[Senator Bedfellow]

Would it work that way, or in reverse with smaller, more specialized channels commanding a higher price to cover fixed expenses?

And drive viewership down more? Seems doubtful :)

[SolutionsOnly]

Price is not elective below an absolute minimum number of subscribers. More popular companies are therefore inherently more able to control their pricing. Smaller subscriber base operations will inherently be more restricted in setting their minimum price. I believe that a couple of the educational channels might reach that threshold, and a couple others will not - and therefore perish (which is good). The current subsidy scheme allows that which should perish to survive.