A la carte cable television (from the French à la carte, "from the menu") is an idea for cable companies to allow subscribers to select to which channels they would like to have access. This is in opposition to the large package deals currently prevalent in American cable deals, which often result in consumers paying for additional channels irrelevant to their interests.

While à la carte cable is not a major function of U.S. cable deals, the idea of it has been a major subject of debate. In a 2006 USA Today article, Kevin Martin, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, states his position that he is in support of users choosing their channels. However, leading companies such as Disney, and cable providers such as Time Warner prohibit operators to sell channels which stand alone.^[1]

Martin presented a report to Congress showing a potential increase in consumer savings by 13%, and with cable prices rising from 2% to 6% a year, the issue has risen in profile, and will continue to be considered.^[2]

The downside of à la carte cable television is directly related to cable companies, who worry that viewers could watch less television, and that advertising revenues could decline as certain channels fell in popularity. A mandated à la carte cable deal could inspire cable companies to increase overall prices.

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