Since I got to the office this morning I’ve had the Food Network playing in the background, letting the likes of Giada de Laurentiis, Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, and the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten, parade across the screen. Yes, the frigid temps outside do have me craving comfort foods, but my sudden overwhelming desire for the network’s offerings is more a case of wanting what I can’t have. Fox and Time Warner Cable may have reached an agreement, but now there is a messy situation between Cablevision and Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (the owners of the Food Network and HGTV). That means I wasn’t able to watch Michelle Obama on Iron Chef America: Battle of the Super Chefs last night. And I’m not happy about it.
Today was day four of a cable lineup without Food Network and HGTV (see what the companies said today here). When I first caught wind of it, via the outraged Facebook status updates of friends, I thought I could probably just avoid those channels until this situation gets worked out. But lo and behold, I stopped twice on the channels (they’re even back to back!) and it took a second of listening to the Cablevision statement playing on a loop before I remembered they weren’t there.
It’s not even that I’m a big foodie or some home decorating maven, it’s just that both of these networks fill my aspirational-TV need. It’s comforting to watch the cooks in their big pretty kitchens, with their plentiful ingredients. Or to tune in to Divine Design to see the oh-so-engaging Candice Olson and crew make over someone’s space.
I get that there are lots of intricacies involved in these negotiations and that there’s plenty of fare on those nets that I’d be passing on (Sorry Worst Cooks in America) if I could see them, but I really don’t care. There’s a gaping hole where my space-out time would be and I need it fixed!
Anyone else going through withdrawal?
Abby I am absolutely hurting here..I’m such a fanatic about HGTV that my cable is set to turn on to that channel every time I power on. I am a fene for House Hunters International among many other of their shows I hope other fans are trying to raise hell for scripps and cablevision in order to pressure them into rethinking this whole fiasco.. As we latinos say when things are not good “no es bueno”
I’m devastated- Food network is my homing channel- the channel I bop to then surf around to decide what to watch. It’s also one of the only channels my husband and I agree to watch together (though suspiciously only when Giada’s on). I’m so mad at Cablevision!!! This is ridiculous!
I didn’t release how much I really LOVE the Food Network & HGTV shows provided by my local Cablevision Optimum . I am going though some sort of weird withdrawal and am VERY UNHAPPPY. Cablevision is such a bigtime freegy money hound, I should not be suprised. But, I am quite offended that these two shows were just yanked off the air without any notice. Cable is blaming Scripps, saying that they promised to leave the shows on the air until they could reach a contract, which ended 12-31-09. On 01-01-10, they simply waiting one day to withdraw, so I am hurt by there decision as well. I know it’s all about the money and both giants don’t really care about the viewers!!
I totally agree, it’s all about money & magic word: GREED – forget about all the many viewers. And, we viewers are paying for 2 stations that we can’t even watch.
I know how you feel. I want my MTV back — the REAL MTV, not the station that’s been going by that name for most of this decade.
I am devestated that Cablevision pulled HGTV and Food Network off. I love Househunters and all the HGTV shows and I am so bummed out!
Gee how will Americans survive without being able to follow Ray’s 30-minute recipes to making crap food.
McDonalds.
Burger King is faster – at least by my house – plus the king is way better looking than most of the idiots on Food Network – Cablevision – you can keep blacking out Food and HGTV all you want
Very Simple. I’m quiting CABLEVISION.
good for you! I’m quiting too. In fact I’m calling Verizon tomorrow. enough is enough..I just hope there are many others that don’t like being fools.
I am devastated about loosing HGTV and Food Network!!! This is ridiculous, all the money we pay to cablevision, I am switching to Verizon!!
Get Direct TV – and no I do not work for them
This is about greed on both ends. Cablevision needs to come up with a realistic figure for payment realizing that these are two very popular channels, but Scripps is in dire financial straits and cannot survive in its current form without Cablevision. Like any contract negotiation, they need to meet somewhere near the middle and stop playing “chicken” .
Scripps is not in dire straights. Your information is faulty.
All the info I’m hearing seems to confirm what MJ said
Correct, Scripps is NOT in dire straights.
I feel your pain! I thought I was going to lose Fox last weekend! Thank god TPTB came through and I didn’t miss my Cowboys yesterday! Now if I can only get Time Warner and the NFL Network talking again…
I, too, am VERY UNHAPPY with Cablevison right now! I love the Food Network and really can’t stand that they have decided to overlook what their paying customer want for a couple more cents in their pockets. As soon as my contract ends with them, I am leaving to go to another provider.
you probably won’t.
I have cablevision and i don’t have a contract..
there are no contracts with Cablevision at all… You are free to leave at anytime!
very easy fix cancel cable we watch too much tv anyway SEE how fast they go back on air
Why would the CABLE company lose customers by accepting a contract that raises the consumers rates. That would make you cancel right? And that’s no good for anyone….
I think anyone who is upset about their programming being dropped (yet again) from greedy cable operators should let the one’s in charge known how you feel. If you would like to express your dissatisfaction with Cablevision, you can call them directly at 516-803-2300. If you would like to leave James Dolan (president and CEO of Cablevision) a personal message, simply access their phone directory by dialing extension 7500 during the automated message, then *T, then choose to dial by last name and follow the prompts. I for one will be looking into an alternative provider for my TV subscription in the very near future.
Cablevision is GREEDY Wall street BANKER!!! CABLEVISION like AIG or the GOLD MANSACKS!!! Suzanne Whang I dream of you every night!!! Aceof CaKES, triple D…
Cablevision=lose
Food Network & HGTV = big win
there’s always Food Network magazine in the meantime… though its not quite as animated
Isn’t incredible that Ina Garten can’t watch her own program on Cablevision? I have been in touch with both Scripps and Cablevision who , by the way, are blaming each other for HGTV and The Food Network being pulled. I have found out by talking to another cable company in NY, who are also in negotiations with Scripps, that it is Scripps that pulled the plug, not Cablevision. Any cable company needs the permission of the provider of the program to transmit. Scripps has denied permission.Scripps is still permitting Time Warner to transmit. Regardless, there are two factions involved. I intend to hound both of them! Judy, I’m just wondering, if you quit Cablevision, where will you go?
The Library?
I am very unhappy that HGTV and the food network are not on the air. It was the only programs I watched. I am a senior citizen and I miss these channels. Please get them back on air.
I can’t believe the way it was done. Know warning one minute your waiting for your favorite show and then it’s gone. Unbelievable…we have know say in anything. We pay cablevision for these particular channels already and Scripps wants more money. I’m having a hard time paying my oil bill and you take away a little enjoyment that I look forward to. Just keep it coming, everyone else is sticking it to us.