Moves by HBO, CBS could be tipping point for a la carte pricing

[Commentary] With HBO, one of the most popular networks, circumventing conventional delivery systems, experts say we've taken a big step toward allowing consumers to choose some or all of their TV channels, rather than having fat program bundles forced on them by pay-TV providers.

Brian Mahony, principal analyst with Trender Research, aid HBO taking the online plunge represents a tipping point for TV content. It validates that a network can potentially thrive outside the established pay-TV universe and demonstrates that a market exists for a so-called a la carte system -- paying only for the channels you want. "A lot of people think about cutting the cord, but they don't do it," Mahony said. "That could all change now." The popular channels and networks will go rogue with their own online services, while the companies that dominate the pay-TV landscape now will try to retain customers with smaller, cheaper bundles and perhaps a smidgen of a la carte. Would total a la carte be better? Of course it would. Consumers should never have to pay for products they don't want. And it seems as if we'll get there eventually as the pace of cord-cutting picks up.