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Congress To Force Cable a la Carte Plans
unassimilatible writes "Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain seems to be leaning towards sponsoring legislation mandating something I have wanted for a long time: Forcing cable companies to offer "a la carte" programming packages. No U.S. cable or satellite currently offers such a plan. However, as the Washington Post reports, "That may change, if some lawmakers and consumer groups get their way, as the cable industry finds itself under increasing scrutiny. Lawmakers report that their constituents are angry about cable bills that have risen at three times the rate of inflation since the industry was largely deregulated in 1996." McCain money quote: "I go down to buy a loaf of bread. I don't have to buy broccoli and milk to go with it." Bottom line is, cable companies have a government-authorized monopoly, so maybe they need to recieve government-mandated "innovation." Why should I pay for 15 non-English channels?"
For anyone getting basic cable the package deals may actually be a good buy. Force the Cable companies to go 'a la cart' and you'll end up paying MORE for the same package, or end up with LESS choice as the cable companies drop 'freebee' channels that no one would want to pay for.
Does any one else here get the idea that we as a country are WAY too pampered. I mean, seriously, how can you complain about being "forced" into cable television. No one needs cable, and there are a lot of alternatives regardless. This isn't a bunch of "Evil Corporations" making you pay through the nose for life-giving services. In fact, the services they offer aren't particularly spectacular or useful at all. We have no right to complain about an entertainment company failing to entertain us cheaply and effectively. Why can't people just go do something that's actually fun for a change? Or is it just that everyone's forgotten how?