[Itshim]

Originally Posted by cheekyangus

We all have niche interests, whether it's sport, hobbies, drama, etc.

If you only buy the things you want your niche interests won't likely get enough money to exist. Niche things get subsidised by popular things by doing thing like bundling. Everyone loses out, even if it's indirectly.

In the world of TV we could all end up with mainstream, safe shows (or big popular sports only) because those that want to bring you the niche, interesting stuff (e.g. minority sports) can't raise the money to do it as the market is deemed too small. Everyone needs to fund stuff they don't want to help fund stuff they do want.

Someone might like football and show jumping (unlikely, but bear with me). Both might be expensive to cover, but clearly football is much more popular. If the market changed so much that the public need only pay for individual sports (e.g. football) rather than a general sports package, the equestrian element may no longer be viable as a televised sport as it is no longer cross subsidised by the likes of football that brings the subscribers.

So you think that other people should help with your costs ? Perhaps we should all have to pay when near a show to cut the cost to those going in! I choose a lower package because I have not wish to pay for things I which I will never watch would love if virgin would make more channels bolt on and lower the basic charge. And yes put up if needed there costs . many of the channels that I still pay for I never look at unfortunately two or three that I do are not on freeview but as more and more offer streaming it is a root that I will no doubt use in the future. Yesterday I noted what I did use 23 minutes live TV the rest was streaming.