This is actually a common myth. Cable initially was a service where the feed for certain terrestrial broadcast stations was transmitted over a cable for users who could not receive a clear signal. Since the same feed was used, it had the ads the broadcast affiliate put into it.

The original microwave pay channels didn't have commercials. But cable always did.

Which basically means it's the consummer fault again. I mean, yes, they are evil. But just like disease, it's useless to blame it. There will always be diseases. It's our responsibility to cure current ones and create environments to avoid future ones. Which means for businesses, if you want them to stop misbehave, you should stop rewarding them when they do. Just like in politics.

Which amazingly we don't do.

Especially in a capitalistic world, I believe this is paramount.

Oh you don't like google and facebook eventually abusing what they know about you? Don't use their services.

In a capitalistic world, the bank note is a vote bulletin. The only one that is always listened to, and that you can use every day, on every topic. And also the one they don't teach you about in school.