A la carte cable television
Encyclopedia
A la carte cable television
(from the French à la carte
, "from the menu") refers to a model for cable companies to allow subscribers to select to which television channels, pay tv
, specialty channel
s they would like to have access. This is in opposition to the large package deals currently prevalent in American cable deals, which often result in consumers paying for additional channels irrelevant to their interests.
While à la carte cable is not a major function of U.S. cable deals, the idea has been a major subject of debate. In a 2006 USA Today article, Kevin Martin
, then chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC), stated his position in support of users choosing their channels. However, leading companies such as Disney, and cable providers such as Time Warner Cable
prohibit operators from selling channels which stand alone.
Martin presented a report to Congress showing a potential increase in consumer savings of 13%, and with cable prices rising from 2% to 6% a year. The issue has risen in profile, and will continue to be considered.
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
(from the French à la carte
À la carte
À la carte is a French language loan phrase meaning "according to the menu", and used in* A reference to a menu of items priced and ordered separately, i.e. the usual operation of restaurants * To order an item from the menu on its own, e.g...
, "from the menu") refers to a model for cable companies to allow subscribers to select to which television channels, pay tv
Pay TV
Pay television, premium television, or premium channels refers to subscription-based television services, usually provided by both analog and digital cable and satellite, but also increasingly via digital terrestrial and internet television...
, specialty channel
Specialty channel
A specialty channel can be a commercial broadcasting or non-commercial television channel which consists of television programming focused on a single genre, subject or targeted television market at a specific demographic....
s they would like to have access. This is in opposition to the large package deals currently prevalent in American cable deals, which often result in consumers paying for additional channels irrelevant to their interests.
While à la carte cable is not a major function of U.S. cable deals, the idea has been a major subject of debate. In a 2006 USA Today article, Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin (FCC)
Kevin Jeffrey Martin was the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He was nominated to be a commissioner by President George W. Bush on April 30, 2001, and was confirmed on May 25, 2001. On March 16, 2005, President Bush designated him as FCC chairman, to replace Michael K. Powell...
, then chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC), stated his position in support of users choosing their channels. However, leading companies such as Disney, and cable providers such as Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is an American cable television company that operates in 28 states and has 31 operating divisions...
prohibit operators from selling channels which stand alone.
Martin presented a report to Congress showing a potential increase in consumer savings of 13%, and with cable prices rising from 2% to 6% a year. The issue has risen in profile, and will continue to be considered.