Most cable companies are under contractual obligations to “bundle” some channels.
I know “customers” don’t give a shit—but when the basic package goes up by $4, you will understand.
To be honest, most cable companies would be thrilled to get rid of local carriage, and just become internet companies.
IF I could receive local television OTA I would not need cable. Maybe the FTC should force BROADCASTERS to put repeaters every so many miles, and justify their monopolies and ad sales.
How did it ever come to this, where a local CBS affiliate sells its time to an advertiser, that then sells its signal to a cable company, that then sells that bundle to people? Cable started out as “you pay for the service, NO commercials”.
I can watch just about any cable tv channel on the internet for free. Been doing it for over a year now.