Human nature aside, conflict is bad for MSOs, networks and vendors.

Byline: MIKE LUFTMAN

Is there "peace in the valley?" At least in the cable industry, at the moment that seems to be the case. It's also an oddity for the often fractious group of MSOs, programmers and technology vendors that comprise what Tony Soprano would call "this thing of ours." And, given cable's combative history, it's also safe to assume that "peace in the valley" of cable is as temporary as any peace in Tony's dysfunctional family. That, in turn, leads to the question: Why does the cable industry too often remind us of Fight Club (if you'll permit me to mix video metaphors)? Some will simply say we're no more pugnacious than most other industries. Anyway, how can you effectively control the behavior of an entire industry without …