| Content providers and channel bundling The issue is companies like Disney bundling channels. For example, they will increase the cost of lifetime channel or threaten to pull an ABC affiliate (many owned by Disney) or pull ESPN if a cable or Satelite does not want to pay the increased carriage of lifetime. So many channels that may not be that great are tied by other channels through bundling. Yes this could be called extortion. Disney has been known to even pull a ABC network from markets from cable companies not wanting to pay high increases in carriages. Bundling channels and carriage extortion should be regulated and not allowed.. period. Each channel should float or die on its own merit. And sports channels, viewed by a minority should be allowed to be dropped. Channels like ESPN have some of the highest's carriages and for the most part are subsidized by many who never watch them. Its almost impossible to sub to a tier without them.. unless you opt for the most basic tier which has almost nothing. |
