Sunday, November 21, 2010

Intriguing Cable News

In case you haven't heard, Time Warner is launching a pared-down package of channels it is calling TV Essentials (which just so happens to include it's own CNN in lieu of Fox News and MSNBC) for around $50.
Firstly, this is very smart. Cable TV is way too expensive, especially considering most of it consists of a vast wasteland of crappy programming being spewed out 24 hours a day that we have no choice but to pay for if we want to get certain other decent channels.
The idea of this pared-down service appealed to me. But for me, the game-stopper was when I heard it would only include CNN and not MSNBC and Fox News. I can't do without my occasional dose of Rachel Maddow to bring clarity, sanity and truth to my world, and I certainly can't do without my occasional doses of Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly for just plain out uproarious laughter!
I guess I could just suck up free doses of Beck and O'Reilly via YouTube whenever I need a good laugh. But I don't know. I guess the jury is still out on this whole deal and I have to ponder it some more.

In the meantime, here's the press release Time Warner issued about the deal:


Nov. 18, 2010, 6:45 p.m. EST
Time Warner Cable Launches TV Essentials
New Video-Only Package Targets Customers Hit by Tough Economic Times

NEW YORK, Nov 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Time Warner Cable today announced the launch of Time Warner Cable TV Essentials, a new video-only package designed to address the video needs of customers facing difficult choices during these tough economic times. The Time Warner Cable TV Essentials Package will begin commercial trials in the coming weeks in Time Warner Cable's New York City and Northeast Ohio divisions, with further launches planned for 2011.

"We understand that people are under pretty serious economic duress and would like to have more choice and the option of paying for less programming," said Glenn Britt, President, CEO and Chairman of Time Warner Cable. "This video-only package isn't for everyone, but we hope that some of those most hard-hit by the current economic conditions find it to be a helpful option."

The Time Warner Cable TV Essentials package includes:

Time Warner Cable's Basic tier (including local channels from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and PBS) 12 of the top 20 Nielsen-rated cable channels, plus other channels Representative channels from each major genre: news/information, sports, kids, music, lifestyle, shopping, and general entertainment Two standard-definition digital cable set-top boxes, featuring an on-screen guide and Music Choice Enhanced TV features including StartOver(TM) and LookBack(TM) (where available) Access to the library of new release movies through Time Warner On Demand (paid VOD only; no free VOD)

The package, valued at $49.99 per month, will be discounted to $39.99 per month in New York City, and $29.95 per month in Northeast Ohio, for a promotional period of 12 months.

About Time Warner Cable Time Warner Cable is the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., with technologically advanced, well-clustered systems located in five geographic areas -- New York State (including New York City), the Carolinas, Ohio, Southern California (including Los Angeles) and Texas. Time Warner Cable serves more than 14.7 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers a suite of phone, Internet, Ethernet and cable television services to businesses of all sizes. Time Warner Cable Media Sales, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions that are targeted and affordable. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at www.timewarnercable.com, www.twcbc.com and www.twcmediasales.com.

SOURCE: Time Warner Cable

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