John McCain Introduces Cable A La Carte Legislation To Stop Bundling

Deadline ^ | 5/9/13 | DOMINIC PATTEN

[bestrongbpositive]

You are right about ESPN but it is still extremely popular and well viewed even if you and I don’t care for it.

[bestrongbpositive]

Well said my friend !!

[bestrongbpositive]

Time Warner may be the only cable provider you have but that doesn’t stop you or anyone else from building another system in your area. Anyone who thinks cable TV has a monopoly is simply misinformed.

[bestrongbpositive]

Obama will make sure they get all three at taxpayers expense..

[oh8eleven]

Time Warner may be the only cable provider you have but that doesn’t stop you or anyone else from building another system in your area.
Yes it does. TW has mutual agreements with other cable providers not to offer their services in their areas - AND - agreements (i.e. money) with the local municipalities not to allow others in too.

[bestrongbpositive]

Sorry but I beg to differ. Most states now have state franchises instead of local. You are correct in that most large cable companies do not overbuild each other but that doesn't stop you or anyone else from applying and being granted a franchise. The reason they will not overbuild each other is because in most cases two cable providers will not survive and one usually buys out the other and you as a subscriber have to pay more. The problem you and I would have would be dealing with the programmers. Due to the large number of subs TW has they can get a much better rate from the programmers. The 1992 Cable act pretty much eliminated exclusive franchises.

[discostu]

No they can’t, because if they stop buying that way they lose the channels and the customers blame them, and go to satellite. Every time a cable provider and a network argue the end customers blame the provider when they can’t get their channels. They try explaining it to customers, and customers always say the same thing: gimme my channels.

[teeman8r]

but we will still be subjected to advertising... so in effect charged thrice.

free tv over the airwaves... regulate licenses for bandwidth and let them sell advertising, but keep it free.

thanks

tom t

[teeman8r]

cable companies pass on franchise fees to their subscribers.

[Kickass Conservative]

I think there is another motive. When McSlimes Amnesty Bill gets through, the Mexicans will only have to pay for the Spanish Stations.

He should offer it as an Amendment to the Immigration Bill and eliminate the need for another Obama Signing Ceremony.

[Vermont Lt]

Yeah. Every dime. Believe that, if it makes you sleep better. Do you think that local access station at the high school just appeared out of thin air?

Do a little research before you make silly statements like that. You embarrass yourself.

[teeman8r]

if you think business costs are not passed on to cable subscribers, you are the dreamer.

all business costs, every dime, are passed on to the subscribers, or there would be no business.

i sleep fine.

and local stations at the high school are funded by the subscribers.

wake up.