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You can only have five cable channels. Go!

Jan 4, 2008, 03:04 PM | by Mandi Bierly

Categories: Television, Things That Make Me Die Inside, Water cooler

Logos_l So I'm reading this piece on HollywoodReporter.com about how Disney Channel edged out USA for the title of 2007's top-ranked cable network by roughly 15,000 High School Musical fans viewers. I get to the lists of the Top 10 cable nets in total viewers (in order: Disney, USA, TNT, ESPN, TBS, Lifetime, Fox News Channel, A&E, Cartoon Network, and Nick at Nite) and in the 18-49 demo during prime time (USA, TBS, TNT, ESPN, FX, Discovery, Spike TV, A&E, Comedy Central, and MTV). Because I like to torture myself, I suddenly think: What if I could only have five cable channels. Which ones would I choose? After much "I'll never see another Rocky marathon on Spike? Another ABC Family original?" whining on IM to Slezak*, I came up with the following:
• Bravo: I need Project Runway.
• USA: New episodes of Psych and Monk start Jan. 11, so that's good. I also get Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: SVU repeats — score.
• TBS: Saturday mornings just wouldn't be the same without Movie and a Makeover, especially when Ghost (Jan. 5) and Housesitter (Jan. 12) are on this month's schedule.
• VERSUS: I can get NASCAR and some college football on the broadcast networks, so the only other sport I truly need is the PBR (Professional Bull Riders).
• Discovery: If I hadn't made that stupid New Year's Resolution, this would read Comedy Central. I guess I'd finally have to make friends with my neighbors so that I could visit them every night at 11. And when there's a new episode of Reno 911! (Jan. 16!) and South Park.

Your turn. Name your networks, and be sure to include how long you debated. Me? On-and-off for an hour.

*Slezak's picks: TVG (Television Games Network, his "horse racing channel'), HGTV, Food Network, HBO, and Bravo. He'll get BBC World News on PBS and visit someone with TNT for holiday Law & Order marathons.

Andy Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 02:25 PM EST

This blog really provides great updates on entertainment and entertainers!
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Direct-TV.html
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Dish-Network.html
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com/Satellite-Radio.html

Brooke Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 12:16 PM EST

1. E! (Kardashians)
2. TLC (Jon & Kate + 8)
3. MTV (Hills)
4. Food Network
5. ESPN (Bama Football)

Chris Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 07:42 PM EST

Comedy Central
HBO
ESPN
Showtime
MSNBC (only during election years)

sharlin Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 12:12 PM EST

In no order:

CNN
History Channel
Comedy Central
E!
TLC

petey pabs Fri, Feb 8, 2008 at 05:09 AM EST

1. comedy central (colbert, reno, south park, stand up)
2. espn (pardon the interruption)
3. f/x (the shield)
4. wgn (cubs games)

Tessa Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 03:39 AM EST

1. food network
2. lifetime
3. usa
4. the cw
5. tbs

Susi Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

OMG, Slezak is so gay with a list like that!

Psychic_Monkey Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 01:29 PM EST

I don't even know what those "15,000 viewers" were thinking!?

So, I pick USA x'5 for my Psych/Monk fix...it's pretty much all I need.

Hill & Shalhoub are too funny...

Allie Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 04:39 PM EST

HBO
HBOW (for when I miss the movie on HBO, I can catch it three hours later)
Showtime

I only needed 3! I can certainly stand to have VH1, MTV, TNT, TBS or USA, but I don't "need" them. In fact, this exercise is making me completely rethink the $150.00 I spend for cable every month. I'd love Bravo but TimeWarner doesn't even offer it in our area, so I stick mainly to all things network (even little red-headed-step-children networks like The CW).

Working Girl Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 06:07 PM EST

Who on god's green earth could live without vh1?!??!!

i LUUUUUUUV new york!
flav-er FLAAAAV!
(and, to a lesser degree) will you stay here and rock my world?

DanOregon Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 02:58 PM EST

ESPN - college football
MSNBC - News with flavor
FX - Rescue Me

I can make do without anything else, but if I get two more I'll take USA for Law and Order CI, Psych and Monk, and Discovery for something to watch between commercials.

Dana Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 01:36 PM EST

CBS- (CSI, Criminal Minds)
ABC- (Lost, Pushing Daisies, Men in Trees)
FOX-(Bones, Prison Break, House, Family Guy)
Discovery
ESPN

Sweet Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 01:09 PM EST

Wow, this is an easier list to complete than I thought
1. hgtv
2. cartoon network
3. tbs
4. the N (love me some Degrassi)
5. tnt

Scott Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 11:56 AM EST

1) ESPN (for college football and basketball)
2) Turner Classic Movies
3) CNN
4) History Channel
5) Fox Sports Detroit - for Detroit Tigers games

Jenn Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 11:40 AM EST

Bravo-Top Chef and Project Runway are the only reality shows worth watching.
ESPN-but only during football season.
Food Network-great to have in the background while doing something else.
Comedy Central-for my Stewart and Colbert fix.
Discovery-has some of the most interesting shows on tv.

E-Z-E Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 10:51 AM EST

I don't have cable, so this was like a wish list for me. If only we could have "a la carte" cable!!

1) Sci-fi. BSG - 'nuff said!
2) Cartoon Network (I could lie and say it's for my kid, but I wouldn't be fooling anyone.)
3) Comedy Central, for Stewart and Colbert.
4) ESPN
5) BBC America

drella66 Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 10:32 AM EST

I could live with three--
Bravo-PR, Top Chef
Vh1-Rock of Love, Flavor of Love, etc
f/x-Rescue Me, Nip Tuck, Always Sunny

Mr. D Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 09:53 AM EST

1) Comedy Central - for Stewart, Colbert, Scrubs reruns, stand-up, etc.
2) HBO - don't have it now, but if I had to choose 5, I would choose this.
3) E!, for the Soup, the whole Soup, and nothing but the Soup (I hate EVERYTHING else about this channel).
4) TBS
5) Food Network, I guess...mostly because they're good shows to take a nap to.

Crystal Mon, Jan 7, 2008 at 04:52 AM EST

Food Network
TNT
USA
ABC Family
BBC America

(I'm not counting AMC because I watch "Mad Men" On Demand)

cable lover Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 11:07 PM EST

VH1
Bravo
History
National Geographic
HBO

Maegan Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 09:12 PM EST

I'm trading TLC for VH1

Shane W. Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 08:12 PM EST

Discovery
HD Theatre
Showtime
SciFi
BBC America

Maegan Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 07:04 PM EST

1)HGTV
2)Food Network
3)Bravo
4)A&E
5)VH1

Sarah Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 02:49 PM EST

Food Network
Comedy Central
TBS
TNT
Bravo

killah68 Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 02:48 PM EST

GAC- I like country music.
A&E- They always have something worth watching on.
Discovery and discovery health- I like Mythbusters, dirty jobs, deadliest catch, etc. And Dr. G, skeleton stories. Medical shows.
And whatever channel Dexter is on- my friend is telling me it's awesome.
This took only 3 -4 mins.

Carlos Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 01:16 PM EST

Comedy Central (Quite simple, really: Daily Show, The Colbert Report, South Park, Sarah Silverman, stand-up specials)
Vh1 Classic (Music docs, countdowns worth watching, music videos, basically the only music channel to my knowledge that plays ONLY music-oriented programming- What a concept!)
HBO (Ali G, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiam, the movies of course, and most importantly Real Time w/ Bill Maher)
NBC (Can't live without the Office, My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, SNL when its good (its hit or miss at this point), and of course good old Conesy O'Brien)
Cartoon Network (for my ever so necessary Adult Swim fix)

elle_driver Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 04:53 AM EST

If we're allowed premium channels:
HBO - Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Showtime - Weeds, Dexter
Comedy Central - Daily Show, Colbert Report
BBC America
USA

If we're only talking about expanded basic (you can see I put a lot of thought into this):
Comedy Central
USA
BBC America
AMC
MSNBC

Gary Holesak Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 02:28 AM EST

Discovery Channel
USA
FX
Food Network
SciFi

MickNH Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 02:09 AM EST

MSNBC -- Keith Rules
Comedy Central -- Daily Show and Colbert.
USA -- Even though they pissed me off canceling 4400 and Dead Zone, Psych is awesome.
Nick -- Keeps the kids happy and Fairly Odd Parents is a guilty pleasure.
BBC America -- If only we got it in HD.

Sheri Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 12:06 AM EST

DSC
USA
TBS
VH1
CNN

Margaret Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 11:56 PM EST

ESPN
Bravo
Comedy Central
USA
Animal Planet

tia Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 11:44 PM EST

I`ve thought about this alot as I really wish cable would offer packages with specific channels so you can cut out all of the useless other stuff you never watch. I would choose Sci Fi for BSG, Food Network, Spike, VH1 and a toss up between Discovery Channel (Mythbusters), TBS(Syndicated Comedies) and ABC Family(Gilmore GIrls and Whose Line reruns).

marie Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 11:16 PM EST

food channel
hgtv
tnt
national geographic channel
tcm

Jojee Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 10:52 PM EST

USA-Monk, SVU reruns
E!-The Soup
TNT-The Closer
FX-Rescue Me
SHO-Big Love

noodles Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 09:10 PM EST

I wouldn't want to live without:
1) TCM
2) American Life Network
3) SoapNet
4) Bravo
5) Fox Movie Channel

Jessica Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 04:37 PM EST

1. BBC America - Captain Jack owns me!
2. USA Network - Psych, Burn Notice, Monk
3. AMC - Mad Men was the best show of 2007
4. TCM - no commercials during the movie!
5. A&E - CSI Miami Reruns

Toby OB Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 02:20 PM EST

Oh, and my list only took ten minutes. And that only because of the networks I had to forsake.

Toby OB Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 02:19 PM EST

Sci-Fi
CNN
BBC-America (for 'Doctor Who', 'Torchwood', 'Life On Mars', 'Coupling')
American Life Network (for all the old classic, but especially for 'Burke's Law')
TCM

ceci Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 02:17 PM EST

I don't have cable but love to Mandi for picking versus, which I have to hunt down every summer (overlapping with NBA playoffs) to watch the first couple games of the Stanley Cup playoffs!

robert j Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 01:32 PM EST

Not in any particular order. Fair warning this a gay man's top five. Took me about 5 minutes becasue I had to go through all my cable channels to make sure I didn't leave anyone out.
Lifetime - Golden Girls, Designing Women (Yay!!)
Soap Network- watch daytime at nighttime and Melrose Place (Yay!!)
Bravo- no explanations here just luv it all
TLC- Trading Spaces, Paige is back!!! Yay!!
A & E - Almost everything here especially CSI: Miami with David Caruso (Yay!!)
One I can do without- ESPN

B. Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 01:22 PM EST

CNN- sometimes I'm not home for the local and network news so this is what I watch instead.

VH1- I am a sucker for there America's Next Top Model Marathons and for Best Week ever.

Comedy Central- Stweart and Colbert

TNT- They rerun great shows and show great new ones

TBS- My go to for movies.

Celimene Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 09:22 AM EST

Discovery Channel - Mythbusters!
Bravo - Project Runway, et. al.
Animal Planet - I am a sucker for any show with militant members of the SPCA. And the animals are soooo cuute!
Comedy Central - Duh.
BBC America - Little Britain!

Jakeem Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 07:59 AM EST

This only took a couple of minutes:
1. HBO -- The indispensable one.
2. MSNBC -- Ya gotta love Keith Olbermann!
3. TCM -- Movie oldies, but goodies (and no commercial interruptions)!
4. ESPN -- They don't call it the Worldwide Leader for nothing, you know!
5. ESPN2 -- See entry No. 4.

LaterSlater Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 07:54 AM EST

Top 5
Game Show Network, HBO, Discovery Channel, Comedy Central, MSNBC

LaterSlater Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 07:54 AM EST

Top %
Game Show Network, HBO, Discovery Channel, Comedy Central, MSNBC

Jakeem Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 07:53 AM EST

1. HBO -- the indispensable one!
2. MSNBC -- gotta love Keith Olbermann!
3. TCM -- can't do without movie oldies but goodies!
4. ESPN -- they don't call it The Worldwide Leader for nothing, you know!
5. ESPN2 -- see the aboive entry.
'Nuff said!

idigress Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 02:23 AM EST

Bravo - Project Runway, Top Chef, etc.
TLC - What Not to Wear, Jon and Kate + 8
USA - Burn Notice
TNT - The Closer, NBA Games on Thursdays
BBCA - documentaries, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Hotel Babylon

kriselda jarnsaxa Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 01:18 AM EST

writing this before reading anyone else's, or I'll just get confused :)

USA: Burn Notice, L&O:CI/SVU, Dead Zone/4400 reruns, JAG
Bravo: Project Runway, Top Chef, Shear Genius, more CI reruns
TNT: The Closer, L&O, Without a Trace, Cold Case, ER, Charmed
BBC A: Gordon Ramsay, occasional other shows
The fifth slot would be a toss up between: A&E, History, Discovery, DiscoveryTimes, & National Geographic for their true crime and "what happened when" documentaries. If I really had to pick, I'd have to put the five channel names on a dart board and pick one that way :D

Katya Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 12:35 AM EST

USA - Psych, Burn Notice, House reruns
Comedy Central - Daily Show, Colbert, Reno 911, Scrubs reruns
(then it gets tough)
TCM - because that's what I've been tivo-ing most recently
E! - but only for the soup
DHC - Discovery Home Channel because I am obsessed with Jon and Kate +8 (I would rather watch it than project runway most of the time, but it's close).

RBlues Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 12:19 AM EST

Pardon me if this comes out as a double post . . .

Only 5? Personally I couldn't live with that but I'll play along just for fun!

BRAVO
TLC
Food Network
VH1
Disney Channel (for the kids)

Rblues Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 12:16 AM EST

Only 5? I couldn't do it, but I'll play along.

BRAVO
TLC
Food Network
VH1
Disney Channel (for the kids)

Rblues Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 12:09 AM EST

Wow, only 5? I couldn't do it, but I'll try to play along.

TLC
BRAVO
Food Network
VH1
Disney Channel (for the kids)

Jane S Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 11:35 PM EST

In no particular order:
-SciFi(Battlestar Galactica,Doctor Who,those crazy Saturday night movies)
-USA (Psych,Monk,SVU)
-TNT
-TCM(for the good stuff)
-Bravo (for the catty stuff)

Robin Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 11:29 PM EST

USA
Spike
IFC
HGTV
TNT
about 1 minute...on the last one...if only i could have 6 or 7!

Gayle Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 11:26 PM EST

I guess I'm the weird one!
The History Channel
The Military Channel
History International
USA
HGTV

Dawn Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 11:20 PM EST

1) USA
2) Comedy Central
3) Disney Channel (I am one of the 20+ losers who enjoys HSM..and abbreviates it)
4) TBS
5) VH1 (I'm a countdown fan)

20 seconds...but if I think about it any longer, I might die.

cs Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 10:51 PM EST

Only five huh?
1.USA (Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, CI)
2.NBC (The Office, Life, Chuck)
3.ABC (Lost, Ugly Betty)
4.Bravo (Top Chef, Project Runway)
5.TNT(The Closer, Saving Grace)
I know there are others, but this is my top 5

meanie Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 10:27 PM EST

OMG I swear I would die if I could only have 5 channels!!
1. Bravo-cannot live w/o Project Runway and Top Chef
2. AMC-Mad Men (need I say more?)
3. USA- addicted to the 4400
4. F/X- just for Damages
5. TNT-Saving Grace...my God that show is good.

SH Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 10:02 PM EST

These are the first five I thought of. If I take longer, this list will never happen. I'd cry if I only got to pick five cable channels.

1. Discovery: Planet Earth.'Nuff said.
2. E!: I'm a junkie for bad TV at certain times.
3. USA: SVU, CI,etc.
4. TNT: L&O, ER,
5. Cartoon Network: I love Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends

Okay, I also need:
Bravo, HBO, Showtime, GSN, TLC (I WILL flip a house one day)

x302 Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 09:50 PM EST

SPEED!! Rolex, Le Mans. GT anything but NASCAR redneck roundy rounds.
SCFI- BSG
Spike TV
FX rescue me!
Food network
UHD ande HDMNV ooops thats 7

arryana Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 09:03 PM EST

this took less than ten seconds and is in no particular order:
1. BRAVO - gotta have my project runway, shear genius (season 2 coming up!) and the show about that chick with her gym...
2. USA - feeds my monk, L&O CI and SVU fixes
3. FoodNetwork - life wouldn't be the same without paula deen, giada blahbeddy blah, nigella, ina and the latest addition - jamie oliver (yay!)
4, E! - for the soup, those crazy countdowns and my most recent guilty pleasure, keeping up with the kardashians
5. TNT for more L&O and the closer (that kyra sedgewick is awesome!)

Rhonda Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 08:48 PM EST

Believe it or not, I already had a list of cable shows at hand---my husband and I talk about this a lot, oddly enough.
1) TCM --feeds my old-movies addiction
2) HGTV --we can't get this one anymore and I miss it like crazy
3) MSNBC
4) TNT
5) BBC America --lived in England for a while, married a Brit, love the humoUr!

Rhonda Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 08:47 PM EST

Believe it or not, I already had a list of cable shows at hand---my husband and I talk about this a lot, oddly enough.
1) TCM --feeds my old-movies addiction
2) HGTV --we can't get this one anymore and I miss it like crazy
3) MSNBC
4) TNT
5) BBC America --lived in England for a while, married a Brit, love the humoUr!

Em Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 08:07 PM EST

Sci-Fi: Doctor Who, The X-Files (I love reruns), The Twilight Zone (love the marathons!), and even Firefly, occasionally

Bravo: Project Runway!

E!: Only for The Soup- that's all

Discovery: so many great shows!

USA: reruns! And Psych

Janna Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 08:02 PM EST

Hi. My name is Janna and I'm a reality show addict. ::::hi, janna::::

Bravo-Work Out, Top Chef, Project Runway...and where's BlowOut been?!??!

MTV-Real World (I swear it'll be the death of me!), Tila Tequila, The Hills, all the Challenges, any and all ANTM marathons. Puh-LEEEZE get rid of Sweet 16!!

VH1-Rock of Love, My Fair Brady, looking forward to Celeb Rehab and again with ANTM reruns.

TLC-John & Kate, Little People Big World, LA Ink, What Not to Wear

AND...

Showtime! Need my L Word and Weeds!!

Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 08:01 PM EST

Bravo- 'cause I need Project Runway too!
Discovery- love it!
USA
Comedy Central
E!- yeah, it's a terrible channel, but I'd die if I didn't have The Soup!!!

majigail Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 07:35 PM EST

VH1- I didn't make any stupid no Top Model rule... and I do Love New York
E!- The Soup, the Kardashians, E True Hollywood Story, it's a great rainy day channel.
Lifetime- This one wouldn't have gotten in, but I fell in love with Army Wives and can't wait for its return.
ABC Family- I will watch any crappy original movie or show they put on that channel in primetime
Food Network- I can't live without Dave Lieberman and Alton Brown. Oh and Bobby Flay, and Tyler Florence... Yummo!

hamster Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 07:34 PM EST

TCM--Classic Films-No Commercials! (Is there any other choice?)
Also
ABC Family--Gilmore Girl Reruns
AMC--Mad Men
Bravo--Project Runway
MSNBC

Kristin Cannelora Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 07:16 PM EST

Food Network- Good Eats and all those Challeges!
Bravo- Yeah, gotta have PR and Top Chef
E!- ONLY for The Soup. . . Joel McHale for Pres!
VH1- I like the ANTM marathons and I have to find out what happens to Scott Baio
MTV- I'm determined to witness the moment in which The Real World becomes relevant again.

shana Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 07:02 PM EST

As someone who currently doesn't have cable to save money but wastes tons of time watching it when I get the chance, I'd have to say.....
1. MTV-the Gauntlet, Real World, Tila Tequila, MADE, Real Life
2. VH1-I Love the whatevers, Top Model, So You Think You Can Dance
3. Bravo-Project Runway, Top Chef
4. Food Network-Alton Brown, those cake contests, Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)
and finally 5. TLC-What Not To Wear
I have for a long time said that cable should offer a package for us poor grad students and other low-income TV junkies where we can choose just five channels for $_ per month or 10 channels for $_ per month, etc. I'd buy it.

Coach's Mistress Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 06:54 PM EST

Comedy Central
HBO
Headline News
TBS
Nick (to keep my kids happy)

Christina Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 06:34 PM EST

Discovery- Usually always something interesting on
TSN (the Canadian ESPN)- Need my hockey fix
HGTV- Mainly for their British shows
The History Channel- I love me some educational TV
OLN- For the travel shows

AsuperTAURUS Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 06:31 PM EST

Disney
Cartoon Network
Comedy Central
Vh1
G4

Katie Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 06:23 PM EST

1. Food Network for, um, just..everything.
2. TNT for "The Closer"
3. Disney for my daughter
4. Bravo for "Top Chef"
5. SciFi for BSG

I'm realizing that I pay for cable and then in reality I don't really watch all that much beyond the networks. Hmm. I'm probably missing some good stuff!

Steph Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 06:21 PM EST

Food Network
Bravo
TLC
F/X
USA

Tim Lade Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 06:20 PM EST

I only need three:

Food Network Canada
Space (Canadian Sci-Fi)
CTV NewsNet

Leo Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 06:02 PM EST

Sci-fi: for BSG
ESPN: for Monday Night Football
USA: for tennis
MTV: for Gauntlets/Challenges
VH1: for a guilty pleasure.

J Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 05:46 PM EST

USA
Bravo
TLC
Nickelodeon
Boomerang

aa Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 05:45 PM EST

cartoon network - shin chan, family guy
bravo - project runway
usa - psych, criminal intent
e! - the soup, girls next door
hbo - the wire

Becca Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 05:42 PM EST

Bravo - Project Runway, Top Chef
Food Network - I need my Good Eats
USA - Law & Order SVI and CI marathons
ESPN - for college football season
TBS - Movies

:o) Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 05:26 PM EST

1. FX- for pretty much every show they create.
2. USA- SVU and CI repeats
3. AMC- Mad Men and classic awesome movies
4. Spike- movies and CSI repeats
5. E!- The Soup

Joan Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 05:26 PM EST

1. Bravo
2. Style
3. Food Network
4. TLC
5. Animal Planet
The only other cable channels I watch are BBC America, Fox Reality, and Fine Living. And there hasn't been anything I want to watch on those recently. I used to love watching Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, Coupling, and Barggain Hunt on the BBCA, but I've seen every episode.

Raven_Moon Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 05:14 PM EST

1) Comedy Central: because I got to have my Stewart/Colbert fix
2) USA: Monk & Psyh!
3) FX: I love "Rescue Me" in the summer
4) VH-1: I wanted a "music" channel, plus sometimes I can't help but watch a "Top Model" marathon or something stupid like "I Love the 80's"
5) TBS (?): For syndicated programs

Runner Up: I would say ABC Family for Kyle XY, but that's the only thing I like about that channel, plus I heard something about it airing on local TV (due to the writer's strike, I suppose) & I'll just buy the DVD anyway.

Red Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 05:10 PM EST

Bravo - Project Runway, Top Chef, etc
HBO - obvs
BBC America - Life on Mars, Top Gear, Coupling, Dr. Who, etc
FX - Rescue Me, Damages, The Riches
Travel Channel - Tony Bourdain rocks my world

Ria Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 05:02 PM EST

TNT - The drama network
USA - Law and Order: SVU, Criminal Intent
BBC America - Torchwood and Doctor Who
MTV - Its so bad, that its good (And I could watch Top Model reruns all day)
The N - I love Degrassi!

Snsetblaze Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:48 PM EST

Oops, make #5 Comedy Central.

Vicky Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:47 PM EST

Sure I watch certain programs on specific cable channels - My Boys on TBS, South Park on Comedy Central, Greek on ABCFamily. But my top channels are the ones I survive on. Here's how I get through a boring weekend:

HGTV - My default channel
TLC - Can't live without What Not to Wear
Discovery - Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters, etc.
MTV - Wastes time like no other channel
E! - It's my love/hate channel: Love The Soup/Hate Guliana Depandi (I mean "Rancic")

Snsetblaze Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:46 PM EST

1. Sci Fi - I need my cheesy movies, Eureka, Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica and every once in a while there is a good miniseries.
2. FX for Damages and every once in a while something else.
3. Cartoon Network for adult swim.
4. BBC America - but I don't have that now. I want it.
5. This spot would go to USA but since The 4400 (and Wanted as well) was cancelled, I'm going to have to switch. I'm not sure which is better, TBS or TNT.

Rae Rae Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:45 PM EST

1) Bravo
2) HBO
2) Comedy Central
3) TNT
4) TCM

Ceballos Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:43 PM EST

If we're talking basic cable (not premium channels), I'd go:

ESPN
Bravo
FX
HGTV
USA

Frances Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:42 PM EST

ESPN & Comedy Central was a no brainer. I can't live without SportsCenter, South Park, or The Daily Show with John Stewart. Thanks to Slezak, I remembered how I watch the Food Network every weekend for recipes. If I had to pick to more, I guess Bravo, since I love Project Runway and FX, since I've never seen any of there shows.

nunya Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:37 PM EST

oh wait...
i may need
CNN (Anderson Cooper! delish...oh, and yea, the news... Wolf Blitzer's marathon election coverages)
MSNBC (Tim Russert, etc.)
USA (US Open tennis and some shows)
A&E (Inside the Actors Studio)
ESPN2 (I gotta watch Grand Slam Tennis - Wimbeldon, French and Australian Open)

Ames Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:32 PM EST

USA-All their shows really (except Monday night wrestling -- what's up with that?)
TNT-The Closer, L&O
HGTV-obsessed with home improvement (read, watching others improve their homes)
Man, this is harder than I thought.
Sci-fi-only for BSG. Thank you to an earlier poster for reminding me.
Discovery-Myth Busters, Planet Earth.
And once BSG is done, A&E-providing Paranormal State is still on.

Auriana Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:32 PM EST

1. Cartoon Network (AdultSwim, other cartoons)
2. FoodTV (Iron Chef, Good Eats, etc.)
3. Bravo (Top Chef and Project Runway)
4. BBC America
5. Torn between G4, Anime Network and History International

nunya Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:31 PM EST

Bravo, Comedy Central, TBS, TNT and E!

James Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:31 PM EST

This one's easy:

1) Comedy Central
2) Bravo
3) Spike
4) TBS
5) USA

Those were the only five channels I watched when I *had* cable. When it's the figure skating season, I'll swap TBS for ESPN.

Wendy Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:23 PM EST

TCM
Bravo
Spike (must have CSI reruns)
FX (nip/tuck! damages!)
Comedy Central

It took me a while... Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:23 PM EST

but here they are:
IFC - for their movies
Showtime - for Weeds and Californication
HBO - for a lot of their shows
G4 - for Adam Sessler!
BBC America - just got hooked on the original Office, which is way better than the remake

daisyj Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:21 PM EST

Discovery Channel-- My reliable go-to for something to watch (except when they're doing their ghosts/aliens-it's-science! crap).
Bravo-- Project Runway, Top Chef, that new model show I think I may be addicted to.
Travel Channel-- A lot of junk, but I love me some No Reservations.
Fox Sports-- Yeah, I know they're "rebuilding", but I can't miss my A's.
SciFi Channel-- No all-day marathons of made-for-tv-movies about badly CGI-ed giant animals eating has-been TV stars? I. . . I just can't. . . Please, go on! Save yourself!

Barely missing the cut: AMC, Cartoon Network, TLC, VH1, ESPN

That was harder than I thought. Glad I don't have to do this for real.


Christa Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:20 PM EST

Bravo-for Project Runway
the N - I can't live without my teen melodramas
E! - Gotta watch "the news"
BBC America - I heart Torchwood!!!!
and...Sci Fi- cause someday, sometime, BSG will come back on. I pray.

elizs Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:19 PM EST

Only two must haves:
- BBC America - for news and more
- TCM - for my movies
Tied for the rest:
- USA - Burn Notice!
- Bravo - Project Runway
- Comedy Central - esp. now Futurama is there
- Weather Channel - le duh.

ok, I cheated on this list.

monica Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:15 PM EST

I just got Cabelvision so if you asked me this a month from now I might have a different answer. Anyways, as for now my choices are:
HBO (Entourage)
USA (Monk, Psych)
TNT (The Closer)
SCIFI (Eureka)
ABCFAM (Kyle XY, Greek)

I realized I can watch anything I enjoy on MTV online and rent whatever shows up on TBS (except for "My Boys" which I'd miss laughing at). And I forfeited FX for HBO, because "Entourage" trumps any series that FX can come up with.

Valerie Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:12 PM EST

1. Food Network - of COURSE !
2. HGTV
3. TBS
4. USA
5. MTV... ok... Discovery, if you insist ! :)

Daniel Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:10 PM EST

Comedy Central -- No explanation necessary. : )
E! -- for "The Soup" (obviously). : )
ABC Family -- for Kyle XY.
IFC -- for the Independent Spirit Awards, among other things...
HBO

'Nuff said.

Kevin Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:09 PM EST

I'm an idiot! How could I forget? Goodbye E! and Bravo...hello MSNBC and ESPN (actually, I'll be needing ESPN2 for tomorrow so that I can watch my Rutgers Scarlet Knights trounce Ball St. in the highly reputable and dignified (sigh) International Bowl...GO RU!).

Kaitlin Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:08 PM EST

1) easy BBC America - I mean torchwood starts back up at the end of the month. And they have coupling, Dr. Who, and crazy BBC docs.
2) Comedy Central - There you get movies and stand-up
3) USA (all the dective shows and burn notice)
4) History channel - when ever there is a shortage of good shows (like now) I can count of them to keep me ocupied.
5) this is hard VH1/E! - like more of Vh1's programing and when I just want the TV on while I clean its a good choice but it would kill me to not be able to watch The Soup each week.But its the only thing I watch on E!

DalGal Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:08 PM EST

1. USA (Burn Notice)
2. TNT (Closer, Saving Grace...)
3. ESPN (Football, baby!)
4. Discovery HD (Great Travel and Nature shows. Planet Earth was the best show ever on this channel!)
5. HBO (Enough Said)

tim Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:01 PM EST

gotta have:
HGTV - for all the landscaping shows
TLC - for all the how-tos and documentaries
BBC - those Brits are a funny bunch
CNN - for the most up to date news
SciFi - who doesn't love a little science fiction?

Joslyn Hansen Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:01 PM EST

ESPN - no debate
Food Network
Comedy Central
Bravo
VH1

It was really hard leaving DiscoveryHD off the list, but now that we have the Planet Earth DVDs on BluRay, it would be doable.

Kevin Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 04:00 PM EST

Now that there is no Sopranos, I'm going to leave HBO off of the list for now (though the John Adams miniseries looks good). So we'll go with:
1. Comedy Central
2. TCM
3. Bravo (but Top Chef needs to improve quickly)
4. Discovery Channel (love my MythBusters and shows about rollercoasters)
5. E! (I need my Soup fix...otherwise, replace with History Channel).
I'll miss you Food Network...I'll just have to watch The Today Show to get my Giada fix.

Curt Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:52 PM EST

- Game Show Network (who else has a web site dedicated to game shows from 1975?)
- ESPN
- Disney Channel (for my son)
- Bravo (for my wife)
- CNN (because, occasionally, we use our brains)

step Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:51 PM EST

USA - I need Psych, and all the SVU repeats
Showtime - Can't live without Weeds and Dexter
Discovery - Dirty Jobs and Cash Cab
Food Network - Food porn!
HBO - For the movies, actually, not the shows. Showtime has really bad movies.

JAM Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:50 PM EST

Bravo
MSNBC
USA
TBS
Food Network

Peter Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:50 PM EST

1. USA (Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, WWE RAW)
2. Comedy Central (Daily Show, Colbert)
3. Discovery Channel (Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters)
4. Travel Channel (Anthony Bourdain 'nuff said)
5. FX (The Shield, Rescue Me)

Peter Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:49 PM EST

1. USA (Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, WWE RAW)
2. Comedy Central (Daily Show, Colbert)
3. Discovery Channel (Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters)
4. Travel Channel (Anthony Bourdain 'nuff said)
5. FX (The Shield, Rescue Me)

Heather Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:49 PM EST

Easy-

1. HBO - the best shows.
2. Comedy Central - all about the Daily Show
3. BBC America - I need my dose of British shows
4. Turner Classic Movies - the best movie channel on cable
5. VH1 - a nice mix of morning music videos and fun reality programming

Matt Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:47 PM EST

HBO (great shows)
Comedy Central (South Park, Drawn Together, Sarah Silverman, Reno 911)
Discovery (Cash Cab, Planet Earth)
Bravo (Project Runway and other gay shows)
TBS (Family Guy and The Office reruns!)

Kai- Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:46 PM EST

ESPN
TNT
Headline News
F/X
Lifetime/Bravo (can't decide!)

Sam Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:46 PM EST

Easy...5 seconds for this one.

MTV
MTV2
BET
VH1
Bravo

There ya go. The best cable stations available!

Patty Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:42 PM EST

Comedy Central for Colbert/Stewart

Darmini Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:42 PM EST

This was a little bit of a frightening experience, having to choose ONLY 5 channels. But here they are
1. Sci-Fi (Stargates SG-1 and Atlantis, Doctor Who and those all day marathons of old shows)
2.USA (Law & Order: SVU, Monk, the occasional good movie)
3.E! (The Soup)
4.G4TV (Attack of the Show, Ninja Warrior)
5. Cartoon Network (Adult Swim)

jcarla Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:41 PM EST

Food network - need my Alton Brown
Bravo - Project Runway, Top Chef
Discovery Channel - Mythbusters!
Cartoon Network - Adult swim
Uh...
Oh Yeah! Stewart and Colbert are coming back so #5 is Comedy Channel!

Susan Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:41 PM EST

Oohhh...I must edit.
Add TCM
Subtract E!

Susan Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:40 PM EST

ALN (MTM, Nehart, WKRP, Lou Grant, Trapper John)
AMC (Mad Men)
E! (Guilty Pleasure)
HBO
Showtime

EMB Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:35 PM EST

TNT for The Closer
TBS for My Boys
USA for Monk, Psych (RIP 4400/Dead Zone) plus the endless L&O reruns (that applies to TNT too)
Bravo for their Top ____ reality programs and Project Runway
ABC Fam for cheesy TV movies

Rahul Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:34 PM EST

HBO - too many good shows to name
F/X - I have a huge list of "what I don't like about (my)self"
ESPN - SportsCenter
Sci-Fi - Battlestar Galatica
TNT - Who doesn't love watching the same movie 3 times in 1 weekend?

done in 5 mins

Angela Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:33 PM EST

TNT
Bravo
USA
Comedy Central
VH1

janine Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:32 PM EST

VH1
BBC America
Cartoon Network
USA
MTV2

Laurie Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:30 PM EST

Comedy Central, TCM, USA, TNT, and FX, I guess, for Damages. If Bravo would bring back reruns of West Wing, I'd go with that, but Project Runway is not enough. My instant choice was TCM because I am a geek. It is the class of the field.

Jake Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:28 PM EST

ESPN
YES
Turner Classic Movies
Discovery
IFC

Kate Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:28 PM EST

Food Network (right off the bat)
USA (for more Law and Order SVU)
E! (for Talk Soup)
Style (for How Do I Look?)
TV Land (cause they have Three's Company)

Cece Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:24 PM EST

Oooh, if I could add on, I'd include Soap Central (I need to catch up while I'm at work)

Cece Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:23 PM EST

MTV (Hills, can't live without them), TV1 (I need my Martin/Good Times marathons), Comedy Central (can't get enough of that South Park stuff), Bravo (two words: Project Runway) and FX (McNamara/Troy is my guiltiest pleasure of all)

Amber Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:22 PM EST

This only took me about ten seconds:

I have to have HGTV, Food Network, Comedy Central, VH1, and E!

Ryan Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:21 PM EST

Bravo
HBO
Showtime
F/X
Comedy Central

Andie Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:21 PM EST

Bravo
HBO
TBS
Showtime
Comedy Central

Heather Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:14 PM EST

SPEED (debated 0 seconds: I need my motorsports), TNT (2 seconds), ESPN (5 seconds), BRAVO (5 seconds), VH1 (2 minutes)

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