Published: February 20, 2006 11:34 pm         

Cable should switch to a la carte

OK, here we are with our trusty television remote in hand. Let’s see what’s on.

A shopping channel? No. MTV? Definitely not. A cooking channel? Don’t think so.

But watch them or not, you are paying for these channels, and more, under the present cable TV billing system.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could pick just the channels you want to watch, and those would be the only ones you would pay for?

Such a “pick and pay” system could be implemented, and would save consumers money, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC released a study last week that found enabling consumers to pick their favorite channels, rather than simply offering bundled services, would save viewers as much as 13 percent on their cable bills.

In addition, such an a la carte cable system would enable parents to eliminate any channels they don’t want their children to watch, choosing only family-friendly channels.

The FCC says the average family with cable TV watches only about 17 channels. Cox Cable, which supplies cable TV service for Enid, offers 17 basic channels and another 50 through its expanded service. Cebridge Connections will be taking over Enid’s cable service later this year.

Congress now requires cable companies to offer a basic service package including local broadcast stations. The companies also offer expanded basic packages including ESPN and CNN.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., plans to introduce legislation to create and promote use of the a la carte cable TV pricing system.

The National Cable & Telecom-munications Assn., the industry trade group, opposes a la carte pricing, saying it will offer less diversity and higher prices.

We think the a la carte pricing concept makes sense. When you go to the grocery store for eggs, you are not required to buy milk and butter too. When you buy clothing, you are free to buy only pants, not a sweater and shirt, too.

If a la carte pricing is what the marketplace demands, the cable TV industry will have to adjust. If it doesn’t, firms like Dish Network and Direct TV might step in and give consumers what they want.