It has been a dream of many to be able pick the channels they pay for in an à la carte system; however, for as long as it has been a dream it has also been one that was never expected to come true.
Now the LA Times is reporting that it is likely coming true. “Skinny bundles are simply a placeholder for à la carte,” said Greg Ireland, an analyst at market researcher IDC. “Consumers really want à la carte, so it’s hard to imagine we won’t get there.”
So what has been the hold up for an à la carte system for TV? In short, it’s the fact that many cable channels, even big ones such as MSNBC and CNN, would not be able to support themselves with the ad revenue and viewers if they are removed from bundles that force people to get channels they do not want in order to get the channels they really want to watch.
Now that is all changing as channels, such as ESPN, have started to lose on average 10,400 people every day in the first quarter 2016.
This has forced channels to agree to more flexible services, such as Sling TV and PlayStation Vue, and even to allow cable companies to offer smaller packages.
So is this going to happen this year? Maybe, but there is no way to know for sure; however, all signs are pointing to new and more flexible options coming to cord cutters sooner than later…
Head over to the LA Times website for the full interview with Greg Ireland for his insight into the future of TV.
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