What the devil?  I LOVE the Food Network, as many others do; others enjoy HGTV.  Food Network is one of the few cable channels I watch regularly.   

Firstly, Cablevision charges more for LESS programming…remember that folks!   Back this past summer, in order to access certain channels (AMC, A&E, Lifetime, Animal Planet, Travel,History, etc.), one had to pay extra for a cable box.  In our house both our TVs have basic cable, BUT my folks wouldn't pay for a second cable box to access those channels which really was a bummer.  Sure, I had to wait til 11pm on Sunday nite to watch “Mad Men” on AMC as my folks were watching whatever was on at 10pm in the family room.  That I can deal with….but when a favorite channel that I enjoy watching is pulled off the air WITHOUT WARNING, that makes me angry!   And on top of that,  it happened during a holiday weekend!

Secondly,  Scripps and Cablevision were in talks….how come there was no notice sent to Cablevision customers?  There was absolutely NO news coverage about this in the papers or online…..of course, around the same time Time Warner in NYC area were in talks w/ FOX (as at this time I believe, FOX is still on the air in NYC area via TW while talks continue).   While on the phone w/ a Scripps representative (thanks to a toll free number listed at http://www.ilovefoodnetwork.com/ecards/affiliate/?a=cablevision  I mentioned that the only place now that I could watch Food Network would be at the group home where I work (which has Charter Communications for its cable carrier)….I was told that Charter and Scripps were in talks as well, but Charter has been kind enough to keep FN and HGTV on the air while talks go on….but OH NO!!   Cablevision is SHAFTING its customers again by pulling this stunt!  So who is at fault?  Both sides, perhaps, but in my opinion, Cablevision is more at fault.   If they can charge their customers the amount of money monthly for their various cable packages (NOT counting internet/phone),  then Cablevision can pony up the money to pay the rate Scripps is asking for.    Mind you, Food Network and HGTV viewership has grown in popularity over the last several years.

Yesterday the “buzz” on Twitter, Facebook, & other sites was just that….the OUTRAGE from Cablevision customers from Fairfield County, CT to NYC area to Northern Jersey was vast!  There were a lot of folks threatening to switch providers if this doesn't get resolved soon!    At least here in Fairfield, AT&T U-verse is available,  but Verizon FiOS isn't…& various other satellite carriers are.    I know a few who have switched from Cablevision to other providers who are much happier, but the only down side is that the other providers don't have News 12 CT!  

You know News 12 CT's motto, “As local as local news gets”?   Well guess what, folks?

The more customers who switch from Cablevision to other providers, viewership of News 12 CT will drop!  Just wait and see….

Here are some more links to check out:

http://firstlinemedia.com/epk/scripps/drop/cablevision/

http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/01/news/companies/cablevision_scripps/index.htm

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703483604574631424119389070.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/scripps-yanks-food-network-hgtv-off-cablevision-in-ny-nj-conn/

http://blog.ctnews.com/connecticutpostings/2010/01/01/missing-hgtv-or-the-food-network/

On Facebook check out:

Cablevision: Return FNTV and HGTV

[url]http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=227700877277&ref=mf[/url]

We Want The Food Network and HGTV back on Cablevision — NOW!!!

[url]http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=231063661099&ref=mf[/url]

On Twitter:  ”hashtag” that I've seen is:  #cablevisionFAIL

If you are reading out there PLEASE contact Cablevision ASAP to voice your complaint and DEMAND that Food Network and HGTV be restored to its lineup!   If Cablevision is going to charge what it does, then they ought to offer those channels!

Thank you for reading!