Readers React: The curse of cable television

To the editor: In the column on the Time Warner Cable/Dodgers fiasco, David Lazarus suggests the free market be allowed to work and that “if existing content providers are unable to adapt to such a world, I have no doubt that more nimble players would emerge who can.” (Re “Lose a channel yet pay the same,” Column, Aug. 29)

I’m sure that this is the case in a world where gas-guzzling behemoths were the rule until people were given the option to buy smaller, hybrid cars. Consider the number of automobile models and brands that are out there; the competition is fierce.

When it comes to cable TV, however, I can only choose between two companies (if I exclude DirecTV, of course), both of which charge about twice as much as they should. But I have no options other than these two suppliers where I live.

My point is this: How will the free market be applied to virtual monopolies like cable TV?

James Radomski, Torrance

..

To the editor: I don’t think my Times subscription is less even though its content has been significantly cut.

There are lots of arguments for and against a la carte cable pricing, but this column’s argument is not among them.

Jeffrey C. Briggs, Hollywood

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion