Spectrum offers a basic plan for Erie-area subscribers but it's difficult to find information about it.

All Karen Lesher wanted was a less expensive way to receive Erie's broadcast television stations.

Lesher and her husband live in Union Township, between Union City and Corry. Years ago they used an outdoor TV antenna but she said someone always had to go out and fiddle with it to pick up all of the local channels.

"We're older now," said Lesher, 75. "We don't want to mess with that."

The Leshers subscribe to Spectrum's Select Plan, which costs them almost $75 a month. When Karen Lesher tried to reduce her TV costs, she started a two-month process that at times confused and frustrated her.

Lesher called Spectrum and was told her current plan was the least expensive the company offers. She said she was told the same thing when she visited the Spectrum office near the Millcreek Mall.

But that wasn't true. Spectrum and many other cable TV providers offer a basic plan that includes local broadcast and government-access channels.

Good luck trying to find information about that plan on Spectrum's website. The only way I discovered it was by Googling "Spectrum" and "basic plan" — it was provided as part of Spectrum's rate card information.

"The Spectrum people at the office told me they don't advertise the plan because they don't think people are interested in it," Lasher said.

Spectrum spokesman Bill Morand said in an email that the 18-channel basic plan is available in the Erie area at a cost of $23.89 a month, the same price quoted on Spectrum's rate card. He didn't respond to questions about how difficult it is to get basic plan information on the company's website or from its customer service representatives.

I told Lesher what Morand said in his email, so she called Spectrum one more time last week. The customer service representative she talked to knew about the basic plan and said Lesher could sign up for it.

It would cost her $37.76 a month — about the same price as a decent indoor TV antenna.

The 58 percent increase from the price Morand and the rate card quoted is due to taxes, fees and the required rental of a digital box that costs $5.99 a month for each television.

"I think we will stick with the plan we have," Lasher said.

It's good to know Spectrum offers a basic plan for customers who just want local channels but can't receive them with an outdoor antenna. However, it's too difficult to find the plan's details and the high associated costs take away from the plan's value.