http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/10/business/main1304323.shtml
This is really interesting. I would love to pay for only the channels I want to watch. What's fascinating about this story is that there are so many issues involved on so many sides:
I would like to have the choice. I only watch maybe 8-10 different cable channels, and there are some on the extra-cost "tiers" that I'd get if they weren't bundled with other channels I don't want (I want SPEED channel, but I don't want six channels about bass fishing and four about tennis). But I think there is a valid concern that smaller, niche channels will be squeezed out. There are a lot of channels to choose from, and let's face it, most people probably get cable just so they can watch ESPN. There are a few channels that I just happened to discover that I would have never thought about watching otherwise; Trio was an awesome channel until it got canned recently, for example. And if channels are getting canned with the current strategy, it'll probably be worse under the new one.
But why can't cable companies offer this pricing strategy in addition to the bundle pricing they already have? I find it hard to believe that it would be any more difficult, or that they're actually concerned that it would be more expensive for the consumer (that would only benefit them, after all). Since cable companies have practically NO competition, I doubt we'll see this happen though.
This is really interesting. I would love to pay for only the channels I want to watch. What's fascinating about this story is that there are so many issues involved on so many sides:
- Lawmakers hope to use it as a way of filtering channels that may have objectionable content for children
- Cable companies don't want the government interfering with thier business
- Consumer groups are happy to see consumers having more choice
- Special interest groups are worried that programming targeting certain demographics may not make it to air due to lack of widespread support
I would like to have the choice. I only watch maybe 8-10 different cable channels, and there are some on the extra-cost "tiers" that I'd get if they weren't bundled with other channels I don't want (I want SPEED channel, but I don't want six channels about bass fishing and four about tennis). But I think there is a valid concern that smaller, niche channels will be squeezed out. There are a lot of channels to choose from, and let's face it, most people probably get cable just so they can watch ESPN. There are a few channels that I just happened to discover that I would have never thought about watching otherwise; Trio was an awesome channel until it got canned recently, for example. And if channels are getting canned with the current strategy, it'll probably be worse under the new one.
But why can't cable companies offer this pricing strategy in addition to the bundle pricing they already have? I find it hard to believe that it would be any more difficult, or that they're actually concerned that it would be more expensive for the consumer (that would only benefit them, after all). Since cable companies have practically NO competition, I doubt we'll see this happen though.
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