The long-awaited battle over paying for a ton of cable TV channels unwanted by subscribers may soon be over, as the FCC is about ready to start taking a look at banning programmers from forcing cable systems from taking channels viewers don't want, in exchange for channels they wouldn't part with like ESPN (DIS).
Bundling or tying together these unwanted channels has resulted in price increases greater than the inflation rate, something the FCC wants to address.
"The problem for consumers is that they have to pay higher rates for a bunch of channels they may not want or watch," says FCC chief Kevin Martin.
Every channel included in the bundling results in a fee for the customer, whether they want it or not. Cable providers say programming costs are the major reason the price of cable has more than doubled over the last 10 years.
What is being looked at as a solution, is simply having programmers sell channels individually rather than "tying" or bundling them together
I have always supported selling channels individually. In a business where consumers have been pushing strongly for this option, it makes no sense to force them to watch and pay for something they have no interest in.
I hope a la carte cable options go through. It would offer tons of options and better prices for consumers. In the long run it will make the industry stronger and more relevant to their customers.
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