AT&T Open to Offering TV Per-Channel

AT&T has indicated it would be open to allowing cable subscribers to purchase TV channels on an a la carte basis, however it would be dependent on whether the company would be able to obtain programming contracts that would allow it to do so.

The FCC recently indicated that providing a la carte cable and satellite programming would not cost cable providers extra, and could help parents shield children from programming they do not want them to see. For quite a long time, the industry has resisted offering such an option, citing cost and the death of niche channels as a possible consequence.

An AT&T spokesperson indicated to Reuters Friday that a la carte programming could happen if enough customers requested such a feature. But standing in the way of such a move are some programming contracts.

While contracts for premium channels often allow for per-channel subscriptions, most standard cable channels do not. In order for cable providers to do so, such contracts would have to be renegotiated.

At least one cable interest group, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, suggested it didn't appreciate the government stepping into private negotiations between the cable companies and the television networks.

Still, Cablevision has already provided some form of per-channel pricing. The cable operator said in a statement that its experience with such a structure indicated it gave customers more options at a more affordable price.