I think that you misuunderstand the nature of a la carte service, where we would choose the channels we actually want to watch, as opposed to "packages" where I watch perhaps a total of 20 different channels, but am forced to "take" another 180 I couldn't care less about.
There is an Oprah Channel and a Gay Channel which thankfully, are not among the package I chose (to get Scifi and the Military channels, for example.)
I would even pay a small premium for the convenience of not ever even accidentally encountering another Torchwood.
Incidentally, Starz is an odd duck, I do watch it often because it does broadcast classic movies in HD without commercials.
No, I understand a la carte as it pertains to television perfectly. I just didn't see how it was in any way pertinent to this discussion, since premium channels like Starz, the channel in question have always been a la carte. Simply put, if you don't like what's on Starz, don't buy the damned thing.
I also understand that consumers would be disappointed with a la carte programming as the majority of channels in question, while still cable, are advertiser supported. Cable companies pay pennies for these channels, and the cost to consumers in the end is still pennies.
The increase in administrative costs to handle vastly more intricate subscriptions would likely mean that you'd end up paying more for 50 channels than you were previously paying for the whole 120.
Incidentally, Starz is an odd duck, I do watch it often because it does broadcast classic movies in HD without commercials.
Interesting. Anymore I subscribe to the premium services solely for the original content. Although Camelot was a bit of a downer, Starz scored big with me with the Spartacus saga, which I'm eagerly awaiting the next season.