Way too many channels/bill way too high

I, like many other people, subscribe to hundreds of channels (I have the advanced TV premier package).  Most of the channels I do not watch.  The more basic/inexpensive packages do not have all the channels I want to watch.  I have read that the average viewer watches about 17 channels.  I probably look at around 20 on a regular basis.  The channels I like to watch cross between the various paks.  Why am I being forced to subscribe to hundreds of channels in order to watch the few that I'm interested in?  As a result, Cox is way overpriced!  Why can't channels be offered in a cafeteria-style format where the subscriber can pick and choose exactly what channels are included in his/her service?