THOMASVILLE — CNS cable television rates will increase Friday by about 7 percent.

“The rate increases are solely due to what we pay our service providers,” said Chris White, Thomasville Utilities assistant superintendent. “We pass along the rate increases we pay to customers.”

Increases will cover the city’s new costs, but will not result in a profit.

White said CNS pays service providers based on the number of customers who subscribe for a service.

For instance, White said, ESPN charges CNS for each customer the service reaches.

“That’s the same for every network, including local television stations,” he said.

Rates hikes will depend on a subscriber’s cable TV package.

White said most of CNS’ 8,000 Thomasville/Thomas County customers have Super Basic CNS cable. The Super Basic price will increase from $89 monthly to $94.79.

The Digital Extreme monthly cost will increase from $128.88 to $136.99.

“Most of the packages increased around 7 percent,” White said.

All packages include a charge of $20.54 a month for over-the-air local television stations.

The city began incurring the cable increases Jan. 1, but opted not to pass along the price hikes to customers until Feb. 1.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820