Canadian Government proposes "pick and pay" a la carte channel options - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sal · 10-16-2013, 01:29 PM

Yahoo Canada News item

Now here's an idea that I've been waiting to see happen for many years. The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is now proposing and considering a plan where cable and satellite systems across Canada (Bell, Rogers, Shaw, Cogeco) would offer consumers channels based on a "pick and pay" or "a la carte" system (instead of large expensive bundles) where you only pay for the specialty and digital channels you want to see. Everything else is excluded and removed from your TV except for likely the main networks like CBC, CTV, Global, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and a few others.

For example, as a sports fan, I can order the NHL network without also having to watch and pay for NBA TV. Why bother if you're not interested, right? This is an idea where I've read that many Canadians would support and I would be all for it too if the price is right.

Again, all this is just in the planning stages. How would you feel about it and what channels would you want in your package? Even though this story is from Canada, would you support it if it showed up in the US as well?

Marvo301 · 10-16-2013, 01:41 PM

I expect that cable companies will just raise the prices of individual channels so we won't save any money. We'll have the convenience of only getting the channels we actually want to watch but I don't think we'll save any money.

LUNCH · 10-16-2013, 02:07 PM

I'd support it.What I don't understand though is why people even still need to get channels through a cable or satellite company.When HBO first got popular in the late 1970s,you had a small box on top of your TV and were able to get the channel.You didn't need to go through a cable company.This may sound a little stupid but they should have some type of gadget or box like that where you can just subscribe to any of the channels you want,and not have to go through a cable/satellite company anymore.

mr awesome · 10-16-2013, 04:16 PM

That will never happen here in the States, the corporations would never let it happen. If such a system existed where you could pick your channels, here's my roster....

Comedy Central
TBS
FX
FXX
Cartoon Network
Boomerang
Nickelodeon
NickToons
Disney XD
Disney Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox Movie Channel
Turner Classic Movies
USA
VH1 Classic
History Channel 2
Travel Channel

tvfan25 · 10-16-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr awesome

That will never happen here in the States, the corporations would never let it happen. If such a system existed where you could pick your channels, here's my roster....

Comedy Central
TBS
FX
FXX
Cartoon Network
Boomerang
Nickelodeon
NickToons
Disney XD
Disney Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox Movie Channel
Turner Classic Movies
USA
VH1 Classic
History Channel 2
Travel Channel

You must be a Fox lover!

m8644 · 10-16-2013, 06:00 PM

great idea and something ive longed for......but the corporations that run and control this country would never, ever, ever let this happen in the States

Zoneboy · 10-16-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr awesome

That will never happen here in the States, the corporations would never let it happen.

A la carte programming was available for many years in the U.S if you had a satellite dish. It may still be but a lot of the channels are no longer available on a big dish.

LUNCH · 10-16-2013, 06:13 PM

I could be wrong but I think in some areas of Canada you can already pick and pay for the channels you want or something similair.

visaman666 · 10-17-2013, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

I could be wrong but I think in some areas of Canada you can already pick and pay for the channels you want or something similair.

On Shaw you can choose to buy any digital channel a la carte, but I think this refers to regular network TV too.

10-16-2013, 01:29 PM	#1
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,147	Canadian Government proposes "pick and pay" a la carte channel options Yahoo Canada News item Now here's an idea that I've been waiting to see happen for many years. The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is now proposing and considering a plan where cable and satellite systems across Canada (Bell, Rogers, Shaw, Cogeco) would offer consumers channels based on a "pick and pay" or "a la carte" system (instead of large expensive bundles) where you only pay for the specialty and digital channels you want to see. Everything else is excluded and removed from your TV except for likely the main networks like CBC, CTV, Global, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and a few others. For example, as a sports fan, I can order the NHL network without also having to watch and pay for NBA TV. Why bother if you're not interested, right? This is an idea where I've read that many Canadians would support and I would be all for it too if the price is right. Again, all this is just in the planning stages. How would you feel about it and what channels would you want in your package? Even though this story is from Canada, would you support it if it showed up in the US as well?
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10-16-2013, 01:41 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	I expect that cable companies will just raise the prices of individual channels so we won't save any money. We'll have the convenience of only getting the channels we actually want to watch but I don't think we'll save any money.
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10-16-2013, 02:07 PM	#3
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	I'd support it.What I don't understand though is why people even still need to get channels through a cable or satellite company.When HBO first got popular in the late 1970s,you had a small box on top of your TV and were able to get the channel.You didn't need to go through a cable company.This may sound a little stupid but they should have some type of gadget or box like that where you can just subscribe to any of the channels you want,and not have to go through a cable/satellite company anymore.
	Last edited by LUNCH; 10-16-2013 at 05:55 PM.

10-16-2013, 04:16 PM	#4
mr awesome Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 23, 2013 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 275	That will never happen here in the States, the corporations would never let it happen. If such a system existed where you could pick your channels, here's my roster.... Comedy Central TBS FX FXX Cartoon Network Boomerang Nickelodeon NickToons Disney XD Disney Channel Fox News Channel Fox Movie Channel Turner Classic Movies USA VH1 Classic History Channel 2 Travel Channel

10-16-2013, 06:00 PM	#6
m8644 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 11, 2012 Posts: 25	great idea and something ive longed for......but the corporations that run and control this country would never, ever, ever let this happen in the States

10-16-2013, 06:13 PM	#8
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	I could be wrong but I think in some areas of Canada you can already pick and pay for the channels you want or something similair.