"Some people are asking for customers to be allowed to "opt in" to channels (especially in a digital environment like satellite) rather than "opt out". In the absence of any broadcast standards from the corporations, it seems like a reasonable request."
I am all for this. I could dump 100 channels I never watch. I think we need a consumer revolt on this issue. Maybe get everybody to cancel their subscription for a month or two. That'll probably happen about the same time everyone stops buying gas on the same day.
In the meantime, I "opt in" by just buying/renting the programming I want to watch on DVD and boycott the pay-tv industry altogether.
I'd like to have some channels but can't justify the cost. I can buy several DVDs for what a month of cable or satellite costs and these programs don't even get aired.
It would be nice to have cable for some breaking news items but I've seen just how lousy "The Weather Channel" is at actually having current reports (they lag by hours even during emergencies). I'm also aware of how bad "news" channels are; FR gives me enough of a "breaking news" report.