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Author Topic:   Televangelism and A La Carte Cable TV
berberry
Inactive Member


Message 1 of 23 (277081)
01-08-2006 5:46 AM


The Boston Globe has the latest in a recent spate of editorials on the subject of a la carte cable TV, or the idea of paying for each channel we receive rather than a flat rate for an entire package of channels. Most of the editorials have been in favor, and this is an idea that conservative Christians seem to love. They want the chance to opt out of channels like MTV or LOGO since they broadcast content the fundamentalists think is inappropriate. Proponents know full well that many specialty channels will go under, since not enough people will choose to pay for them.
What baffles me is who they think is going to want to pay to watch CBN or any of the other televangelist channels. I think we can take it as a given that most of the atheists here would not choose to pay for such channels, but I wanted to pose the question to our Christian neighbors here: if the cable and satelite providers go to a la carte pricing, which of the religious channels would you be willing to pay for?
For my part, I'm beginning to think that, although the loss of the LOGO channel would be sad, I'm rather excited by the propect of Pat Robertson and his ilk being returned to the revival tent circut. How many Billy Sundays could survive without the support of a TV channel in today's environment? I don't know what the answer is, but I think the question is interesting.

Replies to this message:
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 Message 6 by jar, posted 01-09-2006 9:31 AM berberry has replied
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randman 
Suspended Member (Idle past 4899 days)
Posts: 6367
Joined: 05-26-2005


Message 2 of 23 (277456)
01-09-2006 3:18 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by berberry
01-08-2006 5:46 AM


couple of points
I am not a big fan of TBN, but sometimes they have someone on I think is worth listening to and check it out. I like TD Jakes for instance, but in general, I almost never watch it. I suppose it would depend on what the cost was.
Second point, I think many like the a la carte idea because it would prevent having objectionable material in the home by virtue of just ordering cable. I would love that myself being the father of 4 children, and some of it is probably wise to keep away from myself too. Some stuff is a waste of time at a minimum, and certainly as the Bible says "the eyes of man are never full" (paraphrased). So just flipping around, you are going to see stuff that doesn't help one keep your mind focussed on things above.
Having the option just to keep out the channels you don't want in your home for whatever reason is a good thing, imo.
This message has been edited by randman, 01-09-2006 03:21 AM

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riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 3 of 23 (277462)
01-09-2006 6:31 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by berberry
01-08-2006 5:46 AM


Do those Christian channels even make any money from cable?
I thought they were listener supported.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by berberry, posted 01-08-2006 5:46 AM berberry has replied

Replies to this message:
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nator
Member (Idle past 2169 days)
Posts: 12961
From: Ann Arbor
Joined: 12-09-2001


Message 4 of 23 (277488)
01-09-2006 9:05 AM
Reply to: Message 2 by randman
01-09-2006 3:18 AM


Re: couple of points
quote:
I think many like the a la carte idea because it would prevent having objectionable material in the home by virtue of just ordering cable.
Yeah, like FOX News, the Family Channel, and Lifetime.
These are all highly objectionable in my household.
This message has been edited by schrafinator, 01-09-2006 09:06 AM

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Replies to this message:
 Message 12 by randman, posted 01-10-2006 6:14 PM nator has replied

  
berberry
Inactive Member


Message 5 of 23 (277490)
01-09-2006 9:14 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by riVeRraT
01-09-2006 6:31 AM


riVeRraT writes:
quote:
Do those Christian channels even make any money from cable? I thought they were listener supported.
I dunno, I suppose it depends on whether they run commercials and I've never watched long enough to find out. But unlike secular cable channels, the religious channels are mostly non-stop telethons. There's always an 800 telephone number for you to call in your pledge and prayer request.
So yeah, I guess they are listener (or viewer) supported, as you say. But the question is whether those listeners / viewers are willing to pay a monthly charge to continue watching.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by riVeRraT, posted 01-09-2006 6:31 AM riVeRraT has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by riVeRraT, posted 01-09-2006 11:16 PM berberry has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 6 of 23 (277494)
01-09-2006 9:31 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by berberry
01-08-2006 5:46 AM


There are already ways to make selections
I expect that the A La Carte cable system is simply another way to make more money. As to the various Televangelist channels, the true believers will pay if necessary to get them. They pay now by buying the videos, the sermons, the prayer towels and all the other stuff the televangelists sell.
There's no real difference between the Televangelist channel and the Shopping Channel, Ron Popeil's commercials or any of the other marketing channels. The Televangelist Channels exist to market their products. It's a very profitable business and if necessary, they will be more than happy to pay the cable systems for access. If that fails, they will but turn to direct marketing through the churches that supply their customer base.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by berberry, posted 01-08-2006 5:46 AM berberry has replied

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berberry
Inactive Member


Message 7 of 23 (277516)
01-09-2006 10:22 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by jar
01-09-2006 9:31 AM


Re: There are already ways to make selections
jar writes me:
quote:
It's a very profitable business and if necessary, they will be more than happy to pay the cable systems for access.
But will they even have that option? As I understand it, the only change that will stand any political chance will be one whereby the cable customer gets local broadcast channels plus ONLY those channels he or she chooses and pays for. If cable companies have no choice but to charge for MTV and The Weather Channel, why should they be able to provide CBN for free? And if CBN can pay a fee to have their channel carried to all customers, why couldn't MTV do the same? Wouldn't we be right back where we started, perhaps with improved Time/Warner stock performance?
If something of what you envision emerges, what's to stop Hugh Hefner from setting up a sex-toy shopping network and paying the cable systems to provide it to their customers for free?
I have no idea how this is supposed to work. It seems to be yet another instance of the republican party trying to artificially control market forces. As usual, they seem to be totally unaware of how free enterprise is supposed to work. (To be honest, if this issue really does make it to Capitol Hill, I should think the democrats could use this logic to drive a wedge between traditional conservatives and religious fundamentalists. Some indications are that it's already driving a wedge between different factions of the fundamentalists themselves. How great is that?)
Personally, I don't think anything's going to change, although we may end up with an option for a so-called "family package" tier of channels. But the number of newspaper editorials on this subject has definitely picked up lately and the a la carte idea seems to have a lot of support. The debate will heat up, no doubt, but like I said I don't really think anything much is going to change.
For more information, check this google on 'cable choice' or this one for 'a la carte cable'.

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nwr
Member
Posts: 6408
From: Geneva, Illinois
Joined: 08-08-2005
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 8 of 23 (277526)
01-09-2006 10:48 AM


A La Carte will probably raise rates and reduce content
I have never understood the argument for a la carte cable television.
If I have 3 tv sets and 2 records, then I am at most receiving 5 channels at any one time. If the cable happens to carry 100, then I have a larger variety from which to select those 5. My fees should be for 5 channels, with a small supplementary charge for the variety provided.
The technology used for cable TV is such that all channels are carried concurrently on the same pipe. Implementing a la carte will require more complexity in the providers equipment, a more complex billing system, more money for advertising. And after it is all boiled down, the extra costs will be paid for by the end user.
The argument made is that you are paying for 100 channels, so you are paying for porn. That's wrong. You are paying for about the 5 channels that you actually use. The porn just happens to be something you could choose to be among those 5 if you wanted.
---------
The telephone companies are planning to get into the TV business. They will be running fiber to the home or to a box near the home. There plan is to use "video on demand". Their cables would carry only what you select. Roughly speaking, the channel selector switch will be in the telephone company office rather than in you home.
This is a different technology. The telco way of doing it will be more like an a la carte system, because of the technological differences.

  
riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 9 of 23 (277653)
01-09-2006 11:16 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by berberry
01-09-2006 9:14 AM


They are like PBS, and would be free, I am pretty sure.
If you donate, then you are commiting to help a ministry.
I do not like all the people I see there, but some are just fine.
What is weird, is that before I had my religious experience, I could not stand that channel, even though I had accepted Christ. After, I started to understand some of it better. Go figure.
There is a formula on how to be crazy, and if you read the bible, you will unlock hidden brain cells from deep within, and you become crazy, lol.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by berberry, posted 01-09-2006 9:14 AM berberry has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 10 by berberry, posted 01-10-2006 9:53 AM riVeRraT has replied

  
berberry
Inactive Member


Message 10 of 23 (277716)
01-10-2006 9:53 AM
Reply to: Message 9 by riVeRraT
01-09-2006 11:16 PM


riVeRraT writes me:
quote:
They are like PBS, and would be free, I am pretty sure.
Not under the a la carte system that's being proposed. The only channels that will be free will be your own local broadcast channels.
quote:
I do not like all the people I see there, but some are just fine.
Oh, sure, there are both good and bad people in almost every profession. One evangelist I've always had a degree of respect for was on TV just a few weeks ago in a Larry King interview: Billy Graham. I was reminded of why I respect him when Larry asked about gay marriage. Graham wouldn't take a position on it. He said that he thought the church should preach what it believes to those who choose to follow, but it should not be promoting a political position on this issue. He seems to really believe in separation of church and state. He even criticized his church and his own children over it. I was stunned at first, but I eventually remembered that he had long ago changed his thinking on church / state issues.
quote:
There is a formula on how to be crazy, and if you read the bible, you will unlock hidden brain cells from deep within, and you become crazy, lol.
Hehe. Well, I have read the bible. Is that where I went wrong? (just kidding, of course)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by riVeRraT, posted 01-09-2006 11:16 PM riVeRraT has replied

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Hangdawg13
Member (Idle past 751 days)
Posts: 1189
From: Texas
Joined: 05-30-2004


Message 11 of 23 (277825)
01-10-2006 4:40 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by berberry
01-08-2006 5:46 AM


but I wanted to pose the question to our Christian neighbors here: if the cable and satelite providers go to a la carte pricing, which of the religious channels would you be willing to pay for?
None. I don't watch TV. If religion is on TV, it is most likely watered down, secularized, mixed with leaven, misinterpreted, and generally false. When religion becomes mainstream, it is usually in error. The majorty always fails to seek the truth. No TV station that uncompromisingly spoke truth could last because it would just piss too many people off (even more than Pat does; infact, it would piss off Pat too).

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randman 
Suspended Member (Idle past 4899 days)
Posts: 6367
Joined: 05-26-2005


Message 12 of 23 (277848)
01-10-2006 6:14 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by nator
01-09-2006 9:05 AM


Re: couple of points
Then, do you favor more choice or not?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by nator, posted 01-09-2006 9:05 AM nator has replied

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riVeRraT
Member (Idle past 415 days)
Posts: 5788
From: NY USA
Joined: 05-09-2004


Message 13 of 23 (278007)
01-11-2006 7:09 AM
Reply to: Message 10 by berberry
01-10-2006 9:53 AM


Oh, sure, there are both good and bad people in almost every profession.
Ahhh, my 80% rule. 80% bad, 20% good, no matter the profession, what do you think?

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Trae
Member (Idle past 4306 days)
Posts: 442
From: Fremont, CA, USA
Joined: 06-18-2004


Message 14 of 23 (278010)
01-11-2006 7:38 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by berberry
01-08-2006 5:46 AM


Is LOGO actually bundled with basic cable or satellite on some systems in some areas?

This message is a reply to:
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nator
Member (Idle past 2169 days)
Posts: 12961
From: Ann Arbor
Joined: 12-09-2001


Message 15 of 23 (278016)
01-11-2006 7:50 AM
Reply to: Message 12 by randman
01-10-2006 6:14 PM


Re: couple of points
quote:
Then, do you favor more choice or not?
Of course.
I have always been Pro-Choice.
What about you?
This message has been edited by schrafinator, 01-11-2006 07:51 AM

This message is a reply to:
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