vote Brisbane & Sam Rapheal, Parra & Pappy.
people just saying things out of emotion.. come on be realistic..really think about it..an additional $20 per month..it adds up my darlings..and to think of it everyones salary done budget already..marpin not easy..i dont mind if there is an increase in channels or something but its the same service for a higher price..come again eh marpin..to think of it everythng in the country going up..basic needs more expensive than luxury..and the only thing that not goin up is salary..i dont understand what is really happening..but if this doesnt end soon hmmph..only one set pocket that fulling..but is 99 days for the thief and one day for the master
@the weather man: It look like the wind blow him in the basement. I believe he is an artic on Bedford Ave.He comes down daily for juices from de grenadian cane juice guy and later buys dalpuree and doubles for lunch and dinner.he forgot how to cook fish broth.
I believe there is always room for improvement. Both SAT and Marpin have issues that needs to be fixed but here are some facts:
Marpin $84.50 SAT $46.00
Marpin 54 channels SAT 59 channels
SAT is currently in the process of improving its services and also said that their rate will remain $46 because they want to ensure ALL Dominicans can afford Cable TV.
Their rates for adverts on the graphics channel is 45% cheaper than Marpin.
SAT support local events by sponsoring free graphics and advertising to group and individual as well as person in need, whereas at Marpin you must pay your hard dry cash!
Imagine to leave Marpin office with a form to connect their PING LING Net, you have to pay for the form!
SAT employs ONLY locals. Marpin full of white heads.
Support local and let the money stay in Dominica!
@de caribbean change: YOU MUST BE STAYING IN A BASEMENT ON INTERVALE AVE OR STYVESANT AVE IN BROOKLYN
IF MARPIN IS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS LET THEM GET RID OF THOSE DUPLICATED CHANNELS, WHY DO WE NEED FOUR CARTOON CHANNELS, FOUR RELIGIOUS CHANNELS AND MANY ULTRA VIOLENT STATIONS WHICH TEACH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE VI8OLENT BEHAVIOR
bETTER PROGRAMING MORE MONEY BUT NOT TWENTY DOLLARS AT ONE TIME
MARPIN HAS APPROXIMATELY 30000 [THIRTY THOUSAND] SUBSCRIBERS ISLAND WIDE A 20.00 {TWENTY DOLARS ] INCREASE WOULD INCREASE THEIR COFFERS BY $600000′ (SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND dOLLARS] MONTHLY ISN’T THAT TOO BIG A CHUNK TO TRY TO BITE OFF AT ONE TIME .
@de caribbean change: oh please, what we’re gettin her is basic cable.. 50 sumting channels… at 80.00 is pretty high… n a 20$ increase in one big jump is not nice..
Hey guys, what’s $80.00 a month? Stop crying like babies. Come to America, and you will find out what life is really all about.
@Mathestatician: You said it yourself. Marpin collect vat from their subscribers on behalf of the Government. They are collecting agents for the govt., and do not keep this tax but hand it over. You are confusing the vat they pay on purchases & services (which they can claim back) with the vat they charge their customers i.e. us, the subscribers. The proposed fee increase is 40% and therefore the govt. stands to benefit too, to the same extent in their vat receipts from Marpin as it relates to payments made by subscribers. Is the govt. going to forego such a windfall? What they could do is reduce the vat rate applicable to T.V. fees and still meet their budgeted target for the year. Such a move would certainly bring them a lot of kudos without costing them anything.
Compared to other Caribbean islands the price is a bit to high. Although I am not familiar with Marpin’s system, I think they still offer analog cable signal which is really outdated. Paying such a high price for analog does not really make sense.
People should also be aware that switching to SAT is not going to solve the problem right away. SAT providers also have to pay subscription fees from the different network to carry their signals. The price of subscription is also going up. The advantage one might have with SAT is that the signal is digital and is in surround sound for those who have the necessary electronics.
@iz dat!: U think SAT better was ready to give up SAT. Local news is crap rest of their programmin more crap
@don’t you read:
I called inland revenue a while ago, companys dont pay vat, they collect it from the consumer and hand it over… they are actually vat exempt. if they buy something and pay vat… they infact claim for vat and get paid their money back….SO WHAT THE HELL MARPIN TALKING ABOUT
Everything is increasing and therefore it is not wonder that we the consumers will have to suffer the consequences. However,I have to agree that an incremental increase would be much more reasonable and bearable.
In addition, Marpin should probably consider offering a basic package and then charging extra if you want more channels. So those who can’t afford the $80 will at least still have the basics.
but what about that other new television station they said was going to be established how many months ago nuh? they had it as a news item on DNO maybe inmarch, said they were opening in the summer. it kibosh man? if they bring that new tv station i will gladly subscribe. but the $80 is too much for real. if they had said $70 and at least improve their service i could understand. but marpin always losing channels. higher prices should mean better service.
dss is owned by who ?welcome 2 the next level whoo whoo .
marpin you can disconnect us at this time because we will not be paying next months bill
@Mathestatician: of course businesses pay vat
@Thug on da line: are u for real or just an a..? in what country they change the channels everyday? u talking bout repetitive channels? go to other caribbean countries and see how much they pay for cable as well as the amount of channels they get for the high prices they pay.
allu just to like to complain for crap. they dont have movie channels? then its obvious you dont know how to work a remote control. you have problems with the quality, call them, what the hell you think they there for? they there to fix it!!!
i’ll stay with my marpin.
People that is highway robbery, alas, MARPIN could have said $5.00 increase this year, spread across the next 4 years, at least the effect will be cushioned. Tell them don’t go blaming VAT, because the higher the increase the more VAT Government will collect. Therefore people IT IS ALL THE WAY WITH SAT- Marlon here we come, hope you have enough staff to accommodate the public and leave old MARPIN in their foolish business decision.
@Hmmmmmm i totally agree with you….trust me….
@Mr. Johnson: No matter how much prices are going up in the U.S., because of this wonderful blessing called COMPETITION, one has endless numbers of companies to choose from , all of whom are all too eager to give you a better rate and service than the other guy.
And trust me, prices can only increase so much in the U.S. and no more.
And let’s stop comparing apples and oranges. In the U.S. service is pretty much uniterrupted 24/7. Every Domlec power cut, Marpin gone.
@Patat: You make a lot of sense, my man ?woman. Why haven’t I heard anything about or from the IRC in all of this.
Nobody can just raise their rates willy nilly, so what the hell is going on?
I have already called SAT.
DTS Digital is coming soon….
I am a former MARPIN, now SAT subscriber. (Nothing to do with the price increase). I always preferred MARPIN’s programming to SAT especially the news. People, true that the price has increased but take it from me the grass is cerainly not greener where I SAT cause I am thinking of switching back, hopefully if the MARPIN price decreases. Mr. Marlon, this is your opportunity to step up and prove that SAT can lead too and not follow.
Didn’t someone some time ago say that another company was coming with satellite tv? What’s up with that? I rather suspect that Marpin is playing games……. They are asking for $20 increase, if we don’t say anything they gain……. if we protest they’ll drop the increase maybe by half and say that they are listening to the customers. One way or the other they’ll have an increase. It’s an economic hustle….
HAHAHAHAHA…carry on Marpin. You are charting the course to your own destruction. Is a good thing I put you down 6 years ago fr SAT, and i’m fully satisfied! Plus pretty soon LIME coming with TV on demand….waiting patiently for that.
I guess the big bill from being the only World Cup subscriber catching up with you! You expected SAT to help with paying that, but they say NO SA!!! lol…
Hey ! wait i coming bath road too.
I am in de US and i paying $24 for 3 cable boxes. So get your fact right. $20 at one time is to much and i have 180 channels. go online and check out direct tv. My People buy a tv card for your PC then hook it up to your tvs then you have free tv.
This is the next level…………Marpin up……….Tourism down…….what next
Those types of significant increases in utilities should never be encouraged. My suggestion is that Marpin 2K4 introduces a tier system, to allow the poor to continue to afford viewing television. In other neighboring islands, there is a small charge for the basic critical channels and then there are different packages available to customers. So a customer is able to select his/her desired package based on his/her viewing needs and also based on his/her pocket. We should not try to keep the poor away from television.
Thank you BLACKMOORE …………. NEXT LEVEL;
wh wh wh who c c c c c c an’t af af fffff ord it can gggo tttto HHHHELL; I C C C C CAN
Find something else to do with your time beside watch TV. There isn’t that much good on anyway and they keep running the same programs. I already quit them.
TWENTY DOLLARS THAT TO MUCH .
hay hayyy!! Marpin forget they have competition in the name of SAT man? I
I already malade over dem crappy channels… and dat annoying dishnetwork thing
bouncing on my screen…now they raising the price?
SAT here i come….I not gon pay big money for coshunie. why you think de chinese makin money?
because all dem coshunie dey selling dere is for little money. so all in all i rather spend little money for crap cable from sat, than big money for crap cable from marpin. eh eh!!!
@shatta: Shatta is always a id10t. Duh
@shatta: That was sarcasm ppl, i mean come on.
Hmmmm Rev.Butts Has a Point take this equation WRB+sOCIAL sECURITY=Marpin 2k4 -Socia; Security u get highly paid executive American Lifestyle Which is why we have porn on Channel @@ in the 11-4:00am time stamp hmmmm pretty american dont u think now the talk is converter box —-DEy better not touch my pension
marpin thats it for u start packing ur bags cause i comming home soon and i on a campain.just know the north is gone.bye bye
we have nothing to do than to just go with who for the poor sat telecommunication
Effective September 10th i will be discontinuing my service, the viewing is rubbish and they have the nerve to increase without notify the public.
But what is this for me there nah!!!
Some years ago, Marpin, the old company submitted a request for a rate increase to the Minister of Communications and the minister declined the request!!!! Is the present Minister for Communications hiding behind the IRC?
Since when Marpin or any utility Company in Dominica can just take on their own and raise rates for their services? Domlec and Marpin are sister companies – both controlled by Social Security and WRLB. One can guess that if Marpin 2K4 gets away with their 40% increase – yes 40 percent increase: 20/50 x 100% = 40%, Domlec might be tempted to try it as well!!!!!!
Lime and Digicel cannot just raise rates for phone and Internet Services. They must submit their propose increases to the IRC – Independent Regulatory Commission for approval. Marpin 2K4 is in the telecoms business as well and should fall under the IRC for all of its services!!!!! Then the IRC makes the determination as to whether such an increase is justified.
The core business of Marpin is Cable TV Services. The largest revenue generator for Marpin 2K4 is Cable TV Services. Why should a poor single mother subsidize Marpin 2K4 telephone and broadband internet services with her Cable TV monthly subscription? She has never solicited these other services – because there are other entities that can give her a better rate for these services and they have deeper pockets than Marpin 2K4 and better marketing campaigns as well – tons of freeness, 100 days of summer was a blast. Thus why is Marpin still offering those negative revenue generating services? And I a single mother have to pay for that?
It has nothing to do about increase cost of programming.
It has everything to do with recouping the investment that was made in the recent upgrades when DSS and WRLB took over Marpin and hired very expensive executives including accountants – people with European and US taste!!!!
Now if DSS in that business and DSS we all know have plenty money, DSS will never let Marpin 2K4 take a Bank loan for that upgrade.
Doh make nobody fool all you.
DSS will offer a rate close to market rate to make extra money!!! It all over Roseau that the old Marpin was dead broke and so DSS will give the funds upfront but more than likely with a very short repayment term that bong to make Marpin 2K4 cash flow suffer and get in problems with their VAT monthly payments. D man self said so on d TV last night in fewer words!!!!!!!
I made a few calls earlier today and found out who are the members of the Marpin 2K4 Board of Directors: one was a former chairman of a bank in Dominica, another was once a minister in government, while another was working with the NTRC, another one is a director of Domlec who is suppose to be related to a high ranking member of the Marpin 2K4 Executive and another one was once a PS in government, plus those man that from WRLB. Big boys and girls that there my people of Dominica.
The other Cable TV provider from start laid out a well organized grid for their Cable TV Services with much better reception quality on any channel any time of day. Marpin 2K4 and Domlec are sister companies and may be given favorable treatment like better light rates and nominal rental for running cable TV wires on their pools where the Old Marpin Company poles are non-existent. These are benefits SAT will never enjoy , yet SAT rates are cheaper all now so.
As it stands right now, Marpin 2K4 is 125% more than SAT 50/40 x100% = 125%. With the proposed increase Marlin 2K4 will be 175% more than SAT – $70/$40 x 100% = 175% – yes people!!!
Now people of this lovely Dominica we must let Marpin 2K4 and DSS know something once and for all. This is going and be a test case of our resolve: Is the demand for Cable TV Services by consumers in Dominica elastic or inelastic? If we roll and play dead we will see another price increase in less than five years time and they will come to the conclusion that the demand for their Cable TV Services is inelastic – meaning that no matter the increase, we will still consume.
There are too many alternatives at this time where technology is concerned. You do not even have to use the internet services of local providers. It has satellite for phone, internet, TV, and video conferencing. And these things becoming cheaper every day.
Doh expect me to tell all you since all you think my head empty. One thing I know is not d classroom that does make d real person; it is d street smarts that cause the person to use his book knowledge. No Street smarts, then no savvy individual.
sat..u should now be offering free installation for all mapin subscribers or free something to further attract marpin customers who need and want to leave ……..go figure!
all that good for all you.. vat increase.. heyyy the misery has just started.. tell them people all you bring down to vote to send money for all you to watch tv.. vieux band de majhe…
We need more choices, or we need to stop watching television and read more books, how about that?
will be going to SAT lol
@Thug on da line Hey you are the one interpreting.All the person said was the next level it cold be telecommunications next level not political.You are the one who including the P.M. The P.M will place his big satalite dish in his castle in VC the chinese will install it for him.
Attack me now. But these are the facts:
Eat local, buy local ,choose local. just switch to SAT
The choice is clear… Switch to SAT. Their quality of service has not improved under the predesessor company or Marpin 2K4 for the past 15 years so there is no justification for an increase.
dat is more non sense…pay more money for old programming..dats jus bogus..i mean if customers were assured of better service then maybe it wud be ok buh more money for coshoni..stupes…….to SAT we must go!!!!!!!!!!
well i hope when i watching a movie 1. the signal will not be lost 2. they won’t switch the movie 3. the volume will be at a good level 4. the reception will be worth watching…
Everyone out there going to SAT is stupid. Seriously. In the US, prices are going up. Dominica doesn’t own these channels therefore they have to pay subscription fees. It was bound to happen. They have to make money too, it’s not just about the people. They are running a business and they have to profit. They have children to feed too. Take some time and just think about it. If you don’t like Marpin video channels, then move on to SAT. It’s not going to be any better.
I can understand an increase in price is due, but by 10%, not 40%. That is too big of a jump. Now I always say that SAT should put their subsciption to $50, and let us have quality programming, with experienced news anchors, and not those who do on the job training. I don’t mean to criticize, but news anchors should be able to read. So SAT, get your acts right and await new customers.
Vat is the problem.. i though it was consumers that was paying vat? had no idea it was the business place . SAT to the worl
Has GOVT. approved the increase? Is the Dominica Social Security a Govt. entity? Does DSS have 50% shares in the Co.? Is the DSS part of the Board of Directors? Was it only MARPIN 2K4 who took the decision to increase the bill? Just like the inaction of our people with regards to high electricity bills to force Govt. to reduce the VAT and pressure DOMLEC, so to MARPIN will have its way. Frankly, Dominicans do not want to seem to pressure their Govt. to do something to ease up on the VAT which is a major revenue earner for GOVT. So the Dominican customers will continue to bawl, shout about high bills , but are not prepared to go the extra mile to change anything. From that $20 dollar increase, customers would be paying Govt. VAT. Another hidden way to tax the people. You all do not understand what is happening, my people?
i’m on my way to sat
Well I guess I have a SAT appl. form to fill out in the morning. Total BS increasing their price by 40%! They talk about looking at prices in other islands, did they look at the cost of living and the GDP too? Those quasi-economics all you trying to come Dominica and practice will not work. D/ca too damn smart. SAT, here we come. Time to Buy Local. Marpin is no longer local. Greedy execs.
a force marpin sortttttttttttt!…. when they put it $80 is when ppl gan leave them… SAT all d way! Dueces Marpin 2k4!
I am sooooooo switching over to SAT. I cant afford that $20.00 at all.
WHEN SAT PAY THEIR STAFF BETTER I WILL SWITCH ,BUT FOR NOW I STICKING WITH “MAhPIN” Is when you leat expect your pin will prick you ehh
RUBBISH T.V FOR 80 DOLLARS!!!! stupes!!! fix up alu self then alu can increase…or infact we need some real television in dominica!
I WANT TO SWITCH TO SAT ,BUT I HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH THAT LADY EHH ….I WILL GO SATELLITE
marpin2k4 is not here for 15 years how can they say they have not gotten an increase in 15 years .tell us since you came what you did where you lost and what you doing or plan to do..
Alas!!!! In this hard economic time marpin … have no heart ? All they want is full their pockets and come up with all kinds of excuses. If VAT is the damn problem , tell them to take it to Skerritt and have him remove VAT. Since VAT people have been complaining and prices just keep going up like crazy. Everyone should just switch to SAT and forget about marpin. When they see they have no customers ,they will just close down. GREEDY
@shatta: the PM dont have anything to do with that
You’ll already not giving Dmonincans good services and all you raising marpin bill………well is now i going and put SAT. …… marpin. A whole set of repetitive channels all you giving us and 95 % is news not even a good movie channel…….
SAT it’s time to stand. Take a stand for self and the customers. Lower your price by$20.00 and Kill Marpin drown it once and for all.(it was michael Jordan in 99 against Utah they were up 23 pts) Mike was heard on open microphone” saying we got these guys let’s take them out” don’t allow it to get to the next level.My advice to SAT take them out here and now, no ifs no buts no maybes.
New executives used to high paying jobs out side want the same in DA as a result Marpin has to pin /tag/role the cost unto the consumer.Econ 101.
yaahh.the next level wow .i love it
Marpin’s service hasn’t improved so I am yet to understant why my bill has to go up. All now I have channels with no voice. Marpin is a waste……I am switching to SAT.
This is now going to cost us more than the people pay the Government in the U.K. for a T.V. license!
– there is a competitor in the form of “SAT” and one only hopes they do not now blindly follow Marpin and increase there fee also, but use this as an opportunity to entice more customers away from Marpin.
– this move will encourage more people to install their own satellite dish at the expense of Marpin and their remaining customers, who will now have to absorb more of their fixed costs.
– it will, likewise encourage the “tapping ” of signals.
I hope this will not prove one step too far for Marpin±
Vote with yer Dollars….Choose SAT.