Time Warner Dropping HDNet

by Kid Nate on May 18, 2009 11:40 PM EDT Comment 30 comments

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."

...

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."

HT MMA for Real

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Comments

Is this the end of the BE night crew?

Keep firing Assholes!

This is a dream competition for me. I drink as much coffee as I want, and eventually I hallucinate.

by Ubernoober on May 18, 2009 11:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The BE night crew can’t be killed. There’s no flesh or blood within this url to kill. There’s only an idea and ideas can’t be canceled.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on May 18, 2009 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plus I have Comcast, so yeah.

by subo on May 19, 2009 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WTF???!!!

TWC services all of NYC. Am I seriously going to miss out on DREAM and Sengoku because stupid-ass time warner doesn’t think HDnet “appeals” to anyone? BS!!!

by mburtoni on May 18, 2009 11:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why blame Time Warner here? At the end of the day, it comes down to money. And HDNet’s worth isn’t very high compared to most other channels.

by AlwaysRelaxing on May 19, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why blame Time Warner here?

Because they’re taking away the only free source of MMA I can direct people to.

Everyone I’ve turned on to MMA loves it but can’t find any that’s like the other sports they watch: Free.

by asa on May 19, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

a. It’s not free.

I’ve found in all these cable company channel stand offs both sides are usually stubborn and asking too much, putting the blame on one half is silly. Why not blame HDnet for asking for too much?

by Phildo on May 19, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dish network anyone?

I for one upgraded by cable package just to get HDNet and Versus.

by toxic on May 19, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And this is why DirecTV murders all others.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by FlyByKnight on May 19, 2009 12:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

word

by nitro on May 19, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

YUP

by Luke Thomas on May 19, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shit

Does this mean no more Art Mann Presents???!?!?!

The new mma-elite.com is coming soon! If you are interested in helping out as a writer contact me.

by Brad Ackerson on May 19, 2009 12:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh noes

With no Bikini Destinations and just the Internet left, what will I have left to masturbate to?

by subo on May 19, 2009 12:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lol

The new mma-elite.com is coming soon! If you are interested in helping out as a writer contact me.

by Brad Ackerson on May 19, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Comcast bought out all of Time Warner’s Minneapolis market, so I’m safe for now.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 19, 2009 12:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So you’re Comcast service has HDNet?

by Zack Gobie on May 19, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I’m still marginally concerned that because they took over these markets that somehow they still carry Time Warner stations, but it’s been a good two years now.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 19, 2009 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sucks, the Comcast in DC and Connecticut don’t carry HDNet. >:[

by Zack Gobie on May 19, 2009 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That Comcast carries Time Warner stations...

…doesn’t mean anything. TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, CNN, every cable system has those channels as part of their basic package, and most have Turner Classic Movies. The vast majority of cable systems offer subscriptions to HBO. The ad-revenue they rake in from being in over 90 million homes, plus HBO subscriptions, are much more lucrative than the theoretical boost in cable subscriptions that Time Warner might receive if they were to make them “exclusive” to the 8.7 million homes they currently service. The cable business doesn’t work that way, only really minor channels are ever going to be “exclusive.”

You don’t have anything to worry about.

by Chromium on May 19, 2009 6:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gone

See, this is why I’m gonna have DirecTV by the end of the month, this just gives me another reason to leave TWC’s inferior service.

by billieskeet on May 19, 2009 1:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OMG this is so awesome

I just switched from Time Warner to RCN when I moved last month. They suck so bad. They almost lost all of Viacom earlier this year

by Flyghtt on May 19, 2009 4:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I Want My MMA!!!

I’ve been a Time Warner Cable subscriber for a long time. The news about TWC dropping HDNet from thier channel line-up was an immediate dealbreaker.

I’ve already called Dish Network and scheduled an installation appointment for Thursday morning. I’m returning my TWC box to the local office as soon as it is complete.

I’ve got a sales guy that is quite eager to hook up angry TWC customers that don’t want to lose the MMA programming on HDNet. He is offering generous amounts of free premium movie channels as incentive to switch. Email me if you want more details. I have a gmail address.

Anyone that would like to express their feelings about this situation, try emailing these 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

by DJRokyManson on May 19, 2009 5:57 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Thanks for this. I literally added their dumb ass “hd package” just to get HDNet. Ill be letting them know that there is an apeal for this programing.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on May 19, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs