Letting consumers choose what networks they would like to pay for “a la carte” rather than a pricey cable subscription that includes hundreds of channels is a trend that is pitting cable providers and networks against each other. Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N) is the latest distributor to challenge the traditional pay-TV universe when it launched in April a new slimmed-down package of channels with the option to add on genres such as sports, kids or news.