Friday, January 1, 2010

I want my HGTV -- and Food Network (UPDATED 1/23/2010)

For those of you who live outside of the Greater Metropolitan New York Area (i.e., not in New York City, New Jersey, or Connecticut) and thus are not slaves to Cablevision (or have a life) the fact that Cablevision and Scripps Networks are currently in a pissing match and as a result Cablevision -- with only a few hours notice -- dropped both HGTV and Food Network last night at midnight probably makes little or no difference to you.

But for those of you like me and little J-THREE-O (think of the children, people, the poor innocent children!), who developed a real appreciation for food and cooking and began trying all sorts of new things after watching Food Network, this is DEVASTATING news. Devastating.

Okay, let me put this a way you men will understand and appreciate: No more Food Network means no more Giada De Laurentiis bending over a hot pot several hours a day. Capiche?

On a more personal note, without House Hunters I have no idea what the spouse and I will do at 10 at night.

So if you are a Cablevision customer and want your HGTV and Food Network back, click here to send an e-card to Cablevision.

Btw, I do NOT put all the blame for this on Cablevision, though the spouse and I have ZERO love for the Dolan family (who are responsible for the recent Knicks debacle). There are always two sides to a story. And while we can (happily) live without most of the programming on Food Network (and HGTV), we really wanted to watch the "Iron Chef America Super Chef Battle," featuring Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, Emeril Lagasse, and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford, Sunday night.

So please, Cablevision and Scripps, for the children (and, okay, the rest of us), bring back our HGTV and Food Network.

Thank you.

UPDATED 1/4/09: This just in from The New York Times:
"The Food Network costs distributors 8 cents a viewer on average now; Scripps wants a roughly 300 percent raise, according to people briefed on the negotiations. That might seem drastic, but 30 other channels, some with lower ratings, already earn that much. “We were really, really undervalued,” said Brooke Johnson, the president of the Food Network.

"For ardent fans of “Iron Chef America,” the Food Network is undoubtedly worth 25 cents a month...."
For more on the cable debate -- and why your cable (and satellite) bill is going to go up again -- read this.

UPDATED 1/9/10: Per Bobby Flay, the Iron Chef Super Chef Battle will be rebroadcast Sunday, January 10, at 8 p.m. ET on WPIX Channel 11 in the NYC metro area as well as on Hartford Channel 20 (WTXX). New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut Cablevision customers/Food Network fans rejoice! More here.

UPDATED 1/23/10: I am happy to report that Cablevision and Scripps worked out their differences (basically they split the difference) and Food Network and HGTV are now back on the air (as of Thursday night). To learn more about the negotiations, read this. Btw, Cablevision customers, expect to see an increase in your cable bill next month (as if it wasn't high enough).

9 comments:

Dave S. said...

Food Network has been chopped? I am sorry to hear that.

Verification word "ingshati" which is next week's (dramatic pause) Mystery Ingredient!

Kendor said...

This type of BS means the customer loses. I don't know about Scripps as a business, but the Dolan's are notoriously out of touch with their customers.

What Cablevision doesn't realize is that we have already seriously considered jumping ship multiple times because of network issues (and constant cost increases). This type of publicity driven nonsense just adds to our negativity regarding them as a company (even if they have a reasonable bargaining position). The point is that our loyalty is much more on the content side, and we'd leave CV in a second if it were less disruptive to change. Doesn't speak well for them as a company, or the industry in general.

Anonymous said...

How HOW HOW can anyone think this is right???

EMM said...

That sucks! The Food Netork was my reasoning for getting cable after living without it for 10 years. I hope they come to some resolution as both channels are so popular.

Good luck!!!

Anonymous said...

Seriously, HH is nothing but reruns and you have nothing better to do at 10PM at nite??

Anonymous said...

I also like HGTV newtwork I think it was wrong thaat both newtworks were pulled off the air without warning. Please give us back the HGTV and FOOD networks back.
Thanks.

J. said...

Whether or not you are a Cablevision customer, be prepared to pay higher fees if you want to watch TV (unless you have an antenna only). See my update at the bottom of the post.

P.S. @Dave S., it's "secret" ingredient, though the "chopped" reference was very clever. (I should have used it.) @Anonymous #2, define "better." ;-)

M said...

Switch to VERIZON FiOS there should be no reason a cable TV company should be able to control your life's entertainment when your paying for it.
cable has already raised their rates and now we get even less, if its optimum its crap
you might even help 225 laid off verizon workers return to work. lets once and for all send a message to cable you cant control our viewing content

J. said...

@M: Verizon Fios is unavailable in our area.