(04-07-2018 08:50 PM)Attackcoog Wrote: I thought the whole point of the cable bundle was you couldnt cancel just one network---you got the whole bundle or you got none. I guess you could cancel ESPN--but the price of the bundle would be the same whether you cancelled ESPN or not. I you can just cancel what you dont want and lower your bill---thats basically a la carte cable. I'd love to cut about 350 networks I never watch.
Well, with most cable these days, there is some ability to customize. Obviously, some channels like HBO and Showtime are completely a la carte, you don't have to buy them at all, you just pay extra for them if you want them.
Also, in my case, COX Baton Rouge, there is a "TV starter" package that does not include any ESPN channels. You get the OTA channels, a bunch of local access channels and that's about it. The only national channels you get are C-Span, the Weather Channel, and the shopping channels like QVC and HSN. You also get a ton of religious channels. You can watch Jimmy Swaggart or Catholic Television all day long if you want.
Then the next tier up does includes your traditional cable lineup, where you get all the news channels (CNN, FOX, etc.), stuff like A&E, Bravo, AMC, the Turner channels, all that, and yes, ESPN and ESPN2, FS1, FS2, NBCSN, and also the SECN (hey, we're in baton rouge).
But notice that doesn't include ESPNU or ESPN News. If I want them, i pay for a "sports pak" that includes them, CBSSN, Tennis Channel, NFL Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network.
I can also get a "sports pak 2" that includes the NFL Network (yes, it's in both paks), MLB Strike Zone, BTN, Longhorn (LOL), Bein, Outdoor Network, and PAC 12 network.
Of course, another way of looking at these "paks" is that I have to pay extra for them rather than getting them all included for my basic cable price.
Point is, cable isn't monolithic. In my case, I can get no ESPN channels, or two of them, or all 4 of them**. That's not pure a la carte but it isn't one size my way or the highway either.
** FWIW, I get everything above except the "sports pak 2".
Personally, I don't mind a bit of "over paying" because I prefer incurring Type 2 rather than Type 1 errors. E.g., I'd rather pay for 3 channels even though I only watch 1 of those three very rarely, BUT be assured that I will be able to watch a big game, then pay for exactly 2 channels and run the risk that a big game will be on the 3rd that i chose not to buy.
In my case, i get all four ESPN channels (and ESPN Classic), the SECN, FS1 and FS2, CBSSN, and NBCSN. That's a LOT of coverage of college football. True, I have missed out. The BTN has started to air quality games, and there were a couple times last year when i was frustrated because there was a B1G matchup i wanted to see only to find out it was on the BTN, which i have chosen not to get. Also, IIRC, i missed a bowl game that was on BeIn.
But basically, during college football season, i am assured of getting 14-15 hours of having 3 or even 4 games on at any one time, which is what i want.