When I was younger, cable was not a relatively stable commodity to have. Most people i knew, if they wanted to have a lot of channel choices, instead went for satellite. Satellite was everywhere and you couldn’t pass a yard without seeing one of those giant dishes set up in a back yard or a smaller one sitting on the roof. Yet things have changed. Cable dominated for a while but now satellite is making a combat with direct tv. Direct TV is changing the way satellite does business and I am impressed at the technological innovations that they are creating with their business. Although I am still not a fan of either satellite or cable, I find that satellite has a lot more to offer than cable these days – especially when cable companies have a relative monopoly in some areas allowing for little in the way of options with pricing plans.
Having options allows the consumer to choose what they want and it encourages companies to compete against each other, forcing them to challenge each other’s business model and, hopefully, promote an evolution within the company. A company that doesn’t evolve or change isn’t always a successful company, it simply means that it has the means to squash challengers – often through money and trademarks, unfortunately! The market needs a good, healthy challenging market and I find that there are far too many companies being allowed to become monopolies. These companies stifle competition and force consumers to consume some terrible options, pricing and products. One day I see a truly free market where a business cannot influence the politics of the world but instead is simply a part of the public sector. Allowing a company to lobby to senators for regulation is one of the most shameful aspects of our governing system.
