[thelem]

ntl are simply doing what the market will stand. People are allowed to take phone without TV, so the issue only occurs when you want TV only.

People in that situation have 4 main choices
1. Analogue or Freeview - Free, so cable can't compete on price
2. Top-up TV - A lot cheaper, but no where near the choice
3. Sky - Cheapest package about £20 + BT phone line rental
4. Cable - Cheapest package about £20 INCLUDING line rental.

If you look at it like that, its actually quite a good deal.

I can't imagine it costs ntl £10/month to have a phone line connected in your house, therefore it seems to me that some of that price is going towards the cost of the TV. Yes, they could offer say a £5 discount if you don't take the phone line, but then they would also lose phone call income. Why bother, when they already have a successful and competitive package?