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I'm surprised at the negative replies to this comment. We usually praise start ups for using bundling or other microeconmic techniques to increase revenue, but for US cable companies it's not ok (I'm not based in the US so have no idea how hated they are - seems quite a lot). If the cable companies are abusing their monopoly then they should be prosecuted for that, but it shouldn't need this new legislation to stop their monopoly.

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"bundling or other microeconmic techniques to increase revenue" -- GOOD

"abusing their monopoly " -- BAD

No one is saying cable companies are evil. But having such strong monopoly is hampering innovation. Hence, we need to try and change how cable companies operate.

Why can't they be regulated using existing US antitrust law, rather than create a new legislation specific to TV networks?

As an outsider, the US seems to have a lot of innovation in TV anyway. HBO creates the best drama series', seen all over the world, and Netflix sounds amazing. In the UK we have the BBC as a monopoly but it's sadly/oddly often more innovative than other networks.

Generally, from what I have read/heard, the companies make deals amongst each other and with municipalities to be the sole provider for an area. If this is correct, then the companies are actually working together, just not for the benefit of the consumer.

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