Spotted in Doc Searls Weblog:

Okay, so Verizon offers two channel lineups in our region: Essentialsfor $47.99/mo. and Extreme HDfor I can't find it now. $57.99/mo, I think. Essentials has the about same minimun channel line-up I get for free over the air. Extreme HD has what you want if you watch in HD: all the main cable and sports non-premium channels. Add DVR rental (for which one has no choice) for $12.99 and I'm at $140 or so, if I want the Extreme HD.

Doc is looking to drop down his monthly tithe to Verizon for TV, and I'd like to do the same thing with Comcast. The trouble is, it's way more complex than it should be. The Comcast DVR defines new levels if user interface atrocities, so paying a monthly tab for the "pleasure" is annoying. I'd really, really like it if just about everything beyond basic cable was pay per view.