What evidence can you present that cable companies are becoming less powerful or relevant? All I see is cable companies consistently increasing their power vs.

What evidence can you present that cable companies are becoming less powerful or relevant? All I see is cable companies consistently increasing their power vs. content providers. The latest example being the Netflix/Comcast deal with Netflix paying Comcast. But there are others: Comcast bidding for Time Warner Cable, Verizon FIOS household numbers stalling (they're still a player but not taking much share). They're also becoming more vertically integrated - so buying more content companies themselves. My take is that until there is another viable internet pipe to the home - wireless or fiber optic - the cable companies will continue to be relevant and powerful. Controlling the last mile to the consumer is just too powerful, especially when you look at how difficult and costly it is to do a new network at scale.