Time Warner Cable loses HDNet at the end of the month, says "being in HD is not enough"
By Richard Lawler 
posted May 18th 2009 2:51PM
posted May 18th 2009 2:51PM
Bad news for Mark Cuban, not only are his Dallas Mavericks out of the NBA Playoffs, but Time Warner Cable is dropping HDNet and HDNet Movies on all of its systems on May 31. Hopefully this doesn't mark the beginning of the end of the network MOJO HD-style, especially since we've heard of the network sliding onto new Comcast systems recently, but TWC PR director Robyn Watson doesn't seem optimistic, saying "being in HD is not enough." Ouch. Still, fans of Art Mann Presents and the like take heart, the "24x7 HD Network for men" MavTV is launching on the HD Xtra tier at the beginning of June.
damn that sucks....I wonder what else they are going to put in that "HD Pay" Tier MGMHD, & Universal HD wont be enough for me to justify that $10/month
damn that really sucks considering i had it and then got rid of it and then i discovered art mann presents so i called and had it added about 2 hours ago......now its gonna be gone again? i am so tired of time warner.
I have Directv and watch both HDNet and HDNet Movies regularly along with MGMHD and Universal HD. I find these channels more entertaining than premium movie channels.
hmmm, just one more strike against TWC and possibly making me go online only.
Yep, sounds like TWC has screwed the pooch. Maybe HD isn't enough for TWC but I think they will find that HD is plenty enough for their subscribers.
Paying $6 for the HD Pak on BrightHouse will not be worth it. MGM an Universal HD will all be left.
Very bad mistake Time Warner, I think there are behind the scenes issues. There's great programming on HDnet, and I would be crushed if I lost HDnet Movies, a GREAT channel, the only one showing the Hollywood hits of the pre-1970 era. Hope Dish keeps them for a long time! So Glad I switched from Time Warner to Dish!
Some of the people making these decisions have never seen a movie made before 1990.
The movies will be missed. The $10 we were paying for a few channels will not. That tier is officially cancelled.
HD Pack
703 - HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL HD
705 - HDNET
706 - HDNET MOVIES
708 - UNIVERSAL HD
709 - HD SHOWCASE ON DEMAND
710 - MGM HD
HD showcase is TV on Demand (TV shows from different channels not really worth it)
That would leave Hallmark, Universal and MGM HD
Does anyone know if Brighthouse will be dropping them as well?
If so they're going to lose my 6 bucks a month for the HD pack unless they're going to replace HDNet and HDNet Movies with something worth while. Otherwise, what's left just isn't worth it. Especially since Universal HD has COMMERCIALS and shouldn't even be a pay station.
I live in the Tampabay area and called and was told their agreement expires on the 31st but, they are working to renew it.
That really bites Corpus Christi TWC only has 10 non-premium HD channels as it stands. I am thinking about switching to Directv or DISH in the near future.
860 KRIS (NBC) HD
880 KEDT (PBS) HD
893 TNT HD
895 ESPN HD
896 ESPN2 HD
898 MGM HD
899 HD Net
900 HD Net Movies
901 Universal HD
904 TBS HD
Time Warner Cable is making another mistake. While I live in Canada and don't know how many people like HDNet in the states, it is one of the best few HD channels we get in Canada. Not only does it consistently show MMA fights in HD, but some of the best movies restored in HD (i.e. Lawrence of Arabia).
This has nothing to do with HDNetonly catering to a few people but is most likely because TWC probably doesn't want to pay for hosting HDnet anymore. Oh well, I guess along with alienating their internet subscribers with planned caps on bandwidth, they can give their satellite customers the shaft too.
Boooooo!!! I just signed up for the HD Suite teer to get HDNet so I can watch Ring of Honor on tv!
Bikini Destinations was the only thing I watched on HDNET.
I could care less about HDNet itself, but HDNet Movies is a damn sight better than the movies on most of the pay networks. Half my movie recordings come off that one channel.
Luckily I have DirecTV.
Wow, I hope that FIOS doesn't follow suit with this. I love the HDNet movie channel. Sure the movies are older but I really enjoy seeing things like "Trading Places" for the first time in HD since...well, I guess since I saw it way back when in an actual theater. I don't understand cable systems that would drop programming like this and trumpet the fact that they are adding channels like Kitten WranglingHD. And expect us to pay extra for it...
Nooooooo! Where will I be able to find Get Out!?
Let's not forget the spectacular NASA HD coverage HDNet does! Or HD versions of interesting shows (like the BBC's Torchwood, classic shows like JAG and Arrested Development). Not to mention absolutely fabulous movies (West Side Story, Breakfast at Tiffanys, etc.) that seem to be lovingly transferred/restored.
VOTE WITH YOUR WALLETS
Cancel the tier w/HDNet on it. In my market, the ONLY other vaguely worthwhile channel is MGM HD. PLUS, this gives me an opportunity to drop some other stuff (like Starz) and save enough money to get a NetFlix sub.
Oh, far as I know, HDNet remains on FIOS. Which is exactly where I am going when the fiber comes to my street/building (s/b 3rd quarter this year, AND I've already prepped my building so everyone is anxious to have a shot at it).
Why would anyone be on cable anyway?
Well in my case, and for others as well, LOS issues. Other then that, I'd have been with satellite a long time ago.
Time Warner probably just can't afford it.
They're about to go bust.
I've just got around to getting FIOS TV and these two channels are definitely among the better ones I've watched so far. The sheer stupidity of cable companies is stunning at times. But I guess that they're proof of how having no competition can make a company weak and prime for extinction. I mean, sheesh, AIG has had a amazingly disasterous run over the past year with incredibly horrible press AND they still barely beat out Comcast for most hated company.
Side note -- can you guess what industry New Orleans Mayor Nagin (he of Katrina fame) came from before he entered politics? If you guessed cable TV, then you'd be correct.
HDNET movies is great. The show older movies in true 16x9 and not stretched formate like some networks. The Head of programing for TWC really doesn't know much about what HD viewers want.
TWC did this as a money saving measure, I mean come on. They decided to delete some of the most popular HD channels, with shows & movies that are ALL HD to add a secondary, or should I say third tier HD channel like Smithsonian? Don't get me started with MAVTV. It's so much cheaper for TWC to add Smith & MAV then have top tier more expensive HDNET channels. MAVTV is the worst channel I have ever seen. None of it looks like true HD. Looks like they are all up converted and stretched. The presentation looks like 80's cable access with not so attractive bikini girls introducing shows in front of a blue screen. They have a show called 'Stag' where the first host from 'Cheaters' has a show where they film a planned bachelor party, then show it to the girlfriend. It seems so real.. NOT !
Thank God I have FIOS, I get MAV skip right over it and always end up on HDNET and my other quality HD channels.
Great...I'm paying $7 bucks extra for that HD tier. UVerse just got into my area. Maybe it's time to give the big finger to TWC and finally switch.
Arrested Development in HD
What more do they need?
I actually enjoy HDNET and HDNET movies on Directv. I honestly think that TWC is doing this as a power play. Rarely would big cable let an indie company get carriage. let alone compete with its channels.
This move by Warners is BS. These channels are good, and to simply say being HD isn't good enough... stupid cause they have good content, the HDNET channels ARE NOT the lame channels from VOOM. Perhaps this is a misguided attempt at retribution because of the failed attempt by the cable company consortium at starting MOJO. Which crashed and burned.
I'm going to call tomorrow, this is the last straw, they are history. FIOS here I come.
was at a satellite installer convention when news broke. next day it seemed that all installers said their inboxes were full of TW customers requesting quotes for satellite. a few said that callers talked about some live MMA event coming up on HDNet but i'm sure many just don't want to lose HDNet's. either way, i think TW is underestimating the power of the MMA fan and the value of HDNet. i guess we'll find out next week.
"Just being HD isn't enough," and yet that's all that MavTV can boast--their programming looks horrible, but it's in HD. If TWC didn't get that garbage for free, they got ripped off.
I rarely watch HDNet, but I love HDNet Movies, and will be quite disappoined to see it go. Without a doubt, I'll have to drop the HD Tier, with my favorite channel gone.
The only thing keeping me with TWC is my love for Tivo...I hope the new DirecTV Tivo actually shows up in 2010.
Never bought that tier before, now for sure I'm not going to go for it. I'm sort of stuck with a TiVO HD with a lifetime subscription. So I can't go FIOS. Ah well, such is life. I need to watch less TV anyway.
Does a TiVO subscription prevent you from changing providers? You can get a cablecard with FiOS so you can continue to use the TiVO box.
I just got MavTV from Dish and the network is sweet. Love the Rad Girls and the racing. Very cool in HD. Hopefully, they will add some guys movies. Seems to be lacking from the net for guys...Old School type stuff.
I have FiOS and like both Mav and HDNet. Both have pretty cool guy shows and nice eye candy on sometimes. Not sure why T. Warner would let HDNet go? Never watched HDNet Movies w/ all the premium channels i get tho.
As a TWC customer, I get all the HD channels that TWC makes available and that's pretty much all I watch. Of course, the news sucks to maybe lose channels like HDNet and HDNet Movies (hopefully they can work out their differences), but I don't get all the haters on this board who see the need to bag on the other HD channels I'm about to receive just because they're pissed about losing HDNet. Seems like half these posters don't even subscribe to TWC (posters bitching about this from Canada?!, c'mon!)...a bit of a head-scratcher if you ask me. The more HD channels the better at this point. Add more, just don't take any of the existing HD channels away.
glad I'm on DirecTV... I love those two channels! I'll likely switch to FIOS soon, although that'd be a definite strike against if if they too decided to drop 'em.
I watch Fitness Beauties on MavTV. They got some real cuties on that show. Interesting choices in music tracks, too.
Just in passing... looks like they've updated the Programming Alerts page.
It now at least leaves the door open a little bit, and says:
"Effective May 27, 2009, Smithsonian HD will be launched on the HD Tier (an HD box is required) on channel 420."
"Effective May 27, 2009, we will be required to cease carriage of HDNet and HDNet Movies unless an agreement with the programmer is reached. If an agreement is reached HDNet will move from channel 420 to channel 459 and HDNet Movies will move from channel 421 to channel 458."
No mention of whether or not the HDN channels would be moved to "free" status or would still be part of HD Tier as part of the channel number reassignment.
DSperber is offline Report Post Reply With Quote
Why are we losing this channel??? It has the best shows...I just can't get enough of InFocus!
What am I suppose to do now? Geez...Time Warner should ask their us first before they make a stupid decision like this!
I'm on the phone with Time-Warner right now protesting this. If this does happen, I'm bailing on TW altogether and going to DirectTV. Between crappy service, sky-high rates and extremely dubious programming choices, TWC can bite it. This is definitely the tipping point.
I email Mark Cuban (owner of HD Net) and his staff sent the following...
"call your local office and ask for the general manager. tell him how you feel. Tell him you are switching to satellite.
contact the people below and have your friends do the same !
Here are some Time Warner Cable executives’ email addresses:
Time Warner Cable Executives:
Darryl Ryan - Director Of Media Relations
darryl.ryan@twcable.com
Alexander Dudley - Vice President, Public Relations
(212) 364-8229
alex.dudley@twcable.com
AlexTWC on Twitter
John Orzolick - Customer Care Advocate, Corporate Office
customercarefeedback@ndc.rr.com
Mariam Asmar
mariam.asmar@twcable.com
MsmarTWC on Twitter
thanks so much !!!
m"
TWC couldn't even wait until the end of the month to switch over.
They replaced HDNet earlier this week, so now I can't watch the Godfather trilogy in HD.
Stupid MAV plays infomercials in the morning... this is supposed to be a premium tier, WTF !
NOOOOO!!! This sucks!! How can we lose Art Mann Presents AND Bikini Destinations. And yeah, the upcoming programming for MavTV and Smithsonian looks awful at best. I just sent an email to the addresses above. I don't expect it to do any good, but if enough people send a message maybe it will help. BTW, Kerflop, thank you for the provided email addresses.
sent an email to customer care at the above address and this is the reply I got.
Thank you for writing us. You have reached the Office of the President for Time Warner Cable.
After extensive negotiations, Time Warner Cable’s agreements with HDNet and HDNet Movies have officially expired. Consequently, Time Warner Cable dropped the HDNet and HDNet Movies channels at the end of May.
Time Warner Cable’s largest expense is programming. The price we charge our customers is directly affected by the price we must pay for programming. That is why we are doing everything in our power to control programming costs, which continue to increase every year.
HDNet would only allow us to keep these channels if we moved HDNet to the Digital Basic Tier. We believe that offering HDNet on a broadly distributed tier is not the right value proposition for our customers. (So what they are saying here is that having content made available to a more broad audience is not a good value? are you kidding me? What about all the other crap that gets bundled into every damn package?)
We work to provide quality HD programming at fair value to our customers. Therefore, we are excited to be upgrading our HD Tier. New networks include all of the following: Smithsonian Channel HD and RFD HD launching by the end of the month, as well as MavTV HD launching at the end of summer ‘09. This new programming, offered through Time Warner Cable’s Premium HD Tier, will provide distinctive and high-quality HD programming geared toward, but not limited to, our arts and outdoors enthusiasts, movie lovers and MMA fans.
For more information or any updates about this decision, please visit our homepage www.timewarnercable.com .
Please know that we value you as our customer and we apologize for any inconvenience or frustration this decision has caused you.
Regards,
S__ S____
Customer Care Advocate
Time Warner Cable Corporate Office