This is when I wish my cable company would sell us just 2-3 channels
at a time. History Channel's one of the few I care about.

Of course its the actual content providers that are the problem. They
require the cable provider to carry X channel on basic service, or if
you want this channel, you must buy these 5 also and carry them.

DirecTV lets you add channels individually to the basic package. At least
those that aren't 'premium' channels. I added one of the outdoor channels
to pickup the few boating programs available.

The cable company would happily give you a'la carte, if they were allowed
to purchase the channels that way.

That's nonsense.