This isn't really true. Netflix, for example, strongarms ISPs into colocating their boxes for free, which bring massive amounts of their data closer to consumers, and guarantees them some of the best performance on the Internet.

If ISPs were able to charge for this (they want to), Netflix would have to pay a lot more for this sort of premium placement, giving smaller players much more room to compete financially. (i.e., if Netflix's cost to provide this best-in-class service they currently get for free is much higher, either it's more financially viable for small companies to pay for the same service, or they'll be able to offer video on demand cheaper than Netflix does)