Cablevision Offers Free Food On VOD

Cablevision Systems Corp. Wednesday added Scripps Networks-based content to its video-on-demand lineup.

The cable operator will offer free of charge Food Network and HGTV shows such as 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray and House Hunters, respectively, as part of its free VOD lineup, according to the network.

The deal is Cablevision’s second free VOD carriage agreement in as many months.

Cablevision in February reached a carriage deal with Discovery Communications for free VOD content from such networks as Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and TLC.

The deal also follows on the heels of a November 2007 agreement between the operator and Scripps to distribute Food Network and HGTV’s high-definition channels.

“Cablevision continues to enhance our free VOD offering by adding quality, branded content from the most popular cable television networks, in addition to the kind of local programming that isn’t available from any other provider,” said Cablevision’s senior vice president of product management John Trierweiler in a statement.  “These new shows from Food Network and HGTV are a terrific addition to our iO TV digital-cable service, and we are confident they will be a hit with our customers.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.