Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Television Where's MSNBC?
Posted by Chris Davis on Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 4:02 PM
The short answer, for those who haven't figured it out on their own, is that MSNBC has moved to Comcast channel 81. Well, sort of. It's on channel 81 for customers with the kind of digital converter box that Comcast told its lucky customers in countless pre-digital-switch advertisements they wouldn't be needing. For basic expanded cable viewers without a box, MSNBC has been moved to Channel 105. That means that fans of Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow who currently only have expanded basic are probably going to require an upgrade. The big question, obviously, is “Why only MSNBC?” Why not CNN? Why not Fox News?
Comcast customers who call the cable giant's Memphis office to find out why they now need a digital box to keep watching MSNBC have been getting answers ranging from “Government regulation” to “We're phasing out analog cable.” After being told there was nobody in management who could field questions and explain the decision in detail, one customer service rep told the Flyer that the decision to move away from expanded basic and into cable box-only territory was made by the network. MSNBC, she said, thought it would be “beneficial.” MSNBC says none of this true.
“The decision to move MSNBC to 105 was entirely Comcast's,” a spokesperson for MSNBC countered, making it clear that MSNBC would prefer to have as many viewers as possible and that this move was in no way beneficial to the brand. "MSNBC wasn't notified until after the change was made," she said.
This switch isn't exclusive to Memphis. MSNBC is gradually being moved up the virtual dial in other markets across the country. The change comes on the heels of recent news and noise about an alleged plan negotiated between Fox News mogul Rupert Murdoch and executives at MSNBC's parent company GE to end the ongoing feud between MSNBC's liberal anchor Keith Olbermann and his conservative counterpart, Fox's Bill O'Reilly. Although Olbermann has denied that any such agreement was made and has since taken a few potshots at O'Reilly and Fox, his comments are currently available to fewer sets of eyes and ears.
These kinds of changes tend to be about money and seldom if ever have anything to do with political content. Determining which networks are on which channels in which markets can be roughly compared to grocery stores that carry a variety of beers but will cut a deal to give one brand premium placement, another the end cap, and special Super Bowl display for a third. Only the process isn't nearly so straightforward. MSNBC's spokesperson would not go into details about what it costs to get good placement, or how that value is determined and accounted for, but said she was in constant negotiations with Comcast to assure that MSNBC has good centralized placement in every market and is available to as many viewers as possible.
Comments (6)
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LETS KEEP UP WITH THE DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT AND JUST GET A BOX, YOUR FIRST BOX IS FREE IF YOU HAVE STANDARD CABLE SO STOP COMPLAINING.... LETS THINK? WHY WOULD YOU BLAME THE MEMPHIS OFFICE FOR THIS WHEN THEY ARE NOT THE ONES THAT MADE THE DECISION TO SWITCH. WHY BRING NEGATIVE PUBLICITY TO THE CITY? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE REPORTED THE GOOD THINGS? IT MAY HAVE BEEN COMCAST THAT MADE THE DECISION BUT THE MEMPHIS OFFICE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. LETS HAVE A LITTLE MORE RESPECT FOR OUR CITY! THESE REPS ARE OUR FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, AND FRIENDS- LET'S NOT CRITICIZE THEM. THEY ARE TRYING TO HELP US THE BEST WAY THEY CAN. ALL I CAN SAY IS, WHAT IF THE SHOE WAS ON THE OTHER FOOT.
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This is another trick of the ones who are running and fueling the ignorance that is perpetuated throughout media today. First they get rid of Air America which offered an alternative view to that of right wing America and now they make it so less ears and eyes can tune in to MSNBC (not Fox, not CNBC, not CNN) which also combated the views of those whom seem to have the floor at all times in all media outlets!!! This is an outrage to me and I cannot (yet I can) believe that this is happening! I am one of the few who do have basic cable but have not invested in the digital box because money is tight and I did not feel that it was worth it. My mind has not changed on the value of this digital cable but it just goes to show you who is running Sh!$ Had this been the other way around trust there would have been all kind of outrage but since this is the world and time we live in I am amongst the minority who apparently have no voice. It is so very sad but it's cool...it just confirms what I already knew and belived. I would be a fool to give this bullsh!$ a$$ company my money so they can not represent the voice of all people equally. HaHaHa..I will spread the news for them!
Speaking of MSNBC a couple months ago they went Hi Def, but DirecTV has yet to add the HD channel. What gives? MSNBC look puny & blurry next to the other cable news channels. I want my anchors looking nice and crisp when they misinform the public.
Lets keep in mind YOUR FIRST BOX IS FREE and you get a FREE UPGRADE. There is no price change- SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Comcast not only moved MSNBC on the standard cable channels, they have also refused to add the HD Channel the same way DirectTV has. Can we find out when and if we will receive MSNBC in HD?
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