Dear Cable TV,
I don’t want 300 channels. I only want 18 channels. OK, the average person wants 18 channels. I really only want six. Why can’t I have just six?
I know, I know, it’s the economics of the industry. But industries change, don’t they? I mean, look what has happened to the music industry. I used to have to purchase an entire CD just to get the one or two songs I want, but now I can buy and build my own playlists song by song. It’s funny, but I’m sure I spend more on music now than I used to.
You should know I just bought an Apple TV box. That’s not your fault–since the Blockbuster Video stores near me closed (and RedBox, while cool, doesn’t exactly offer a huge selection) I didn’t really have a good option for renting movies. So I thought it was worth a try. Now I can select from a huge selection of movies and TV shows, and when I’m not in a buying mood I can use it to watch YouTube on my HDTV. I’m beginning to think of YouTube as the ultimate TV network–there’s so much on-demand entertainment there. (Hmm. You might want to make a note of that.)
Speaking of entertainment, I’ve held off on getting a Kindle because I knew Apple was coming out with a similar device. I’m excited to get my iPad, not only to check my email and surf the web but to download books. I guess Apple is shaking up the book publishing industry just like it did the music industry. “Saving it” is probably a more accurate description; I’m sure my book purchasing behavior will mirror my new music buying habits. I wonder if they’re thinking along the same lines when it comes to TV. I guess time will tell.
So if you don’t mind, I’d like to subscribe to individual cable channels. For that matter, I wouldn’t mind subscribing to individual programs. I know you won’t get as hefty of a monthly fee from me, but I’d be willing to pay more per network than you’re getting now. And I suspect other people would be too.
Anyway, it’s something to think about. But no pressure. If you don’t do it, I’m sure I can find other things to do with my time and money.
Great post.
I just downgraded from a $55 a month Dish package to a $15 Dish package because 95% of my viewing is the local channels. In the fall I may go back for ESPN and college football- but there is no point to pay $40 per month extra for ESPN.
As for the movie channels, now for $10 a month I can get Netflix unlimited movies- and I have way more options than any movie package.
I wish TV companies could think outside the box- just a little.
Comment by Adrian @adriandayton — Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 7:41 AM
I've been hoping for YEARS that cable companies would develop a way to purchase channels a la carte. Like you, my husband and I only watch a handful of channels and the rest are just broadcast flotsam to us.
We recently purchased a Blue-Ray player that has the capability to stream Blockbuster, Netflix, Pandora & You Tube. It has completely changed the way we watch television. Combine this device with the ability to pull in local channels digitally and soon people may be saying, "Cable, what's that?"
Comment by Erin K. — Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 7:42 AM
Can I add a question to yours? Why is it that I have to subscribe to HBO in order to watch HBO On Demand programming? The way it should work is that if I subscribe, I get HBO On Demand for free. If I don't subscribe, charge me a fee. But don't just tell me I don't have access.
Comment by tericee — Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 7:53 AM
I totally agree! There are about 20 channels I want and no more!
I don’t watch these channels: Lifetime, Oxygen, Military, E!, Geo, MSNBC, etc…..
Learn from the mistakes of the States of California & New jersey and quit overcharging your customers. Comscast there is a reason you have the lowest satisfaction surveys every year.
Comment by Blake V — Friday, February 19, 2010 @ 10:24 AM
I agree! I actually hardly ever watch TV. Right now, we don’t have one. If I could pick and chose what show I watched, I’d pay for each individually or have a membership like I do on Netflix. I do like watching PBS, Discover, Food Network, but only occasionally and for something special.
I want the iPad to have an app where I can write and draw on it. I love to write out and draw my ideas. If the iPad let me do that, then I’d have electronic copies. That would be so awesome. But without that functionality, the iPad isn’t worth the price for me.
Comment by Sue Sullivan — Monday, February 22, 2010 @ 9:43 PM