The “a la carte” paradigm won’t work. The big networks own their broadcast station and many, many cable stations. They bundle these together to get cable providers to pick up lesser-viewed channels in order to have the rights to largely viewed channels. The networks then sell ads based partly on ratings and partly in the number of homes a channel could be viewed in.
Apple’s a al carte plan would eviscerate the networks revenue streams. There’s absolutely no way they go along with it. At best, Apple will be another telecom provider with a very versatile “box.” That’s the only way it will set itself apart in this market.