FCC: Alacart Would Be Cheaper

[juan ellitinez]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,184380,00.html

[FTA Michael]

PS up front: This really belongs in General Discussion, since it's not Dish-specific.
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FCC Chairman Kevin Martin: "A careful analysis reveals that a la carte and increased tiering could offer consumers greater choice and the opportunity to lower their bills."

The report (PDF) : http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-263740A1.pdf
FCC's press release (PDF): http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-263741A1.pdf
Martin's statement (PDF): http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-263746A1.pdf

Same story from Bloomberg: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=adFW8TZ0V1c0&refer=news_index

and Reuters: http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=governmentFilingsNews&storyID=URI:urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060209:MTFH60 028_2006-02-09_17-40-01_N09327766:1

and MultiChannel News: http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6305989.html?display=Breaking+News

[Rogueone]

wow!! I'm guessing there will still be packages, but overall I think this will be good, even though we'll loose some so so channels in the mean time. i'm thinking short term this will hurt, but much like the internet bubble, in the future channels will have to provide programming people actually want to pay for :)

hmm, wonder what this will do to the metal HD packs for those who do not want voom stations? doh!

[harsh]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,184380,00.htmlThis is a start, but the cable lobby is large and the government moves slowly. I would bet that there will be substantial litigation to try and keep this from happening.

[tomcrown1]

Question will the FCC outlaw the requirement placed on cable and sat providers(by the folks whom they get program from) that their programs be bundled with basic etc.

[Greg Bimson]

Exactly.

This is what most people were trying to say, and I do agree with it...

If the model in Canada were followed, with a small basic package and numerous add-on tiers, then it would be cheaper in the long run for the consumer than basic a la carte. However, now the distributors (cablers and DBS companies) would have to choose how to package the channels, and would need agreement from the channel providers to package these channels, and it may not be good for many in the long run.

Until there is some kind of law that restricts the distributors or the channel providers, nothing will happen.