Unraveling the Cable Bundle

[Commentary] Executives at media and cable companies have been resisting the idea of selling TV channels à la carte for years, saying it was not financially feasible. But that resistance is starting to give way to a more pragmatic approach that should benefit consumers.

Earlier this year, Netflix complained that some of its customers had a hard time watching its movies on their Internet connections from Comcast, Verizon and other companies. Those problems were resolved when Netflix agreed to pay the broadband companies to connect its system directly to their networks. That is why it is important that the Federal Communications Commission enact strong rules prohibiting broadband companies from blocking or interfering with Internet content. Regulators must also be careful not to allow the industry to become even less competitive as large companies like Comcast and AT&T seek to acquire smaller companies like Time Warner Cable and DirecTV.