We've spent a good part of the decade covering the debate over "a la carte" TV pricing -- or the idea of cable operators offering stand-alone channels to consumers. If you recall, the FCC first issued a report saying that the idea would result in higher prices for consumers, only to turn around a year later to issue a report that supported the idea. The idea has been championed and subsequently forgotten by politicians, much to the joy of cable operators, broadcasters and smaller TV channels -- who all know that consumers would happily pay less money for only a handful of channels.

Of course broadcasters frequently sell channels in bundles to cable, satellite and telcoTV companies, so cable operators blame the lack of a la carte (as well as higher prices) solely on broadcasters. But with the entry of Apple into the subscription TV space, and the news that broadcasters would be willing to sell channels piecemeal, you may soon be finally able to yank those faith healing channels from your channel lineup once and for all. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal blog, Time Warner Cable says they're eager to buy smaller channel bundles from broadcasters the same way Apple will:Don't be fooled however. Time Warner Cable doesn't want you buying individual channels any more than broadcasters do -- because you'd wind up paying less money. Smaller independent cable channels also don't want you buying channels a la carte, because many wouldn't survive. Ultimately, none of them will have a say in the shift to smaller bundles and a la carte channels, because while Internet video is little more than a gnat in cable's eye right now, added consumer choice will inevitably force open this aging pricing model wide open. Real, sustained competition is kind of a pain in the butt in that way.

Right now, that hasn't happened because last mile broadband speeds continue to struggle, and many Internet video options have been lackluster. Apple obviously can't change the former, but they can certainly help the latter. A la carte channel pricing is inevitable, it's only a question of how many years, boardroom meetings, and stalling tactics you'll have to sit through by the broadcast and cable TV industry before it becomes a reality. The better the Internet video competition? The sooner it happens.