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Brett
04-24-03, 10:41 PM
Whats the status on this cable channel?

Discovery (which owns Discovery Health) bought it out from Fox Cable. But is Discovery keeping both and running original programming on both? DirecTV has carried The Health Network for a long time. But if it wasnt carried, I doubt DirecTV would add it now.

Dish Network has not added it, nor has Comcast. If you have Comcast and its carried, its likely carried before Comcast ownership. Comcast Digital Cable recently added DIY and Fine Living, from Scripps group of networks. Comcast signed a deal back in January according to broadcastingandcable.com, but in my area those 2 were added just this week. Scripps is making sure their channels get carriage deals. Hearst is doing the same with its Lifetime Movie Network (even though the original Comcasts dont have that one yet).

Even though analog is quite different from system to system, (Disney wants ESPN Classic actually in analog on some systems - and its more of a slower phase in per system), Comcast tends to keep their digital lineups exactly or very close to the same on systems (ones that have been Comcast for over 3 years). So a new digital addition of Fine Living here is likely a new addition on other systems.

In my area, WPSJ-LP 8 Hammonton South Jersey carries Shop At Home during the day, and The Health Network during evenings. They have some shows similar to Discovery Health. On cable, we get all the Discovery nets, except The Travel Channel and The Health Network. DirecTV carries them (and WLVT 39 PBS, and many channels I want that Comcast lacks), I know...

But whats the status on Discovery and The Health Network? If Discovery wanted to let it grow, wouldnt they advertise it more (like Trio), or be insisting Dish and Comcast carry it atleast on digital tier or AT 150 tier, the same way Scripps is doing with DIY and Fine Living?

Speaking of heavy advertising, Trio launched an extensive campaign in Philly, asking us to ask our cable systems to add the channel. They used billboards, moving ads (trucks), and had their promotion on coffee cups, etc. that were distributed throughout the city. I dont know if that was successful or not. I do not know of any Comcast Trio deal.

Karl Foster
04-25-03, 01:36 AM
IMHO, the Health Network is pretty weak. Definitely not a station I'd be clammorig for. It doesn't even compare to Discovery Health.

I don't know the status of the station, but if I ran the world (or at least the Discovery Networks) I'd cut and run.

Brett
04-26-03, 12:05 PM
Since they already have Discovery Health, it doesnt make sense IMO, to keep a second and similar The Health Network. They could move the few shows from THN like "Doctor Diaries" to Disc. Health. What about a Discovery Arts channel? I am wondering if Discovery is keeping the channel active only because they have a long term deal with some cable systems that they inherited before ownership.

Another network that doesnt look strong (and hasnt been getting new carriage deals - even though they seeked big publicity) is Oxygen. I wonder how long Oxygen will stay in operation. WE, which is also struggling IMO, could get a lift and seek the cable systems that Oxygen had. IMO, its oversaturated with both WE and Oxygen trying to compete against Lifetime.

Time Warner is also in a selling/ closing of unprofitable businesses or businesses they cant achieve much growth. I wonder about CNNFN. AOL shut down CNNsi, I dont know if CNNFN is really doing strong against CNBC and Bloomberg.

IMO, the newer networks that look to be doing successful (and which cable systems are adding) include: Biography, Hist. International, DIY, Discovery themes, etc.

Atleast with MuchMusic (now Fuse?), Trio, Lifetime Movie Net. the parent owners (Cablevision, USA, Hearst) are aggressive seeking growth in those networks. Disney has been working that its smaller cable networks (like SoapNet, ESPN Classic) are getting carriage deals. I dont see Discovery aggressively working on anything with The Health Network.

Steve Mehs
04-26-03, 02:09 PM
Same type of situation as CMT and VH-1 Country. Although CMT appears to be turning into a country MTV, more regular programming then music videos.

Brett
04-27-03, 06:57 PM
VH-1 Country is also 24x7 videos, no infomercials at night.

music_beans
05-01-03, 09:02 AM
I just checked the TV listings for DISH on netscape.com, and they list THN on channel 254. Try it once:

www.netscape.com. and click on TV.

I think Disney should sell ABC Family to AOL Time Warner, and turn it into a new channel.

Steve Mehs
05-01-03, 01:23 PM
This has been going on for years, before channels like Nick GAS, Style and Wisdom were add they appeard on internet TV grids like Yahoo TV and Gist. Wisdom was listed at 199 IIRC though. I don't know why Health Net (and others) were/are listed but, Health Network will never be on E*.