Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" in http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18210156 en Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:27:09 EDT Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:27:09 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18220424 phattieg :
said by Ahrenl See Profile :

Laugh..

$30's is HALF what I pay for my cable now (at full rates). Plus if I cancel my cable my Inet bill will practically double (which is what I use the most anyway). I enjoy the cable I use, and would prefer not to pay for the vast majority of it. I think there are many many others who feel the same. Judging by the end of your post, I would put VERY little stock in your instinct.. sorry.

Thanks for proving my point though, I appreciate it.
Well, I'm glad YOU feel that way, too bad though, because judging by the thumbs up I got on 2 of my posts, my point is made, and clear, and I hope you get your way, but not with cable. Thanks.
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SIPPhone/Gizmo # 17476200648 / PIMPNET Chatline / Ran by Asterisk & Slackware 10.1.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18220424 Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:20:22 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18220170 Ahrenl : Laugh..

$30's is HALF what I pay for my cable now (at full rates). Plus if I cancel my cable my Inet bill will practically double (which is what I use the most anyway). I enjoy the cable I use, and would prefer not to pay for the vast majority of it. I think there are many many others who feel the same. Judging by the end of your post, I would put VERY little stock in your instinct.. sorry.

Thanks for proving my point though, I appreciate it. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18220170 Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:33:34 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18210156 phattieg : Ok, you don't get it, and have never worked for a cable provider, so you have no instinct on how this will go down. Rates WILL go up, and people who want 5 piss ass channels will get their way, all the while, people who HAVE a cable bill, will have to pay more. This doesn't impact FiOS, or Satellite. To make this strategy possible, cable boxes will have to be in EVERYONES house, which will raise rates on the amount of boxes stolen, damaged, or un-returned. I am done talking about it, because your logic pisses me off. Obviously you DON'T ENJOY your cable, so get rid of it. I did not TELL you to be happy paying for all those channels you don't watch, but I DID tell you to get rid of it if you don't agree with it. There are tons of people happy with the lineup. You constitute for less than 10% of my "complaint calls". You're not even on the radar because the cost to deploy will be outrageous. You HAVE options, it's called C-Band, and you can pick and choose any channel you specifically want. It requires a big ass dish, but look at the prices, and tell me how much cheaper it is. There's your research. $30.64 for 15 channels... :uhh:

THE PROVIDERS OF THE CHANNELS RULE THE ROOST, DUMBASS! DO THE RESEARCH... I've provided the proof, now reply with another stupid ass remark. Using your brain, you've done pissed me off, and I could care less what you think of me now.

READ THIS:
»www.callnps.com/alacarte.htm

Part # Basic Channels Annual 6 Month 3 Month Monthly
---------------------------------------------------------
396 AMC / Womens' Entertainment* $16.95 $8.89 $4.66 $1.59
397 Bravo * (digital) $11.12 $5.84 $3.05 $1.11
786 Cartoon Network * $11.65 $6.12 $3.20 $1.17
101 CNN/CNNI/Headline News/Fox News $21.19 $11.12 $5.83 $2.12
415 Comedy Central * $11.22 $5.84 $3.05 $1.11
261 Discovery (analog) $21.19 $11.12 $5.83 $2.12
355 Discovery HD Theatre (HDTV) $58.29 $30.60 $16.03 $5.83
270 E! Television * $10.59 $5.55 $2.92 $1.06
223 Independent Film Channel * $10.59 $5.55 $2.92 $1.06
611 International Channel (digital) $33.91 $17.80 $9.33 $3.39
805 Oxygen Network* (digital) $10.55 $5.53 $2.90 $1.06
138 TBS Superstation - Atlanta * $15.89 $8.34 $4.37 $1.59
905 TNT (Turner Network TV) * $27.55 $14.46 $7.58 $2.76
133 USA Network / SciFi Channel * $18.01 $9.46 $4.95 $1.80
248 The Weather Channel * $11.65 $6.12 $3.20 $1.17
498 WGN - Chicago * $16.95 $8.89 $4.66 $1.70


EDIT: I forgot to mention, you have to BUY YOUR EQUIPMENT, so no monthly rental fee's. WOW, this is MUCH cheaper. :uhh: Oh, and lookie, I've got another thumbs up. I guess it makes sense to someone.

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SIPPhone/Gizmo # 17476200648 / PIMPNET Chatline / Ran by Asterisk & Slackware 10.1.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18210156 Sat, 21 Apr 2007 10:55:40 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18205501 Ahrenl : It's not that he is easy to submit.

It's that, as an investor, he wants YOU to submit. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18205501 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:39:17 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18205488 Ahrenl : It's not really less if you didn't want it in the first place. I'd rather not have a steaming pile of manure dumped on my front yard.

Since we're going to pay more every year anyway, I'd be willing to bet that those who watch a sensible amount of TV (ie. do other things too) will pay less for a few years, until they gradually eek up the prices. Then they'll still be paying less than what the price hikes without the a la carte decrease would have been as well. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18205488 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:36:58 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18205469 Ahrenl : 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. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18205469 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:32:38 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18205454 Ahrenl : Well we disagree. Your statements have no more factual support than mine however, and I hope you haven't fooled anyone else as much as, I BELIEVE, you've fooled yourself.

Your 1 pound for $2's vs. 10 pounds for $6 fails because it would imply equal intrinsic value. The coffee example where you get can get 1 pound of coffee you like for $2's or 10 pounds of 50 different types of coffee, 48 of which are different flavors of cat feces, for $6's is more apt. Since now you are paying $6's for 0.4 pounds of coffee you actually WANT.

The channel providers don't offer reductions, just more channels w/o extra cost, and it certainly isn't passed along. In fact I'm required to pay an extra $12/mo just to get the GUIDE with which I'm "given" 15 more craptastic channels.

By your logic, it would be MUCH cheaper for me, and the rest of any of the non-zombies if we weren't paying for those same "70 channels". That's the whole point. If you want to watch TV 23 hours a day with 10 bazillion channels, I have not problem with that, but why should everyone else have to pay more to watch less, so you can pay less to watch more?

Seeing as you "have worked for the cable company for 5 years", I'm going to assume you know how much cheaper this can make it for most subscribers, and how it may financial hurt your employer. Combine that with your no longer publicly subsidized 8,342,323 channels, and I certainly understand your viewpoint. That doesn't make it any more correct.

I post on here during my lunch breaks, and I continue to follow the sector and technology as a personal hobby, as well as maintaining a useful investment strategy.

I'd actually be against commercials paying 100% of the cost, since consumers would then lose any little bit of service we may already receive. (They did come and fix my signal from the pole for free yesterday! woohoo!) Perhaps if commercials covered the content cost, and consumers paid small maintenance fees for the equipment and network. That might work... [/dreaming]]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18205454 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:29:22 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18204067 KrK : Yeah. No matter which way it works out, unless we have more competition enter the market (Even if the Telcos get into the TV business it won't be enough competition) you can pretty much assume that consumers will pay more for less.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18204067 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 09:14:20 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18203763 ColorBASIC : I dunno. Currently last milers (eg cable and DBS) are often blackmailed into carrying less desirable programming. As was the case with MTV and ABC a while back, if a company wanted one channel like Noggin, ABC network or ESPN they were pressured to carry unpopular channels like ABC Family.

So you may end up with two media camps, the content creators like ABC/Disney and Fox vs the content delivery folks like cable and DBS.

Then it's just a matter of who has the most cash to bribe the politicians wins.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18203763 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 07:41:59 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18203368 KrK : Perhaps in the future we'll see something like this:

A la Carte Prices are $xx.xx per channel (List of rates)

or:

Bundles:

5 channels your choice for $xx.xx a month
10 channels your choice for $xx.xx a month
20 channels your choice for $xx.xx a month

etc.....

However I suspect what will actually happen is you'll see "core" popular channels in small bundles and other channels will become "a la carte" as in Pay-Per-View. Not so much pay per month buy pay per show or pay per hour or whatever.

Here's what I can guarantee. Given the limited amount of competition and the likelihood of others dropping out in the future, any plan that is designed to let consumers choose programming for LESS money will be thwarted by the large media companies. You'll get the worst of both worlds. You'll get less alright, and pay MORE for it.

In other words, a la Carte in the future is almost a given.... but expecting it to get you a lower Pay TV bill is unrealistic... because they are NOT going to let consumers wishes and best interests get in the way of corporate profits.

There's another risk, too. In order to get "maximum viewership" so that channels get picked up a la carte I think you'll see a lot of "quality" programming die to be replaced by the highest rating lowest-common-denominator type shows. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18203368 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 02:39:24 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18203258 raybrett : 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18203258 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 01:49:05 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18202659 BF69 :
said by raybrett See Profile :

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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18202659 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:05:01 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201353 rtcy :
said by devnuller See Profile :

If you want a la cart, get DirecTV... oh wait they don't do it... get FiOS TV... hmm... no that won't work either..

Perhaps it would be better of if the Government took over TV distribution from Cable, Sat, and Telco's since the obviously know how to run a profitable company... hmm... this argument isn't going well...
they do not do it, because there are companies like Viacomm that shove the whole enchilada down the troats of cable dish operators and because Dishnetworks and Directtv are both barely making money, so in order to keep charging those exorbitant prices they like it just fine the way it is, oh yes and Cable likes it that way too so they can continue those excesive profits]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201353 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:36:15 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201339 rtcy :
said by raybrett See Profile :

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!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201339 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:33:41 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201273 rtcy :
said by TKJunkMail See Profile :

said by 59126125 See Profile :

While I'm not sure if forcing them to offer channels individually is a good idea, wouldn't it be relatively easy to do if they had something similar to Time Warner's project of switched digital video holding the channels at the edge router?
Even if legislation forces a la carte offerings, they almost for sure won't mandate pricing schedules. And the a la carte prices will be high enough that all except religious fanatics will stick with the tiered offerings.

And if people don't want their kids to watch certain channels, every TV sold today and for the last 10 yrs and all STBs have a way to block individual channels.

So no matter what happens, this won't change the face of cable TV at all.
I never get people like you. how easy you submit]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201273 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:24:04 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201241 rtcy :
said by phattieg See Profile :

said by ColorBASIC See Profile :

"Big dish" suppliers do it and it's generally cheaper for most channels. I would personally favor it because I could give a crap less about channels like ESPN which jack my rates while others who love sports would gladly pay for them. I only watch maybe 5 or 6 channels meanwhile I'm paying for these expensive channels like ESPN because they're part of even the most basic package.
Well, I hope you get your way, so you can pay 3 times more for the channels you watch. You don't get it. It's like buying in bulk.
well you DON'T get it but here is a clue for you, as to how inexpensive Ala Carte is, it means people liky YOU can buy the packaged version and people like me can buy what we want, it's called a CHOICE. think before you go calling the rest of us aholes.

»www.callnps.com/alacarte.htm

this is what I pay with my large dish, and I also have Dishnetwork for the rest of the house that costs 98.00 a month.

come back with a good answer]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201241 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:18:44 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201057 phattieg :
said by Ahrenl See ProfileHeh, heaven forbid you switch off and read a book.
:

Yeah, and heaven forbid you drop cable and read your own damn books if you "don't want to pay for channels YOU don't watch". I don't feel I should have to pay more for the same stations I have enjoyed as a bundle, nor do I want to have to call my cable company everytime I see something coming on a channel I USED to have.

My whole reasoning on that comes from other things in life, and with cable, that cost more "a la carte". For example, calling features on your phone. Buy a package (like Complete Choice) and get 7 features, but buy those features by themselves, and you pay twice as much. Get a cell plan with more minutes, and more text messaging, and you don't have to pay "overages" which is another way of saying "we're going to screw you because you didn't get a package". The media giants are the same way. So what if you don't watch ESPN, but Disney owns them, and a few other channels, and gives the cable company a break when they include them in the basic lineup, and they pass it to us, the customer.

said by Ahrenl See ProfileHey that's just how we feel, except we all think it will be cheaper to get the channels we want a la carte.
:

Well, nobody denied that you FELT that way. But my comment actually got a thumbs up, and yours didn't, so I think it's the other way around, and people agree with what I'm saying, or at least see the logic involved. I actually addressed it, and labeled it "stupid thinking". I think my analogy of 1 pound for $2 vs. 10 pounds for $6, when you only needed 4 pounds to begin with, still is cheaper to buy 10 pounds, kinda nailed it. You just don't get the end result, do you? These channel providers like Viacom, Disney, AOL/Time Warner, etc, they don't need to price it "fairly" to the cable companies "customers". Case in point. Take away packages, and these @$$hole companies are going to make up for the channels nobody watches by charging more for the channels people DO watch. Thats how the channel providers work. They will recover the loss by charging more for the channels people actually watch. So while you're preaching to me that you "THINK" it will be cheaper, I am preaching back to you that I have worked for a cable company for 5 years, and this will NOT make things cheaper at all, PROMISED. It's going to force everything to digital, because their not going to make a channel trap for analog customers who "want to a la carte" service, there's just too many possible combinations. That means the cable box you rent from the cable company will be needed, which means more monthly income to the cable company for equipment you don't want. Does that make any sense to you???

said by Ahrenl See ProfileYou mean using negative numbers?

Your argument seems to be that it will be more expensive for you, because you like having a lot of channels, so the rest of us should just suck it up, and keeping paying more so you can be happy. That's quite compelling..
No, my arguement will be this. Right now, I pay $50 a month for basic cable. And I get 70 channels, for about $0.72 each channel. If you go a la carte, then those same 70 channels will cost $80, because the carriers will raise rates on the "good" channels, or the "popular" ones. All because you think it's cheaper. It's stupidity. Take your own advice, read a damn book at the library for free, or actually USE the product you're paying for.

said by Ahrenl See ProfileI could probably live with just the networks, and NESN. I would just use OTA, but the price bump for my internet would make cost savings nil especially because I'm on the continuous $99/3 services package.
:

Good, hook up the rabbit ears, and get the hell on with life if it don't mean much to you. Obviously you have better things to do, besides posting on here. Me, I enjoy getting off a long day of work, cracking open a beer, and watching whatever the hell happens to be on. I have a DVR, and my roommate uses it more than I do, because I have an opportunistic approach to how I watch TV. For you to even imply that I need to read a book is redundant to your own arguement, as you can read your own book, and be happy, while I watch the movie, and save 2-4 days of flippin pages, and catch the story in 2 hours. I'm glad you're on the triple play, but don't think for one second that even for the occasional user, a la carte channels will be "cheaper".

But, hard headed people don't learn. I think it will be unfortunate if this change is forced upon TV providers. You think it's hard enough getting a promo offer from your cable provider now, wait for this change. The TV providers (sat, fiber, and cable) won't be able to "package" anything, because each channel will not cost the same to add.

Flame away, though. It still makes no sense to a la carte things. If you REALLY want my opinion, the commercials all these channels play should pay for their own bills, and we should be watching TV for free, like the local channels, which I'm sure we can BOTH agree on.
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SIPPhone/Gizmo # 17476200648 / PIMPNET Chatline / Ran by Asterisk & Slackware 10.1.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18201057 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:48:30 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200613 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200613 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:34:12 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200471 BF69 :
said by raybrett See Profile :

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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200471 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:02:55 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200348 ColorBASIC : I guess you missed the whole "reply to Phattieg" thing.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200348 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:42:39 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200321 devnuller : If you want a la cart, get DirecTV... oh wait they don't do it... get FiOS TV... hmm... no that won't work either..

Perhaps it would be better of if the Government took over TV distribution from Cable, Sat, and Telco's since the obviously know how to run a profitable company... hmm... this argument isn't going well...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200321 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:38:34 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200127 clickie :
My analogy may not be perfect, but it sure as heck is better than yours. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18200127 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:02:44 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199943 ColorBASIC : 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199943 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:26:47 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199847 anon : 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. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199847 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:22:56 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199925 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199925 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:22:21 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199424 ColorBASIC : And if you look at big dish pricing for those few channels, they're about $1/mo each, some even cheaper.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199424 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:45:52 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199410 n2jtx : [BQUOTE=ColorBASICI could give a crap less about channels like ESPN which jack my rates while others who love sports would gladly pay for them.[/BQUOTE
Same here. Other than the network and local channels I watch the news feeds CNN, CNN Headline, FNC, MSNBC, SciFi, Comedy, History, A&E, TVLand, Spike and FX. That's all I want/need.
--
I support the right to keep and arm bears.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199410 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:43:25 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199396 ColorBASIC : 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? :uhh: 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199396 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:39:57 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199336 clickie : It's not like buying in bulk because the free market forces have been removed. Your cable rates subsidize the broadcast medium of networks that otherwise would not be viable. To use your analogy, you go to the store to buy coffee and your option is $75 for coffee, no matter how much you want, but you have to take ALL the flavors. What you get is coffee in regular, regular blend, French vanilla (which you hate) and several other flavors like cola flavored coffee, lime-water flavored coffee and cat feces flavored coffee, which nobody wants. Your $75 purchase for a few flavors of coffee you enjoy nets you products you simply throw away and subsidizes people who are making coffee in favors no one wants. Ask yourself, why do the people making cat feces flavored coffee deserve one penny of the money? Is it just so the three people who actually enjoy that flavor can get it? Where's the free market and why are we as consumers finding ourselves gradually removed from the benefits of the free market while corporations take full advantage of it?

THAT is the state of pricing in cable TV and the consumer's ability to vote with their dollars has been removed. While it's all fine and well to get these niche channels as part of the deal, but at what point are there too many? The real limiting factor, a high barrier to entry in the form of cash to broadcast, has been removed so there is no real limit to the number of channels that can be added in this manner nor is there a limit to where your cable rates will go as it subsidizes these channels.

This method of pricing only reduces any incentive to produce a good product.

Ala carte pricing is, fortunately, a foregone conclusion as more and more networks will find other ways in which to distribute their product. Arguments about network neutrality are moot, if the consumer wants a network broadcasting on the internet, the consumer will find a way to watch it. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199336 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:29:38 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199304 Ahrenl :
said by phattieg See Profile :

I can usually find something that will pass time on one of the channels I watch the least.
Heh, heaven forbid you switch off and read a book.

said by phattieg See Profile :

It would be a shame that I have to pay extra money to get a decent variety, just because a few pretentious assholes want it their way.
Hey that's just how we feel, except we all think it will be cheaper to get the channels we want a la carte.

said by phattieg See Profile :

I think you should just think about how much money you're really going to cost US, the consumer, in the end.
You mean using negative numbers?

Your argument seems to be that it will be more expensive for you, because you like having a lot of channels, so the rest of us should just suck it up, and keeping paying more so you can be happy. That's quite compelling..

I could probably live with just the networks, and NESN. I would just use OTA, but the price bump for my internet would make cost savings nil especially because I'm on the continuous $99/3 services package. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199304 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:23:22 EDT Re: How hard would it be for cable to offer "a la carte" http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18199180 TKJunkMail :
said by 59126125 See Profile :

While I'm not sure if forcing them to offer channels individually is a good idea, wouldn't it be relatively easy to do if they had something similar to Time Warner's project of switched digital video holding the channels at the edge router?
Even if legislation forces a la carte offerings, they almost for sure won't mandate pricing schedules. And the a la carte prices will be high enough that all except religious fanatics will stick with the tiered offerings.

And if people don't want their kids to watch certain channels, every TV sold today and for the last 10 yrs and all STBs have a way to block individual channels.

So no matter what happens, this won't change the face of cable TV at all.
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said by ColorBASIC See Profile :

"Big dish" suppliers do it and it's generally cheaper for most channels. I would personally favor it because I could give a crap less about channels like ESPN which jack my rates while others who love sports would gladly pay for them. I only watch maybe 5 or 6 channels meanwhile I'm paying for these expensive channels like ESPN because they're part of even the most basic package.
Well, I hope you get your way, so you can pay 3 times more for the channels you watch. You don't get it. It's like buying in bulk. You buy 1 pound for $2, or 10 pounds for $6. You might not need 10 pounds, but even if you only needed 4 pounds, it would be cheaper to buy 10 pounds. Same with cable channels. When the FCC decides to control cable providers, like they have controlled censorship, then we will have a bunch of idiots willing to pay the same monthly price, just to watch what they like. Me, personally, I love having "the channels people don't watch", because if I see a commercial for a program I am interested in, or if none of the other channels I DO like are playing something interesting, I can usually find something that will pass time on one of the channels I watch the least. I usually watch National Geographic, or most of the Discovery channel related stations, but I occasionally watch G4 for some shows, or Spike TV. Did I mention I am not a sports fan, don't like Football, Basketball, Baseball, or any other sport, really, but yet I will watch extreme fighting challenges, which come on a variety of stations. It would be a shame that I have to pay extra money to get a decent variety, just because a few pretentious assholes want it their way. I think you should just think about how much money you're really going to cost US, the consumer, in the end. And maybe with the rate increases that it will generate, we might be able to actually hear cuss words on TV, instead of them pissing over our rights for "free speach", but I won't hold my breath, because the religious groups don't know how to "turn off the device" when it's spewing things you don't want to hear or watch. If the FCC does this, I will have to consider moving out of this country. I don't hate Americans, I just hate American politicians. We have the biggest joke of a government right now, if you sit back and look at the big picture.
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There is a reason the wires are twisted together, it's called a pair. It defeats the whole purpose of twisted pair cabling by using the solid orange and solid green to wire the jack.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,18198517 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:06:50 EDT