Bring Back HGTV and Food Network Dropped by Cablevision

Terry Hurley, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jan 1, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

For many television viewers, HGTV and the Food Network are favorite channels. These channels offer viewing choices free from the violence often found on other networks. They provide entertainment that includes useful information for homeowners and families. There are plenty of tips on buying, selling and fixing up your home. Ideas for decorating and renovating everything from the basement to the attic and in between. Recipes for families to enjoy preparing and eating together. Instructions for making quick meals that are nutritious and wholesome for busy families and how-tos on cooking fabulous looking and tasting food for special occasions.

Yes, these networks offer their viewing audience plenty of wonderful educational television shows. However, for more than three million subscribers to Cablevision these televison shows have disappeared overnight. As the New Year rang in 2010, these favorite tv channels went off the air.

Due to a disagreement regarding distribution rates, viewers were virtually left in the dark as all of their favorite shows on the Food Network and HGTV were discontinued. Many viewers did not find out about the suspended broadcasts until they relaxed on their sofas and easy chairs on New Years day and tuned in to watch their favorite chef, interior decorator or builder.

Perhaps in the big scheme of things, three million or so customers are not that many. After all, how many of those three million really care about HGTV and the Food Network? Well, I believe there are thousands, if not millions, of viewers that watch and enjoy the programs carried by those two networks.

I, like many other Cablevision customers, depended on Cablevision to provide a variety of viewing options. By dropping these two networks from their channel offerings, in my opinion, they are taking away the type of television shows that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and by families together. The programs are devoid of murders, rapes and other violent acts whether they are real, realistic or fantasy. There are no criminals, high speed car chases, bombings or drugs. Nor are there gangs, terrorists or lunatics.

For many viewers, HGTV and the Food Network also provide much needed relief, a diversion of sorts, from real life world and local news, at least for a little while. These networks offer a place where the human mind can focus on learning how to make a living room warm and inviting or how to cook a fabulous comforting pasta dinner for friends and family. They provide a much needed mini- escape, or mental vacation, from thinking about the economy, the job market, home foreclosures, the war and the terrorists.

Hopefully, Cablevision will come to an agreement with Scripps Network and we will once again be able to see our favorite Food Network and HGTV televison shows. Hopefully, it will happen without a rate increase on Cablevision's part. Until then, the vision of a large satellite dish on my roof is replacing visions of mouth-watering roasts, thirty minute meals and learning how to make my bedroom look like a spa retreat.

Published by Terry Hurley

I have worked many years in the educational field. As a former Learning Center Director and teacher, education is very important to me. I have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Currently, I reside on the ea... View profile