[NU Sports] A la carte

[Dennis W. Brandt]

<this would make "a la carte" channel selection quite possible, although since the cable/satellite providers are so against it, I doubt that will ever happen.

I disagree.  Everyone I know with cable or satellite complains that they are paying for so much they never watch.  I doubt we'll return to the channel-by-channel option of C-band days, but I do see more tiering of channels by type in the not-too-distant future.  Because the industry won't do it, I see Congress getting involved.  Remember, the automobile manufacturers fought required seat belts, emissions devices, and air bags. They lost.  Business will always fight to keep costs down, but in the end they manage.  If General Motors and Ford are failing, it has nothing to do with safety and emissions equipment.  Might some channels go off the air because of tiering?  Probably.  They call that the free enterprise system.  Laws that deny fair competition ultimately cost the consumer.