Messages

1

TWC and your Cable Company / Re: Bright House to drop TWC?

« on: May 28, 2010, 10:01:03 PM »

IDK, with the way Paul Douglas has already stated through his blog(s) that he is "having discussions with other media companies" in his post mortem (http://tinyurl.com/33vk4wr) you would think that numerous other companies are going to at least bring their discussions with TWChannel out in the open and either force them into a deal and/or bring back TWCast (and yes, I think both channels could coexist -- look at how many freaking news and business channels we have!)

That's just my thought process.

2

TWC and your Cable Company / Bright House to drop TWC?

« on: May 28, 2010, 09:39:52 PM »

I found this in my email this evening. Found it interesting that it is coming out NOW... after the whole mess with DISH network boiled over and we gained, then lost, The Weather Cast.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/may/28/weather-channel-risk-bright-house-negotiation/

The Weather Channel at risk in Bright House negotiation

By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune
Bright House Networks customers, get out a pencil and paper. The cable television provider will soon change dozens of channel numbers, may lose channels altogether, and will force some customers to upgrade to newer cable boxes.

What's more, on the eve of hurricane season, Bright House is warning it could lose The Weather Channel unless a new deal can be negotiated between them. Others channels such as Starz, Lifetime and BBC America could disappear, as well.

To be sure, some of this is the typical brinksmanship that happens between cable companies and TV producers, who each year ask for more money to carry their shows.

But other channels will change numbers or service "tiers" no matter what, as Bright House tinkers with its technology to shuffle channels around and opens up more space for other programs.

The Travel Channel and Bright House Sports Network will disappear from so-called "analog" cable service and appear only on digital packages beginning June 30.

Bright House has about 1 million customers in the Tampa Bay region, about 70 percent on digital systems versus analog.

Bright House Sports Network will remain on channel 47 but will expand to also appear on the lower-priced Basic level. The channel will also change frequency, a move that will affect customers who plug their cable directly into higher-end TVs. (They'll need to run a "rescan" to regain the channel. For help, see brighthouse.com/rescan.)

Other changes include Oxygen on Demand moving from channel 354 to 360, and MTV Tr3s changing its name to only Tr3s.

Bright House is also changing some network technology over time. For now, that will affect fans of Hallmark Channel HD and National Geographic Wild HD, some of whom will have to upgrade to newer, digital TV boxes. That can also affect customers who plug their cable directly into their TVs without a box.

Other channels are at risk of disappearing altogether. Each year, TV producers ask for more money for their shows, and cable TV companies resist. For now, Bright House is carrying a slew of channels on month-to-month contracts. Bright House is starting to formally notify customers in public advertisements about the risk of those negotiations breaking down.

Channels at risk: The Weather Channel, Encore, RetroPlex, Lifetime, E!, several Starz-related channels – all on month-to-month extensions. The contract for BBC America expires July 12.

Bright House officials say they're "working diligently" to work out terms that let the company keep providing the channels.

3

TWC and your Cable Company / Re: Dish Network to drop TWC from 214, carragie dispute

« on: May 21, 2010, 01:41:23 AM »

12:12 AM Central time and it's still on, and now we see if The Weather Channel is removed from the Dish Lineup at 1AM Central time or 2AM Central time.

According to http://www.deadline.com/hollywood,

UPDATE: DISH reportedly has agreed to keep The Weather Channel on while the two sides continue to negotiate.

Meanwhile... I know this is a Weather Channel board... but it might be worth reading what the founder of the new "The WeatherCast" station has to say... its a little long so I will just send you the link to the statement: http://pauldouglassaintcloud.blogspot.com/

Powerful statement, especially where he says

There are what, 6-8 different new/business channels out there - I believe there's room for another weather-voice, another way to tell the weather story.

4

TWC and your Cable Company / Re: Dish Network to drop TWC from 214, carragie dispute

« on: May 20, 2010, 10:11:48 PM »

Not much info here, but Paul Douglas (and his 2 year old company WeatherNation) is the one fronting The Weather Cast...

@pdouglasweather: Just launched competition for TWC on Dish. Could sure use your support - check it out and spread the word. Another weather voice in town!

I'll keep watching, cause Douglas and his company are located in the Twin Cities... theres gotta be something popping up in the local papers about it soon...

5

OCMs & Personalities / Re: Your Weather Today With Abrams and Bettes!

« on: July 10, 2009, 06:16:50 PM »

Quick question. I was traveling this morning from St. Cloud MN to Sioux City IA. I took a picture that was used at around 820 AM CDT this morning under @weathrlver on Twitter. Since I was traveling, I of course couldn't videotape it (nor was I expecting it!). I was wondering if by chance any of you might have caught it and if there was any way you could get it online? I have been watching this board for a long time but this is my first post. Thanks if possible!

Your picture was on YWT? Nice!
But sorry to say I did not record Was it the fog pic?

Yep, that would more than likely been the picture... it was so foggy on the way down this morning due to all the moisture they've received over the past few days... Thought it would make a cool picture 

6

OCMs & Personalities / Re: Your Weather Today With Abrams and Bettes!

« on: July 10, 2009, 03:30:15 PM »

Quick question. I was traveling this morning from St. Cloud MN to Sioux City IA. I took a picture that was used at around 820 AM CDT this morning under @weathrlver on Twitter. Since I was traveling, I of course couldn't videotape it (nor was I expecting it!). I was wondering if by chance any of you might have caught it and if there was any way you could get it online? I have been watching this board for a long time but this is my first post. Thanks if possible!