[Melas]

I might work out in your favor, but it might not. What would happen if you broke up the teirs is that some channels would have to charge more to stay afloat than they currently have to pay. And, ala carte programming would substantially increase the cost on the cable side, since it would be more labor and system intensive to authorize channels on cable boxes 1 at a time instead of in preprogramed packets.

Under and ala carte system, you might be one of those people who's channels choices are unchanged or possibly even cheaper than you presently pay. Maybe, the savings would be substantial enough to offset the increased your provider would have to charge you for the greater logistical burden the ala carte system would place on its resources. However, that's no guarantee. It could just as easily go the other way, and you find yourself paying higher prices for your channels, plus more to the cable company for the greater work load, and find your bill doubled.

[Racehorse]

Under and ala carte system, you might be one of those people who's channels choices are unchanged or possibly even cheaper than you presently pay.

Ala carte puts so much of this tiresome debate to rest.

SBC, now AT&T, will offer something like a thousand channels.  Surely, the technology of choice can circumvent the uproar to everyone's satisfaction.