Updated: Time Warner Cable Dropping HDNet Channels Nationwide May 31
Cable Operator Says There Is 'Limited Appeal' for Mark Cuban-Backed Services
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 5/18/2009 11:32:23 AM
Time Warner Cable confirmed Monday it will stop offering HDNet and HDNet Movies across all of its systems effective May 31.
The move by Time Warner Cable, which has 8.7 million digital cable subscribers, is a blow to the Mark Cuban-backed HDNet, which was among the first HD services available to cable and satellite operators.
Asked why the company was dropping HDNet's services, Time Warner Cable director of corporate public relations Robyn Watson said, "There's a limited appeal for the programming. In a world with more than 100 HD channels, being in HD is not enough. We are adding other channels in HD to give our customers more choice."
HDNet and HDNet Movies has been available to Time Warner Cable customers in the HD Xtra premium-priced tier, which depending on market costs up to $8.95 extra per month.
Cuban, in an e-mail to Multichannel News, said he would not comment "on ongoing negotiations." However, he took issue with Time Warner Cable's characterization of HDNet's programming as lacking appeal.
"[T]here are millions of viewers who enjoy our unique and exclusive programming," Cuban wrote, adding that "we are not a cookie-cutter network like those from the big media conglomerates" and claiming that HDNet's viewers "do business with providers specifically to get our progamming."
HDNet's flagship channel, launched in 2001, features up to 20 hours per week of original features, including a newsmagazine hosted by former CBS anchor Dan Rather.
Time Warner Cable disclosed the plans to drop the two HDNet services on its Web site May 15. The company also said on or about June 1 it will launch MAV TV HD, as part of the HD Xtra tier.
In New York City, at least, TWC this month added Smithsonian HD in the HD Xtra tier. In earlier Web site statements about the two HDNet channels, TWC had said it intended to drop them and add Smithsonian HD and MavTV.
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Adding more HD channels? You kidding me? Has management seen the satellite provider HD line-up? TWC is a joke.
Jorge - 7/18/2009 11:32:12 PM EDT -
So TWC takes off the two best HD Channels and replaces them with some crap that isn't even worth being on televion period. I'd rather watch local tv than that crap. Very very dissapointed at the decisions of the company and there lame excuse for cutting the channels. Everyone knows they did it to cut cost and not because of programming. UVERSE here i come.
Felix - 7/17/2009 7:29:01 AM EDT -
Stumbled on this press release. The cable and satellite providers may not be the only game in town soon there will be alternitives:
ZapMyTV Enters Into VOD and SVOD License Agreement with Paramount Digital Entertainment
www.zapmytv.com
I tried it only foru channels now but supossed to launch wit 50 to 100. VOD wireless live cable TV to any device with a screen.
Wizeguy - 7/3/2009 9:46:21 AM EDT -
It comes down to loyalty. When Time Warner was begging for HD content they got it from Mr. Cuban but now the holier-than-thou cable operator thinks that MavTV and Smithsonian are an adequate replacement for HDNet and HDNet Movies. If you believe that I have a bridge in Idaho to sell you.
Cable is still playing second fiddle to DirecTV (I had both recently) when it comes to HD and Time Warner has now taken superior programming off and given us one I will not watch under any circumstances (MavTV - it is gawd awful) and another I may tun in once a month or so.
Another great decision by the hard heads at TW. Thanks for nothing.
Ted Fleming - 7/2/2009 1:24:29 PM EDT -
Time Warner is the worst provider ever!
HDNET is my favorite channel, and the best for MMA all over the world. With most HD channels having almost no appeal to anyone, HDNET actually provided unique, quality entertainment, and HDNET movies was a good channel as well. First they won't show NFL channel, now no HDNET. It seems that Time Warner does not like Male viewing audiences. Jeers to you TWC. You continue to be the bottom of the barrel. If only I could get sattelite, FIOS, UVERSE, or anything but TWC.
Chris Caywood - 6/15/2009 5:13:11 PM EDT
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