Should people be able to pick their own cable/satellite TV channels?

[ShyGuyInChicago]

Should people be able to pick their own cable/satellite TV channels?
Why or why not? Many organizations advocate this such as the Parents Television Council.

[Amnesiac]

You buy packages, many television companies offer family packages with appropriate programming. They also offer parental controls to block offensive shows.

The PTC has gotten everything it needs to protect their children, they should just shut up now.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

You buy packages, many television companies offer family packages with appropriate programming. They also offer parental controls to block offensive shows.

The PTC has gotten everything it needs to protect their children, they should just shut up now.

They argue that if people don't want certain channels they should not have to pay for them. It could also be like a person who has no kids does not want kids channels or a person has 100 channels and only watches 10 channels. So protecting kids is not the only reason.

[Amnesiac]

They argue that if people don't want certain channels they should not have to pay for them. It could also be like a person who has no kids does not want kids channels or a person has 100 channels and only watches 10 channels. So protecting kids is not the only reason.

That makes sense, and I'd have no problem with it. However, companies that run multiple TV channels would most definitely be opposed to this. I would say most of the entertainment industry would dislike such a change.

[huginnmuninn]

sure they should but the cable and satellite companies would rather make another $50 per person from the excess channels that the people dont use than to give them a choice and make less money

[ShyGuyInChicago]

That makes sense, and I'd have no problem with it. However, companies that run multiple TV channels would most definitely be opposed to this. I would say most of the entertainment industry would dislike such a change.

Plus people also say that allowing people to pick channels would result in specialty channels being shut down.

[Amnesiac]

Plus people also say that allowing people to pick channels would result in specialty channels being shut down.

I don't see why that would happen.

[ShyGuyInChicago]

I don't see why that would happen.

I meant channels that have a small and very specific audience. I think I read somewhere that with cable choice the Golf Channel would die.

[huginnmuninn]

I meant channels that have a small and very specific audience. I think I read somewhere that with cable choice the Golf Channel would die.

the golf channel might die and the tennis channel might die but if they combined the channels then it might not.

dont even know if there is a tennis channel im just making an example

[Amnesiac]

the golf channel might die and the tennis channel might die but if they combined the channels then it might not.

dont even know if there is a tennis channel im just making an example

I meant channels that have a small and very specific audience. I think I read somewhere that with cable choice the Golf Channel would die.

That is possible, but that programming will be merged into another channel because there's still SOME demand for it. If there are going to be channels killed off because of "choose-n'-pay" style services, so be it, there are too many channels on TV anyway.

[huginnmuninn]

That is possible, but that programming will be merged into another channel because there's still SOME demand for it. If there are going to be channels killed off because of "choose-n'-pay" style services, so be it, there are too many channels on TV anyway.

and how about instead of watching sports on tv we actually play the sports .....or is that just crazy?

[Amnesiac]

and how about instead of watching sports on tv we actually play the sports .....or is that just crazy?

Not all of us can become professional sports players :rolleyes:

[Jess]

meh I would like to pick my own channels, pick ones that me and my brothers like and avoid all the ones that are boring and too childish