Dish Network looking to offer channels a la carte

Supposedly, large satellite cable company Dish Network is looking to offer channels a la carte, a move that would change the entire pay TV landscape.

The company is speaking with content providers like Viacom in an effort to offer the channels over the Internet.

Additionally, the satellite company has also spoken with Spanish-language giant Univision and Scripps, the owner of Food Network and HGTV.

SFGate says "the companies would offer an online product known as an over-the-top service, charging a lower price for a smaller bundle of channels viewable on a computer or tablet."

Currently, all cable providers offer a giant bundle of channels, usually 300 or more, whether they watch them or not, at a set price. The new service would also allow Dish to avoid having to pay ESPN the $5.13 it costs per subscriber, by far the largest price for any station. The average channel costs the subscriber $0.26.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Sep 2012 21:28

Ryoohki

I dropped tv service a long time ago because I was paying for something I barely used. I was only watching reruns of CSI mostly. I haven't had such a service for years. The main thing I couldn't stand was paying so much for so much crap I never even glanced at. I think I would be willing to subscribe if I could pick only the stations I wanted to watch instead of getting whatever the tv company wanted to cram down my throat.

28.9.2012 22:13 #1

ivymike

Looks like Dish Network/Echostar beat Apple to the punch!!

28.9.2012 23:13 #2

Semperfipal

Originally posted by Ryoohki: I dropped tv service a long time ago because I was paying for something I barely used. I was only watching reruns of CSI mostly. I haven't had such a service for years. The main thing I couldn't stand was paying so much for so much crap I never even glanced at. I think I would be willing to subscribe if I could pick only the stations I wanted to watch instead of getting whatever the tv company wanted to cram down my throat. Same thing here. Pricing would be the issue for me since I get most of my TV viewing from the three big networks via a rooftop antenna, and the rest from Netflix and Hulu streaming video. I hated cable and the satellite providers for the same reasons you commented on.

"Do not underestimate the power of an enemy, no matter how great or small, to rise against you another day." - Atilla

28.9.2012 23:16 #3

ROMaster2

I almost never watch TV anymore. The only time I do is when someone ELSE has the TV on and are watching it, then I might join.

29.9.2012 00:00 #4

blueboy09

The only reason why I'm watching satellite is mainly for sports and some channels like FX,TNT, or Showtime that shows some of the more recent episodes that haven't dropped on Netflix, Hulu Plus, or Amazon, but yea I agree most of what TV offers these is pure shit many reruns and other content not relevant..

Chance prepares the favored mind. Look up once in a while and you might learn something. - BLUEBOY

29.9.2012 15:55 #5

robshi

It's been almost eight years without cable for me and my family thanks to Netflix and the internet. I would consider a la carte.

30.9.2012 09:39 #6

rockjockey

This is a big step in the right direction for pay TV. I hope Direct TV gets the hint and also offers a la carte. Of course Comcrap, Cox and the rest will be the last to do this.

5.10.2012 15:08 #7

omahamike

I sure hope this comes true... back when all you could get was a 10 foot dish, and had to move it around to get different satellites, you could buy ala carte, however, the prices were higher, and you ended up with a bundle anyhow just to save money. My biggest concern is that they up their prices, and you're under contract, so you have no choice but to pay..andf pay...and pay. My satellite bill is close to $90 a month, and I only watch maybe 3 or 4 different channels plus the locals. But, I am in a rural area, so I either have to have an antenna that's 100 feet in the air plus an amplifier OR satellite. Big choice, huh?? Some days I feel like just paying the early termination fee and dropping it all, mainly because it's all re-runs, and the commercials have become longer and more obnoxious. They're probably pushing 33% of total tv time for commercials now. And this is on PAY TV! I cvan remember when pay tv was commercial free!

6.10.2012 14:04 #8

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