Anyone else understand why this is poor ROI? Obviously network construction is only part of the operational cost of a big network. But if it's a tiny part, then it seems even stranger that it's being presented as an obstacle. Internet-only rates would be ~$6B/yr, but that has substantially less overhead cost of content associated.
Why would a cable company spend $166m/month in order to get little additional revenue? No, they'd rather add Cable Box Remote Control Rental Fees - it doesn't cost them extra, and it increases their revenue.
Only if they're at risk of losing current subscribers through losing their monopoly status will this behavior change.