ColorBASIC
8-bit Fun
Premium
join:2006-12-29
Corona, CA
4 edits | reply to phattieg
Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte"
You are the one who doesn't get it. If I only need an ounce of sugar, how am I saving money buying 300LBS of it?  That's the point, per your example I would only want the 2 LBS but in order to get 1/2 lb of this and a 1/2 lb of that I have to buy 20LBS...10LBS in 1 tier and 10LBS in another. For people who watch tons of stuff they can still buy tiers and for people like me, I'd like to buy the 6 el cheapo channels I actually watch.
I could give a crap less about channels like ESPN which jack my rates while others who love sports would gladly pay for them. Meanwhile if I want a $1 channel like Sci-Fi I'm forced to pay for an $8 channel like ESPN.
Looking at big dish pricing (which I can't get 'cause of my Nazi-HOA) my bill would be less than $15/mo for the EXACT same programming I WANT and am paying $60+ for because providers like E* jockey channels as to spread popular channels over all the tiers so you have to buy all the tiers and worthless channels if you want those few channels. |
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asdfdfdfdf
@Level3.net | I don't think you can use the a la carte prices you find now as an indicator of what prices would be like if all the major players moved to a la carte. The small amount of a la carte happening right now isn't significant enough to have an impact. |
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raybrett
join:2001-02-20
Saint Louis, MO | reply to ColorBASIC
If ala carte were mandated, I would likely lose my analog channels and have to pay significantly more for digital service and receivers. I doubt I would save any money. More likely it would double my costs. |
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ColorBASIC
8-bit Fun
Premium
join:2006-12-29
Corona, CA
| There is nothing to say you wouldn't still have bundled tiers in addition to a la carte. That is what we see with the big dish market. You have both a la carte pricing and discounts when you buy more channels and/or prepay a few months in advance.
A la carte prices would only drop further if expanded as they would have to compete even harder for subscribers. Prices would drop and programming improve if these program providers had to compete for the dollar instead of get a free ride in basic forced on us tiers. |
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clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI | reply to ColorBASIC
My analogy may not be perfect, but it sure as heck is better than yours. |
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ColorBASIC
8-bit Fun
Premium
join:2006-12-29
Corona, CA | I guess you missed the whole "reply to Phattieg" thing. |
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BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| reply to raybrett
said by raybrett  :If ala carte were mandated, I would likely lose my analog channels and have to pay significantly more for digital service and receivers. I doubt I would save any money. More likely it would double my costs. analog channels are going to be going by the wayside anyways. |
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raybrett
join:2001-02-20
Saint Louis, MO | Unfortunately, you are right, but I will hang on as long as I can. After that, I may have to settle for DVDs. I am not sure I will go to digital receivers. |
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rtcy
FACTS only please
Premium
join:1999-10-16
Beverly Hills, CA
 ·Verizon west (ex G..
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to raybrett
said by raybrett :If ala carte were mandated, I would likely lose my analog channels and have to pay significantly more for digital service and receivers. I doubt I would save any money. More likely it would double my costs. Fist off sooner than later you are going to loose that ANALOG box, it's called HD / Digital and it's mandated, so kiss those free channels away.
and NO it Ala Carte won't cost you twice it will cost you what ever you are *willing* to pay for. please notice the keyword is WILLING because you decide what you want to buy! |
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BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| reply to raybrett
said by raybrett :Unfortunately, you are right, but I will hang on as long as I can. After that, I may have to settle for DVDs. I am not sure I will go to digital receivers. Well all TV manufacture after March 1st 2007 have to have digital tuners built in. So if you buy a new TV( make sure the store isn't selling you on made before March 1 if under 27 inches ) and you can get off the air channels then maybe that's your best bet after Feb 2009 when all analog stations are cut off. Most local stations now broadcast in both analog and digital. A TV with a built in tuner and an antenna should get you at least some local stations. |
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raybrett
join:2001-02-20
Saint Louis, MO
·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to rtcy
I am considering the cost of the digital receivers, not necessarily only the channels. If I were to go digital today, the receivers and the monthly cost of the "upgrade" to digital would cost me more than what I am currently paying for my basic plus enhanced channels. |
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Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA
·Verizon FIOS
| Yeah, what is it $5's a month for each box? How many TV's do you have? You have NO cable boxes?
Also, separate converter boxes will be available from 3rd parties, you may even be able to get your cable company to kick you one for free since they aren't mandated to remove analogue, technically. |
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